cheap car shopping
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by Americanmadeford
If that were true, the car would have had every part replaced within 6 months. There's just not that much that can go wrong on an Escort.
Besides, you had the "GT". Probably abused by the previous owner.
Besides, you had the "GT". Probably abused by the previous owner.
Last edited by Red Star; Mar 26, 2007 at 08:10 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: SE Alabama
Originally Posted by Red Star
I had base 4 door sedan hatchback model (like from pic). I made a mistake, it was 1.9L, not 1.8L. It was our first car in the USA and at that time we couldn't afford anything better. We had it for about a year. I have no reason to lie. It was so unreliable so I traded it in when I got Mustang.
BTW, I hope it didnt sounds as if i was calling you a liar. Honestly I wansnt
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,465
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From: Calgary Canada
OKMIC1 has a good point. Auctions can be a good way to buy cheap cars. Let's face it, for $600, you are already taking a pretty big gamble. I bought a great 1989 Town Car at an auction in 2003.
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Posting Guru
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From: Maine
Now he's thinking he'll wait until the end of summer, when he'll have a bit more money; a very good choice I think.
I'm still suggesting he buy something cheaper than his budget and plan to do some work on it. I think he'll end up with a better car that way, and I'll help him do what it needs, and he's got another friend who used to be a mechanic who will help, too.
I'm still suggesting he buy something cheaper than his budget and plan to do some work on it. I think he'll end up with a better car that way, and I'll help him do what it needs, and he's got another friend who used to be a mechanic who will help, too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,147
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I think he's going to find whatever he buys is going to need replacement very soon. Probably best bet to wait until he saves up enough for a little corolla or civic even something similar, those cars are what built Toyota's and Honda's reputation (not that it necessarily fits anymore, but they're still riding on it).
My buddy has an escort that runs well too, but I'd take my chances with an import over a Ford from the early 90's. But I'm sure the escort would be cheap and easy to fix when things go wrong.
Another thing to ad that I've been told from this site is when you're shopping at a low price point it's better to buy based on condition and previous maintenance then basing it on the model and it's reputation.. just something to think about.
My buddy has an escort that runs well too, but I'd take my chances with an import over a Ford from the early 90's. But I'm sure the escort would be cheap and easy to fix when things go wrong.
Another thing to ad that I've been told from this site is when you're shopping at a low price point it's better to buy based on condition and previous maintenance then basing it on the model and it's reputation.. just something to think about.
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Posting Guru
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From: Maine
Yeah my feeling on the import/domestic thing at this price point is that for a given year/size, the imports are probably better. But everyone knows they're better, so they command higher prices, so you can afford a newer domestic, which is also generally cheaper to fix than an import.
So, I end up reaching the same conclusion you state- buy on condition and maintenence, rather than by model.
So, I end up reaching the same conclusion you state- buy on condition and maintenence, rather than by model.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: WI, sometimes MN & IA
Originally Posted by Keepin It Real
Seventyseven250 is right. You can get an older American made car pretty cheap like an eighties Dodge Aries or Plymouth Reliant. Both are reliable, simple, cheap to fix and they are six cyl.
i'd tell your buddy to try and get something with lower milage. around where i live it's not too uncommon to find a little rusty gem here and there for cheap. gl!
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From: Maine
Mexico near here is a little town over near the NH border. Not a huge demand for cars there...
Problem here is they rot out. If you don't expect to get more than a couple years out of it, you can probably do pretty well on a low-mileage rust-bucket, I just have a really hard time putting time and or money into something that I know CAN'T last more than a few years before it's only good for parts.
Problem here is they rot out. If you don't expect to get more than a couple years out of it, you can probably do pretty well on a low-mileage rust-bucket, I just have a really hard time putting time and or money into something that I know CAN'T last more than a few years before it's only good for parts.
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