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Good, Cheap Beater Cars & Inexpensive Commuter Cars - how to find one?

345 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 9:00 AM

You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester

What is this discussion about? Acura Integra, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Escort, Honda Civic, Mazda Protege, Buying Insurance


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#280 of 345
details by ghulet
Aug 17, 2006 (7:50 am)
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It's a '95 SL2, automatic (which isn't so bad, I'm usually a manual guy), blue/black with tan leather, all options except CD player (unfortunately, the sunroof is glitchy), just passed 160k. It's not worth much, but I still see these (and any other non-beat up running car) all the time with silly asking prices (over $1000, which to me is silly for an 11-12 year-old domestic econocar with 160k).
#281 of 345
Re: details [ghulet] by british_rover
Aug 17, 2006 (7:54 am)
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Replying to: ghulet (Aug 17, 2006 7:50 am)

Yeah the one I took in was the same just a manual.
#282 of 345
1966= $300 2006= $1884 by stuartf
Aug 21, 2006 (10:25 am)
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OK, I need a car for a year, mostly around town and in-state. For the fun of it, I thought I would try to spend what I spent on my first vehicle (adjusted for inflation), a 1960 Renault Dauphine purchased in 1966 for $300; kept it two years and had to put a salvage engine in it ($75) but it ran and ran for all its 36 HP.
 
I think I will stay away from the Koreans on this go round, see that the Escorts and Mazdas from the mid to late 90's might fit the bill. As always, I guess condition of the vehicle is most important.
 
IMHO, buying from the private owner is the best strategy. I am going to see a 1988 CRX-si with 64K miles asking 2350 this afternoon.
 
Any other suggestions??
#283 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [stuartf] by kirstie_h HOST
Aug 21, 2006 (11:51 am)
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Replying to: stuartf (Aug 21, 2006 10:25 am)

I'm a big fan of the Protege. My '96 ate little gas, was fun to drive (manual shift), and I think magic elves performed maintenance while I slept, because it cost almost nothing in repairs. You should be able to get a later model Protege for the same $ as the '88 Civic you're looking at, though the 64K miles is an attraction.
#284 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [kirstie_h] by guss
Aug 23, 2006 (11:23 am)
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Aug 21, 2006 11:51 am)

I would be willing to bet that 64k miles is followed by a parenthases. As in (on rebuilt engine). The ain't no one driving a commuter car 3000 mile per year.
 
If I had to get a car for under $2k, I would be looking at Buick Century's ,Chevy Lumina's and on the smaller side Mazda Protege's The 2 American cars are plentiful,parts are cheap, and every mechanic in North America knows how to work on them.
#285 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [stuartf] by stuartf
Aug 23, 2006 (5:58 pm)
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Replying to: stuartf (Aug 21, 2006 10:25 am)

I am rounding it up to $2k, I have an allergy to US designed iron... so far, the Prizm and the Escort seem to be the best for the $$, near replicas of the Corolla and the Protege for 20% less. Finding a 5 speed has proven to be the problem, lots of autos out there.
 
BTW, I was the mistaken one about the CRX, it had 102K, it was genuine, but it had been modified to the taste of an adolescent, not the thing for me.
 
I have also taken to heart the suggestion about putting word out in my networks; just missed by a week or two an older Protege that was sold for $100 (my, that beats the 1966 price of the Dauphine).
 
Keep the suggestions coming.
#286 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [stuartf] by asafonov
Aug 24, 2006 (7:15 am)
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Replying to: stuartf (Aug 23, 2006 5:58 pm)

Over your limit, but I would be all over this car had I needed a commuter vehicle:
 
Toyota Corolla 2000 for Sale - $3299
Reply to: see below
Date: 2006-08-23, 11:29AM CDT
 
U. international grad student, returning home in mid Sept, want to sell car before leaving.
White toyota corolla, 2000 model, manual transmission, ~64,000 miles, good condition, everything in good working order (AC/heating, cassette player/radio, power windows, power steering, cruise control etc.)
price somewhat negotiable ...
#287 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [asafonov] by stuartf
Aug 24, 2006 (6:25 pm)
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Replying to: asafonov (Aug 24, 2006 7:15 am)

I agree, this would be worth a look. Today I drove a 98 Protege, it was quite beat. The unfortunate young man who owned it was desperate to sell it, bargained himself from $1500 to $750 without any intervention on my part, but I couldn't rescue him from the disaster if his vehicle. My neighbors just bought a 1997 Prizm, 137 k miles, paid $1900, a smooth riding vehicle but it has an automatic.
 
I continue the search
#288 of 345
Re: 1966= $300 2006= $1884 [stuartf] by foona
Aug 25, 2006 (2:34 am)
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Replying to: stuartf (Aug 24, 2006 6:25 pm)

Keep an eye on Craigs List automotive sales, probably best location. Try to find one < 10 yrs old with around 100-150K miles from ideally an original owner, not a dealer.
#289 of 345
Girl in trouble!!! 2000 INTEGRA with 1.6L????? by chrissy221
Aug 26, 2006 (8:11 pm)
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guys, help, last time i checked,,2000 integra SE came with 1.8L engines., im trying to buy one and found a really nice one for 9000 at 160000 clicks with everything power except no sunroof,,but the engine is 1.6L? what does that tell you about what could be wrong with it if anithing at all, and isnt that price anyways a little too generous for a 2000 model?
  
This is the description i found:
  
2 Dr, 1.6L, 5 Spd, Pwr Steer, Pwr Door Lock, Pwr Window, AM/FM Radio, CD Player, ice cool A/C, ABS Brakes, Cruise Control, Pwr Mirror, Mag Wheels, Ext. Warranty Available. Certified, E. tested, 30 days Warranty.
  
its a nice looking car too..helpp???
  
THXXXXX alot : )

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