$2500 for a car. what do you suggest?

[ZAust]

alrighty, so heres the story. i was in an accident a week and a half ago, and my 1982 volvo glt turbo is most likely totaled. here are some pictures:





now, the good news is that i am not at fault in the accident. so, the other drivers insurance company is cutting me a check for the value of the car, which comes out to $2500. now, im going away to college next year so im looking for something that will get great gas mileage, and be able to handle semi-frequent trips from southern california to the bay area. do you have any suggestions? tips? warnings? any help would be appreciated.

[digitard]

Get an older Honda ... wont have any "oomph" but it should run pretty nice. Autotrader buddy ...

[grw4w34]

zack check craigslist. where are you going next year?

[ZAust]

Originally posted by grw4w34
zack check craigslist. where are you going next year?

cal poly or irvine.

[grw4w34]

well i will be at cal poly, also had my davis app reffered to irvine and got in there like that, but come to cal poly. anyway craigs list is the best way to find a car locally for cheap.

[punkncat]

I have had really good luck with Toyotas.
Hondas tend to get problems with the head after they get older.
Avoid sports cars as they are generally ragged out, unless you know the owner.
When getting a used car look for flagship models , in other words get an Accord rather than a Civic, or Camry over a Corolla.The higher line cars stay together better over time as a general rule.
Avoid older cars with lots of bells and whistles like power windows,cruise,etc.Unless the price is RIGHT these are items that are more likely to break or become so.
If you can , take the car to a dealership in the area and pay for a diagnostic.In that price range there will be things wrong with the car , but knowing up front what will have to be fixed is valuable info.If the seller won't let you they probably know of something seriously wrong with the car.
Auto auctions can be a good place , but take someone with who knows cars well , and inspect the ones you are interested in before the auction starts.
Be wary of any vehicle that is too clean.Esp. under the hood.Clean motors generally are because they washed away evidence of leak(s).

Check Consumer Reports used car guide , and pull a carfax on the vin#.

[PyRo]

I just like to keep my engine bay and underbody clean it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with my car, stop making acustaions

Everyone said that when I went to sell my jeep, they all insisted it was a peice of garbage because I kept the bay clean and I should take $500 off the price for the repair bill. Cheap morons who know nothing. I loved the guy who swore it needed the entire exhaust because the cat was bad

[punkncat]

Just happens to be a very common trick with unsavory sellers to wash away evidence of any leaks under the hood.Can't see a problem there must not be one right?
No offense intended....

[magsRus]

I would say a Honda or an Acura I only had good experiences with my '92 Interga and my sister drives a 1990 civic that drives great

[.bolink]

I picked up my 94 SC2 Saturn for 2200 dollars with 75k miles on it. Its a manual with manual windows and locks, but man does it get good gas mileage and it sure takes abuse. On my recent trip to Myrtle Beach I got over 350 miles off of one tank (roughly 10 gallon tank). Not the nicest car in the world but for the price you cant beat it.

The only thing is that you have to watch the oil level with saturns. They tend to lose a quart every thousand miles or so. Where it goes i have no clue cause it doesnt leak at all. Ive read that that is a common thing with Saturns though.