Efficient car for under $3k?

[Old Mechanic]

While the older Hondas have a good reputation for mileage. They are ususally riced out or neglected with broken timing belts and replaced engines.

I know the Va Tech area well used to go to shcool there. If I was looking for a car then I would consider the 96 and up Toyota Tercel, or a later Echo. While the gearing could be better those two light weight cars would be very nice for your 3000 foot elevation changes. They also benefit from engines with timing chains instead of belts and are not generally consider candidates for the ricers.

The later 96 and up Tercels and the Echos use the same basic engine as the Prius, a proven design that requires very little maintenance.

Bottom line, I would drive the gift Civic hybrid until that was not an option and when Pop says don't mod it, consider that it is his car, and you are saving tons of money as long as you have access to his car.

I am probably older than your father.

regards
Mech

[Old Mechanic]

Also, if you decide to get a car consider the Richmond area for prospects. Prices there are better than the more eastern part of the state, and there are very little rust issues in the areas from Richmond to the southern parts of the state. Even the Dc area sees more rust issues than Richmond.

regards
Mech

[Sven7]

I would seriously consider diesel VW's. You might even be able to find a decent Mk4 TDI for under 3 grand. They are known to get pretty good mileage, are rarely driven hard and you will also find the VW community is great. You will not be left in the cold if something goes wrong or if you need advice on a mod.

[dr200]

i am a little bias but i agree with old mechanic. yeah i'm a kill joy, save your money till you get out of school. i have a daughter going to vcu. everything comes out of my pocket (car,room&board tution..etc) so i understand a little where your dad is comin from (she also has a car of mine). get out of college with as little debt as possible. oh and i live across the river from old mech in gloucester. hey can you kids get a summer job that dosent cost parents money i asked her to take classes during the summer to save money gosh can tech cut a little slack to UVA football team

[sol]

i did not know that gas effected older cars

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by sol

i did not know that gas effected older cars

It does: It makes them run!

[Hubert Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by sol

i did not know that gas effected older cars

Ethanol is highly corrosive, which means it can degrade rubber and steel fuel lines that are not resistent to this effect, on top of having less energy per unit volume than pure gasoline. Most cars from the last decade or so are at least capable of handling E10, but at least the pre obdII cars seem to suffer worse from the lower energy content than newer cars which can compensate more by injecting even more fuel to compensate for the change in the stoiciometric air fuel ratio.

E15 would add an additional 5% ethanol by volume, which would further increase the risk of corrosion for older fuel systems, as well as knocking loose more crud which may plug the fuel filters.

It is not recommended to run E85 through a flex fuel vehicle if it has not been run regularly or the sudden change may cause fuel system damage, and at a minimum clogs the fuel filter.

[Old Mechanic]

Originally Posted by dr200

i am a little bias but i agree with old mechanic. yeah i'm a kill joy, save your money till you get out of school. i have a daughter going to vcu. everything comes out of my pocket (car,room&board tution..etc) so i understand a little where your dad is comin from (she also has a car of mine). get out of college with as little debt as possible. oh and i live across the river from old mech in gloucester. hey can you kids get a summer job that dosent cost parents money i asked her to take classes during the summer to save money gosh can tech cut a little slack to UVA football team

LOL you are surrounded by my mother's relatives. If you know any Crocketts or Abbotts you know my family, if you know them well enough you might be a part of my family!

Small World
regards
Mech

[Varn]

My jetta was under 2k. After putting on new tires initally and installing new included glow plugs. It has not needed any true repairs except a tail light bulb. 50 mpg is easy with it.

Could I spend more sure. The radio quit working and the tach never worked but it gets me where I am going.

I can't imagine that there is any more value in a vehicle than my Jetta. I don't need expensive insurance. Have no payment.

[pete c]

recently bought my daughter a 97 saturn sw2. fun to drive, fairly quick and can get into the 40s, with a bit of hypermiling.

135K miles, loaded, very nice shape other than minor hood ding. 1750 bucks.

i think another to look at are similar year escorts and cavaliers. they are not as good a car as a civic, but, they aren't bad and can be had at a fraction of the price.