Getting a car

[Cobra93]

If you are looking at a Focus, avoid the 2.0L SOHC (eighth digit of VIN=P). The 2.0L DOHC (eighth digit of VIN=3) is a good engine.

[ifcar]

He's right.  I can't find a ZX3 or ZX5 under $5000 on autotrader.com.  Although he should be able to find one on craigslist.  In fact, if he could spring for a ZX3 or a ZX5, then he could afford the SVT.  That's fucking nuts.

There were some ZX3s. But I figure the LX manual sedan is the most likely Focus model to have been driven by someone who buys the stickshift economy car primarily for its fuel efficiency anyway, and I'd expect insurance is pricier on a 2/3-door car.

[ifcar]

If you are looking at a Focus, avoid the 2.0L SOHC (eighth digit of VIN=P). The 2.0L DOHC (eighth digit of VIN=3) is a good engine.

What specifically is the problem?

[2o6]

What about a Jetta, Golf or New Beetle?

[ifcar]

What about a Jetta, Golf or New Beetle?

No.

[Raza]

What about a Jetta, Golf or New Beetle?

The hit or miss nature of the reliability of those cars makes it a risky venture.

[Cobra93]

What specifically is the problem?

The valve seats come out of the heads resulting in total engine destruction.

[Vinsanity]

What about a Jetta, Golf or New Beetle?

New Beetle? Really? His sister already has a car.

[ifcar]

The valve seats come out of the heads resulting in total engine destruction.

Nice.

I don't know that I'll be able to choose between engines, so is there anything I can look for on those cars to see if they're looking bad?

[Cobra93]

Nice.

I don't know that I'll be able to choose between engines, so is there anything I can look for on those cars to see if they're looking bad?

Nope. It's internal.

[ifcar]

Nope. It's internal.

I wish I could be pickier in my price range, but I'll try to look for the higher-end Focuses.

[2o6]

I wish I could be pickier in my price range, but I'll try to look for the higher-end Focuses.

You'll never know what'll jump out at you.

[nickdrinkwater]

E36?

[NomisR]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=258913595&dealer_id=100046192&car_year=2002&rdm=1238013615180&num_records=25&systime=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20005&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=25&standard=false

[ifcar]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=258913595&dealer_id=100046192&car_year=2002&rdm=1238013615180&num_records=25&systime=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20005&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=25&standard=false

I don't need a full-size car.

[the Teuton]

E36?

Ifcar doesn't have a sense of fun.

An E36 would make as much sense to him as a Corolla would to Michael Schumacher.

[NomisR]

I don't need a full-size car.

Dude, you're not making this fun...

Get a Green Beetle then..

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=255893143&dealer_id=51604218&car_year=2001&rdm=1238014610266&num_records=25&systime=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&first_record=101&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=20005&advanced=&end_year=2010&pager.offset=100&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=8&standard=false

[ifcar]

Ifcar doesn't have a sense of fun.

An E36 would make as much sense to him as a Corolla would to Michael Schumacher.

More importantly, what sort of reliability would I expect from a $3,000 BMW?

[Vinsanity]

I don't need a full-size car.

Damn, I was going to suggest to you the same Crown Vic I suggested to 2o6.

I think both of you should each buy one so you can play real-life cops and robbers cops

[the Teuton]

More importantly, what sort of reliability would I expect from a $3,000 BMW?

Case-in-point.

Iffy reads Consumer Reports; not an enthusiast mag.

If you want a good $3,000 car, you're screwed because every $3,000 has a deficiency. 

Imprezas get lousy gas mileage.  Civics and Corollas are overpriced for what you get.  Neons are kinda shoddy.  BMWs are expensive to maintain.  Mitsubishis are rubbish. 

You know what, Ifcar, get a Suzuki Aerio.  That should solve all of your problems.

[2o6]

More importantly, what sort of reliability would I expect from a $3,000 BMW?

From what I hear, BMW's are rock solid. Parts aren't cheap, though.


What about a Chrysler PT? It's has more utility, is quicker, handles great and is better equipped than the Focus LX. MPG's aren't that great, but hopefully you have more than one car on your list.

[ifcar]

Case-in-point.

Iffy reads Consumer Reports; not an enthusiast mag.

If you want a good $3,000 car, you're screwed because every $3,000 has a deficiency. 

Imprezas get lousy gas mileage.  Civics and Corollas are overpriced for what you get.  Neons are kinda shoddy.  BMWs are expensive to maintain.  Mitsubishis are rubbish. 

You know what, Ifcar, get a Suzuki Aerio.  That should solve all of your problems.

So because nothing is perfect I shouldn't care if I get one that will run?

[2o6]

Seriously, I'm going to go out and say that CR has little wind and sway when it comes to a car purchase. Car buying is emotional.

So because nothing is perfect I shouldn't care if I get one that will run?

If you're THAT concerned with reliability, then the Focus isn't the most prime pick.


An old Malibu Classic would be a very good choice.

[the Teuton]

So because nothing is perfect I shouldn't care if I get one that will run?

You give far too much of a rat's ass about reliability for a USED car.  A reputation doesn't ensure a reliable, cheap car.

Honestly, get an Aerio.  It meets every requirement you have.

[2o6]

You give far too much of a rat's ass about reliability for a USED car.  A reputation doesn't ensure a reliable, cheap car.

Honestly, get an Aerio.  It meets every requirement you have.

Unsafe.

[ifcar]

My, but do some people have trouble understanding anything but extremes. There is a difference between wanting something more reliable than an old BMW and only caring about reliability.

The Malibu Classic was sold only to fleets -- not great for reliability -- and doesn't have a stick. And it isn't cheap. And it doesn't have a strong reliability history. And it doesn't offer anything else that would make it appealing to offset that, unless I needed something bigger, which I don't.

[2o6]

I think you're looking at it too much as an equation.



In this price range, everything will have problems.

[the Teuton]

I wanted a Civic.  I ended up with a mostly reliable Impreza.

Iffy, I don't think you know what you want because you're rejecting anything an enthusiast forum could recommend to you for the money.

[the Teuton]

I think you're looking at it too much as an equation.



In this price range, everything will have problems.

Iffy dreams in binary.

[ifcar]

You give far too much of a rat's ass about reliability for a USED car.  A reputation doesn't ensure a reliable, cheap car.

Honestly, get an Aerio.  It meets every requirement you have.

Okay, find an Aerio that meets my criteria. $3,500, stickshift, DC area, not too high mileage. The only two Aerios that came close within 100 miles an AutoTrader were automatic, $4,500 and $5,000, and had well over 100k.

I'm just looking for a basic economy car that's as new and low-mileage as possible with a decent reliability history, because in general that's going to be the least likely to break and the least expensive to repair when it does.

Why would a $3,000 BMW come close to even a Suzuki Aerio (if there were actually one available) in providing basic transportation? The car isn't going to be a toy that will be fun to tinker with when it doesn't work, I'll need it to get around.