reliable $2000 car??
 

im looking to park the aurora for a while, fix it up some while i drive a beater. somthing in the area of 2-3000.

for sure want to go 4 door, relieability, and gas mileage are the biggest issues, i don't want somthing old looking, like a old escort or anything. here's my thoughts, any goods/bads???

ford contour ( so cheap!)
dodge neon
cavileer
honda civic
95+ lumina, pre 97 grand prix (basically the w-bodys)
taurus sho (these can actually be found pretty cheap, load with a 5 speed might be nice)


any thoughts? out of all of them, a 5 speed SHO or contour actually sound the best, but i dunno.

i would go with the cav or the lumina

Umm... I've spent $1400 for all three of my bonne's combined... $450, $772, $150... Get a cheap bonne man!

i gave 800 for mine

where are you guys finding these at? some good prices

i bought mine off my aunt and it was in damn good shape

I just sold mine for $28.10

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=17940

oh yeah the red one huh?

whatever you do, don't buy cav from '80s or early '90s, seen many on side of road with major chunks of right-front suspension busted off. Also was victim of same, myself.
While working at car auction here in Columbus, OH, drove '91 Cav' to the back of the lot.
On the way, turned steering wheel left, car went right, plowed into fence at ~40mph.
Thankfully, had buckled seatbelt for some reason(usually didn't while on lot), Cav' was write-off, I got out w/out more than stiff neck for a few days.
So avoid last-gen Cavaliers

I would not suggest either a Cavailer or a Neon, mostly for the reliability factor. Neons suck, in my experience.

You might also consider a Toyota Corolla, if they aren't too boxy for you. I've got a '90, with a 5 speed, and it's a sweet little car. It's got 176,000 miles on it, and is still dead reliable and uses no oil. It also gets crazy good mileage from it's little 1.6l dohc engine (30 in mixed driving, up to 38 mpg). It only makes 102hp, but that's more than enough to move such a light car, especially with a 5-speed. A good used one can be had for $2000, easily. This one cost us $1500 last fall.

just a thought... :roll:

Just get a basic Taurus. You can find some good GL models from 93-97 in that price range. Good cars if you dont abuse them like so many people do.

800 for a Bonnie? Damn, I should of came down there to buy mine.

I agree, skip the Taurus SHO. Nice car in its time, but that Yamaha built engine will give you grief now (and parts are not cheap).

I agree, consider a used Bonneville or any GM with the 3800. If you want a 4cyl for gas mileage, the Contour would be fine.

I'm gonna have to go with the majority here and suggest an inexpensive Bonne. I picked mine up for $250 to be used as a second vehicle. Sure it needed some work, but these vehicles are not the most difficult to work on.

Re: reliable $2000 car??
 

Hehe buy my 1995 contour gl for $1500 :D its a decent car fixed alot of things lol

I recommend either a Bonneville or Cavalier. I currently have 2 Bonneville's and had an 87. I only paid $2,000 for my 93 and it had 120,000 miles less than a year ago. Hasn't given me one issue yet in 39,000 miles! These cars are very easy to work on and you always have the backing of excellent resources here! Any 3800 powered vehicle is the way to go...especially a Series I. My 87 I only paid $350 for and put 60,000 miles on it. Unfortunately I had to put a transmission in it, but over a long weekend I got that done.

I've had my share of Cavalier's too. I had a 90 that ran very well to 185,000 then the head gasket went out. I sold it for $150, and only paid $400 for it. Never had one issue with the car. I recently just sold my 97 Cavalier for $1500. It was in mint condition, but had 182,000 miles. Ran excellent and still got 34 MPG. The only thing I ever did to the car was a replace the water pump in the 82,000 miles I owned it!!

I'm partial to GM. But the bottom line is whatever you buy, it'll take care of you if you take care of it!

That's my $.02....

ive got to get somthing somewhat new looking. so far im thinking this

3100 or 3800 powerd car (kinda like the 4 door gp's, pre 97 of course)
cavileer -shying away from it
neon - shying away from it
contour - still seems like a good deal
old corolla/camry's do seem like a logical choice, dont know if i cant get over the squarness!

thinking 1-2k range actually, still owe 2k on the aurora so ive got to keep the amount low.

as far as taurus's go, ive been hearing of too many problems from friends

ill have to pick up a autotrader or somthing to see whats out there. im also leaning import because of relieability, and the 5speed. never had one, want to see if ill like it, no big deal if i dont, but if i buy a $$$$ car with a stick and hate it, then im out some cash

I owned a neon and I hated it. Luckily I only had if for 18 days when my son had a LOW impact accident that totalled the car. I only paid $2k for my bonnie and it hasn't given me hardly any trouble at all. Just regular maintenance items.

Corolla's good schtuff.

By the way, my car in itself was $2k needing some TLC (and probably worth the same 3 years later in better shape), so a Bonne wouldn't be a bad idea.

ill look for a sse, or sle whatever they made, the ones that looked like ssei's without the supercharger. thing is, i dont want to spend alot, id have to get a 92-95, but for 2k, it might not happen, ill take a look though beaterz dont need that extra love under the hood, more to break, 92 octane and thirstier for it.

My friend bought a 1987 bonnie with a 3.8l for $100 put $20 into paint bondo and sandpaper and sold for $400