Im looking for a used car that should last untill i finish school for around 3-5k. Ive been looking at some Acura Legend's but most of them are either too old or have too many miles on them. Besides the Legend, im looking for something sporty. Do you guys have any suggestions for what kinds of cars I should look at. I've heard that car auctions are the best places to get cheap cars...anybody ever been to one.

Thanks in advance

Christoph

 

Ive said it once and I will say it again... 1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO...its a great car (if its been maintained) its fast, Its got a 5 speed tranny, great in the winter, FWD...and its great on gas....and a MINT one can be picked up for ~4500....

Good luck...

 

boring answer but civic if u want something you can get cheap, drive with no problems and resell later without taking a hit.

 

where is your exact location...i can find you something

get a 240sx...sporty, RWD, reliable as hell, and much potential for mods after you put high miles on the stock engine
SR20 SWAP!!!

 

exact location is Reading, MA about 25 minutes north of Boston

 

ok i found your perfect car...this is a good deal..its got aftermarket suspension, flawless body, and its only 5k OBO

http://boston.craigslist.org/car/106229145.html

 

damn and that 240 has the 300zx conversion and with sideskirts and spoiler...DUDE JUMP ON THAT!! where i live that car would probably fetch alot more $$$, its got ONLY 85 on new engine !!!!!!!!..once you hit 200k you can drop a sr20det in that beast...plus that white paintjob looks flawless

if i were in your shoes this would be mine

 

mr II turbo, 5spd with only 133k, 4500$
http://boston.craigslist.org/car/105840255.html

and heres a legend with under 100k miles...a little under 5grand
http://boston.craigslist.org/car/105072079.html

 

AWD subura impreza, i dont know if you want auto or 5spd, this ones auto
http://boston.craigslist.org/car/105087674.html

 

I'd go for a Volvo (or possibly a Saab). You can get a lot of car for very little money. Trying checking out an 850 or an S70. Volvos are safe, extremely comfortable, full of character, and quite reliable.

Check these out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-VO...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-VO...QQcmdZViewItem

 

thanks a lot 41510 i'll have to show those to my dad see what he thinks about them

 

so far that Volvo on ebay looks the best...those cars are very reliable

 

Damn that legend would sell for $6-7k down here, thats a steal!

 

Get a 1989 325IX. You can pick one up in either a sedan or coupe, which ever you please.
Not sure if they come in manual, but they definitely come in auto.

Great cars. The engine and drivetrain will last forever on those things. Plus with the 4wd they are tanks in the snow, yet still fun to toss around at the auto cross. Little things may break, but the old 3s are easy to work on yourself.

And those old Volvos aren't as realiable as you think http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/ratin...ndJdAwards.jsp

 

Mechanically, the Volvo will be just as reliable as the Bimmer suggested, and overall should be more reliable simply because it's newer...

 

yeah i agree with you...the BMW is a good suggestion, however i wouldnt want a car from 1989.

 

STAY AWAY FROM BMW AND VOLVO

honestly, if you just need a car that wont give you problems, go with a japanese car

my roomate had a volvo just like that one...the fucking thing has eaten two transmissions, one time the failure caused him to be in a small accident. the power window motors also never worked in the back seat..and it was overall just crappy....i dont trust volvos at all

GET THE 240 GET THE 240!!! those things are fun....you said sporty...volvos arent sporty!

 

also man those volvos are in miama and shit...all those cars i posted are in the boston area

hhaa my roomates volvo looked exactly like those tho...white on beige interior. i feel sorry for whoever buys that car lol...theres so much puke and food stains in that thing from drunken food runs.

 

for some reason my dad wants me to get a 4-door and not a coupe...so i guess the 240 is off the list for now. A lot of my friends have the similar 850 or S70 Volvo, and they have not had one problem with them. Of course Japanese cars are the way to go for reliability, but this Volvo deal seems like a good offer

 

Dude, enough with the 240s. Hes not gonna live out your fantasy so lay off.

And the BMW I mentioned are very reliable. I know plenty of guys with old IXs that drive them to the track or auto cross, race and drive home. They also drive them year round, even in the winter in Jersey. My family has/had 4 BMWs, 2 being 17 years old and one with over 170K miles and neither one has had a major mechanical failure.
We had 3 Volvos simultaneously at one point many years ago, and lets just say they didn't last long. THe one that we did keep since it was a spare car, was always in the shop.

 

They IX is a neat suggestion, Just so long as the engine has been maintained. The m20 was one of the only belt driven valvetrain i6's bmw made.

For my money I think I would be in a 5er with a m30 though, Nice practicle room, but still a verry fun car.
Volvo made a good car pre 1990, after that they became a bit too complex too fast. I suppose they got better in the late 90's though. Stay away from the turbo's. or the 91 and 92 regina ignition system cars. Then after 92 they had some odd computer problems. And i think into the late 90's their auto's werent good for many miles (same is true for bmw auto's too.. get a standard).

 

Older bimmers (pre 90) are VERY reliable. I was the previous owner of a '85 528. Nothing major. just the usual wear and tear.

Stay away from anything modded....like all the crap 415 is throwing at you. You want reliable then stay stock.

 

my neighbor has an 89 325. i have never ever seen him without the car for more than a day, and he isnt the mechanically inclined, so i think that they are reliable cars. and yes he drives it everyday, not sure on the mileage though.
oh and its flawless, no rust, clean paint...

 

he said sporty thats why i threw those in....jerkoff


i dont see anything sporty about those old school BMWs....friends got one up here, really nothing special about them. plus they are cramped as hell. he does have like 170k on it thogh and its a 90 i think

 

personally i would go with the 240. Its a nissan, its gonna run forever. To me older bemers and volvos just start to fall apart on the inside after they are that old. i have never seen a nice one.

 

That Subie would be good for you with the winters you get but why would it need a tranny with only 86k miles?