Yep, like the title says, I will be moving farther away from my college, and need some advice on a beater car to drive about 40 miles each way... Something good on gas thats why it has to be a car.

Dont worry, I will still keep my 4runner, I would die before I sell it.

I was thinking about a Civic (probably 2 door, with the 1.6L V-Tech engine)
My budget will probably be about $3k.
My mom has like an '85 (maybe '87) Carolla, and that car is pretty cool.

I am thinking, hell if I am spending all this on gas, maybe I should get a gas credit card with rewards. Anyone use those? Recomendations?

Thanks guys,
-Rion

 

Gas credit card? Thats a baaaad idea. Unless you pay it off EVERY month in full. Otherwise you pay interest and you wont be saving any money.

Honda Accords are great cars. I had a 93 with 318k on her. Ran great when I sold it.

 

Hmm, Honda Accords are pretty cool. My friend gave me a ride home the other day in one, because I had no gas.

What would you say the max mileage is that I want on one of those... maybe 150k miles...

I mean, if the engine and everything check out, mileage isn't too big of a problem right..
I know I should stay away with cars with problems or "rebuilt" engines..

 

I've always liked the Civic hatches (92-95). They're light and can be gotten for pretty cheap. I bought my last one (since sold) with 140k for $1600, drove the crap out of it and got mileage in the high 30s to low 40s depending on who I could draft behind . Not powerful but fun.

 

i used to have an older vw jetta, man i loved that car 35+ on the highway 30 in town no matter how i drove it and if you can find a vw diesel like a rabbit or something it would be even better. i think my dads got 45+ on the highway sometimes better i want one again because between my wife and i we have 3 4x4s and nothing else. her 2004 jeep grand cherokee only gets 11 or 12 in town.
not cool

 

GEO METRO, LOL

Or any front wheel drive car, you can still have fun!! Just go for fast food, take a couple trays, lock them under the rear tires with the parking brake, and drift away!

JUST don't flatspot your tires!

 

Motorcycle.

 

I'd find myself a early '90s Toyota coupe or sedan. I've worked on a few and they're easy to fix and cheap to run.

 

I would go with a civic over the accord if you want better gas milage. The Geo idea is not a bad idea. You could always by a POS and when it craps out just replace it.

 

Corolla

 

older corolla. I drove one for a little while, cheap cheap cheap!

 

I drive a 90 corolla every day to work. Good gas mileage, cheap to fix.. over 200k now and going strong. Ding me in parking lots or pelt my windshield with pebbles... i dont care

 

I drive roughly 88 miles a week for work and my beater car is a sick ass 92 integra i got for 500 bucks 2 years ago....good car good mileage and just runs and runs

 

I bought a 84' Honda CRX a number of years ago w/ 200K for $500. Still got 35+ MPG. That thing was FUN. Gutless but cornered faster than the Stealth R/T I had before it. I'd still be driving it if the rear axle hadn't rusted away from the body (no frame) at 250K. Trusted it enough to drive from NE to NY and back and many trips to CO. I swear by the Hondas

Motorcycle is a good option too. I have to ride my 00' R6 pretty hard to get less than 35 MPG. Easy to get into trouble with if you are stupid...

I'd say any Honda, Toyota, Mazda, etc. would treat you right. Try to shop for one that has some decent maintance records included. That way you know what has been done and may need to be done. My CRX had dealer reciepts for every oilchange, wiper replacement, etc. for all 200K when I bought it. Damn! I miss that little car.

 

the geo prizm is the same as a corolla. my son had a 95 corolla when he was a college sstudent and constantly got 35 mpg combined city/hiway.

 

Wow, okay so now I know what to look for, THANKS GUYS!

I still have no idea how you people find these 500 dollar cars! Los Angeles Craigslist is a freaking shark pool. You can never find a good deal on a good running car on there!

Will do on the records Polander. Ill post links on here if I find anything I like, and you guys can give me the "yay" or "nay".

 

i'm in the same boat as you. this spring/summer i'm gonna get a beater with style. i had two '85 celicas, they were great and had the 22re engine. but, this time around i'm getting either an '83/'84 VW GTI or MKII VW Scirocco. good gas mileage and cool as H-E-double hockey sticks!

 

GEO METRO! 3cylinder 5speed...my dad has had one for the past 10 years or so...constantly got 44 mpg highway or city...had over 250,000miles on it...when i wrecked it... man did he love that car..but he now has a VW jetta TDI..its GREAT so far gotten 45mpg with it

 

Mechanic's special in the newspaper.

For a commuter car, I'd recommend a Mazda MX-6. With the 5 speed of course, it gets 33 MPG all the time. I can go from my house, in lake county 120 miles to Sacramento, and back, and then back once again on a tank of gas. Plenty of power, and doesn't look to bad either. It has some good options, too(cruise control, AC, PW, PL, Sunroof) My dad bought the car two years ago for $300, and put a PickNPull motor in it(32K miles on motor). The car had 130K when he got it, now it has 194K, and going strong.

As with any commuter car, always go for the stick tranny. They give more power, less wear, and more MPG than an auto. Also, Volkswagon diesels get like 45 MPG but they are a little on the pricey side.

 

Well as a definate commuter, id have to say one of the better beaters ive owned, is a 1987 volkswagon GTI Golf, owned it for 9 years now and its got wicked power when it needs it but always gets 34+ mpg. most ive ever got is was 42 mpg.. i know some of the diesel rabbits get just as much.. you kind of have to find one that suites you i guess.. get one for a good deal. look through papers and craigs listings is an awesome place.