 
     |
| $3000 for an '00-ish car. Go! (Page 1/3) |
|
thesameguy
|
NOV 26, 06:34 PM
|
|
A friend is having a car crisis, and I am going to try to help her out. I have about three grand to put into this. I need to produce a car that can be reliable for six months to a year - we can re-evaluate next summer. Reliability, safety and fuel economy are the three major requirements in order of priority. It needs to be an automatic, it should be an OBDII car (minimizes smog hassles), and as much as I tend to prefer European cars, it's helpful if this one isn't one as parts and service may be a problem where she is. I have about three grand to throw at this problem, which I think is doable. I've got a couple ideas, but I'd really be really interested in any commentary on turn-of-the-century GM offerings... Maybe w-body? I was originally thinking about an Alero or something as they had great reliability, but their safety record is terrible. 
|
|
|
|
carnut122
|
NOV 26, 06:45 PM
|
|
|
|
|
thesameguy
|
NOV 26, 07:15 PM
|
|
|
Yeah, that's on my list. Unfortunately finding DOHC cars with an automatic transmission at this price point is rough around here. Most of the automatic Focii for sale are the SPI/SOHC motor, and I just don't trust them. Spontaneous, catastrophic valve drops are no fun. But a Focus, Corolla, '97-'98 Volvo 850/V70, and possibly an XJ are all up for consideration. It just seems like full size cars from the General are a very good value, which is why I am looking into them as well. A Buick Century or Regal seems like it'd be a good buy.
|
|
|
|
craigsfiero2007
|
NOV 26, 07:28 PM
|
|
|
Avoid a SPI Focus, lots of expensive problems. How about a Honda Accord or Civic or maybe a CR-V? Maybe a Subaru? Usually reliable but parts are pricey. A 2000's Grand Prix can be had for under $3k, maybe a GTP even.
|
|
|
|
thesameguy
|
NOV 26, 07:35 PM
|
|
Hondas carry a freaky price premium around here, so they are probably out. Plus, I live in the junkyard capital of the world (I think  ) and an intense number of Hondas are salvaged or rebuilt vehicles - I just don't have the time or interest to figure out which are which. Easier to just not shop. Subaru is a possibility, but they tend to get terrible gas mileage and, at ~15 years old, develop head gasket problems. If I found a nice one it'd be okay, but given my compressed timeline I'm trying to focus on cars that have the fewest congenital problems. The attraction of the w-body is their very solid engine and transmission. It's not ideal but totally acceptable if random stuff stops working, as long as it can get her to and from work every day... drivetrain reliability is paramount.
|
|
|
|
thesameguy
|
NOV 26, 09:30 PM
|
|
Two days before Thanksgiving is a terrible time to buy a car.
Found a nice looking '97 GTP coupe I am going to try to check out tomorrow. Anyone have any advice on problem spots or things to avoid?
|
|
|
|
Khw
|
NOV 26, 11:57 PM
|
|
You might consider a Dodge Neon. They got decent mileage and being an American made car, they probably would sell for less than a foreign car (except maybe Hyundai or Kia). Plus the 2000 up models were all 4 door, so while the SRT4 is a popular street racer model, the others aren't as much. If you went pre 2000, 95 and newer were are OBD2 and you can get them in 2 or 4 door. We had a freind who got her car repossesed and we bought a 95 Neon so she had a vehicle to drive while she made payments to us on it. Of course we offered to buy it back if she decided to buy a different car within a year.
We also owned a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville with the 3800NA. It got mid 20's for mileage with mostly city driving. Very comfortable car and except for the car stereo being wired into the computer, I loved that car. We traded it in on a 2002 Mazda Protege5, which is also a very nice vehicle with closer to 30 mog mostly city driving.
|
|
|
|
craigsfiero2007
|
NOV 27, 07:29 AM
|
|
| quote | Originally posted by thesameguy:
Two days before Thanksgiving is a terrible time to buy a car.
Found a nice looking '97 GTP coupe I am going to try to check out tomorrow. Anyone have any advice on problem spots or things to avoid? |
|
Drive it and make sure the transmission isn't shifting hard or shuttering. Ask the owner how long they have owned it and about maintenance performed on it. Make sure the Supercharger is working, you will notice if its not. Ask about the Supercharger Oil, if its been changed or even checked. If you do get the car, I would change the Supercharger Oil ASAP, most owners don't know about it so it goes neglected. Make sure the Wheel Bearings are not shot. I check the HUD to make sure it still works, just because I think the feature is neat. I miss my 02 GTP. [This message has been edited by craigsfiero2007 (edited 11-27-2013).]
|
|
|
|
jaskispyder
|
NOV 27, 10:06 AM
|
|
|
Probably too late, but I would look for a Toyota or Honda for this person. They are reliable. GM cars of that time period seem to have tranny issues. I had to have two trannys rebuilt in GM FWD cars.
|
|
|
|
thesameguy
|
NOV 27, 12:50 PM
|
|
| quote | Originally posted by craigsfiero2007:
Drive it and make sure the transmission isn't shifting hard or shuttering. Ask the owner how long they have owned it and about maintenance performed on it. Make sure the Supercharger is working, you will notice if its not. Ask about the Supercharger Oil, if its been changed or even checked. If you do get the car, I would change the Supercharger Oil ASAP, most owners don't know about it so it goes neglected. Make sure the Wheel Bearings are not shot. I check the HUD to make sure it still works, just because I think the feature is neat. I miss my 02 GTP.
|
|
Unfortunately there is about no history on the car. It was purchased from the original owner just a month or two ago with the intention of being given to a teenager. They had some second thoughts about giving such a sled to a kid and are selling it on. Or so the story goes. It could of course also be that they discovered some terrible problem and are getting out while the getting is good. The car looks incredibly clean, but who knows about the mechanicals... Like I said, I just need 6-8 months from this car, and by then we can have something more appropriate lined up... it's just an emergency right now. Upside of the interim car being a GTP is that after 6-8 months I could have a 3800SC for the Fiero. 
This is the ad:
http://sacramento.craigslis.../cto/4170079798.html
The only thing that really gives me pause is the black spoiler... what's up with that?
|
|
|
|