Reliable & Inexpensive Older Cars? + pics

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Thanks for all the replies, guys. I guess I haven't been fair: I've had my civic for about 5 years and around 50 000 kms. Except for the muffler bursting a hole, & the radiator breaking, it really has been pretty good to me. But my mechanic got back to me tonight and apparently the engine's gone :( (it was rattling on the highway, then it died, then it was insanely noisy whenever I tried starting it. He said something about a connecting rod but it went in one ear & out the other. He says it'll cost me around a grand to fix it). I don't even know if it's worth it at this point :S

I guess the older volvos are out of the question, as well?

Red_Liner740 said:
Its a great car, very solid feeling, but the M20 is an OHC, 12V outdated engine. Fuel consumption....around 10 to 12L per 100km....
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I pretty much get 10-11L per 100km & I drive my car like a granny. So as long as it's the same as that or better, I'm happy.

Brian P said:
I have 400,000 km on a Mk5 VW Jetta TDI, but I also know that those particular engines are known for eating camshafts and lifters if the wrong oil is used. I know what has gone into that crankcase from day one. If you are buying used, do you?
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So what are my choices, then? Golf or Jetta?

I can't get a minivan or a corolla. Not that they're bad cars...but I only drive my car for 3 reasons: weather (rain/snow), transporting things for work, & dates. I gotta be real here...the car can't be too outdated for that last reason lol. The echo's a great car, and so is the prius, but they just wouldn't do it for me.
 
knowledge said:
Thanks for all the replies, guys. I guess I haven't been fair: I've had my civic for about 5 years and around 50 000 kms. Except for the muffler bursting a hole, & the radiator breaking, it really has been pretty good to me. But my mechanic got back to me tonight and apparently the engine's gone :( (it was rattling on the highway, then it died, then it was insanely noisy whenever I tried starting it. He said something about a connecting rod but it went in one ear & out the other. He says it'll cost me around a grand to fix it). I don't even know if it's worth it at this point :S

I guess the older volvos are out of the question, as well?


I pretty much get 10-11L per 100km & I drive my car like a granny. So as long as it's the same as that or better, I'm happy.


So what are my choices, then? Golf or Jetta?

I can't get a minivan or a corolla. Not that they're bad cars...but I only drive my car for 3 reasons: weather (rain/snow), transporting things for work, & dates. I gotta be real here...the car can't be too outdated for that last reason lol. The echo's a great car, and so is the prius, but they just wouldn't do it for me.
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10 to 11l / 100km means something was VERY wrong with that Civic....well the blown engine was also a sign yes? Swap in an engine and keep going. I know how you feel, you want something, ANYTHING different.

Older Volvo's are just like BMWs....comfy, great drivers but a lot of the electronic gimmicks to go wrong....
 
get the mechanic to check over the whole car, if the motor is the only thing wrong and the rest of the car is solid id say just drop a new motor and keep going but if theres more issues and its gonna start running you a few grand id say sell it as a civic with a blown motor (someone will buy it most likely) and pic up a newer civic or something similar
 
knowledge said:
Thanks for all the replies, guys. I guess I haven't been fair: I've had my civic for about 5 years and around 50 000 kms. Except for the muffler bursting a hole, & the radiator breaking, it really has been pretty good to me. But my mechanic got back to me tonight and apparently the engine's gone :( (it was rattling on the highway, then it died, then it was insanely noisy whenever I tried starting it. He said something about a connecting rod but it went in one ear & out the other. He says it'll cost me around a grand to fix it). I don't even know if it's worth it at this point :S

I guess the older volvos are out of the question, as well?


I pretty much get 10-11L per 100km & I drive my car like a granny. So as long as it's the same as that or better, I'm happy.


So what are my choices, then? Golf or Jetta?

I can't get a minivan or a corolla. Not that they're bad cars...but I only drive my car for 3 reasons: weather (rain/snow), transporting things for work, & dates. I gotta be real here...the car can't be too outdated for that last reason lol. The echo's a great car, and so is the prius, but they just wouldn't do it for me.
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Owning a bmw, a grand is your average price for repair

Sent from my phone using my paws
 
PSY said:
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Fuqdatshit - if I were gonna have a threesome, it'd be anywhere else but inside my car. I hate doing stuff in my car

Fontes59 said:
get the mechanic to check over the whole car, if the motor is the only thing wrong and the rest of the car is solid id say just drop a new motor and keep going but if theres more issues and its gonna start running you a few grand id say sell it as a civic with a blown motor (someone will buy it most likely) and pic up a newer civic or something similar
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Thanks - I did that and it looks like a bunch of work needs to be done. About 800 before the new motor and another 1000 for the motor. Probably not worth it to drop 1800 on it, huh?
 
just get a newer civic... civic and corolla cars gotta be the most fuel efficient cars in that class. Jetta and golfs are still no match in terms of fuel economy.
 
kickstartt said:
just get a newer civic... civic and corolla cars gotta be the most fuel efficient cars in that class. Jetta and golfs are still no match in terms of fuel economy.
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+1 2000+ Civics are awesome in many ways. You would have to get a tiny car from any other manufacturer to match the civic's efficiency. On top of it you can put a hitch on a civic and pull a trailer. You can buy a whole spare motor for ~$500. Diesels are nice but you pay a lot more for them. You don't always offset their cost.
 
knowledge said:
Thanks - I did that and it looks like a bunch of work needs to be done. About 800 before the new motor and another 1000 for the motor. Probably not worth it to drop 1800 on it, huh?
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for that you could find a good condition 2000+ civic for a little more money
 
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