Help me find an efficient new car ... for ~$1200!

[Daox]

Here is the next contender:

Nissan 1996 200SX

[MetroMPG]

For your commute & price range, can't beat a Suzukiclone. 1.0 or 1.3.

(As long as those control arm mounts are solid.)

[darcane]

Originally Posted by Daox

Here is the next contender:

Nissan 1996 200SX

Arizona! Would be nice for you to have a car with no rust!

I've thought these Nissans (the 200SX and the Sentra) would make good, efficient, reliable commuters but rarely see anyone here actually get one. It was on my list when I was looking for my Civic... but I just find them so boring to drive that I couldn't pull the trigger on one.

[Daox]

Yep, it could be a decent vehicle. Lots of things up in the air though. What transmission, what engine, 1.6L or 1.8L. The 1.6 is rated quite a bit higher. And what kind of miles... I sent him a huge list of questions.

[tvbd56]

Originally Posted by Daox

Yep, it could be a decent vehicle. Lots of things up in the air though. What transmission, what engine, 1.6L or 1.8L. The 1.6 is rated quite a bit higher. And what kind of miles... I sent him a huge list of questions.

That's something I've never gotten, If you're trying to sell a vehicle wouldn't you want to give some details on the car and not just have "I'm selling a 2002 civic, contact if interested" at least give the miles!

btw the thing that I got from that posting is that he really doesn't want the car, I'd offer $500

[Daox]

Another contender:

1996 Mazda Protoge 5 SPEED

[darcane]

Originally Posted by tvbd56

That's something I've never gotten, If you're trying to sell a vehicle wouldn't you want to give some details on the car and not just have "I'm selling a 2002 civic, contact if interested" at least give the miles!

btw the thing that I got from that posting is that he really doesn't want the car, I'd offer $500

These are the sorts of ads I look for... crappy ads that nobody in their right mind would respond to. And then get the price as low as possible because I'm the only guy to respond.

It takes a lot of time though, since there is a lot of junk to filter through before finding the gem.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Daox

Another contender:

1996 Mazda Protoge 5 SPEED

I test-drove one and took it to a mechanic, who ordered me to hastily retreat, but I really liked it, and would have purchased the car had it been mechanically sound. However, I think that the aspects that I liked it shared with the Civic, and the HX has lean burn, baby!

[MetroMPG]

Why was the retreat ordered? One thing I've noticed since scanning the cheap beater car listings is the Mazdas (Protege's and 3's) seem to have horrendous rust problems, including structural (strut tower caps).

---

Even though I already got my winter beater for this year, threads like this one keep me browsing my local ads for kicks.

I subscribe to the "50 km radius beater rule", so there isn't an awful lot to choose from in my area (live in a small city - 21k pop.). But every other week or so, something interesting pops up. My search criteria: sub-$2k, manual transmission. On Friday it was a 9 year old bare bones Hyundai Accent from out west (meaning comparatively little rust) with low km for its age for $750 asking.

[Daox]

I got no replies on the other two cars. I'm thinking about this one. I've always liked this body style of the Corolla. Its right before they got larger.

1998 Toyota Corolla 5 speed