Looking for a car for a friend

[Daox]

Still on the hunt I came across this today.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/679601695.html

Possibly a great deal. If that car uses the SOHC engine I can get one for around $400 and maybe less. If its the DOHC engine it'll be $700+. Is there anyway of telling if this is SOHC or DOHC?

[SVOboy]

Ask them how fast it is?

[JohnnyGrey]

A Corolla would probably be perfect.

[DifferentPointofView]

I'd say either a corolla or civic. You can actually find newer(ish) civics for around 5k and civics are plentiful everywhere. Is he willing to buy off ebay if it's close enough to check it out before you buy?

Cause this would be perfect. and you would NOT have to fix it up (maybe a little, but it was owned by a an ASE certified Auto Technician by profession), and... hey it's a 4 cyl and a manual!!!

Too bad it's in alabama

Nice 2000 Civic From... Alabama

[Daox]

I'd like to find something locally so it can be driven first. He's very concerned with price, so unless its a killer deal I'm really looking at more like $3000 or less. The cheaper the better in his opnion.

[RH77]

In the $4-7K Range: (Honda and Toyota either seem to have excessive miles, or are overpriced). Here are some more "obscure" references (all with standard-shift available and good FE):

~Any Year Nissan Sentra
~02+ Mitsu Lancer
~'03-05 Chevy Aveo
Any Year - Chevy Cavalier
Any Year - Chevy Prizm (cheaper than Corolla, but the same thing anyways)
~99-'01 Ford Escort (Manual only -- autos tend to fail)
~'01+ Ford Focus (not the 2000 - recall issues)
Any Year - Mazda Protege
Later Saturn SL1/SC1/SW1
Later Dodge Neons

Prices adjusted for the Milwaukee area -- found on Cars.com within 150 miles of city center.

RH77

[DifferentPointofView]

If you don't mind I'm going to just search 150 miles around Milwaukee and All cars under 6k with a manual transmission. this is all on ebay. one of these I don't think would be of good interest (talon) but I figure I'd put it in there anyway. If you don't want buy from someone selling on ebay, I'll look at craigslist, autotrader, and cars.com.

98 Civic, low miles (engine swap), Sawyer MI
98 NICE accord, within Milwaukee basically New
93 Eagle Talon, the new engine needs put in
99 Saturn S-series SL, looks good.
97 Acura CL, needs brakes and engine runs lean
91 Mercury Capri, Needs some things, close
I'll continue searching. This is pretty fun

[SpeedR]

I agree with RH77 about the Prizim idea for a really cheap car as that would be much cheaper than he is willing to spend and still a Toyota.

Really though IMO, FWIW, you can never go wrong with a 96-00 Civic of any kind, at any mileage. Used Parts are easily accesbile as a cheap alternative to crappy new aftermarket or $$ new OEM, and they are like Legos when it comes to working on them.

For instance, I bought my 98 ex 5 speed 1 yr ago for $3k with 167k on it. Some basic maintance has gotten me to a current 185k miles with A/C that works, all power options work and it gets great gas mileage without burning oil. Honds are simply indestructible(more so than Toyotas IMO). Double wishbone=no strut mounts to replace(see:High mileage Toyota), and chances are if a Honda is burning oil its b/c of valve seals... If a Toyota is burning oil the oil control rings stuck(more$$)

Eitherway Honda/Toyota > everything else IMO, as a reliable cheap car... 1g neons arecheap and easy to work on too though, just need more of it.

[Johnny Mullet]

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/644858270.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/648603750.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/653358508.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/655297679.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/684063321.html

Volvo for safety, power and fuel economy!