Last year I sold off all my spare cars so that I could buy the evo. Now the evo has to go under the knife for 2-4 weeks and I need a spare car. No way I would DD my Bug for a month so I am now shopping for something dirt cheap to get me by and to keep as a spare vehicle. I am going to post a list of vehicles I had in mind. If any of you have experience with any of them, I would like to hear your thoughts! If anyone else has different model recommendations, throw them out there. My only real need is a 4 door so I can haul the kid around. No fun getting a car seat out of a 2 door. I said cheap so I am thinking under 3k, $2500 preferred.

vehicles in interest so far...

- Infinity fx35
- BMW 3 series (early 2000 model)
- Benz c230 (early to mid 2000s)
- Audi A4 (mid to late 2000s)
- Infinity G35 (early 2000s)

open to any other suggestions that you have had good luck with.

 

At that price level, go w/a nice, simple Toyota Camry

 

I bought a 2000 honda civic with 74,000 miles and I love it. I have 3 other "mint" cars that I don't want to get winter salt on so I drive the civic as my daily. Very happy with the civic. I am getting 27.5 combined MPG and the car is a breeze to work on.

 

FX35 for $2500? Damn.
I would go TSX if you want the most car for the $2500, but at that price point you're going for the car that's in the best condition, period.

 

And the probability is high you can at least sell the Camry for what you paid when you're done with it.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I was trying to stay away from fwd but beggars cant be choosers at this point. So adding to the list we have...

- Camry
- Civic
- TSX maybe even TL?

I had two more thoughts

- Normal Lancer?
- Corolla

 

240sx or miata. Both RWD and fun as hell to drive. Take it from someone who dailys a corolla.

 

Pal - has to be 4 door! You want to sell the Corolla haha?

Here is a Lancer I found. Doesnt look bad. Plus it would give me the option to go wingless haha!

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/...796123687.html

 

That's not bad at all. I keep forgetting they have similar interior to us haha

 

i love my 07 automatic corolla lmao. just crossed 250k last night

 

The cars you listed on the OP will be money pit disasters at your price point. You need to find a well maintained high mileage civic or corolla.

 

That is good to know they actually last! Any major issues in the time you have owned it?

Ya I was talking to a few of my buddies and pretty much said the same thing as you. My rwd/decent power dream has pretty much gone out the window...

I still like the idea of a matching Lancer but just dont know if they are good vehicles or not. Seeing that the one I posted has 75k on it, I dont think thats too bad and should make it to 100k which would take me who knows how many years to hit.

 

the most reliable car i have ever owned. just keep up with basic maintenance of oil changes. i flush coolant and trans every 60k. there's nothing else to the car lol.

 

The base lancers are perfectly reliable. They definitely aren't the best car in the segment in other categories for the price though.

 

I just thought of another 4 door car that is cheap, fun, and RWD, but it's not that reliable. I want one though lmao.

2004 Mazda RX8

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/...808426308.html