Bored? Want to help me find a car for a family member in need?

"J. Walter Weatherman" (J-WalterWeatherman)
09/17/2013 at 22:30 • Filed to: None

I have a family member that is down on their luck, and the rest of the family is pitching in to get them a car (among other things). I am the one that has been tasked with finding the car. The requirements are: under $3k (the cheaper the better), low total cost of ownership (reliable, cheap to fix, good on gas, low insurance) and a/c. That is pretty much it. So far, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! seems to be the top candidate. Thoughts? Any better ideas?

DISCUSSION (23)

f86sabre > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:33

Small truck would be cheap to insure if you can find one. Ranger?

PlayerWAN > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:34

Nope. You've pretty much found it. Hell... if he doesn't want it I'll take it! Looks in pretty good shape, plus 5-speed? so awesome.

dogisbadob > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:40

The AE101 is a great car, like all 90s Toyotas.

I also like the Focus ZX5 and the wagon, Infiniti G20 (P11), and the Hyundai Elantra GT (2001-2006 hatchback)

J. Walter Weatherman > f86sabre
09/17/2013 at 22:40

Yeah, I have been looking at those. They seem to hold their value quite well though, so the price of entry seems to be a bit higher for something that doesn't have a kabillion miles.

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:42

I agree with PlayerWAN. Don't venture into Tercels of the same age though. Test drove one for a lady friend a few years back. Even used strictly as a city car...yikes, shitty.

J. Walter Weatherman > dogisbadob
09/17/2013 at 22:47

Thanks for the ideas. I am definitely looking at Focii. A G20 is a great idea, those were fantastic cars, I wonder what they go for these days.

I had looked at a number of Hyundais, but I don't know much about them, so I wasn't sure about the reliability of the older models (I know their newer stuff is great, and I heard some of their older stuff wasn't as good, but I wasn't sure when they made the transition).

PRBot II > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:48

Kinja'd!!!

Well, this is Oppo, so..... 1990 Miata in CA: $2,950

Cars .com

J. Walter Weatherman > PlayerWAN
09/17/2013 at 22:50

I know, right? Looks like the absolute epitome of a cheap commuter, and the 5-speed actually makes it decently fun to drive!

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:51

You can get a decent Miata for that price.

J. Walter Weatherman > PRBot II
09/17/2013 at 22:52

Don't think I haven't considered it. I'm not sure I could convince the rest of the family that is what they should spend their money on, though...

J. Walter Weatherman > Ghost Dog - For the kittens
09/17/2013 at 22:55

Cool. Thanks for the heads up.

Corey CC97, MAZDA DPI IS STILL BAE JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV JOESTACTIV VISIT FLORIDA RACING LIVES FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:56

Get them to test drive a Miata. Then they might understand...

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 22:57

Panther? They're not the greatest on gas (actually not bad if you do a lot of highway driving and avoid the 99 PI with its lower final rear gear), but still pretty cheap to own all around. And they have amazing AC since they were expected to stay cool on hot days while sitting still in a cop car, or to cool the extra space of a limo.

dogisbadob > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:01

I'd say the XD Elantra is Hyundai's first good car. Plus it has a lot of features standard in the GT hatchback. It has standard leather, 4 airbags, cupholders in the side doors, and of course a sunroof is available, and so is traction control, but ABS isn't standard (it's part of the package that includes the traction control, which also required ordering the sunroof). Also, the suspension is interchangeable with the 2nd-gen Tiburon.

I can't believe I forgot to mention the late 90s B14 Sentra. It's similar to the P11, really awesome gas mileage, and if you can find it there the 98-99 Sentra SE with the SR20. But yeah, the G20 is awesome. Luxury, prestige, sportiness, economy, utility all in one! Small 4-cyliner luxury cars are awesome, and no car ever sold here blended the attributes I mentioned in the last sentence like the P11 G20 (the P10 doesn't count since it has no cup holders, and remember the Acura EL and CSX weren't sold here, the ILX is kind of a dud, and the Volvo S40/V40 is more expensive to fix and not quite as reliable as a Nissan).

I really like the fact that you could get a Focus wagon, but it's hard to find one with a sunroof or a manual transmission. Both of these are easier to find on the 4-door hatchback which still has a lot of room inside and is exactly the same size as the 2-door ZX3. But that wagon has more space than an Escape! Either way, you can't go wrong as long as you get a 2002 or newer (which is OK because the ZX5 wasn't sold here until 2002).

You might be able to get an Echo for a good price. Small on the outside but as much room as a Camry inside. MPG in the high30s is definitely possible. The Tercel is good too.

D > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:04

Just pull the trigger on the Corolla.

POD > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:05

Just going to through this out there. A Chevy Prizm.

Based off the Toyota Sprinter/Corolla, A/C was standard (if I recall correctly) and you probably can get them for cheaper then a Corolla.

I had one in High School. It was abused to no end by me, then my sister, then my brother and lasted despite my brothers habit of forgetting oil changes. It got 37-39 mpg on the highway and 28-31 mpg in the city.

EDIT: Just did a quick google search for Prizm's in the Tucson area, doesn't look like they are any cheaper. That Corolla you found seems to be a hell of a deal.

PRBot II > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:05

Well, '96 Corolla it is...

Oh, but the tan though! :)

J. Walter Weatherman > dogisbadob
09/17/2013 at 23:11

Awesome. Thanks for all your help!

The Echo was actually my first idea. I have a friend with one, and that thing is unbelievably durable and cheap to run. It is actually reasonably fun to drive with its low weight and the manual transmission, too. They hold their value shockingly well though...

J. Walter Weatherman > POD
09/17/2013 at 23:17

It does seem to be a great deal. I'm hoping its not too good to be true...

JasonStern911 > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:25

Not saying these exact two, but for a guy:

Kinja'd!!!

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4064158353…

And for a girl:

Kinja'd!!!

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4073531074…

But then I'm partial to older Toyotas when they were still trying to be sporty and fun. There's probably a reason why they stopped making those cars and why people buy Corollas by the dozens...

POD > J. Walter Weatherman
09/17/2013 at 23:35

Hopefully it turns out to be on the up and up. Best of luck!

Bruno Martini > J. Walter Weatherman
09/18/2013 at 11:17

Early 2000's Focus goes regularly for around 1-2k in price with 100k or so on the clock. The base ones have a non interference engine meaning that if the belt breaks it wont grenade. Replacing the belt and pump can be done for about 75bux including tools. Get a manual version and not have to worry about it. It has a galvanized steel body, fairly safe. Good on fuel and very reliable even under the harshest of ownerships. Downsides include bad headlights that will oxidize over time and people treating them like shit. However it ticks all the boxes without going to 90s cars. Newer means less likely to suffer dry rot. Other than that look at early 2000's Saturn ls2. Also very reliable. Tough as nails cars with the 1.9l. Good on fuel.

J. Walter Weatherman > Bruno Martini
09/18/2013 at 12:01

Awesome, thanks!