Im looking for a super reliable, 30mpg is a mpg goal, with some decent interior space and with a budget of $1000. Its not for me, just someone that needs a basic appliance for cheap.
Im thinking a Ford Escort wagon or Saturn wagon with a single cam with bonus points for a manual tranny. Both seem to get high ratings for long term reliability and both are quite cheap.
Anything else i should point them at?
Those seem like good choices. I’ve also seen the Yaris / Tercel / Scion xA family pretty dang cheap lately. They’re very reliable cars.
The K frames on Saturn's have a tendency to return to the elements, and last one I bought was rather pricey. Otherwise they're damn near indestructible, as long as you're not in a hurry.
I'd look for early 2000s Corolla...
Toyota Echo. Prius-like mileage, iconic reliability, super roomy, typically cheaper than a Corolla.
For $1,000 I just recommend opening up your local CL. Using the filters on the left put in a price cap of maybe $1,500 (asking price) and then choose the option of manual trans only.
I stress that non-sporty cars w/ manual trans are really hard and slow to sell since so many people have aged past wanting to bother with a manual and no one is teaching the younger how to drive a manual.
What is your CL city? There should be some bargains out there. Look to see how long the listing has been up on CL and offer a low price accordingly.
One of my favorite games lately is the "4 cylinder manual trans" filtered open search on craigslist.
Also, my SL1 just made me want a Honda. Get an SL2 or SW2 at least.
John Welsh said:For $1,000 I just recommend opening up your local CL. Using the filters on the left put in a price cap of maybe $1,500 (asking price) and then choose the option of manual trans only.
I stress that non-sporty cars w/ manual trans are really hard and slow to sell since so many people have aged past wanting to bother with a manual and no one is teaching the younger how to drive a manual.
What is your CL city? There should be some bargains out there. Look to see how long the listing has been up on CL and offer a low price accordingly.
Oh yeah, thats why i recommended the manual plus the benefit if the extra mpg.
Daylan C said:One of my favorite games lately is the "4 cylinder manual trans" filtered open search on craigslist.
Also, my SL1 just made me want a Honda. Get an SL2 or SW2 at least.
Its not for me so it doesnt have to be fun to drive, faster than an overloaded 88 clubwagon with a I6 wouldnt be hard to beat either though lol
Generally speaking, I think at that price point the type of car doesn't matter as much as the cars' ownership/maintenance history. 98% of cars on CL for $1000 or less are E36 M3 boxes that have been beaten to death and fixed with bailing wire and tape. They're few and far between, but every once in a while you'll find a car that was grandpa's Escort from new which was always serviced at the dealer, and the family has proof. That's the car you want. I'd rather have a 2001 Dodge Stratus with that type of history than a Corolla that is very sketchy in history. You'll usually be able to tell from the CL ad if it's legit or not. But when you find one, act fast, they sell immediately.
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