Help a fella out with a nice daily beater

"Kenaft - some new kid" (kenaft) 04/27/2014 at 21:12 • Filed to: None

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So here's what I'm thinking:

I'm a college student looking to get a nice, unique DD - probably a beater, since my budget is basically under $2k. Currently I drive a manual Saturn Vue, which I can use as a backup car if I don't want to use the beater - but I want to drive the beater as much as possible. More then that, I want to have something enjoyable and fun to drive, that gets decent fuel mileage, and has some reliability. I've never really wrenched on a car before - which I'm not scared of, but this would be my first experience doing so. So I was thinking something small/light and RWD - say, like an E30.

But in my price range, am I being unrealistic, do you guys think? Any ideas what cars would work?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:16

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mustang bmw are expensive to maintain

Nibby > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:17

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Daily beater, eh?

Kenaft - some new kid > Nibby 04/27/2014 at 21:18

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D > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:18

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The results are in

Miata

Those are the results.

Milky > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:19

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I aways say this on the cheap beater topic, but SC400 (300 too). I had mine for 2 years until I crashed it, just make sure the timing belt is already done and you've got Lexus reliability. I paid $1500 for mine, didn't get much of an interior with that price but hey it was fun.

MooseKnuckles > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:19

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Do I win?

midengineer > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:25

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First gen MR2, if you're patient enough you can find one in fair shape in your price range.

Kenaft - some new kid > D 04/27/2014 at 21:30

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THE ANSWER.

Yet preferably something with four seats (unless there is evidence the Miata meets that as well... :P)

Also, Miata's are worth a lot in my (metro Detroit) area, I think because of racing :(

Kenaft - some new kid > Milky 04/27/2014 at 21:30

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Dang. That's an awesome idea. I hadn't thought about this at all. I'll have to keep an eye out...

Kenaft - some new kid > MooseKnuckles 04/27/2014 at 21:31

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Kenaft - some new kid > midengineer 04/27/2014 at 21:31

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I hope so. Been on the lookout for those, but not many have cropped up yet.

Ooooooohlalala, quelle belle fille! http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/443712…

D > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:32

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Hmm... Well you're on the right track with E30 then. I'd add Volvo 200 series to the list. Also—small trucks are not to be overlooked.

dogisbadob > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:34

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What's wrong with your Vue? It's manual which is unique, and it's got VTEC YO!!!!!!!!

You could probably get a decent W202 C-class for $2000 (maybe a C220 or C230), but with your requirements, you likely won't do better than the Vue you already have if you want unique RWD (If it's AWD then it's both FWD AND RWD, right? I really hope your plastic-body Honda isn't FWD because non-AWD crossovers are so silly)

If you're willing to get something bigger, you'll have a LOT more options, like a Cressida, a 929, possibly an LS400 or GS300, Q45, M30, J30, and definitely a Panther or B-body.

Are you willing to consider a truck? You may be able to get a 4-cylinder Ranger, S10, a pre-Tacoma Toyota pickup.

But really though, ANY good-mpg decent running car that can pass inspection is worth $2000

4-cylinder Fox body Mustangs do exist, also. If you're lucky you may also be able to find a 4-cylinder Camaro or Firebird, but they only made them for a few years in the mid-80s, as opposed to the entire generation 79-93 when you could get a Fox-4.

Can you get a decent Miata for under $2000?

Kenaft - some new kid > D 04/27/2014 at 21:38

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I have been thinking about small 4-cylinder Hiluxes and Rangers a little bit, with the same reasoning.

Kenaft - some new kid > dogisbadob 04/27/2014 at 21:42

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It's FWD, and has the Ecotec 2.4L from GM. No VTEC. My parents bought it for me during high school meaning well, but it's not terribly efficient, it's rather high, and I'd prefer to get something more exciting, to be honest. Not to sound like a spoiled brat!

I have been looking at Rangers and Hiluxes a bit - I think those can work well. In my area (metro Detroit) there are a lot more of them, especially versus Miatas. There's very little non-American iron on the used car market here.

I wonder if I should raise my budget, or try and hold out and get lucky...

Milky > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 21:47

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Often forgot about, but IMO definitely worth a look.

dogisbadob > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 22:21

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If nothing else, you could probably start wrenching on the Vue. The Ecotec shouldn't be too bad to deal with, especially in something bigger like your Saturn (more room under the hood is always nice to have!).

The Detroit context does help because of course the car markets do vary from region-to-region, and especially there where all the American car companies are headquartered!

But you really do have a hidden gem though! A reliable manual unique car that is underappreciated. And besides, car enthusiast isn't about having a certain car, but loving the car you have.

Are there any Fieros around? :p

Kenaft - some new kid > dogisbadob 04/27/2014 at 22:36

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My parents still own the Vue, and I'm going to be working a somewhat lucrative engineering internship this summer (hence the Metro Detroit area!), so I'll have some money to spend on something I want to and I want to appreciate further - cars.

I think the Vue is underappreciated as a family Jalop car, due to wagons! It would be a great choice for anyone who wants lots of economical space to hold their family - not the logical choice for a single guy driving around town and logging significant highway miles. There is tons of space under the hood though, which is absolutely fantastic!

There are quite a few Fieros, although I think they are typically in really rough shape due to the sort of people who tend to buy them around here :/

dogisbadob > Kenaft - some new kid 04/27/2014 at 23:01

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Almost anything you'll find for $2000 will need something. especially something as old as a Fiero or E30.

Actually, something with space is great for a college student! Lugging shit around, carrying friends, and the Vue's plastic body means no dents either.

Good luck in the internship!

thebigbossyboss > Kenaft - some new kid 04/28/2014 at 06:54

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Watch out for rust on the roof with rangers......