Efficient, cheap beaters! Used car ads: 35 mpg highway or more for $1500 or less

[MetroMPG]

Agreed!

My favourite pic is the one from earlier in this thread where the photographer's finger just happens to be in frame, blocking the view of the cracked plastic fender on the Saturn!

[Gasoline Fumes]

I started a worst of craigslist photo collection a few years ago!

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I started a worst of craigslist photo collection a few years ago!

I have seen some contenders from the personal ad section.

[tvbd56]

1997 Ford Escore

ford escort wagon, internet says 28/34

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/13463.shtml

[user removed]

04 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

Might be the battery, but might be something else, worth a look see but too far away for me.

regards
mech

[Xusn96]

Originally Posted by OBD1Kenobi

1995 Honda Civic VX Hatchback


No pictures

Might be worth it if it has the right drive train in it.

This one has been updated with pics and info... No title, red flag.

[War_Wagon]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Just checked: my local Sentra is an '04 SE-R sedan 5-speed with the 2.5 (from the larger Altima ... following the classic "muscle car" formula... big engine into small car).

I bet it's fun to drive, but the MPG disqualifies it, at just 20 city /27 hwy / 23 combined!

It sure is easier to find cheap beaters that get below 35 mpg highway than above!

Yup Sentras can be fun if you nerd out and know what to look for. Base is a 1.8L, SE-R is the same car with a 2.5L, SE-R Spec V is the total monster - 2.5L with more HP, only came with manual transmission, 6 speed, limited slip front diff, optional Brembo brakes, no traction control, and if you get the Brembos you DON'T get ABS with it. I have had a few, and they are the only car I've driven so far that seems like it is actually trying to cause you harm when you drive it. Featherweight car with lots of power, massive torque steer, and BOTH front wheels spinning. My last one was named the Periwinkle Nightmare, people didn't understand the name until they rode in it in the rain haha. There is another Sentra whose designation escapes me, I don't think I've ever actually seen one but it would be a fun car, it's got the 2.5L that the SE-R one's have, but it's the comfy, driven by an accountant model with hubcaps etc.

Someone above posted asking about first gen Neons. All I can offer is don't buy one, no matter how cheap. Those cars had horrible head gasket issues. There was a '95 at one of the auctions last week that only had 50k KMs on it (30k miles), and it brought a whole $900. I wouldn't have taken it if someone gave it to me. Some cars you can get for free and still lose money on, and old Neons are one of them.

[benphyr]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Car looks awesome. BUT! How well do plastic body panels adhere to rust?

Seriously... what's the low-down on Saturns that are subjected to lots of road salt? There must be an Achille's heel of corrosion in there somewhere.

Our 2000 Saturn L100 was retired in late 2012 due in large part to worn out/broken suspension bits, springs, bushings, tie rod ends, struts, that all seemed to wear out at the same time at 307,000km. These would be considered regular wear and tear though at this kind of mileage wouldn't it? They just happened to all happen at the same time causing a death knell.

It would have easily gone much farther if we wanted to replace all those replaceable parts. There was very little rust on the body panels (hood roof, trunk are all metal, the plastic bits were all solidly attached, and the underneath structure was not at all bad, much better than many vehicles out there.

This was only one example, so not enough to build a case on. It had CounterAct anti-rust system installed.. but I cannot tell you how much difference that made or not. I am, however, still seeing that era Saturns driving around. My opinion is that they last better than average as far as salt-world is concerned.

There is no reason for plastic to metal body panel attachment points to rust any quicker than plastic to metal rocker panels on many vehicles now or any of the ground effects stuff that is simply clipped on. Like almost every vehicle I have ever had the bottom of the trunk/hatch was one of the first places to start rusting (narrowly beaten out by fenders on hondas) .

My subjective two cents.

-benphyr

[Xusn96]

If only I had the cash to gamble on this apparent gem...



Chevrolet Other Diesel Hatchback | eBay

I have up for sale a very rare 1984 Diesel Chevrolet Chevette, YES I SAID DIESEL !!!! Be the first on your block to own one, your not going to the local car lot to find you one these babies. But I have the one just for you. This Chevette was found sitting in a garage for the past 10 years, just waiting to be set free. We changed the oil and all the fluids, put a new battery in it and she came to life. The tires are good, body is nice, the interior is sweet. The car runs great, drives nice, gets 60 miles to the gallon on the highway and 45 plus in town. The car has a Isuzu engine, 5 speed manual transmission with 88,960 miles it. This is a really cool car but my friend has no time to enjoy it, he works 7 days a week and the car just sits so he can pay insurance and storage on a car that should be driven and enjoyed. This car gets looks every where you go in it. THE ONLY THING IT NEEDS IS A NEW OWNER WHO WILL DRIVE AND ENJOY IT. The bad : On the passenger door there is some damage a dent and paint peeling other than that the car only has some chips and door dings on it.

[MetroMPG]

Oh, wow.

Bit of a garage find unicorn there.