Advice on Buying a Really Cheap Car (under $2K) ???

Dave N · 09-07-05, 09:22

With gas prices going up, I have ran some numbers on whether or not it would be worth it for me to buy a small car for my work commute. I drive about 50 miles per day round trip, and my truck gets about 18 mpg average. If I could double that (36 mpg) with a small car, I could save between $867 and $1040 per year (with gas priced at $2.50 and $3.00 per gallon, respectively)

I thought that if I could buy a small used car for $1500-2000, I could break even in 2 years. Even if the car only lasted 2 years, I would still come out money ahead since I wouldn't be putting all those miles on my truck.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan with 100-130K miles, but I'm wondering if anyone can tell me about some of the other cars out there. How are high milage Saturns? Mazdas? Any domestics that will go 150-200K?

I'm also looking for any other general opinions about this, so opine away.

drewski59 · 09-07-05, 09:41

I know a few people who've gotten 150k+ out of Saturns with just basic maintenance.

I also know people who have over 200k on their Proteges.

My friend Mike has 410k on his 80s Volvo!

You can't go wrong at all with old Hondas and Toyotas, but the trick is to find one that has been decently taken care of!

Good luck and let us know what you buy!

Dave N · 09-07-05, 09:59

Quote:

Have you considered a motorcycle?

Yikes, I'm too skeered to ride a motorcycle!

Besides, I need something that I can drive year 'round here in Illinois.

Here's a Mazda that looks too good to be true (about $500 below KBB/NADA). The style really turns me off, but the price is right!
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/nakayama/w...ex_carsale.htm

rjstaaf · 09-07-05, 10:02

Have you considered a motorcycle? You can get some great bikes with very low mileage in the 2K price range.

Here are a couple of great examples. You can easily get 50-60mpg with either bike. If you have never ridden before a bike like these are the perfect starter bike.

2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250 with only 3392 miles for $1995.

http://www.cycletrader.com/addetaildriver.html?43736998

A new one with no miles is $2999.

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/7/8/80080178.htm

Just a thought

Kanchou · 09-07-05, 10:14

if you get a well maintained 2.8 & 3.1 60 degree v-6 from GM, it will last for 200,000 regularly. It has to be the MPF 3.1, NOT the 3100 series.

I got 230,000 out of mine and friends report similar milage in similar engine cars. (i gave mine up because of steering, not because of engine.)

Corsica, Beretta, grand prix, grand am, certain cavaliers, etc...

GTScott · 09-07-05, 10:42

While I don't know where their prices fall, I know people that have taken HORRIBLE CARE of their 96ish and up Toyota Camrys and still not had any trouble with them. They seem to be bullett proof. Just an idea.

-GT

mdsmithers · 09-07-05, 10:48

I got 120K miles out of my 1995 Saturn SL1, got over 30mpg, far as I know it's still on the road, but it had started an oil leak so who knows.

Dave N · 09-07-05, 11:23

Quote:

I got 120K miles out of my 1995 Saturn SL1, got over 30mpg, far as I know it's still on the road, but it had started an oil leak so who knows.

I had a 1995 Nissan 200SX (= 2-door Sentra) that I sold with 135,000 miles on it. It had developed an oil leak around the timing chain, but otherwise ran great. That car would get nearly 40 mpg on the highway and had a spotless interior -- I sure wish I had it back...

Thanks to everyone for all the comments so far. I didn't know about the longevity of the GM V6, but I'm really lookng for a 4 cylinder that gets 35+ mpg highway. Anything less wouldn't really pay off for me.

OJ_GTI · 09-07-05, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave N

I had a 1995 Nissan 200SX (= 2-door Sentra) that I sold with 135,000 miles on it. It had developed an oil leak around the timing chain, but otherwise ran great. That car would get nearly 40 mpg on the highway and had a spotless interior -- I sure wish I had it back...

Thanks to everyone for all the comments so far. I didn't know about the longevity of the GM V6, but I'm really lookng for a 4 cylinder that gets 35+ mpg highway. Anything less wouldn't really pay off for me.

I had the SE-R version of the 200SX with the SR20DE engine. 2 years and nothing went wrong with it at all during that time.

Don't forget to factor in insurance and other taxes to your break-even price. Could you get rid of the truck and get something in between?

Dave N · 09-07-05, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by OJ_GTI

I had the SE-R version of the 200SX with the SR20DE engine. 2 years and nothing went wrong with it at all during that time.

Don't forget to factor in insurance and other taxes to your break-even price. Could you get rid of the truck and get something in between?

The SE-R was quite a step up from the SE version. I've seen websites where people are collecting those cars.

I've considered tax and insurance and I think I could still come out ahead after a year or two. The truck would no longer be my primary vehicle, so the $2000 car would be primary and I would just have liability on it. Not having any hard numbers, I don't think it would be all that much.

It crossed my mind to sell the truck, but I would have to take a huge hit on it. With the "employee pricing" going on now, the used V8 truck market is really soft. If I had it to do over, I would buy an older truck to haul stuff and a new Corolla (or something similar) to drive daily.

zippymbr · 09-07-05, 01:04

Mid 1990's Integra's get between 34-36 if you can keep your foot out of it. Good cars for $3000-$6000.

medic · 09-08-05, 08:30

our mazda was bought used from a dealer. it's a 93 with ~130K on it. it costs about 5-600/yr in maintinence and will give 30+ mpg on the freeway. even combined city driving is in the high 20s

be careful of cars over the next few months though...you've gotta look for flood damage given the huricaine/monsoon season.