I need a Car

[eville]

Of course I need a job first, but I need a car.
Damn lost my job and company car all in the same day.
I have my Camaro, but it's not a DD.
I've got a lead on a job, but it's an hour each way no traffic.
I won't commute my Camaro in the rain. I'd sell it first.

So what to get? I need to go used, I want something "cool" and "modifiable" but must be reliable and reasonably priced...

I thought about a WRX, but dayum they are high priced.
I want an old D510, but that seems like another project and not a "budget" car.
I thought ehll, I'll give up on cool and go reliable and cheap and looked Honda Civics, but WTF, 10yo, 200k miles and 6,000 bucks??!?

Suggestions?

[mc84_zz4]

2005+ gto, anywhere from 12 - 17K, ooops, missed the 'cheap' part.
Dang! that ADD kicked in again, sorry.
What is your budget? any extra if it's cool, or in excellent shape?

[Curley]

How cheap are you looking? Is 6k your top dollar?

[eville]

I'd like to keep it under 10k. I was just shocked that a 10yo civic could be sold for 6k with 200k miles.

[mc84_zz4]

I'd like to keep it under 10k.
Get a used Cadillac CTS, for a 1 hr drive 2x day, I'd take comfort.
If a FWD car is OK, check into Grand Prix, the late models have a HUGE cabin, and are great commute cars.
You can even find the GTP to be a lot of fun, or 2006 Monte SS supercharged, not sure about $ on that last one..

[Curley]

ok how about an E30 (84-92 )BMW they are just about bullet proof and can be tinkered with.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1337910641.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1325741462.html

or an E36 (92-99) M3
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1334172906.html

or an Audi S4
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1334172906.html

Golf Gti
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ctd/1338246039.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1337110006.html

Just for fun Porsche
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1338764003.html

If you really want to go honda, my brother had a 2000 Civic si and it was ok for a honda

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1338757975.html

this is just the few I found over a few minutes

[T_Raven]

You my friend are in luck lol.
I've got a 97 Civic Ex coupe, white with grey interior. 1.6L VTEC, auto trans
I've been asking $4,000. I might consider a partial trade if you've got some parts I could use. You can see in my sig what I've got so if you think you've got parts I could use let me know what you've got.

Recent timing belt, water pump, tune up, etc. New tires, mirror is missing as you can see but I've got a used one the same color on the way I just ordered off ebay. It's in Idaho but I'm sure we could figure out how to get it to you if you want it. Let me know what you think.

[shelby987]

it all depends on your requirements...auto/manual, rwd, awd, fwd.....
For reliability, economy, and zero cool factor, saturns a good bet, and can be had rather cheaply.
For comfort, and expensive parts I bet ETC cadillac
For fun factor, I say GTO.....if you are ok with a salvage title, or high miles, you can get an 04 GTO for sub 10k these days.

[cheapthrillz]

4th gen f-body..... cheap, decent mpg, and they can be had for a song right now...

[Tony_SS]

Suzuki Swift GTi..... if you can find one!

[novanutcase]

SN95 Mustangs are DIRT CHEAP right now.

Fun to drive and mod but still gets pretty good MPG.

John

[Bryce]

94-95 mustangs. you get a lot for the money. parts are cheap and the local kragen has it.

also the 97-2000 dakotas are a great deal and an awesome truck. just get the pushrod motor as its simple.

i just drove mine on a trip and got 22.6 MPG and that was through yosemite, Mountains and traffic. 130K miles on the truck and it looks new. runs great and hanldes really well with 275 tires on all four corners.

another option is a lincoln MarkVIII. they are cheap and very well engineered a step up from a ford .

[Texas 1972 Velle]

Got a 1995 Jeep wrangler Sahara with 27k, asking 9k super clean a/c 5spd 4x4

[formula]

ORRRRRRRRRR....if you want absolutely maximum features-to-cheap ratio....

Look at late-90's saab 900s. I got mine for just over a thousand bucks, and it has power windows, power locks, cruise, 6-disc cd changer, heated seats, and gets just under 30 mpg. I've been commuting in mine and am actually enjoying the experience more than I thought I would--partially because I'm getting darn near 600 miles per tank of gas! Maybe not the coolest of cool, but it certainly makes a statement!

This isn't mine, but gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[TonyHuntimer]

Get a cheap 3rd gen with a 305 TPI. I used to get upto 26 MPG (on the freeway) in my 85 IROC and it handled really well.

[79-TA]

When I look at Craigslist, I always find myself looking at the same affordable cars:

fox bodies, Miatas, and BMW E30's

[GRNOVA]

5K and you can have it 88.000 miles
32167

[joemac]

I'm a little biased but 89-97 tbirds are plentiful and people will nearly give them away. They can be had with a supercharged v6 or a v8 and some of the supercharged v6's even came with a 5 speed. They are usually optioned out and drivetrain parts are plentiful. 2 modded examples below

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/248OntheStreet-1.jpg

[class67]

Steve, the deals are out there, just take your time and be patient. A few years ago I bought a 94 Corolla to commute in for $1,600, not cool at all but it got great gas milage and the a/c was cold. It now has 300,000 miles on it and won't quit. I actually just upgraded to a 98 Acura RL to commute in, if your interested in a Corolla let me know.....lol

[eville]

OMG :barf: :confused:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1355996338.html

[jocko124]

You could always rent short term till you get settled into a new job!

[Slow Ride]

I've been looking at the MazdaSPEED6 or maybe the 3. Are these cars reliable? They look like they could be fun to drive. MIght go test drive a SPEED6 tonight.

[Slow Ride]

The Mazda Speed6 was a fun car, but it takes premium fuel and was only made 2 years. Any other cars you guys would recommend for colder climates? I was looking at an older Audi S4 or BMW 330xi or 540i. The WRX and EVO do not appeal to me. I'd like to get decent gas mileage and be able to run on 87 octane while still being fun to drive. Probably a tall order?

[megaladon6]

how about great mileage and 40cetane?
vw diesel. i know they have low HP numbers, but they don't feel like it, and at 40+MPG... i get 50mpg with no problems and will pass most cars off the line. i've done almost no maintenance.