Gonna buy a new car! Need advice...

"atomic8778" (atomic8778)
04/30/2015 at 16:22 • Filed to: None

Well, I should start of by saying used car!

Background: I gotta move from Southern California to Ohio for schooling starting August. My budget’s extremely tiny at 4k, but negotiable. I need a car that can get me from here to there, and stay reliable for at least the two years I’m there. The real kicker is that I cannot take the car back with me when/if I move back from Ohio. So hopefully nothing I can get too attached to.

There’s a couple cars I’m looking at. I’d prefer AWD/4WD, but I’m flexible, though preferably not FWD (had them all my life. time for a change!). I’d like a SUV or Wagon (again, flexible), and either auto or manual. Among my shortlist is either a 4Runner or a Subaru Outback. Either would serve me pretty well, but again I’m open to suggestions! I can wrench most things myself, but if I couldn’t, I’m more than sure I can learn. I don’t wrench 24/7 but I definitely can wrench when needed.

DISCUSSION (23)

djmt1 > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:25

B5 S4

Meatcoma > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:26

New to you!

bob and john > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:26

cheap, nothing to get attached to, reliable?

corolla with a stick.

NEXT

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:29

4Runner, hands down. I’d recommend trying to find one in the southwest (Nevada or Arizona) so that you can be guaranteed it won’t have rust issues. Anything from the midwest that has seen winter will be sure to have rust. If you can afford to spend a few hundred on a plane ticket and the gas to get back, it will be worth going down to pick up an example from Arizona. You can find some nice 22RE 4Runners for $2,500-3,000 there.

However, you will probably fall in love with it. haha

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > djmt1
04/30/2015 at 16:29

Pfffft

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:29

Where are you going to school?

Any CA car is going to have a higher resale around here because it will be less rusted than what’s been here the whole time.

I’d go for a Jeep Cherokee. That I6 is a solid motor. Parts are stupid easy to find and cheap. It’s easy to work on.

Your Subaru options will all have a flat-4 which should get you better gas, but you’ll hate the drive out here with all your stuff crammed in the car.

GhostZ > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:30

I wonder if you could find an old Nissan Pathfinder, one without rust. Otherwise, 4Runner or Legacy both sound like good options. The Pathfinder might actually sell for what you bought it for if you hold onto it

Spaceball-Two > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:32

4 Runner. I've owned three. Bullet proof, good in the snow and pretty easy to work on.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:33

Youre gonna have the car for 3mos, have some fun and go RWD!

jkm7680 > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 16:38

I’d say an ‘01-ish Forester or an Outback would your best bet.

Kailand09 > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 17:01

Civic EX Manuel!

Watch4BlueShells > atomic8778
04/30/2015 at 18:34

Its not sexy, how about a 1st Gen Honda CRV. The B20 engine will last forever without any issues with regular maintenance. Seriously, one of the best engines Honda ever made. Comes with AWD versions (not great AWD but it works). Honda made plenty of them so its easy to find parts. Big on the inside, small on the outside & easy to park. Not lots of power, but plenty of reliability. Easy to find at $4K or under. Just be sure to change the rear diff (not really a diff but I forget its real name) oil every 25K if you go AWD. Will be easy to sell in 2 years too.

atomic8778 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/05/2015 at 12:04

That’s actually why I’m grateful to live in CA. While probably not as rust-free as AZ/NV, I’m sure I can still find a rust-free car here.

4Runner is definitely on my shortlist, but I’m having trouble finding good examples for ideally 3k (no more than 5k). Do you know any resources, besides craigslist?

atomic8778 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/05/2015 at 12:08

I’m going to the University of Akron for graduate school! I get the feeling you’re from Ohio? So any tips about the state in general would be helpful too!

A Jeep Cherokee was on my list also (actually grand cherokee). Is there anything in particular I should look out for in a ~3k [grand] cherokee? It’s probably going to be a mid 90’s, super early 2000’s, and of course pretty high mileage.

atomic8778 > GhostZ
05/05/2015 at 12:09

I hadn’t thought of Pathfinders! I shot the idea to my friends and they did mention it’d be a good buy since it’s not as revered as their 4Runner rivals. Thanks for the tip! If you know what to look out for in a pathfinder, please do let me know!

atomic8778 > Spaceball-Two
05/05/2015 at 12:10

Do you know what to look out for in a mid 90’s, super early 2000’s (I’m looking 2nd gen) 4Runner with high mileage? It’s definitely looking possible, if I can find a good enough example for ~3k

atomic8778 > jkm7680
05/05/2015 at 12:11

I was debating between a Forester and Outback! Any particular reason why I should choose a Forester over Outback? Especially while looking at ~3k examples?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > atomic8778
05/05/2015 at 12:34

CL is gonna be your best bet for a car priced that low. Otherwise Ebay or AutoTrader might turn something up.

atomic8778 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/05/2015 at 12:36

CL has indeed been my best friend these last few weeks. Thanks for your help!

Do you know of anything I should look out for in a 2nd gen 4Runner with probably high mileage?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > atomic8778
05/05/2015 at 12:40

Not off the top of my head, but I’ll send a text to my best friend who owns one. Check out the ToyotNation forums too. That’ll be your best resource.

atomic8778 > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/05/2015 at 12:41

Hey man I reallllllly appreciate that! Thanks for all your help!

Spaceball-Two > atomic8778
05/05/2015 at 13:13

Watch for rust and worn out suspension. You'll notice some 4runners develop a "squat" in the rear after a few years.

GhostZ > atomic8778
05/05/2015 at 17:19

Rust, mostly. Avoid the fuck out of rust.