What car should I buy?

Fox Body · 08-19-2001, 03:19 PM

In about 2 months or less, I will be stripping down the Mustang for major building. Therefore, gonna need another ride.

Criteria:---------------------

$1000 or less (willing to go $200 over, but it's gotta be a great car!)
Dependable
Good gas mileage
Preferably automatic trans
Air condition (preferably)
'85-'90 model

These are what I'm kinda looking at:

--Ford Escort
--Mustang LX hatchback 4 cylinder
--Honda Civic hatchback
--Honda Civic CRX
--Honda Prelude
--Acura Integra
--Geo Metro

I've actually seen a good amt of cars on the list above that met my critera and were in my price range, but I want advice from those who have experienced any or all of the above vehicles.

-----------------------------------------
351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback
Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

Stang Runner · 08-19-2001, 03:44 PM

Do not get a Acura Integra I had one not good.
I would say go with a Ford Escort A friend got 92 for 1100 and It runs good It had some things that it need to be done but runs great like 36MPG!

------------------
14.62@96.9 Engine: Steal Mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, Home ported Lower Intake, No power steering, No A/C
Drive Train: 3.55, World Class T-5,
NOW it is time for Real power STUFF I Have and will put on after I get everthing: Accel DFI

Mac cold intake, 70MM TB, Valve covers (COOL ONES)255 Fuel pump.
Next to get: rocker arms,Cam,TFS Heads,Injectors 26,Holley intake, What might I need???

84LX89GT · 08-20-2001, 03:40 AM

I'll have to agree with stangrunner for these reasons:
a 4 banger stang will only get like 23-25 mpg highway (i had one) and an escort gets much better mpg because it's lighter and has a smaller engine.
An escort will have VERY cheap replacement parts that are easy to come across and are very easy to purchase in good condition. Everyone wants a honda or acura but parts are more expensive and for your price range chances are the cars will be higher mileage and at best have had "decent" upkeep.
I'm not a big fan of cheap import cars for the reason that if something fails it basically "totals" the car because you'll pay more to fix it than you payed for the car, or even some parts are just hard to find. Basically all the cars you listed are good commuter cars though, and i don't think you can go wrong if you find any one of those in good condition.
Side note:
I think those 1.0 3 cylinder Geo Metros sound AWESOME! That engine just has a cool angry hampster sound to it

, the engine actually does sound cool though, but is GUTLESS AS HELL. but that's one way to get consistent 40mpg.

------------------
previous name: 84stangLX
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
my LX
'89 Mustang GT
my GT

dinomite · 08-20-2001, 09:18 AM

a ford probe is another possibility, as well as geo storm. both of those are good little cars.

82 GT · 08-20-2001, 09:26 AM

Fox, what you want is a Plymouth Colt.
Serious, I had one for 4 years and only ever had to replace tires and brakes. It was great in the snow and got excellent gas mileage. They had a 1.5l Mitsubisi engine. Mine had 160,000 miles on the clock and wasn't even burning oil yet!! The only reason I sold it was because I got my other mustang and didn't need three cars.
Be careful with those escorts, they have timing belts that are GUARANTEED to break at some point.

------------------
'82 GT 351W C-4,BBK headers,Carter 625 carb,Comp.Cam,Flowmaster exhaust.
1988 GT...T-5,bone stock

Fox Body · 08-20-2001, 09:45 PM

Thanks for the reply guys and that tip about the Integra StangRunner, I don't know those cars well.

84LX89GT,
I share the exact same sentiments as you about everything you said, that's why the Escort is first on my list. However, the Geo is a last resort car. I GOTTA have a teeny bit of power at least! Crap, If I am that desperate that I need 100 mph to the gallon (or whatever, I'll just buy a horse!).

I kinda do want an import b/c I would just like something different, but if it breaks on me, I don't know what I'd do.

The Escort seems just right for me. I have ALWAYS heard good things about that car-- not just good but great. It'd be a bit of a plus too that it's a Ford. I could do much of any repairs if any myself.

Dinomite,
I think I've actually heard bad things about the Probe (although I could be wrong) and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Storm (gotta upkeep my image

), but I forgot about the Prizm. That's another possibility.

82 GT, I never considered the Colt, don't know much about them but wanted to kinda stay away from Dodge. But, I'll make it a possibility since you suggested it.

Thanks all.

ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS???

-----------------------------------------
351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback
Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit
Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft
2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters
Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II
Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s
14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday)

"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

08-19-2001, 03:19 PM	#1
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	What car should I buy? In about 2 months or less, I will be stripping down the Mustang for major building. Therefore, gonna need another ride. Criteria:--------------------- $1000 or less (willing to go $200 over, but it's gotta be a great car!) Dependable Good gas mileage Preferably automatic trans Air condition (preferably) '85-'90 model These are what I'm kinda looking at: --Ford Escort --Mustang LX hatchback 4 cylinder --Honda Civic hatchback --Honda Civic CRX --Honda Prelude --Acura Integra --Geo Metro I've actually seen a good amt of cars on the list above that met my critera and were in my price range, but I want advice from those who have experienced any or all of the above vehicles. ----------------------------------------- 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

08-19-2001, 03:44 PM	#2
Stang Runner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Walker, MI, USA Posts: 1,202	Do not get a Acura Integra I had one not good. I would say go with a Ford Escort A friend got 92 for 1100 and It runs good It had some things that it need to be done but runs great like 36MPG! ------------------ 14.62@96.9 Engine: Steal Mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, Home ported Lower Intake, No power steering, No A/C Drive Train: 3.55, World Class T-5, NOW it is time for Real power STUFF I Have and will put on after I get everthing: Accel DFIMac cold intake, 70MM TB, Valve covers (COOL ONES)255 Fuel pump. Next to get: rocker arms,Cam,TFS Heads,Injectors 26,Holley intake, What might I need???

08-20-2001, 03:40 AM	#3
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	I'll have to agree with stangrunner for these reasons: a 4 banger stang will only get like 23-25 mpg highway (i had one) and an escort gets much better mpg because it's lighter and has a smaller engine. An escort will have VERY cheap replacement parts that are easy to come across and are very easy to purchase in good condition. Everyone wants a honda or acura but parts are more expensive and for your price range chances are the cars will be higher mileage and at best have had "decent" upkeep. I'm not a big fan of cheap import cars for the reason that if something fails it basically "totals" the car because you'll pay more to fix it than you payed for the car, or even some parts are just hard to find. Basically all the cars you listed are good commuter cars though, and i don't think you can go wrong if you find any one of those in good condition. Side note: I think those 1.0 3 cylinder Geo Metros sound AWESOME! That engine just has a cool angry hampster sound to it , the engine actually does sound cool though, but is GUTLESS AS HELL. but that's one way to get consistent 40mpg. ------------------ previous name: 84stangLX '84 Mustang 5.0 LX my LX '89 Mustang GT my GT

08-20-2001, 09:18 AM	#4
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	a ford probe is another possibility, as well as geo storm. both of those are good little cars.

08-20-2001, 09:26 AM	#5
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	Fox, what you want is a Plymouth Colt. Serious, I had one for 4 years and only ever had to replace tires and brakes. It was great in the snow and got excellent gas mileage. They had a 1.5l Mitsubisi engine. Mine had 160,000 miles on the clock and wasn't even burning oil yet!! The only reason I sold it was because I got my other mustang and didn't need three cars. Be careful with those escorts, they have timing belts that are GUARANTEED to break at some point. ------------------ '82 GT 351W C-4,BBK headers,Carter 625 carb,Comp.Cam,Flowmaster exhaust. 1988 GT...T-5,bone stock

08-20-2001, 09:45 PM	#6
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	Thanks for the reply guys and that tip about the Integra StangRunner, I don't know those cars well. 84LX89GT, I share the exact same sentiments as you about everything you said, that's why the Escort is first on my list. However, the Geo is a last resort car. I GOTTA have a teeny bit of power at least! Crap, If I am that desperate that I need 100 mph to the gallon (or whatever, I'll just buy a horse!). I kinda do want an import b/c I would just like something different, but if it breaks on me, I don't know what I'd do. The Escort seems just right for me. I have ALWAYS heard good things about that car-- not just good but great. It'd be a bit of a plus too that it's a Ford. I could do much of any repairs if any myself. Dinomite, I think I've actually heard bad things about the Probe (although I could be wrong) and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Storm (gotta upkeep my image ), but I forgot about the Prizm. That's another possibility. 82 GT, I never considered the Colt, don't know much about them but wanted to kinda stay away from Dodge. But, I'll make it a possibility since you suggested it. Thanks all. ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS??? ----------------------------------------- 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang notchback Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl, C4 w/ shift kit Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, Al driveshaft 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 255/60/15 Eagle GT II Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s 14 x 4” K&N air filter (getting the Xtreme setup someday) "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body