View Poll Results: Which car I should get....
Honda CRX
1
2.94%
Toyota pickup
7
20.59%
Nissan 240sx
7
20.59%
Honda civic
15
44.12%
Others....(let me know your answer)
4
11.76%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll
Poll : $3500 budget to buy 'beat-up' car for daily drive to work
11-02-07, 11:03 PM
#1
Poll : $3500 budget to buy 'beat-up' car for daily drive to work
I've decided to buy a beat-up car for daily drive to work. I feel bad to abuse my GS everyday (68 miles everday!). Anyway, my budget is $3500 to buy this car and of course I expect high mileage. I need some suggestion from y'all CL members who probably know those cars above more than me. Please vote !!! 
If you had/have one of this car, please share your experience (problem, maintenance, car insurance, gas, etc)
If you had/have one of this car, please share your experience (problem, maintenance, car insurance, gas, etc)
Last edited by masboy; 11-02-07 at 11:09 PM.
11-03-07, 06:53 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
I'd avoid the CRX, despite its known reliability and driving fun. It is lacking in crash protection...driving lots of miles to work every day, you will be exposed to daily crash hazards.
Pearlpower probably has the best idea.......look for a used Accord in that price range (or maybe a Civic), but I'd also avoid old VW's...too unreliable.
Older Toyota pickups were notorious rust-buckets in the welding that held on the beds, but that problem generally disappeared in th 1990's.
The 240SX was not that popular as a new car and has been out of production long enough to maybe difficult to get parts for.
Whatever you get, inspect it thoroughly and give it a good test-drive...look for signs of engine, transmission, steering, suspension, and brake wear. Car Max is generally a good place to buy older used cars.
Pearlpower probably has the best idea.......look for a used Accord in that price range (or maybe a Civic), but I'd also avoid old VW's...too unreliable.
Older Toyota pickups were notorious rust-buckets in the welding that held on the beds, but that problem generally disappeared in th 1990's.
The 240SX was not that popular as a new car and has been out of production long enough to maybe difficult to get parts for.
Whatever you get, inspect it thoroughly and give it a good test-drive...look for signs of engine, transmission, steering, suspension, and brake wear. Car Max is generally a good place to buy older used cars.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-03-07 at 06:58 AM.
11-03-07, 08:27 AM
#6
some my friends suggested me to get CRX, I guess it's gone from my list now. How about Lexus E250 ? or 1991 Lexus LS ?? But it's V6...which probably will eat my wallet...
I found some cheap cars with 'rebuilt engine', is it a NO-NO ? or would it be OK ?
thanks for the responds so far !!
I found some cheap cars with 'rebuilt engine', is it a NO-NO ? or would it be OK ?
thanks for the responds so far !!
Last edited by masboy; 11-03-07 at 08:49 AM.
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11-03-07, 11:03 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Best way to check a used engine out, short of a compression check in a shop, is to first check all the fluids, see how fast the red light goes out or the oil pressure gauge comes up after a start, listen for any unusual noises, and, during moderately hard acceleration, look in the rear-view mirror out the back for any blue or white smoke after the engine is warm.....white steam, when it is cold, on damp day, is normal. Bluish-white, with a warm engine on a dry day, means that there are severely worn internal engine parts such as rings, bearings, or valves, that is allowing oil to be burnt.
11-03-07, 11:08 AM
#10
hehe, I got a 96 Honda accord for sale, 85K orignal owner, and I only want 3K for it.
So for 3500, you will be able to get some nice 4 cycl Toyota Camry, Accord, Civic and etc.
I would personally go for 240sx cause that;s hella more fun, but KA24DE is not bullet proof, and 70% of them burns oil, and gas mileage is horrible. I had 3 of those, I know them.
So for 3500, you will be able to get some nice 4 cycl Toyota Camry, Accord, Civic and etc.
I would personally go for 240sx cause that;s hella more fun, but KA24DE is not bullet proof, and 70% of them burns oil, and gas mileage is horrible. I had 3 of those, I know them.
11-03-07, 01:44 PM
#13
Depends on what you are looking for. For me I am picking something up for my stepson who I also want to learn to get his hands dirty as most inept men in todays world have no clue about the basics of automotive mechanics and instead rely on AAA for their needs. So a Jetta is perfect as basic transportation but also will require attention. An older Accord is more difficult to work on (try removing those brake rotors) but if kept up will be a reliable daily driver. Same for Camry.
11-03-07, 02:49 PM
#14
toyota camry.
if pre 92 buy a 4 cyl, the v6 headgaskets are kinda iffy. a nice neat 3rd or 4th gen should easily be within your reach
if pre 92 buy a 4 cyl, the v6 headgaskets are kinda iffy. a nice neat 3rd or 4th gen should easily be within your reach
11-03-07, 02:53 PM
#15
-Pearlpower
camry isnt difficult to work on
(except for the V6 HG issue
)
-tuan92129
ES250 were all V6 motors and had the same issues as the camrys. ES300 is better with that but price out an early ES300 and the same year V6 camry and your gunna see a reasonable gap in price.
most early model camrys and ES250's you see will have replaced motors just because it was so common for the headgaskets to fail. most of the later motors (late model 2VZ) had the issue fixed. the 3MZ that replaced the 2VZ in the 92+ Camrys didnt really have that problem.
camry isnt difficult to work on
(except for the V6 HG issue
)-tuan92129
ES250 were all V6 motors and had the same issues as the camrys. ES300 is better with that but price out an early ES300 and the same year V6 camry and your gunna see a reasonable gap in price.
most early model camrys and ES250's you see will have replaced motors just because it was so common for the headgaskets to fail. most of the later motors (late model 2VZ) had the issue fixed. the 3MZ that replaced the 2VZ in the 92+ Camrys didnt really have that problem.