HELP ME OPPO PLEASE!

"AR24-7" (ar24-7)
10/11/2017 at 23:12 • Filed to: None

So I have been very very busy and down on my luck lately. I had some unfortunate events happen and am in need of a new car for college. I go to school in Michigan, but am from Nebraska, so whatever I could possibly get needs to be reliable enough to get me home and back at least 4 times a year. And it also has to be able to handle the worst of Michigan winters, which I found out last year is much easier said than done.

Here’s the really hard part. My car wasn’t paid off yet, and with it’s value now, it would just barely cover the rest of the payments and loan to pay it off. The issue is, I practically have a budget of $0 for a car I need at least by Christmas. I know that sounds like it’s a long way away, but I know it’s coming fast.

I’m in the process of trying to get as much as I can from my insurance claim, so it helps me financially. Being a college student, I don’t really have a lot of cash to burn as of now, if ever really.

Realistically, I can grind it out and wait a long time (like a long time) and save up to get a car for more than dirt cheap. Or I can (and kind of have) get an idea of what I would need, and look for the best deals.
Here are some I’ve looked at so far. I so far have been looking in Nebraska to avoid the stupid curse that is rust, but I’m open to look in Michigan too.

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Does it look like I’m looking for the right things? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks, and hope everyone has a good night.

Night Oppo.

DISCUSSION (57)

DipodomysDeserti > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:18

I’d stay away from cheap Nissans and Mitsus. Honda is always a good choice when on a very tight budget.

AR24-7 > DipodomysDeserti
10/11/2017 at 23:22

Does the $900 Honda look okay? From the description and pictures, it looks good enough, but I know there could be big problems. That’s the lesson I learned with my last car purchase.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:25

My cheap Michigan beater advice remains the same - the W-body GM cars.(late 1990s+ model year pontiac grand prix, chevy monte carlo/impala, buick century/regal/lacrosse, and the oldsmobile intrigue) If the transmission is in decent shape, the rest of the car is fine. These are <1000$ once they pass 150k miles and are beasts in the snow. I thoroughly used up a 1997 monte carlo over the course of 40k michigan miles when I was in high school and college and got it for a grand total of 700$. But I also had the 3.1 V6 which is hot garbage and it ate 2 4T65E transmissions which are also hot garbage. Get a supercharged version if you want some oomph and they also came with the 4T65-HD transmission which is a MUCH BETTER TRANSMISSION.

DipodomysDeserti > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:34

Anything running for under $1k is a good deal, but assume you’ll have to fix something on it. Hondas are easy amd cheap to repair with lots of oarts availability and durable engines.

Nibbles > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:36

I’ve had two Lancers - an 02 OZ and an 08 GTS. They’re quite reliable particularly with the manuel

That being said the 02 looks wrung out. Cheap mods, poor respray, I’d probably stay away from that one. The 09 looks good. Too good to be true from that price point I would wager but, then again, it is Basey McBaseFace. I’d check it out just on principle.

The Sentra is a crapcan. I wouldn’t trust it to make one trip, much less four per year.

00 xTerra, nopesauce. CEL, damage, nope. That 01 looks clean tho.

And the Accord? I had a 94 coupe EX. Was a damn fine car for being, at the time, 5 years old. That one looks pretty sketch

Of your choices I’d check the 09 Lancer first, followed by the 01 xTerra

Steve in Manhattan > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:47

You won’t like it, but a Corolla. They’re indestructible. Maybe an old Celica if you can find a good one.

AR24-7 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/11/2017 at 23:53

Those Monte Carlos are FWD..? or RWD?

AR24-7 > Nibbles
10/11/2017 at 23:55

Thanks! I’ll try to look at those. Hope they’re still there when I can go home.

AR24-7 > Steve in Manhattan
10/11/2017 at 23:56

That’s actually the car I have now. And most of the time I absolutely agree with you. My Corolla has been destructed or self destructed one too many times now though, and sadly (seriously I was a mess because I love that car to death) it’s time to move on.

promoted by the color red > AR24-7
10/11/2017 at 23:58

Assuming “new parts” include a timing belt and a water pump, yes. The rust concerns me because on Hondas that’s usually a red flag for more nefarious stuff going on underneath.

Shift24 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:01

While i agree with Skychismo, stay away from that Accord. Unless that auto has been replaced don’t even consider it or your looking to do a manual swap. That generation love to go through transmissions.

You need to find a cheap civic, cr-v, any bland Toyota, I4 auto accords after 1998 or any manual accord, and maybe a GM FWD with a 3.8L but those have problems if the car has just sat due to it being a grandpa car (trans issues) and the dexcool has not been taken out. Also look for cheap Ford small or full size trucks and chevy full size trucks. Easy to get parts and cheap to fix.

Something like these. They could be as basic as they get but they will get there without any issues. This is not about having a cool car right now, its about having a reliable car. ALSO on any Toyota or Honda make sure the timing belt has been done in less than 100k miles. That can be another $500 to 1000 cost.

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-toyota-camry/6342596431.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2004-honda-civic-lx/6342340452.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2004-toyota-camry-se/6342237842.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-toyota-camry-le/6341822592.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/1996-honda-civic/6341244114.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-toyota-corolla-ce/6340852576.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-honda-cr-crv-cr-auto-20l/6315864762.html

Maybe

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-buick-regal-ls/6342310708.html

PS9 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:01

Ferrari 488 GTB.

AR24-7 > Shift24
10/12/2017 at 00:03

I didn’t know that before. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:17

Where are you going to school here in Michigan? I volunteer with a church group that does auto repairs and we have a few cars we repair for give always and we sell some off to raise funds as well. I might be able to assist on the MI front.

Nibbles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:17

FWD

sony1492 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:19

1990's-80's Nissan 4x4 pickup

1990's Nissan pathfinder 4x4

Awd Tercel

Awd Crv

Awd rav4

4x4 s10

Suzuki samurai

Geo Tracker

The cheap winterworthy vehicles that popped into my head.

Honorable mention: 01-05 Hyundai Elantra, the most reliable car I’ve ever experienced. Very cheap to buy and repair

AR24-7 > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
10/12/2017 at 00:22

I go to MSU. I don’t think my car is repairable given the estimate, but I appreciate it. Thank you.

AR24-7 > Nibbles
10/12/2017 at 00:23

Okay cool, thanks you!

Shift24 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:39

Np just trying to help, the only other thing I would stress is if it it does not seem right, follow your instinct. Also on a lot of these check the tires, make sure they have good tread as that’s whats keeping you on the road. Its easily over looked but a main part of the car. Good all season tires can cost $250 to 400 total.

Lastly I would stay away from Michigan cars because of what you said and their roads are shit so suspension parts get beat up. And if your ever near ohio and need help let me know.

Steve in Manhattan > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:40

A newer one would work. Or a Civic, but it has an interference engine. Or you could get a Zoidberg Lexus.

Steve in Manhattan > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:42

Or a Mazda 3?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:49

All W-bodies are FWD, including the monte carlos. I don’t think any even had AWD.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 00:57

I’m looking through craigslist and WTF IS UP WITH CAR VALUES IN OMAHA?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

So you’ve got a 1996 monte carlo LS in Omaha for 2500$, which is about 1500 more than you should actually pay for it. That one is here - https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/96-monte-carlo-ls-sale-or/6321300159.html

Meanwhile in Detroit, there’s a pretty solid 2000 monte carlo with the same miles for 2000, which is only about 500ish overpriced. Or, essentially, within bargaining range. 1500$ cash would take it and it’ll be serviceable.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/d/2000-chevrolet-monte-carlo-ls/6327312384.html

But that first monte carlo isn’t an anomaly......all these cars seem more expensive down there on craigslist. You might be better off getting to Michigan and buying a car there.

cluelessk > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:16

A Corolla.

They’re boring but you won’t find a more reliable car. Plus they’re easy as hell to work on.

E92M3 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:16

Make sure any Xterra has had the radiator replaced. They are notorious for radiators failing, coolant getting into the transmission, and ruining it.. They use the same radiator for the coolant, and as a transmission cooler. The fluids are supposed to stay seperate, but something fails in the core that lets them mix.

cluelessk > Steve in Manhattan
10/12/2017 at 01:18

In Michagin? They’ll be rusted out unless it’s a second gen but they’d be more expensive.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:19

The Accord.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:26

These are my suggestions:

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-ford-escort-zx2/6336903963.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-hyundai-elantra/6303021472.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-saturn-sc1/6315316631.html

https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-chrysler-pt-cruiser-obo/6285236481.html

And of these, the PT Cruiser will likely have the best performance, be the most spacious and most solid. Of course it will likely have the worst average fuel economy. Expect to only get 26-28 mpg. It will also have the best load carrying capacity. With the rear seats out (which are easy to remove, without the need of tools), it will be like a small van. The PT is the only one of the 4 that has easy to remove rear seats.

The Saturn will likely have the best fuel economy... but with only 100hp, it will be the slowest of the bunch.

And in terms of handling, the Ford Escort ZX2 or the Elantra will likely be the best.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:41

I don’t have anything too specific to add, but IME when it comes to old cars. How the car was maintained is just as, if not more, important than the make and model of it.

I’ve had an unreliable POS Civic and problem free Ford. So do with that as you will. (Although the Ford wasn’t well maintained by the PO either.)

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Steve in Manhattan
10/12/2017 at 01:43

I love driving and looking at Mazda 3s, but the first gen rusts so badly and quickly that I doubt he’ll find one and if he does it’ll be a death trap.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:46

ES300. If you’re gonna go cheap and reliable (enough), you may as well be comfortable.

pip bip - choose Corrour > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 01:54

09 lancer

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 08:04

No worries. So East Lansing, we’re in Troy, just north of detroit. What kind of budget are you working with?

Hammerdown > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/12/2017 at 13:25

Ding Ding Ding! Winner! GM W bodies are always the best cheap car to buy. Pretty darn reliable. Cheap parts. Comfortable. Get 30 mpg highway.

Hammerdown > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 13:29

You don’t want to hear this, but I’d recommend using the money you’re planning to spend on one of these cars and use it on a down payment for a 6-7 thousand dollar car. 3 year loan will give you payments under $150 a month. More importantly, it will get you a car that should have good tires on it, fewer miles, and need less maintenance.

With your plan above you don’t know the history of the vehicle and you’re one large repair away from being into it for more than you paid for it or stuck without a car again because it barfed the transmission two weeks after you got it.

AR24-7 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/12/2017 at 19:01

What about in Nebraska? I don’t see many first gens that often but when I do they look pretty clean.

AR24-7 > Shift24
10/12/2017 at 19:02

Thanks! I have family in Ohio actually so I bet I’ll be there sometime soon.

AR24-7 > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
10/12/2017 at 19:04

My budget is practically nothing right now. I don’t expect to get new wheels soon, but if there’s a good reliable car out there for 1-2k that would last for 3-4 years that would be ideal. Right now though I’m just trying to focus on school and make a game plan with my folks.

AR24-7 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
10/12/2017 at 19:07

Thank you! My sister had a PT Cruiser for a while, it’s not pretty but it did do it’s job really well, she actually almost got another one after it died. Thank you for the suggestions!

AR24-7 > sony1492
10/12/2017 at 19:08

Thank you for the suggestions! I know S10s are easy to find and maintain, and owning a Suzuki Samurai would be kinda cool, if it had a hardtop.

AR24-7 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/12/2017 at 19:10

Yeah Omaha cars are overpriced a lot. But the Detroit Monte Carlo looks solid. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

AR24-7 > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/12/2017 at 19:11

I know what you mean. My Corolla had all kinds of problems from past owners that showed up eventually. So I’m trying to avoid making the same kind of impulsive decision again.

AR24-7 > E92M3
10/12/2017 at 19:13

I didn’t know that. Why don’t they have separate cooling systems..? Seems like common sense to have separate cooling systems with an off roader like that...

AR24-7 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/12/2017 at 19:14

That’s true. Thank you, I really appreciate the suggestion!

AR24-7 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2017 at 19:17

I found a ‘00 Accord for 1500 with no rust in Omaha. And it looks worn, but solid. With 169,000 miles. Does that sound better then the ‘95?

Here’s the link. And some other cars I found too.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/514118615614053

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/965515053589526

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/317690865361711

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2015578942007036

AR24-7 > pip bip - choose Corrour
10/12/2017 at 19:18

Does it look shady at all? I had a friend say it looked like there was some damage by the back right door, but we can’t tell if it’s that or a reflection.

AR24-7 > cluelessk
10/12/2017 at 19:19

They’re fantastic cars for sure. Mine wasn’t boring, or at least boring enough that I felt bored. And I taught myself how to wrench on my old Corolla. If there’s another that looks like a good buy, I’d certainly consider it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 19:21

My inner hoon says 328i. I can only vouch for the 94-97 accords. I lived my 97 eventho it was rusty and had 215,000 miles when I got it. If you can find a manual EX you won’t regret it.

AR24-7 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2017 at 19:23

I’ll keep an eye out for sure. Thank you!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 19:31

No problem. The EXs F22 motor is a great engine. Torquey, efficient, and reliable. Probably the best SOHC engine Honda has ever made. The EX trans is a Bonnie and a joy too, smooth quick shifts are effortless. Mine was actually the car I learn to clutchless shift, and the only car I could ever do it probably in.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 19:42

I had mine in Iowa, can’t get much closer to Nebraska than that. 2006, by 2009 one of the rear fenders was already bubbling the paint with rust. Never scratched or damaged. Just started rusting. Loved the car. Would not buy one again.

E92M3 > AR24-7
10/12/2017 at 22:00

I’m not sure why they do it, but they aren’t the only ones. A lot of cars come that way. Some guys add an aftermarket trans cooler, and reroute the transmission hoses to it, as a preemptive measure.

AR24-7 > E92M3
10/12/2017 at 22:14

Huh that’s interesting. That’s a good preemptive measure though.

AR24-7 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
10/12/2017 at 22:15

Gotcha. Thanks for letting me know. Appreciate the help.

AR24-7 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/12/2017 at 22:16

I’m not super efficient at driving manuals, but it sounds like a great car to learn, and sounds like a lot of fun.

AR24-7 > Hammerdown
10/12/2017 at 22:20

That sounds like a very good idea. And you’re right, I had multiple large repairs on the Corolla, I would really love to avoid more.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AR24-7
10/13/2017 at 10:35

No prob... and good luck!