Oppo, Help Me Find My College Car

"190e30-Now with COSWORTH" (190e30) 11/22/2014 at 14:00 • Filed to: None

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As I've finally started to get some letters of acceptance back, I've noticed many of the schools I've applied to both allow a vehicle and would make more sense to have a vehicle than not to. Unfortunately, an E36 M3 is not exactly the most sensible car for a broke college student. So Oppo, what are the cheapest, toughest cars, with the cheapest parts, that are the easiest to work on and are still interesting/fun?

Aim for a sub-$5,000 price point, because college. Must be manual

dogisbadob > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:04

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The 92-96 Camry is available with a manual. Best car ever made. If you can find a manual Focus ZX5, that would also be a good option. You *might* be able to get a Matrix XRS/Vibe GT in your budget.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:05

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Miata. Seriously.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:06

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I hate to be that guy , but unless you plan on moving furniture, a Miata is honestly a pretty great car for a college student. Manual, <$5000, convertible, decent on gas, cool.

Thunderface > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:06

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CVPI with manual swap

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/22/2014 at 14:08

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I've heard maintenance becomes pretty constant at higher mileage. Plus, apparently it can be less than easy to work on. I have enough knowledge of repairs and am taking a class in high school to get by, but I'm not sure I would trust myself with bigger repairs.

jkm7680 > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 11/22/2014 at 14:10

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Not really, Haha.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 11/22/2014 at 14:10

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But are they as expensive at higher mileage as I've heard? I would be buying an NA or NB, and probably with high mileage. I've heard horror stories of each requiring tons of parts later in their lives.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Thunderface 11/22/2014 at 14:11

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THAT would be awesome.

Your boy, BJR > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:12

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I can't be sure I understood the question

Thunderface > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:12

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You can find them. Most have 5-speed Mustang transmissions

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Thunderface 11/22/2014 at 14:13

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Ebay yielded nothing, but I'm definitely going to keep an eye out

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Your boy, BJR 11/22/2014 at 14:13

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That would be an disaster.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:13

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I bought a 240z for $2800...? Easily DDable for under %5k

Toyota 4x4 Pickup/4Runner that I also have, EASY under $5k and super simple to work on.

Starion, RX7 (iffy if you're not too confident), Volvo 240 (I had a 242GT in HS and it was really pretty fun with a manual).

Don't buy a Miata, they're boring, face it. And I helped my buddy do his head gasket, huge pain in the ass trying to fit hands in that engine bay.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 11/22/2014 at 14:15

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Really like the idea of the 240z or a 240. Are parts cheap enough on a 240 to be comparable to, say, an American or Japanese car?

RacinBob > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:16

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Search Autotrader for 02 - 05 Civic Si or RSX 3 door, manual. My wife has has a 02 Si with 180k. Its trouble free, 33mpg hwy, no rust in wisconsin, and interior doesn't show wear. Great cars. Plus being a hatch, very practical for school.

Here's some -

02 Si 126k, Alabama $4600

'03 Si 101k, $4900 Ga.

'03 RSX S 153k, S.C. $4000

Thunderface > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:16

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DIY

lol

gawdzillla > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:19

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the answer .....

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > RacinBob 11/22/2014 at 14:20

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Have had a weakness for EP3s for a while. Just had a gem on the local craigslist sell cheap. Still want.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > gawdzillla 11/22/2014 at 14:20

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No

thereisnospork > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:24

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Volvo 240 wagon (or similar).

Not very cool, but you will be the guy for beer runs and shuttling people to parties - but its not a pickup truck so you won't have to help too many people move. Also its old enough you can always pull out the 'my car is broken' excuse.

Miata or MR2 is the other way to go though, 2 seats so you won't be the guy for picking stuff up and transporting people, but you still have a fun car plus optionally a convertible.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:25

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I know it's not very jalop but if you're a broke student it's best to get a car as new/ low mileage as possible and as cheap to run as possible. Something like a civic or other smaller hatchback. Thats what I did, got something cheap to run and reliable, but still something I liked and its worked out so far.

jkm7680 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:26

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Don't buy a Miata. That's a horrible idea.

An Ep3 hatch, Mazda Protoge Mp3, What Thuderface said also.

gawdzillla > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:26

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you dont even let me finish the sentence .....

cheapest, toughest , with the cheapest parts, that are the easiest to work on and are still interesting/fun ....
what else could it be !!?

fine ... get a EG / EK honda civic

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:27

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2003-2004 Toyota Matrix XRS. 8200rpm redline, 180 hp, 6 speed manual, 35 mpg highway, and Toyota reliability.

SlickMcRick > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:30

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I've always had a soft spot for these.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:33

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So you're worried about the maintenance on a 15-20 year old Miata, but not on a 40 year old 240?

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > gawdzillla 11/22/2014 at 14:34

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That's also a pretty good idea.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 11/22/2014 at 14:36

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Yes. I picture the 240 as having more than enough room for easy access to the engine bay, and having a much more basic electronic system and engine. I have no idea and no experience with it though, which is why I'm asking here.

Sam > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:44

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I swapped an engine in my NB, took me and my dad about a day. Not hard to work on at all. Also, the PO had let the engine run completely out of oil. So not the cars fault the engine fried. Just avoid any indication that the car is owned by a #stancelyfe #driftlyfe #2low4you guy, and you'll probably be fine. Like any car, they break if you don't maintain them (shocker, I know).

Autofixation > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 14:52

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The one you have a picture of. Though I might recommend an Impreza Outback Sport, because wagon, and because moving in/out of college and traveling. Where do you live, and is snow an issue?

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Autofixation 11/22/2014 at 14:54

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I'm in Connecticut, but I've appplied all over the place and have no idea where I'll end up. So far though, I've gotten into Colorado and Vermont, so...a Scoob may be a good idea.

I've had a weakness for the GC8 since my search for my first car.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:01

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Is RWD mandatory? You can find a volvo 240, 740, 940 with a manual. Don't get a mk4 jetta golf.....everything falls apart around you.

Autofixation > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:02

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I am in New Hampshire and have a GF4 (2000 Impreza Outback Sport 5 speed) with 218k. It is stupid easy to work on, very reliable, and unstoppable in the snow. The only downside is that I only average about 25 mpg during everyday (spirited) driving.

titsinmymitts > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:20

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An old Civic 5-speed.

Get something fairly practical. I would not recommend Miata. Something that can sit three passengers.

Trust me. I just got out of school. College is not the time to get a cool car. Get something reliable and cheap to fix that you can actually use.

titsinmymitts > RacinBob 11/22/2014 at 15:21

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any of these would be solid

OPPOsaurus WRX > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:22

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How about one of the SVT Focus

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:32

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Good luck finding a nice unmolested 2 door Subie for a reasonable price. Great car.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:40

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um... ... Isn't the awnser obvious?

(hint: look at my username)

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > jkm7680 11/22/2014 at 15:41

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" Don't buy a Miata. That's a horrible idea. "

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > Sam 11/22/2014 at 15:42

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(You forgot #Hellaflush #Stancenation)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:55

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What? obviously you are talking to people who know nothing of Miatas. They are quite easy to work on, the aftermarket is endless for them, and they are also very very reliable if you do the simple maintenance on them. My 03 has had nothing but good running for the 5 years i have owned it.

GhostZ > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 15:57

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Assuming you're not using it to commute daily:

Fox Body Hatch (or Mercury Capri, if you can find one).

Why? 1. Because it has probably the best street cred/dollar ratio you'll find for a college student.

2. Almost every part that could go wrong is readily available new for cheap, and they're extremely easy to work on (which means lower mechanic bills too).

3. Of all the cars, it's the least likely to drop in any value, so you should be able to sell it later to pay off your massive student loans. People will still pay $5,000 for an unmolested fox body even at high milage.

4. They're not quite uncommon enough now that it's a huge sin if you modify or daily drive it, in fact, that would be encouraged.

5. They're not bad snow cars, if you load the rear up with salt bags.

6. Cost of ownership is dirt cheap, most of it would be fuel. You can store it and not worry about rust or depreciation. In fact, the longer you don't drive it the more valuable it will be

7. If the engine blows, you can replace the whole damn thing for probably under $1,000.

8. If you want a convertible, they're cheaper than a Miata and more practical, reliable, and powerful. Not as fun, mind you, but you're not honestly going to be driving back road twisties at high speed in a miata either, it's college, you'll be realistically lucky to get away once a month and start it up so oil keeps flowing.

GhostZ > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 11/22/2014 at 15:59

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When did you buy the 240Z for that cheap? Was it rusty?

Little jealous, to be honest.

GhostZ > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:00

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If you're going to school anywhere where the roads are salted, stay away from 240Zs. Rust is huge. If you're going to school in arizona or california though, by all means! That's where the best ones come from.

Luken10 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:00

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I went through pretty much the same situation as you about a yesr ago. I needed something cheap, good gas mileage, utility (hauling college crap and people), reliable, stick, and handled well.

Naturally I gravitated towards a Subaru WRX. They are still too expensive to find one in decent shape under 5 grand. Plus, their has mileage leaves something to be desired.

I looked at Honda Fits, too expensive. Standard Subaru's, aren't too sporty. Older Focus's, styling just wasn't there for me. The car that ended up checking all the boxes is the Mazda Protege5.

This car handles incredible for what it is. Is light weight means it has decent acceleration that is adequate for most jobs. I've tracked it multiple times and can hang with M3's in the corners. (I must consent that they aren't always the best drivers) You can get 30+ mpg if you take it easy. The interior is simple, but modern, especially with leather. Tons of room in the back with the seats folded down. There is even a lot of headroom if you are a tall fellow.

It isn't perfect, but if you want to focus on handling and have fun in the curvey bits while still having room for 4 buddies, the P5 is an excellent bet.

GhostZ > Your boy, BJR 11/22/2014 at 16:01

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10/10 for style.

I really wish you could drop a 928 body on top of a mustang (or similarly reliable V8 RWD drivetrain) or something. It would be perfect.

Kanaric > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:10

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240Z isn't going to be any easier. Reliable for a car in the 70s is by no mean ametric even close to used today for anything you know.

Kanaric > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:11

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All cars are expensive at higher mileage. It's the old-car tax. A miata is no different.

If you want anything fun it will be expensive.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > GhostZ 11/22/2014 at 16:21

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Time to get super jealous... It came with an L28 and 5speed donor drive train.

Now time to be happy again: It's a ratty piece of shit with over 200k on it, an original automatic (which is on its last legs), the holley 4bbl was dumping gas all over the place, the brakes are shot, bad tires, the donor L28 is a turbo block with the weird head, the 5 speed is the turbo T5 that needs a new driveshaft to work in a 240, it's been sitting for 2 years out of registration and I know very little about its past... There is some cancer but in fairly benign places like the hatch. Everywhere else is just surface rust!

I'm going to school in Utah (salty roads), and I feel like I can keep the rust at bay if I don't drive it in the snow all the time and wash it off often. Gonna be doing some sort of undercoating too sometime. Thinking about Rust Bullet.

Kanaric > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:22

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S12 200SX with the VG30E engine. Like the 300ZX but cheaper and just as stout. If you want to play with fire look at 300ZX Turbo. Reliable enough but you may have to sort out vacuum lines that could be rotted. Easy enough to fix. However I have an 89 Skyline and the lines in my car are fine. These cars are indestructible while still managing to be entertaining. Really any 80s asian cars are reliable and extremely stout.

Starions are cheap and reliable STOCK. If you get into modding them they have issues if you try to built them above 300hp. However if you keep power/mods reasonable you are fine. Same is true for any car. Like a 1G DSM or Galant VR4 are reliable until you mod them excessively.

Avoid the Impreza, reading the comments someone recommended it. they are NOT easy to work on. Unless you consider taking a ton of shit out of the engine bay to do spark plus as easy. Stick with inline or V engines. Inline engine cars will be the easiest to work on generally. Like a MK3 Supra for example. They have a head gasket issue but you can find cars where that is taken care of, if not you just leave it stock or tighten the head both of which prevents failures.

American V8 cars of course are a good answer. They fit everything you request. Don't count out the auto only ones like the Lincoln Mark VII people routinely do manual swaps in those. I saw a manual + 351W Mark VII for sale locally for $5000 and it was amazing.

I only consider RWD cars being fun. I'm sure others here have FWD recommendations.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 16:23

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240sx might be more doable than a 240Z, but I'm in college right now and just bought one, so I can't say much to back that up... I do have a truck for my DD though which is a BIG plus.

GhostZ > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 11/22/2014 at 16:59

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Ew Holly 4bbl conversion. I'll never understand those.

Yeah, that's a car that needs another $5000 to become awesome to give it a brake disc conversion and put the new block in.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > GhostZ 11/22/2014 at 18:37

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It came with a set of SUs that are gonna go on sometime soon.

It really isn't THAT bad, but it does need some work. More time than money though really. Motor is healthy and a 5 speed swap is on the priority list. Gonna be about $600 in parts to get it reliable and a good amount of time wrenching. I'm sure more stuff'll spring up too. It's definitely far from a reliable and clean DD, but for my purpose as a weekend canyon warrior, it fits fine.

GhostZ > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 11/22/2014 at 18:45

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Yeah, most of that cost was in a new brake system. From what I've heard a rear disc conversion and new calipers goes a loong way with them.

No Prius Needed > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 20:35

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I am surprised nobody said it, but an AW11 or SW20 (non turbo) would be a very solid choice.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > GhostZ 11/22/2014 at 21:49

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It's funny cause you'll hear that a rear disc is pretty much necessary and that it's only needed on the track... I'm planning on one in the future, cause that's how I'm gonna be using the car. I've found that it's the sorta situation where you can either but the kit from some manufacturer, or you can find the junkyard calipers and rotors and make some brackets (make em yourself or have someone else do it) for a fraction of the cost. I see a lot of "upgraded" front brake kits that are just the toyota 4x4 calipers and SS brake lines. With these cars it seems there is a lot of room to play in the scrap yard, which is what drew me to them in the first place; things from all over the span of the Z and even within the Nissan brand of the time are pretty modular.

GhostZ > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 11/22/2014 at 21:52

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It's mostly so that you can retrofit 240SX calipers, rotors, and pads onto the Z, and it goes along with a 5-lug conversion sometimes.

I think the hierarchy goes Z32 > 240SX > Celica GT when fitting calipers from other cars.

And yeah, they're modular as hell. It's amazing that some parts on the Z32, nearly 20 years later, will fit on the 240Z without too much crazy modification or fabrication (diff, some suspension bits, and brakes I think).

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > GhostZ 11/22/2014 at 22:04

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Seriously, the fact that front calipers from a TOYOTA 4x4 bolt right on to the Z still has me dumbfounded... I've heard of using Maxima calipers in the rear with Z32 rotors and pretty much every other combination of bits and pieces from every car there is (Cobra brakes?).

Captain of the Enterprise > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 22:39

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90's f150 with 4.9 straight six with manual, cheap to buy, reliable especially with that engine, old trucks are always cool(at least to me), f150 so parts are plentiful and cheap and practical

Cons fuel economy

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/22/2014 at 23:46

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Don't really have suggestions, but a bit of advice. If you're living on Campus or otherwise only have a parking lot to park in, reliability is a serious plus. Chances are good you won't be allowed to do much in your parking lot at all, even oil changes. After a really awkward meeting with campus security while I was swapping out my arb, I started to roll my Jeep into one of the tractor labs in the engineering building in the middle of the night, shut the lights off inside before opening the door so it wasn't so obvious that's what I was doing, and then clean up really well afterwards so I didn't leave evidence behind. It still wasn't legit, just slightly less likely to get me caught, but with far worse consequences, I imagine. My third year I lived off campus, and had a garage I could use if I wanted. It was superb.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/29/2014 at 14:12

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MR2?

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4736289212…

I have no personal experience with these, but hey, it's a 90's Toyota... how bad can it be?

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 11/29/2014 at 14:13

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Ironically, this was one of the cars I had in mind when I posted that trades would be considered on my ad. I really need more seats, but it's so tempting.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 11/29/2014 at 14:21

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Yeah, but you'll be that MR2 kid on campus! You can only fit in one girl at a time, but oh well, they'll have to take turns.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 11/29/2014 at 14:25

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Even now, I'm still a high school senior, and often am nominated to drive since everyone knows I love to. I really need at least 5 seats, but...I feel like I can manage.

jmart > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 12/21/2014 at 14:40

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1.8T Jetta wagon