What would you buy if you needed a car for at most 4 months?

"WhiskeyGolf" (whiskeygolf)
05/25/2015 at 14:25 • Filed to: used cars

My sister mentioned she wants a car for the summer, so I suggested that if she buys the right already-depreciated beige-mobile, she could sell it later and be minimally out of pocket. Am I on the right track? I figure any sort of higher mileage Japanese econobox should do the trick, despite my Jalop leanings.

Where that balance sits is possibly the challenge for me. Are we talking $5000 for a mid 2000s model or like $2000 for a 1996?

Conveniently the popular link on the side is about exactly this...

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Now, to cleanse your eyes from that frightening piece of boredom up top, have a rally Toyota.

DISCUSSION (31)

Jedidiah > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:29

This

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jedidiah
05/25/2015 at 14:30

slant 6 runs great

Liar.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:30

Yeah, old Corolla.

CB > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:32

If we’re being reasonable, older reliable car with loads of mileage that can’t possibly depreciate any more.

If we’re being unreasonable, summer calls for a fun car. Like a muscle car.

Jedidiah > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/25/2015 at 14:32

I lol’d.

The problem with reverse flow motors like old straight sixes is that the exhaust manifold heats up the intake manifold and they will vapor lock.

They can be a real pain to start after being warmed up.

HammerheadFistpunch > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:32

FJ cruiser. Buy it, sell it 4 months later for no loss in value.

WhiskeyGolf > Jedidiah
05/25/2015 at 14:32

little play in steering

More than average?

WhiskeyGolf > HammerheadFistpunch
05/25/2015 at 14:33

I’m going to work on that!

HammerheadFistpunch > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:36

Be aware of your states flipping laws. In Utah its 90 days ownership for capital items.

Jedidiah > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:38

Look up the weird torsion bar front suspension they used in these things.

Everything was also rubber isolated in stuff like this, so it will drive like a bowl of pudding.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:39

It’s summer. Car is for a girl. Answer is miata! Case closed.

Viggen > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 14:53

I’ve actually purchased a car for the reason of having it only for a few months. A went with a Crown Vic P71.

jkm7680 > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 15:09

A Crown Vic.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 15:10

STI

EL_ULY > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 15:19

Old Crayola or Focus

TTercel > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 15:28

Subaru Impreza, no depreciation.

Nobi > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 16:32

If it's just 4 months, you nailed it with the Corolla. That or a Civic. The gas mileage and reliability can't be beat.

deekster_caddy > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/25/2015 at 17:05

Saywhatnow? Slant 6 will run on ketchup and maple syrup if that’s all you got. And won’t die for 700,000 miles. Unless you slam one into the side of a truck... That can kill it.

deekster_caddy > CB
05/25/2015 at 17:06

Or an older convertible of some kind.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > deekster_caddy
05/25/2015 at 17:22

It’s just a poorly designed engine that never ran great even when new. Vapor lock?

JasonStern911 > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 17:48

NA Miata. Fun summer car that has been proven reliable that is already at the bottom of the depreciation curve.

Wurrwulf > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 17:57

Whatever she buys, detail the shit out of it, shampoo the carpets a couple of times, clean up the engine bay, etc. Really go James May on the cleaning. She could actually make a few bucks on it just buy cleaning the hell out of it.

Kyle D. > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 18:31

Is the answer always Miata? It might be.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 20:03

car for summer? tell her to buy a Miata. if she can’t drive stick, tell her to find one with an auto.

If she buys an NA Miata for $4000 today, she can sell it for $4000 in 4 months. heck, maybe even more if she does maintenance on it

deekster_caddy > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/25/2015 at 20:42

I suppose indestructible doesn't necessarily make it reliable...

WhiskeyGolf > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/25/2015 at 21:00

She can definitely drive stick, and the Miata is actually an interesting suggestion, because she mentioned a convertible

SlickMcRick > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 21:55

Definitely Miata. It won’t depreciate and depending on the deal she gets when she resells it she’ll either break even or make a little change.

Panther Brown Tdi Volvo Shooting Brake Manual Miata RWD Wagon Stole HondaBro's Accord. > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 22:20

the answer Is always miata

ranwhenparked > WhiskeyGolf
05/25/2015 at 22:49

An ‘85 Olds 98 Brougham with a knock for $1500, could probably coax that to 4 months with heavy weight oil.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > deekster_caddy
05/26/2015 at 07:10

Reliable in the sense that if you wait a few minutes, you’ll be able to get it started again. My issue was with the description of “runs great,” which it never did.

deekster_caddy > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/26/2015 at 16:35

I can’t believe I want to change your opinion about the slant 6. Heh. Runs “great” is all relative I guess.