A car for under $1500

[TBR]

So I will be turning 16 in just a bit more than 6 months and therefore I will be needed a car. I have about $1400 right now (my dad is making me buy it, which is fine) and hope to get at least another $1000 by then, but I want to spend no more than $1500 just because if I have to get a piece of junk I might as well not spend much money. I want to go reasonably new if possible ('90s) because it needs to be reliable. Good fuel economy is also important but coolness doesn't really matter (what $1500 car is going to be cool anyway?). Right now I have found Escorts and SL1s for cheap, any other ideas?  

[ifcar]

Escorts are inexpensive, easily available, and mine has been trouble-free (though many other owners that I know have had some electrical annoyances). The Cavalier would be similar, but I think a Saturn would be a bit more expensive than those. I'd avoid a coupe, insurance goes way up for a young male driver in a 2-door. You could also look at the unpopular Japanese cars of that era, like the Mitsu Colt, Geo Prizm (it's not officially Japanese, but I'll throw it along with them anyway) and Nissan Sentra, I'd assume they'd be selling for much less than similarly aged Corollas and Civics.

If you want to go a little larger, you could probably find an early-90s Taurus/Sable or Corsica in your price range, and perhaps a Buick Century/Olds Ciera as well. Insurance would probably be quite cheap on the last two as well.

And you know that I recommend getting a hatchback or wagon whenever possible.

Good luck!

[TBR]

Escorts are inexpensive, easily available, and mine has been trouble-free (though many other owners that I know have had some electrical annoyances). The Cavalier would be similar, but I think a Saturn would be a bit more expensive than those. I'd avoid a coupe, insurance goes way up for a young male driver in a 2-door. You could also look at the unpopular Japanese cars of that era, like the Mitsu Colt, Geo Prizm (it's not officially Japanese, but I'll throw it along with them anyway) and Nissan Sentra, I'd assume they'd be selling for much less than similarly aged Corollas and Civics.

If you want to go a little larger, you could probably find an early-90s Taurus/Sable or Corsica in your price range, and perhaps a Buick Century/Olds Ciera as well. Insurance would probably be quite cheap on the last two as well.

And you know that I recommend getting a hatchback or wagon whenever possible.

Good luck!

We have been through this before...

I thought the Tauruses of the early 1990s were pretty bad as far as reliability goes?  

[BMWDave]

Escorts are inexpensive, easily available, and mine has been trouble-free (though many other owners that I know have had some electrical annoyances). The Cavalier would be similar, but I think a Saturn would be a bit more expensive than those. I'd avoid a coupe, insurance goes way up for a young male driver in a 2-door. You could also look at the unpopular Japanese cars of that era, like the Mitsu Colt, Geo Prizm (it's not officially Japanese, but I'll throw it along with them anyway) and Nissan Sentra, I'd assume they'd be selling for much less than similarly aged Corollas and Civics.

If you want to go a little larger, you could probably find an early-90s Taurus/Sable or Corsica in your price range, and perhaps a Buick Century/Olds Ciera as well. Insurance would probably be quite cheap on the last two as well.

And you know that I recommend getting a hatchback or wagon whenever possible.

Good luck!

We have been through this before...

I thought the Tauruses of the early 1990s were pretty bad as far as reliability goes?

I had a 89 model and it was absolutely horrendous....numerous transmission and engine replacements...

[ifcar]

Generally with a car that age, you either get lucky or you don't. When you're paying $1,500, your best bet is to go with something domestic because you're  more likely to get something newer with lower miles, and hope for the best. At that price, the liklihood of getting something that won't need some sort of work in the next few years is about 0%, maybe 0.5%.

[TBR]

Generally with a car that age, you either get lucky or you don't. When you're paying $1,500, your best bet is to go with something domestic because you're  more likely to get something newer with lower miles, and hope for the best. At that price, the liklihood of getting something that won't need some sort of work in the next few years is about 0%, maybe 0.5%.

I will hopefully only need to keep it for a couple of years.  

[BMWDave]

Ifcar, check your PMs.

And TBR, maybe you can get a used 90ish RX-7.  

[TBR]

Ifcar, check your PMs.

And TBR, maybe you can get a used 90ish RX-7.

Gas mileage isn't very good with those.  

[ifcar]

And insurance would be close to unmanageable.

[Run Away]

Personally I'd go for a 4 door Sentra.
Those box on wheels ones, early 90s.
I always liked them.

[TBR]

And insurance would be close to unmanageable.

Actually, it probably wouldn't be that bad, when its liability only it doesn't vary nearly as much.  

[Tom]

In addition to what you already thought of, get a truck.  If you can, try to find a nice older truck with a big engine from a nice old Texan man.  Is gas mileage really that important?  Lets say you drive 5,000 miles a year, probably an accurate number for a kid driver.  At $2 a gallon and 14m/gal you will spend $714  annualy.  The same distance with a car capable of 25mph will cost $400 a year.  I don't think $300 over the course of a year is a high price to pay for a nicer ride.  But if cheap is really important, and given a $1500 budget I guess it is, look for an older Ranger with a manual tranny.  An auto that breaks, and they all will at high mileage will rape you in repair costs.  Clutches on RWD cars aren't too bad however.  I think you'll have fun with a MT.  I wish I had access to a stick.  Everyone around me drives automatics and I've only had the occasion to drive stick a few awsomely fun times.  Rangers before '97 had 2.3 base motors.  Slow as dirt, but reliable and known to go a long time.  The 3.0 is still quite slow, but better, and also known to go a long time.  Then there's the 4.0.  These aren't too common, but are fast.  Grab one if you can.  I'm sure you know the Mazda B-Series is the same thing.  There are a few other old, cheap pickups.  Look for Toyota and Nissan.  Both are rock solid and will last forever unless rust gets to them, but that shouldn't be a problem down there.  I would avoid an S-10 unless the money is right.  They generally suck in every way.  Good luck.

summary:  trucks rule, consider one

[Fire It Up]

Get something shitty and fun. AKA a Sentra.  

[Tom]

Pre 1987 Corrolas were RWD  

[TBR]

I have thought about a truck and I really wouldn't mind driving one, but first I will probably be putting at least 7500 miles a year on this thing and quite likely 10,000 (we live far away from everything) and gas does add up quickly for someone that doesn't want to waste money on it at this point. A compact wouldn't be nearly as bad though, and a 4.0l Ranger would be a nice truck. I also know a guy that has a 1990-1992 4.3l S10 5-speed regular cab and I might be able to get him to sell it (and I would get a very good deal on it too because he likes my brother and I).  

[TBR]

How risky is buying a sub $1000 car?  

[ifcar]

That depends. ZCarnut got a $500 Daewoo Leganza, only 4 years old. You can't get parts for it, but it's new enough that it should be reliable. But a typical $0-$999 car is likely to be crap.

[TBR]

That depends. ZCarnut got a $500 Daewoo Leganza, only 4 years old. You can't get parts for it, but it's new enough that it should be reliable. But a typical $0-$999 car is likely to be crap.

Will it last for a couple of years or even just a year?

[ifcar]

Even a Daewoo should last for a few years. I'm considering one myself, but I like to keep cars longer than that.

[El Barto]

Look for an early 90's Altima.  My uncle has a 93 Altima that refuses to die.

[850CSi]

In my mind, the $1000 question is really easy to answer...
Late 80s Civic or Accord.


Actually, the Daewoo idea is intriguing...

[TBR]

In my mind, the $1000 question is really easy to answer...
Late 80s Civic or Accord.


Actually, the Daewoo idea is intriguing...

Hondas are too expensive, even the old ones.  

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Well personally i'd look for a nissan, almost all(the pre 94 max's had a belt) 90's nissans have timing chains, something that will be a no problem item.

I would not look for a honda product, at that age and price point all you'll find are old pre-beaten and riced out crapmobiles.

Also when it comes to open market value you will (in general) pay twice as much for half the car when it comes to used honda's(people think they are gold for some reason). I'd look at early 90's nissans/toyotas(kinda spendy), or better yet mazda's.

Your best bet is to look everywhere, turn over every rock, you will find fantastic deals. Don't just look in the paper, search online, drive around, etc.

There are deals to be found, the last 2 cars i bought for under 1500 dollars where damn nice cars(a 1990 Q45, no problems, killer deal and a 1996 mazda MX-6, just needed some love and about 20 bucks in misc fluids).  

[ifcar]

EDIT: Refers to TBR's post.

Definitely, and there is about no chance that a high-mileage 1980s car, even a Honda, will be reliable .

[850CSi]

Mazda 323?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Another good deal for a comfortable reliable car that should average in the mid 20's is a 3800 powered GM. These are good unless you want a manual. They also suffer from horrible resale and you should have a good selection in your price range.

[TBR]

Another good deal for a comfortable reliable car that should average in the mid 20's is a 3800 powered GM. These are good unless you want a manual. They also suffer from horrible resale and you should have a good selection in your price range.

I don't care about a manual at this point.  

[Tom]

Another good deal for a comfortable reliable car that should average in the mid 20's is a 3800 powered GM. These are good unless you want a manual. They also suffer from horrible resale and you should have a good selection in your price range.

I agree.  My Lesabre is worth right now no more than 2k and has not had any problems in the last year except for a PS leak that didn't amount to anything.  

If you don't want a manual, take a look at cheap, old domestic cruisers.  Some of them, like Lincoln Mark 8s can be quite fast, but in general with torquey V-8s they are all pretty powerful and nice rides.

[TBR]

Another good deal for a comfortable reliable car that should average in the mid 20's is a 3800 powered GM. These are good unless you want a manual. They also suffer from horrible resale and you should have a good selection in your price range.

I agree.  My Lesabre is worth right now no more than 2k and has not had any problems in the last year except for a PS leak that didn't amount to anything.  

If you don't want a manual, take a look at cheap, old domestic cruisers.  Some of them, like Lincoln Mark 8s can be quite fast, but in general with torquey V-8s they are all pretty powerful and nice rides.

My only problem with bigger cars is gas mileage. I know the 3800 is pretty good on gas, but what about the V8s from Ford and GM?  

[Tom]

Another good deal for a comfortable reliable car that should average in the mid 20's is a 3800 powered GM. These are good unless you want a manual. They also suffer from horrible resale and you should have a good selection in your price range.

I agree.  My Lesabre is worth right now no more than 2k and has not had any problems in the last year except for a PS leak that didn't amount to anything.  

If you don't want a manual, take a look at cheap, old domestic cruisers.  Some of them, like Lincoln Mark 8s can be quite fast, but in general with torquey V-8s they are all pretty powerful and nice rides.

My only problem with bigger cars is gas mileage. I know the 3800 is pretty good on gas, but what about the V8s from Ford and GM?

The Ford 5.0 in the CV and Grand Marc isn't good but if you can find a GM 5.7, as used in 94-96 Roadmasters and Fleetwoods and cop Caprices(not sure of the years) you will get nice highway mileage and acceptible city mileage.