going to be looking for a cheap used car

[757Hokie83]

so, I've accepted a new job...only problem is instead of my current 10 miles each way, my new job location is 42 miles each way. For the time being the gf and I do not plan on moving (that may change at some point).

I am going to be looking for a fairly cheap, but reliable used car that gets good mileage (84 miles per day in my 16-17mpg Jeep aint gonna cut it, i'll be putting my entire pay increase straight to the gas pump).

I was thinking about looking into an older Honda Civic, any other suggestions?

 

[ckhokie]

Mazda 3

 

[HammerDown]

I'd do a motorcycle. But yeah, other than that, a stick-shift Honda or Toyota. Best value around.

 

[rmilia1]

Civics are good but the repair/maintenance is spendy if you need it and the cars tend to cost more ( of course thats because they have great resale as well). How cheap is cheap??? Tough to find a Civic for less than 10 grand if it has fewer than 100K on it unless its 8-10 years old. You can get a newer Hyundai Elantra ( mpg is just as good and since they are less expensive to start you should be able to get a newer one). I personally do not like the Corollas or the Versas but a decent Ford Focus would be good as well.

 

[757Hokie83]

10 years old + is fine by me, so long as it runs good (shit, my Jeep i just bought for my nice vehicle is 9 years old, lol)

 

[rmilia1]

10 years old + is fine by me, so long as it runs good (shit, my Jeep i just bought for my nice vehicle is 9 years old, lol)

Well if you are going that old then Honda is a good bet or even a Volkswagen ( although those are some pricey mother fuckers to maintain as well)

 

[CarlWinslow]

I wouldn't buy an old Honda, johnny tran and his gang have been street racing and bagging on those things for years. If your highway driving you might as well get a 6 cyl

 

[JuiceTheGator]

^ Yeah, I'd look for one of those American sedans that sells so cheap after a few years. See if you can buy a Buick Century, Taurus or something like that from an old dude.

 

[Camfantasy]

^ Yeah, I'd look for one of those American sedans that sells so cheap after a few years. See if you can buy a Buick Century, Taurus or something like that from an old dude.

Is an older Buick Century or Taurus going to be that much better on gas mileage than his 17mpg Jeep though?

 

[CarlWinslow]

Is an older Buick Century or Taurus going to be that much better on gas mileage than his 17mpg Jeep though?

yes, specially on the highway doing 120 Canadian . I used to get near 30 mpg highway with my old northstar v8 caddy even.

 

[JuiceTheGator]

Yeah, those V6s always get in the mid to high 20s at least. But the key is you can buy one for nothing from some old dude who pampered the shit out of it and drove 20mph in the left lane.

 

[Camfantasy]

Yeah, those V6s always get in the mid to high 20s at least. But the key is you can buy one for nothing from some old dude who pampered the shit out of it and drove 20mph in the left lane.

My old v6 Maxima is decent on gas (about 20-24mpg) and is still in good shape.....it just seems like if I wanted something solely for the mpg, then I would probably go for a small and cheap 4-cyl in the low to mid 30mpg range. Good point on the old folks with the granny cars that are in tip-top shape though. I would probably jump on one of those if you can find one.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I've got an '01 Olds Intrigue I'm looking to unload as soon as I buy my truck (should be soon). I haven't checked the mileage recently, but I used to get 30 on the highway.

 

[bamabear82]

My boss has a 1991 Chevy Cavalier Z24 with 89,000 miles on it he bought new for sale for $1,800. A guy that works at our warehouse may be buying it though. It's weird seeing a car that old in such good condition.

 

[bigred472]

My old v6 Maxima is decent on gas (about 20-24mpg) and is still in good shape.....it just seems like if I wanted something solely for the mpg, then I would probably go for a small and cheap 4-cyl in the low to mid 30mpg range. Good point on the old folks with the granny cars that are in tip-top shape though. I would probably jump on one of those if you can find one.

-------
My brother-in-law/sister have had Civics/Accords for over two decades. Most of those that they had they ended up putting 150000 to 200000 miles on and other than the basics--batteries & tires--they never replaced much of anything else. If you're an armchair mechanic either a 4 cyl. Honda or Toyota will do you right. However, if you rely on mechanics to fix your problems, most will work on Hondas, few will work on Toyotas unless you're dealing with a dealership mechanic. IMO, go Honda.

 

[rfjeff9]

Ford F150 with the old straight 6.

 

[SFNL]

Anything Honda... It will run forever with no maintenance. I'd go with an Accord though, civics are tiny.

 

[fordman84]

Ford F150 with the old straight 6.

Gotta second this, but that is going ot be OLD.

But they will pull down a house, cost nothing to work on, and mine was carb'd so I could stand in the engine bay to work on it.

 

[fordman84]

Gotta second this, but that is going ot be OLD.

But they will pull down a house, cost nothing to work on, and mine was carb'd so I could stand in the engine bay to work on it.

oh yeah, and not sure about your state but here in Texas, all carb'd I-6 300's would be old enough to be emission exempt.

 

[JuiceTheGator]

^ The straight six in older Cherokees was also known to run foreva'. Shit mileage though.