![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:23 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
Here’s a thought experiment. Say you were sick of your appliance and wanted to sell it and get a 20-year old sedan, then pocket the change for your eventual new-new car.
Whatever you chose would have to be bulletproof as a daily driver, but relatively cheap and easy to keep running when things did go wrong. What would you get?
Speaking for myself...
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:25 |
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Boom.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:25 |
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Some variation of this:
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DD’d an LT1 for a while with no issues. Would do it again.
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That or the Accord version.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:26 |
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I usually drive a 2003 Maxima, so make it a 1999 Maxima and call it a day.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:29 |
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That thing is sexy as fuck.
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:33 |
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Can you go back just a litttttle further than the 90’s?
Because if you can, it’s CRESSIDA TIME!
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:34 |
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Does it have to be a sedan?
EF Civic Si would be my pick - IF I can find one that isn’t totally riced out, rusted out, or more likely both.
This is, of course, impossible.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:39 |
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I have a 31 year old Peugeot that seems to check all these boxes, and it was made into the 90’s, so Peugeot 505 (the 90’s ones in the states weren’t that bulletproof though).
Saving for a new - new car though? That shit is for the birds. I keep saving for weird old cars instead. Keeps me happy. Why would I want to save and save and take a huge hit on those savings when I left the lot?
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:40 |
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My wife’s first car was an ‘85 Cressi. She still has a soft spot in her heart for the line.
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Subaru GC impreza wrx/sti sedan?
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LS400. Otherwise something way offbeat like a 929 or a Diamante.
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My dad had a Acura legend, after 120+ thousand miles it died after my mom understeered it into a curb in a rainstorm. Could have fixed it but got rid of it and bought a a new Subaru Outback Wagon instead. So yeah, I'd go for a legend.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:44 |
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I got behind a 505 in traffic the other day. I also used to see a 405 on my daily daycare dropoff.
And you know me. If I was going to go full car-retard, I’d get a Milano Verde, or MAYBE a 164.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:44 |
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Atkinson Cycle FTW.
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A 1995 W124 Hammer >:)
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ha i came here to say 164 until I read the stipulations!!!
Where is my 505 picture then?!?!?!?!
![]() 04/22/2015 at 17:45 |
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Yeah. Kids, and such.
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My 93 Crown Vic
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Reliability may vary.
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Toyota Tercel
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Isn’t the Atkinson cycle what Toyota puts in the Prius?
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If it was allowed to be imported, a
1997 Toyota Century
, because 5.0 V12.
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The answer is: 4 Door Sports Car, in beige:
They share parts all over the Nissan lineup. My ‘92 is still running strong.
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Exactly the same as an Accord, but with added Turbo.
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LS400
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I daily drive a ‘94 Geo Prizm. Brace yourselves, you’ve probably never heard a Geo Prizm owner shower his car in this much (possibly misguided) praise:
I’ll be 30 this year, and we’ve been together since I was 21-and-a-half. It’s a weird love affair that keeps growing stronger. In the past, it enabled me to purchase/sell other toys. I nearly replaced it with a 2002 Mini Cooper S, which in hindsight may have lead to my financial ruin. Now that I’m out of college and my family is growing, I’m clutching to it as the ONE thing that doesn’t eat up all of my meager income.
Just going in for a replacement headlight bulb last week was reassuring that I’ve made the right decision. A $10 bulb instead of a crazy pair of HIDs in some fancy projector halos... simple, cheap, done. $30 full gas tank, $20 oil changes, insurance under $40/month (in CA). Four top-rated new tires for 14” rims = $350 mounted/balanced. Replaced battery once, and alternator about $100 each. Once removed the starter, cleaned inside and reinstalled it for $0. Brake pads/shoes $30/pair and i’m probably THAT guy who will go to AutoZone to claim my lifetime replacements.
Only major service it’s needed was a clutch job, wish I had done that myself but didn’t have the time. That was just under $1,000.
The time it got rear-ended at 5 mph I took a cash settlement and then replaced the bent decklid with a junkyard part the same color for $40 — paid most of my tuition that semester. Works like a charm and doesn’t look weird because, hey it’s an old car.
It’s due for a timing belt, which I’m gearing up for next month when I get some time off. I’ll probably do a thermostat & coolant flush, spark plugs and every other long-term service then. Hopefully I’ll get another 10 years/100,000 miles out of it.
I quite enjoy the
I’ve never bonded with my wife’s car, maybe because of the number of times I’ve made payments to the credit union for it, or had to crawl under it to replace a starter, another O2 sensor, or rip out the interior to fix a dead shift interlock solenoid. We’re not friends like me and my car.
The ONLY problem with owning this car, in my experience? I’ve been lulled into NOT budgeting for repairs/maintenance and I’d be skittish if you ever forced me to buy a newer car.
This has been my longest post on Oppo/Jalopnik. This thread really dragged it out of me. To anyone considering switching to a 1990s sedan, may you be as fortunate to fall in love like I have. I’ve made zero payments since getting a pristine 30,000-mile jalopy at age 21, and it makes me feel like the luckiest guy on the road.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 18:24 |
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It ticks all the boxes.
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97 Legacy GT. As long as you know how to do head gaskets. But seriously though, these are sexy. I have the wagon version, but I keep my eye open for a sedan.
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JZX100 Chaser. Still a beautiful car inside and out.
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I have a CRX Si if you want one...
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This.
You can disagree all you want, but you’re wrong. This is the best ‘90s sedan you can buy.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 19:24 |
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Easy.
And I wouldn’t buy a new car, I’d just get more neat older ones.
![]() 04/22/2015 at 21:33 |
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I think I’d have to go with an LS400! You can get SO much car for pennies by going that route if you don't mind the gas mileage
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i know where 3, are and one is a special order si .
![]() 04/23/2015 at 03:58 |
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1990-91 VN/VP holden Commodore V6 (buick V6).
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I’ve already sort of done that, minus the selling the appliance and pocketing anything resembling change.
Enter the 1992 Citroen BX 19 TXD.
Parts are dirt cheap. Unkillable engine. Stellar fuel economy (if that does come hand-in-hand with a soundtrack that can only be described as truly agricultural). Plus, the suspension does this!
![]() 04/23/2015 at 10:25 |
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Broooo i was about to buy one of those!!! Got a 07 impreza instead cause it was too old
![]() 04/23/2015 at 17:10 |
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I’ve always particularly loved Legends (specifically coupes, but either does it for me) so I’m with you. Acura Legend, as pictured. I’d say maybe an Audi V8, but ease of repair is probably not a characteristic of them.
![]() 04/23/2015 at 21:05 |
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Cressida’s are the coolest. Does your wife know that the Cressida has serious cult status? It’s a dark horse in amateur drifting series because of the long wheelbase, RWD, and engine bay big enough to fit practically anything. It’s also been popular in the VIP/Bippu scene for quite some time.
I want one that looks just like the one in my picture. Nicely aged but not rusty. And then I want to put a 2JZ in it!
![]() 04/27/2015 at 15:33 |
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That’s an easy one, I’d just take back my ‘98 540i. One of the best sport-sedans ever created period.
(Not my own photo. Sadly I don't have one anymore).