I need a recommendation for a cheap winter car. Some reliable 4 banger to save on gas. $1500 budget.


No its not for me I could never stop driving my car even though its at the tranny shop now.

I got my 1994 SSE for $500 and my son 94SSEgold got his 1992 SSEi for $700. Seek and ye shall find! My car doesn't use very much gas. I can't complain with the gas mileage. These cars are not cheap but affordable

Go for a little Toyota or Honda. Should be able to get a resonable late 80'* early 90'* one...

Late 80s, early 90s Honda Civic (I think the hatchbacks look better) would be my bet. For $1500 you should be able to find a nice, relatively low-mile car.

(^ random google images)

the second (1988-1992 Corolla coupe), in GT-* form, was what my dad drove prior to him buying the Bonneville. Being the sporty model with sporty 4A-GE motor (and sporty handling to go with it), it had to be revved to go fast. Which meant gas mileage was sub-par for a 1.6L motor, but still better than a 3800. Stick with the regular models if you can.

But you can't go wrong with a Corolla or Civic - but the typical car-buying procedures apply. A rust-free model may be a bit harder to find.

Small old Civic or Corrolla seems like a logical choice. **5spd tho**

Definately - even though any Honda automatic will be of the 4-speed variety (some Corollas have a three), manual is the way to go for cars like this, you get the most out of them.

That, and Honda'* manuals are eleventy billion times better (read: good stuff) than their automatics (which aren't that good)

a REALLY good gas saving car is a mitsubishi mirage (1997-up) with the 1.5 4 cyl, mine was in sad shape engine wise at 168k it was burning oil and all but it still got 36mpg on the hwy, they are very reliable cars its just my mom beat the hell out of it, im talkin she DID NOT take care of it at ALL! and it still made it to 168k with minimal problems, i got rid of it because its airbag light was on since day one of our ownership of it and right before i sold it, i saw white crap in the oil so i was like get rid of it in a hurry thinking the head gasket was going or something, turns out it was just condensation from all the snow and crap in the area that week. kinda regret gettin rid of it.