Author Topic: Selling my truck...buying a beater... (Read 9010 times)

Wannabe4x4ing · « **on:** January 25, 2005, 12:52:08 pm »

So I hung on as long as I could, but the $800/mo bill for my truck is finally too much to bear. It's time to sell. But I'm not worried about that.

I need a sturdy, reliable car that has four doors and is good on gas. Anyone got any ideas what to look out for and what to avoid?

Oh yeah, here's the hard part: It has to be under $2000.00.

mrthompson · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2005, 12:59:00 pm »

Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz...not as reliable as a Honda or Toyota but the parts are cheap. I wrung 322,000 kms out of one with minimal repairs.

Any of the GM cars with the 3.8L V6 should be durable.

EV-Light · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:00:03 pm »

thats a tough question!!!...your tag price is really low....
for that price i would suggest buying a Toyota Tercel or an old Nissan Sentra...
more help from others will come for sure!!

DriverJeff · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:12:42 pm »

Tercel is a good suggestion... but I like MrT's thoughts on a mid-sizer GM (maybe an older LeSabre) with the 3.8 and minimal 'bells n' whistles'

$800/month!? Gadzooks! That's more than I spend on my car per month including lease, insurance, fuel, maintenance and taxes!

Barrie1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2005, 01:52:17 pm »

I would look for an older GM with the 3.8 engine as well. They are extremely dependable and most of these are very solid cars as well. This engine came in many of the GM products so you will not have too much trouble finding one at all.

Wannabe4x4ing · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2005, 02:07:26 pm »

That's for the whole truck.

$256.00/mo - truck payment
$261.00/mo - truck insurance
$300.00/mo (or more) - fuel

$817.00 - total...that's provided nothing goes wrong and I have to pay to have the damn thing fixed.

Are there any chronic problems with these vehicles that I should be aware of?

mrthompson · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2005, 02:08:55 pm »

What cars are most common in your area, Wannabe? You'll probably want something you can get parts & service easily.

S60 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2005, 02:43:01 pm »

This would be a good choice,1992 BUICK REGAL 4dr CUSTOM
Price: $1,995.00
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?adID=1171377

EV-Light · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2005, 03:19:22 pm »

i like your idea S60 either...seems that Buick is in mint condition for its age and will give Wannabe lots and lots of more kms for cheap costs...

footlong58 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2005, 03:37:39 pm »

91-96 Escorts...

My dad has a '96 Escort LX wagon... That thing is bullet proof, and runs like a champ, day in and day out... Fun to drive too, with a 5 spd of course!

DriverJeff · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2005, 05:06:18 pm »

Good find, S60... looks like it fits the bill.

Accordingly · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2005, 06:58:32 pm »

Good idea on the Escort wagon, FL... underrated, that one. I recall reading good reviews of its longevity and overall reliability. Lots of room for a stroller in the back, without having to lift it out of a trunk. Good on gas, too.

Our family had two Tempos over the years...the first one was sold to my father's work colleague, who ran it past 320K, at last count, back several years ago...maybe it’s still running...out there, somewhere [wistful look into the distance]

Have fun car shopping, Wanna...

S60 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2005, 07:03:15 pm »

My brother has this year of Buick,with over 400,000km and runs like a charm.
Good safe and solid family car.

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2005, 08:49:28 pm »

I like the Buick Regal. It would be a very good choice for you. But before you make any decisions, make sure you go out an test a Volvo 240

Consumer Reports Best pick for when they were around. Might be hard pressed to find one under 2 grand though. If not an older Honda Accord would be an excellent used car, even the older ones.

saint_satan · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2005, 10:44:05 pm »

FYI -

I think the base engine on the Regal was a 3.1 V6. Not a bad engine but was prone to leaks and head gasket repairs (I think the head gasket stuff was in later years).

If it is a 3.8, it's a great deal.

Barrie1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2005, 11:12:31 pm »

The Regal GS will definitely have the larger 3.8 engine and a few nicer options as well.

Saint11 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2005, 11:50:46 pm »

91 Accord was my mother's, brother's and my first car. my bro and I beat that thing down downshifting all the time with the auto and doing e brake turns while my mom simply did stupid things to it, like drive with a flat tire and once with the muffler dragging all the way home. 5 accidents later it still ran like a charm. the only repair we ever had to do was change the alternator. it was the only time it ever broke down. and after 13 yrs of use we still got a good 3500 for it. you should be able to find one now for 2k.

Sterling · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2005, 11:57:09 pm »

You guys are too easy to please.

That Buick ad doesn't even say how many kms are on it (am I missing it somewhere?) and it is being pronounced in mint condition?

Those white specks all over the hood are not likely to be lotus petals.

That car is located in Edmonton on an outdoor car lot. It's been what, three months since there's been no snow in Edmonton? Any guesses as to why a "mint condition" $2000 car has been sitting around for that long?

S60 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2005, 09:52:11 am »

Its a beater guys for $2,000 what do you expect
you will get.I only posted it as an example of what you can expect to get in this price range, as far as year model etc.

safristi · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2005, 12:39:07 pm »

"Lovely BEATER meter maid"...good advice S60.."nobody can defeat 'er"...

Author Topic: Selling my truck...buying a beater... (Read 9010 times)

Wannabe4x4ing

Barrie1

Wannabe4x4ing

S60

Accordingly

S60

Barrie1

Saint11

Sterling

S60