cheap car advice

[john112deere]

If she does get a smaller car with the I-4 try to get here into one with a standard, like you've probably seen with Rangers like yours, those little motors (the Civic is rated between 90-97hp) don't do worth beans using the slush box...

She does prefer a standard. I more or less wouldn't own an automatic anything- just plain don't like driving them. It may be hard to convince her she needs to care, though. And I'm trying to keep my anti-automatic bias (which is MUCH stronger than my anti-import bias, BTW) out of this as much as I can.

One point she and I differ on, too, is how much of it is "personal preference." IMO, it's not worth paying the insurance, never mind the purchase price, on a car you don't like.

Most of the Hondas she saw under $2k were about '92/'93 vintage, and near 200k miles. Neither is enough to rule them out, but a 15 year old car in New England definitely requires a thorough check for rust. Other stuff she was seeing was a little newer, mostly late '90s, and generally between 100-150k miles.

She and I went through the Want Ads yesterday, and marked everything I thought might be worth pursuing if she was interested. Now it's up to her to figure out what she wants to call on, and look at.

 

[d-kuzmen]

OK, so stick shift Escorts are good.

Are all Taurus auto trannies bad? Or just some of them? Any early warning signs, or just stay away from the whole model line? I won't say I like the cars, but I'm told they can be bought pretty cheap, and I do like the badge on the grille.

Another consideration that may or may not end up mattering is that my sister is pretty short- somewhere around 5'. When she drives my Ranger (the driver's seat foam is pretty collapsed) even with the seat all the way up she can barely reach the clutch, and barely see over the dash. I'm assuming small cars will be less trouble, but I don't know.

They want me to go look at an '01 ZX2 (Escort) tomorrow. 5-speed, ~115k miles. Guess we'll see where that goes.

Not all Taurus's are bad just mostly the ones that don't get serviced. That 01 escort is still being broken in at 115k. Look at the tires that is a good tell if it's been abused, if it has bald tires that are smooth it's probably been abused.

 

[d-kuzmen]

How 'bout the Saturns?

I don't like the things, but she found a bunch of positive reviews of them online (for what that's worth) and they're all over the place for sale.

There ok. Kind of like riding in a tin can. My sister in law had one, now major problems.

 

[polarbear]

Here's a car-guy perspective, and it's going to be completely different. First off, finding a sub-$2,000 decent, reliable anything is a challenge in itself. When we start throwing around names like "Toyota" and Honda," we're describing 200,000 mile vehicles that might smoke and have relatively straight bodies. In a Toyota pickup, it won't even buy that- you have to be very flexible on what you'll accept in terms of "straight body." We don't have rust issues out here- but that's a big deal on the other coast, and the Asians brands tend to be more rust prone.

Second- if you're looking at a 8-10 year old one/two owner car with 100,000 miles on it, assume the damned thing has been fairly reliable whether it's a problem-prone model year/ brand or not. Common sense sez that thing would have been traded off long before it is wasn't. In older cars especially, knowing where it's been and what it's done is pretty critical in finding a decent driver. Anything that's been across five states and as many owners would get automatically nixed in my book- too many additional variables for something that has more than it's share of risk going in.

Third- is a itty-bitty puddle jumper for a new driver really a good idea? You can save all the gas in the world, but assume that new driver is going to wreck it at least once before she graduates, and if it was my daughter I'd want a little more metal around her, even if it does use a little more fuel. Cars can be replaced- that's what insurance is for. Kids are a little tougher to come by.

Cliffs Notes- I'd be looking for a mid-size GM or Ford (Lumina/Malibu/Taurus) or divisional twins. Pontiacs are kinda kewl because they don't look quite so dorky to the younger set (Grand Prix/Grand Am to the front of the line), although Buicks are historically more reliable (it's true though).

 

[mrfixit]

I've decided to not comment when I heard the criteria til now... I grew up believing in disposable vehicles for the mechanically and financially challenged, so when I think CHEAP, that's what I think of; The low buck car that you run til the next stop is the wrecker.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Third- is a itty-bitty puddle jumper for a new driver really a good idea? You can save all the gas in the world, but assume that new driver is going to wreck it at least once before she graduates, and if it was my daughter I'd want a little more metal around her, even if it does use a little more fuel. Cars can be replaced- that's what insurance is for. Kids are a little tougher to come by.

Glad you said it. I say this to people and they look at me like I'm stupid.

"but, but, but... that crown vic isn't "Cute."'

Ryan

 

[john112deere]

Her issue with the bigger cars isn't so much the looks, as the fact that she's too small for them. In a tiny car, she can reach everything and see everywhere. In a big car, she has to stretch to reach the pedals, and can barely see over the dash.

Like I said, though- I'm a big fan of full-sized American cars. Buddy's got an Olds Aurora with a V8- big luxury boat that goes like stink. He beats it pretty hard, too, and still gets low 20s around town. It's a pig to park, or even drive in urban traffic, though.

I'm don't completely disagree with you on the disposable car idea, Tom, but Massachusetts (where she lives) has pretty strict safety and emission inspections, and that changes the whole dynamic a bit. Not to mention that dear Mom hasn't got a clue about when it's time to put a car out to pasture. Repairing everything that goes wrong with a disposable car can get pricy, fast, if you're paying someone else to do everything to it.

Final call's not mine, though- it's not my money, I don't have to fix it, and I probably won't GET to drive it, so all I can do is offer my opinions.

 

[polarbear]

I get a kick out of what the younger guys call a "full-size" car. Wifey learned to drive on her dad's '73 Coupe de Ville..... all 21' of it. You could probably line up two Focus's end to end next to that car and still not get to the total overall length.

Same color as this, in a coupe. we called it the banana boat.

 

[blacksnapon]

My opinion of a perfect first car for a kid to learn on........any mid 70's GM vehicle with a v8 (theres a reason). These are easy to purchase, parts are cheap, they're easy to work on. The reason for me to get a kid one of these is the HEI ignition. Inside the distributor is a set of counterbalance weights used to advance the timing at higher rpm range.....weld 'em solid. One wire supplies power to the distributor......wire in a chrysler ballast resistor, and hide it. These two modifications will still allow for good fuel mileage when driving sensibly, but when you try to race it, it falls on its face. The fun part now comes. The first thing the kid does, is take it to their mechanic buddies to fix it. If you've hidden everything well, everything they do to it will make it worse. You can throw them a bone to get them off the track though. Put a rivet in the vacuum port for the secondaries (if 4 barrel). My son's buddies "Your dad isnt as smart as he thinks!"

 

[mrfixit]

I feel ya. This was my Dad's, and I learned to drive in it.
Forgive me guys for posting another GM product...

Good looking car, PB

 

[john112deere]

Tom, I ain't even got a clue what that is...

Grandpa had '59 Imperial around when my father got his license, but I think he and his brother tended to prefer borrowing Grandma's '59 VW.

 

[polarbear]

blacksnapon- you are mean!

john112deere- that's a '59 Cadillac Eldorado Seville Coupe. Am I right Tom?

30 years ago, my Grand Marquis would have been considered a "mid-sized" car. It's actually about the same size as a early 70's Torino, and probably lighter as well.

BTW- FIL put well over 200K miles on that Caddy, and I thought he was going to cry the day he sold it. He loved that car. That was back in his GM days- I've got him in his 2nd F150 and a Crown Vic.

 

[blacksnapon]

boy, I'm glad my dad wasn't a mechanic..........."Dad, I need this aluminum intake for improved fuel distribution, and that will improve my fuel mileage!"

 

[mrfixit]

blacksnapon- you are mean!

john112deere- that's a '59 Cadillac Eldorado Seville Coupe. Am I right Tom?

30 years ago, my Grand Marquis would have been considered a "mid-sized" car. It's actually about the same size as a early 70's Torino, and probably lighter as well.

BTW- FIL put well over 200K miles on that Caddy, and I thought he was going to cry the day he sold it. He loved that car. That was back in his GM days- I've got him in his 2nd F150 and a Crown Vic.

Right you are! I think he bought it in 61 or 62 used. That pic was in 69, as we said goodbye to it at a car lot where we picked up a new impala. The biggest car I ever OWNED was a 67 chrysler newport fastback... or so it was called.

Mine wasn't this new, shiny, nor did it even look near as good. I think it had the biggest trunk I have ever seen in my LIFE, tho. That trunk was longer than the front clip!!!

 

[john112deere]

boy, I'm glad my dad wasn't a mechanic...........

You know, it's funny- I'm 20, and cars and driving are about my top area of interest. I like to drive fast on occasion, and a fast car can be a lot of fun.

But I find I rather like my slow little truck for a daily driver. Yeah, it takes some work (shifting), thinking, and planning to keep up with urban traffic, and I can only cruise at about 67 on the interstate, but it mostly keeps me out of trouble, and there's something kinda fun about having to WORK to just keep up with traffic. Gotta know my vehicle and run it right any time I drive through traffic.

First couple times I drove this truck (before it was mine) I was flat terrified, but I've grown to really like driving such a slow vehicle. Don't think it'd be any fun at altitude, though- even at sea level, it's just barely adequate.

 

[polarbear]

mrfixit- mom had a '66 New Yorker with a big, honkin' 440. Big, square, heavy car that could outrun and outhandle dad's Mercedes on any type of road you'd care to name. Had that nice Mopar rumble from the dual pipes when you lit it up. Startled folks sometimes- they didn't expect a big luxury car to rumble like that. Typical older Mopar product- loose body, plenty of rattles and squeaks, but went like hell when you put your foot into it. Car got replaced by a '70 Mercury Marquis. The Merc was quiet and soft- had the optional 429 4V but never "felt" fast like the Chrysler.

john112deere- It's an age thing. As I get older, all I want my daily driver to really do is be comfy, quiet, climate controlled, and get me there with the least amount of fuss possible.

 

[john112deere]

Goin' to look at a '95 Saturn tomorrw. Mom and sis will have the mechanic check it out, too.

100k, 1-owner, 4-door, 5-speed, guy's selling because his family has outgrown it. Haven't seen it in person, and I don't like Saturns, but it's got all the right qualities so far.

john112deere- It's an age thing. As I get older, all I want my daily driver to really do is be comfy, quiet, climate controlled, and get me there with the least amount of fuss possible.

Yes and no. Guy I got this truck from is only a couple years younger than you, and he liked it as well as I do, for the same reasons. Only reason he got rid of it was that it had 200k and he found a screamin' deal on a newer one, that's even less well equipped. I have a friend who's 21, and feels the same way you do- he's got a Model A half-restored that he drove almost daily in HS, and a '20 Dodge that's next on the list. He's a better mechanic than I am by a significant margin. But his DD is an '06 Caddy- comfortable, quiet, and still under warranty. (Fast, too...)

 

[1970Custom]

Slow is okay when I'm on my tractor or in my Bronco, everything else will flat get me into trouble...

 

[Brian_B]

I will upset some people again by saying this, but here goes anyway.

A child should have to earn a car. Work some sort of job to pay for the car in the first place. I totally disagree with parents buying a kid a car. If you are in town..make them get a paper route or something when they are 12 and save every penny for their first car. If you are in the country raise chickens for eggs. Work for the farmer down the road when he is cutting hay. Something.

Earn the car. Once they buy their first car, teach them to do the maintenance, so they can drive to their part time after school and weekend job.

Make them pay for repairs of things they tear up. That will teach them responsibility. Make them pay for their gas and they will not be cruising around all the time.

Make them keep up with the insurance, again...so they learn responsibility. They will more than likely wreck their fist car, so they need to learn.



Before anyone asks. Yes...I worked at age 12 and saved almost every penny. At 14 I bought my first car. At 16 I bought my second. I either fixed it or rode the bus and walked.

Yes...I wrecked my second car and paid for the deductible.

At 21 I paid 20% down (in cash) for my home.

Sorry...I had too many friends back in school that were given cars. They had no respect for them and did not learn to be responsible for their own actions.

 

[F150]

Agreed. 100%.
To this day I haven't ever driven one of my parents cars. In fact my mom used to borrow my car when I lived home.
(Although I did "help" my kids with their first cars).