i bought a 240 with wiring problems for 900 and flipped it for 2200 after patching some shoddy wiring

2/15/2012 9:52:22 AM

what about the 323, 325, and 328 series (as compared to the 318)?

2/15/2012 11:25:30 AM

if you can find them do it..

if you can change your own headgasket you should be able to find one in good shape with a blown HG and save tons of money.

2/15/2012 11:30:39 AM

Honda Accord

2/15/2012 11:35:42 AM

Quote :

"323, 325, and 328 series"

Shit gas mileage

2/15/2012 11:36:30 AM

^thanks
^^considering
^^^let's assume I can't for now; though I'll look into it.

2/15/2012 11:57:15 AM

1996-2000 Civic. That was the last really good generation of the Civics. They've been regressing ever since.

2/15/2012 12:14:11 PM

I'll be moving in with my girlfriend and her 2 roommates soon... so if I get a civic... all 4 of us will have civics

I GOTTA HAVE THE C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

2/15/2012 12:22:04 PM

+1 for Cavalier, i bought a 99 with 150,000 miles on it, drove it to 260,000 and sold it only because i had a 2nd ride and didnt want to replace the release bearing and master cylinder on a car with that many miles. Expect the gas needle to quit working though, at some point. I Know of several that this has happened too but never looked for a reason why. Only other trouble it ever gave me besides the transmission stuff was an idler pulley burning up.

2/15/2012 12:26:43 PM

^yes, that's the biggest flaw that I've come across


150k miles and only replaced fuel pump (past 1000 miles) and front right unit bearing (past 3k miles)

cool thing is the car is an auto and she averages about 30mpg... 35 if it's purely highway

2/15/2012 12:59:32 PM

Civic/Corolla > Cavalier
They might be cheap to run, but I have yet to see a 10+ year old Cavalier that is aging well.

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 1:39 PM. Reason : s]

2/15/2012 1:38:54 PM

I mean, get a Cavalier if you like driving around in a penalty box. The interior is absolute crap, drivetrain unrefined and the suspension design of those cars was also one generation (or more) behind it's competition.

2/15/2012 1:53:43 PM

they are fine automobiles for the most basic of transportation... you guys know that. I'm not arguing any 'benefits' to a shitbox commuter regardless of make, because, in the end a sub-$4k car is yet another way to just get around efficiently


amirite?

2/15/2012 2:27:25 PM

Yes, but I'm saying a $4000 Civic will do it better and be more fun to drive.

2/15/2012 2:39:30 PM

what about VW? Jetta specifically? seen 5 or 6 of those available, but near the 200k mark.

also, on the 318i/BMW, isn't the maintenance a lot of money? I guess I could just get one of you guys + autoparts store to do everything?

2/16/2012 1:10:59 PM

if you're looking for a dd / beater, it's hard to beat a civic

2/16/2012 1:17:41 PM

yeh, looking at those too.

I just don't want to have civic #4 in the driveway

[Edited on February 16, 2012 at 1:48 PM. Reason : .]

2/16/2012 1:47:12 PM

if you don't want a civic, then just get a integra.

2/16/2012 1:52:49 PM

thoughts: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2855634857.html

figured I could get it even cheaper. repair cost for HG? can someone on here do that? anyway to easily confirm?

2/17/2012 12:28:50 AM

correct me if I'm wrong, but if the HG is blown these are a few signs:

-coolant in the oil
-white smoke in the exhaust
-overheats easily

The ad for that car says 5 speed transmission, which if correct should be the manual version. Which is a good thing. The automatics in that car were absolute shit.

2/17/2012 9:28:12 AM

^yeh, definitely looking for manual trans anyways.

I've heard/read about excess water in exhaust, white/gray oil, bubbling fluid in radiator. I guess my concern now, is if I do see those symptoms, what else can a blown HG cause? If it overheats easily, did this schmuck run it hot until she could get to a shop?

2/17/2012 9:31:34 AM

That is a definite possibility. Could lead to (or already have) a cracked block.

2/17/2012 9:40:08 AM

I'm in the same boat at wdprice, just want a little beater to drive to and from work so I dont have to lug around the 4runner everywhere. I'm looking for an automatic though

2/22/2012 10:37:59 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2861888690.html

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 11:01 AM. Reason : beaters aren't hard to find]

2/22/2012 11:01:29 AM

yeh, I've found several. I'm just holding out hoping to sell my truck then use the leftovers to purchase another vehicle.

2/22/2012 11:57:30 AM

yeah I'm torn on what to do, either buy a beater with straight cash (homie) or finance something a little more reliable. I'd rather not have another monthly payment if I can avoid it

2/22/2012 12:13:31 PM

^cheap used cars are usually more dependable in the long run with a manual than an automatic. It's really just by design.

2/22/2012 2:10:55 PM

Don't get a Jetta, unless you like electrical gremlins.

As far as slightly left-field ideas, what kind of mileage does a Mercedes 190E with the I4 get? Back from when Mercedes were still over-engineered. And could probably had cheaply if you find one with rough paint or dings/dents.

2/22/2012 2:27:21 PM