Cheap old cars
 

My current car is pretty much dead. I was thinking maybe I would look into getting a cheap car to get myself to work and back. Mostly, I want something that will run for a year, and hopefully in that time I will be able to get a nice car (I'm trying for the Coast Guard, and I don't want to sink money into a car till I get out of OCS next year). What I am wondering is, am I foolish for hoping for a car in somewhere in the 800-1500 dollar range that will run fairly reliably for a year?
I'm thinking I will have better luck with something like a Honda, Toyota or Saturn.

Is it possible to find the type of car I am looking for, for the amount of money I am looking to spend?
What should I check out on these cars to make sure they aren't going to fall apart in a month?
Am I right in thinking I will have better luck with a Honda, Toyota or Saturn?

Thank for the time everyone.

toyotas or hondas are the way to go.
my buddy has an old 87 camry that he drove across the country last summer.....the car has 520,000 miles on it...
Get yourself an 80s toyota or honda and you wont regret it!

Personally, I would find the newest car for the money. Toyota and Honda are great reliable cars. Around these parts a so-so '93 Honda Accord will go $3500. A '93 Taurus can be found for the $1500 you're willing to spend. Not quite as reliable as Honda or Toyota but when you consider that you can get a car that isn't quite so old you probably come out ahead. Also, on the plus side for a domestic (like the Taurus or Sable - there is a lot of them out there) is that parts are a lot cheaper and it is often easier to find someone to fix them.

Something like a Honda or Toyota might be a lot more fun to drive, but since this is going to be basic transportation for a year or so I personally wouldn't worry about that.

Take someone along who is able to give the vehicle you're looking at least a quick 'once over'. BTW, stay away from the 3.8L engines in the Taurus/Sable though, find one with a 3.0L. The 3.8L was an awful engine. Better yet, the typical fee to have a mechanic do a used car inspection is about $50.

shit, you can probably get a 94 Buick Lesabre or older for around 1500 or less that will last forever. THe 3800 series engine that they use is bullet proof. Big comfy cars that aren't typically abused because of the owers.

here ya go...nice and cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6138

Don't overlook the old Volvo 240's. I'd stay away from the turbo ones though. They made them pretty much the same for about 15 years and they're pretty rock solid. The older Hondas and Toyotas are durable as well, but they didn't start using higher grade body steel until more recently so you get some rust on the older ones if you're in the northern climes. Good suggestion bringing it to a mechanic, well worth the extra money. Good luck.

Don't forget about the reliant/colt! I have one, just as a beater, picked it up for 500, runs awesome, and has a nice comfy seat. Not much for creature comforts, and the dash is pretty spartan, but its damn good transportation! Also, big ol trunk and seats 6, yes 6 comfortably(in most regards).

Also, the engine is very easy to work on!

So it is ok to ask if I can take the car to a mechanic for a check up? Can I do things like make sure it passes safety and emissions?

Sorry, I'm pretty new to this whole buying a car thing.

you can't go wrong with an old civic camry, corolla, or accord. the things will run forever and a half. a friend of mine got a 86 Sentra for 500 and it runs just fine, despite being very ugly. all these cars would suit yoru needs.

Corollas are bulletproof. Any of those late 80's imports are awesome. Look for chevy nova/prizm. Same as Corolla mechanically, but cheaper.

I second the late 80s early 90's Corolla. They will run forever on just an oil change. Dirt cheap, easy insurance, and get great mileage. That little 4banger is pretty solid. My grampas got one with 250k miles, gets as good of mileage as the day he got it, and runs every bit as well. I totally expect another 150k or more out of it.

I haven't looked into Buicks...but if you can find a newer one for that price ... look into it. The engine is time proven and strong. And if you can find a supercharged one, thats even better :).

Agreed. Actually, old Mitsubishis of any kind (Colt/Champ/Reliant are actually Mitsus) are pretty solid cars, priced cheap because they weren't all that popular in the States. Some from the early-mid 80s were prone to weird ignition problems that weren't easily debugged, so you want to look out for that. Otherwise, yeah.

Late '80s Civics and Corollas are fine. They run well long after the bodywork starts to give up. Do get the car checked out first, of course.

Still remember fondly my early'80s Plymouth Colt -- most responsive manual steering I've ever had, plus a twin-stick truck-style transmission that came in real handy at stop signs on steep San Francisco hills. That thing could practically climb trees.

Yeah, it's okay. It's even smart and recommended. If they give you any flak, walk: could be trying to put something over on you.

It's your money, after all, and there are a _lot_ of used cars out there.