Car Help!

[[ALIMEISTER]]

Hey everyone. I'm shopping for a car for my brother and I need your opinions. I only have a $2000 budget. I know it's not much.

The first car i'm interested in is the 1989 Firebird. It's e-tested and has 230k on it. Is this model reliable? Good on gas? I'm assuming not because it's a V6 and is American. Any positives/negatives about this car? It's selling for $1800.

The second one I like is the 86 Mazda Rx7. It has 115k on it and is selling for $1000. The only problem is that it needs a motor. Any idea how much that costs? The other 87 Rx7 that is being sold needs an exhaust. How much would I end up spending altogether. Positives/Negatives?

I'm like totally car illiterate so I desperately need some help!

Thanks guys,
alimyster

 

[Goober Mcfly]

Isn't a V6 Firebird a typical dental hygenist's car?

 

[[ALIMEISTER]]

I guess i'll have to talk to him about making the monthly payments if i decide to do that. He's 17 and is working at Burger King lol. I'm 20 in university and strapped for cash so thats why I only have a 2grand budget. I guess I could always get him a Japanese car like an Accord or a Civic. But they're so common. I actually bought an 89 Accord last year, which has 296k on it by now and runs great, very smooth and hasnt given me any problems.

I guess i'll have to turn to something Japanese..

 

[wrong hole]

Isn't a V6 Firebird a typical dental hygenist's car?

....goober, that's the oddest posts

....but my dental hygenist drives a mercedes hatchback....

we made out in it a couple of times...

 

[wrong hole]

A.

...get a civic or a corolla....great on gas and reliable...

 

[[ALIMEISTER]]

I checked out some cars on autotrader.ca, and i'm leaning towards a 88 or 89 Honda Prelude. They look pretty sporty. How are they? Also, how much does it cost to E-test and certify a car?

 

[mr. x]

if you get something sporty, like a prelude or rx7 or firebird, you will find that the insurance is high - even if you do not put collision insurance on the car...

which brings me to the question - if you can afford on 2 grand for a car for your brother, how will he afford the insurance? get a quote before you buy - insurance can vary greatly from one model to another. (lowest rates tend to be on station wagons and larger american cars). avoid 2 door sports cars, SUVs.

for 2 grand, you will be looking at cars at least a decade old - condtion is far more important than brand, and you want something that parts are easy to get and cheap - my advice, get something like a buick century. i would avoid any car with really high mileage (over 250-300, 000)

do a search on trader.ca for cars in the toronto area, between $1800 and $2200. make sure the car is both e-tested and certified.

e-test and cet runs $150-$200 - but that is just what the mechanics get - if the car needs work, you could spend hundreds or thousands extra! get one already done and to go, without the risk.

i did a search in trader.ca - i found cars like a 1990 chevy corsica 4 door - 147,000 km, cert and e-tested for $2000. look at this car, or ones like it.

i also found a 1992 dodge colt - which is actually japanese (mitsubishi) but was sold by dodge - $2000 cert and etested.

also, while manauls transmission is more fun, stick to an automatic - a clutch can be expensive to replace!

 

[Sargeant StiffCock]

E test is $35.00 (plus GST) and certification costs $50.00 that is if the car passes both and does not need any parts. Clutches can fail in manual transmissions but are never as much as an automatic to replace and also are easy to test before you buy, usually nothing else ever goes wrong with a manual. Automatic transmission is basically just luck, it can go anytime without even a warning. Insurance IS very important to consideer before you buy, especially for a 17 year old. I would look at something like a Toyota Tercel or something, they go forever and are good on gas. With a Prelude you may be looking at higher insurance, in some models even a four door to two door car can make a difference in premium. I can give you a number to call if you need parts or recommend a good, very reasonable mechanic with dealer experience.

 

[Damondean]

Prelude excellent choice.

Honda Prelude is an excellent choice. Have an indepnedent mechanic look at it before signing on. E-test costs around $37. Obviousky if repairs are needed, costs are added. Have the seller e-test the car for you.

 

[mr. x]

sarg:

i don't know any mechanic who will do things that cheap - or at least, a mechanic who i would trust not to pad out the costs. where do you know and recommend that would do it that cheap?

also, manual transmissions can be problematic if previous drivers abused them or didn't know how to drive them - synchronisers can be wrecked, and also, the shift linkage/cables might need adjustment from time to time, particularly true with hondas. the big problem with automatics is leaks!

 

[Hollywoodladies.ca]

My mechanic rocks, hes very inexpensive (* only 20.00/hr for labour, and if it takes 20 minutes, he only charges for 20 minutes) and he shows you any reciepts for parts...
I drive a 93' Honda Accord with 409,000 km on it and he keeps it in great running order. I replaced the original muffler last year...
Bottom line, you can't go wrong with an import. The parts are relatively inexpensive and they are awesomely reliable. Not to mention good for insurance rates.

Steph

 

[mr. x]

steph:

i also believe imports are better - with the exception of korean cars (and russian!)

however, when looking for a realllly cheap used car in the $2000 range, its more a matter of finding a car that is in good condition and seems solid from seller who seems legit.

 

[[ALIMEISTER]]

Thanks alot guys, you've been a great help. I guess I should stick with an import. Gotta find out how much insurance will cost too. I pay $220 a month (liability). I know i'm getting ripped off. But I hear it's because i'm 20, and the rate cheapens after i'm 21 or something like it. I guess I should also stick with a 4door.

 

[Aussie visitor]

$220 a month???? Is that normal? At the moment I pay about $500 a year for a V8 sedan (Aussie made) and the same for a 1970 Mach 1 mustang. And I thought our insurance here was a rip off!

 

[mr. x]

to help you a little more, here's a website which shows the relative ratings of cars for insurance purposes:

http://www.vicc.com/english/MeasureUp00.htm

another thing to remember, is that cars bought from a private seller only cost you 8% tax, not 15%. i prefer buying a car privately, not only because of the tax savings, but because you can get a sense of the person who drove it, and they will know the history and have records....

but let me say this one more time: with a car this old and cheap, the import/domestic thing should not be your top priority in finding a car. better to get a buick century from a little old lady who never abused it than a honda civic from somebody who drove the crap out of it!

you pay more for an import, and in this price range, you are more likely to find a solid domestic car than a honda or toyota (but if you can find a toyota that checks out, they are tops for reliability).