Need Some Suggestions

[SuperSport623]

i hate daily driving the Nova.... its usually up to the challenge, but between poor mileage, me always breaking something, fear of damaging the car, and also the fact that im usually half assing repairs to be able to have little downtime with the car.... final straw happened yesterday.

I usually dont bring my car to school, but my school bus just bever showed up, so i kinda had to drive. We arent allowed to park in the school parking lot, so most of us park in the gigantic Macy's parking lot next door. Well at around 2:30 when school let out, the rain was REALLY coming down, i wanted to get the hell home... i was going a little fast through the parking lot, like 20 mph, and i noticed ahead that what i thought to be just a puddle was actually a big whole filled with rain water. i swerve right to avoid it, but the rear of the car swings out real hard, and after trying to correct it in a panic, i realize im facing a lightpole and losing control badly...

*CRUNCH!*

after yelling obscenities, i get out to look at the damage... the car took it like a champ, but still ouch... Bumper pushed in and scuffed on the drivers side, plastic bumper filler cracked, and fender right above the marker light is scraped and dented....

bear with me, i wont type too much more... im DONE daily driving this car. i love it, but i want a daily driver that gets decent mileage and wont be scared of in the rain. the accident was my fault, but in general im scared of the nova in bad weather. i also want to stop casuing so much wear and tear on the car, so its time to find a Daily Driver finally....

ittl be a month or two befroe i can probably afford it, but i want to get some ideas... criteria:

Somewhat new, im thinking post 1990

decent mileage, at least ~25mpg

pretty much has to be American

$1500 is my budget, though even thats a bit much

some ideas:

Early saturns, they seem bullet proof and good on gas

some early w/n body cars

1st gen explorers

maybe neons?

anyother ideas?

[vonVeezelsnider]

W-Bod Cutlass Supreme Coupe.

[Blake Noble]

Try these. Some of them are pre-1990, however.

1994 Chevrolet Blazer, $1800:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626848169.html

1983 Cadillac Eldorado, $1200

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626856477.html

1987 Buick Regal, $975, needs cosmetic work:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626822132.html

1989 Pontiac Firebird, $840:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626776965.html

1997 Mercury XR7, $700:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626643260.html

1988 Chevrolet Camaro, $1500:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626596837.html

Edited April 2, 2008 by YellowJacket894

[Cory Wolfe]

Beast. $800.

[SuperSport623]

ive seen most of those cars... im diggin the S series trucks, and definatley the Cougar/Thunderbird twins, and am going to cosider them.. im putting some money away soon, should be able in a month or two to buy something... the only reason i wanna stay away from F-bodies is ill start getting ideas of swaps and upgrades, i know myslef, ill find ways of sinking money into it...

[SuperSport623]

Beast. $800.

im looking for NO PROBLEMS!... trust me, i wish i could save your car.. if i didnt have the nova, i would! but.... sadly, i need a car i can drive without problems...

[vonVeezelsnider]

1995 Camaro V6, 130K- 2000$ Negotiable

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626592926.html

1989 Cutlass Ciera, 78K Miles, One Owner, Garaged All Its Life - 975$

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/606963540.html

[SuperSport623]

Von,that last one you posted is right up my alley.. i wish i had the cash now.. i gotta start selling my stockpile of parts.... that cutlass model is a W body right? its hard to keep all the damn cutlasses straight

[vonVeezelsnider]

Von,that last one you posted is right up my alley.. i wish i had the cash now.. i gotta start selling my stockpile of parts.... that cutlass model is a W body right? its hard to keep all the damn cutlasses straight

No. The Ciera is the A-Body (Old Faithful, The Bismarck, The Sherman Tank), the same type that Paolino has except his is a Century. They typically go till 250K-300K Miles.

[vonVeezelsnider]

6-Pass Split Bench, with a 4Spd, and it appears to be an SL so it prolly has the V6, but the L4 ain't bad.

[SuperSport623]

No. The Ciera is the A-Body (Old Faithful, The Bismarck, The Sherman Tank), the same type that Paolino has except his is a Century. They typically go till 250K-300K Miles.

suhhweet.. thats what i was looking for... i dont know newer or FWD platforms, if you dont mind me asking, what else beside ciera/century are on the FWD A platform? what engines? 3100? 3400? no chance on the 3800 right?

[Oracle of Delphi]

Perhaps refresher courses in RWD Dynamics, and Drivers ED 101 would help!

Edited April 2, 2008 by Pontiac Custom-S

[vonVeezelsnider]

My suggestions? 3800 powered dustbusters are fast and light; you can get up to 40mpg on the freeway too if you are easy on the throttle. Plus think of all the Nova parts you can haul home in one.

I can attest to this personally. God I miss that van.

suhhweet.. thats what i was looking for... i dont know newer or FWD platforms, if you dont mind me asking, what else beside ciera/century are on the FWD A platform? what engines? 3100? 3400? no chance on the 3800 right?

Ciera and Century on the 2nd Generation A-Body (1989-1996) (That was the good one) The 1st Generation (-1988) A-Body included Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity (Significantly Less Good). V6 would be the 3300 (Predecessor to 3400), no 3800. 21MPG City.

[XP715]

S10 Blazer with a stick, all day long. Fun, economy, and utility all in one. I've been considering them myself as of late if gas prices ever get extra retarded.

[SuperSport623]

trust me.. ive been going through it alot...im an idiot... thats why i want a DD quick.. i should have known what would happen, but i didnt think... ive been kicking myself alot. but on the plus side, by taking the nova off the road for a few weeks/months, ittl give me time to

A) get some more driving experience in with a calmer, more forgiving car

B) my car has $h!ty body work, and as stated before, im going to learn body work on it

C) possibly do some cool fabrication for a planned swap... think 3 speed out and T56 in :AH-HA_wink:

i need to prostitute myself out a bit... PCS, you need an escort service? 2-for-1 special with your wife and daughter! :rotflmao:

sorry, i had to

[cletus8269]

have a buddy that swears by saturn SC2s ive ridden in the car with him and its amazing the way he use to swing that thing around corners and what not, can get a manual too. he got around 35mpg or so in it.

[SuperSport623]

have a buddy that swears by saturn SC2s ive ridden in the car with him and its amazing the way he use to swing that thing around corners and what not, can get a manual too. he got around 35mpg or so in it.

they seem to have quite a following, my Girlfriends parents are a saturn family, they used to have a bunch of the first gen saturns.. im thinking of them...

[XP715]

Did the two-door Yukon/Tahoe from the early 90's come with the 4.3L V6 in them at all? That would be another thing to consider if they did......

[SuperSport623]

Did the two-door Yukon/Tahoe from the early 90's come with the 4.3L V6 in them at all? That would be another thing to consider if they did......

i absolutley lust after one, but unfortunatley im trying to stick to something a little smaller... somedya i will have one though!

[daves87rs]

1991-1997 Saturn S-series.

I cannot tell you how many of these things are still going...

My buddy had a 91 SC1 which he drove 140k with no problems...and the new owner has it up to 210k now...

Co worker with a 94 SL1 156k, drives like a tank-still gets 35-40mpgs while being beat on.....

There is a reason why these cars have such a following....

[Intrepidation]

1st gen Stratus is also an idea. The price range is right up yur alley, they are roomy, comfortable, the design has aged well, fun to drive, and good on gas. If you can find a 2.0/5-speed you can get 36 mpg on the highway plus the fun of having a manual. There's also the equally rare 2.4/5-speed.

[Cory Wolfe]

1st gen Stratus is also an idea. The price range is right up yur alley, they are roomy, comfortable, the design has aged well, fun to drive, and good on gas. If you can find a 2.0/5-speed you can get 36 mpg on the highway plus the fun of having a manual. There's also the equally rare 2.4/5-speed.

While I hated it and seemed like a nightmare reliability wise... He abused the hell of out it, including never changing the oil, and it always ran.

My suggestions, besides buying the Beast, don't buy a J-body, don't buy a Blazer, and don't buy anything with a Quad4. If you do, you'll be even worse off than you already are.

[SuperSport623]

While I hated it and seemed like a nightmare reliability wise... He abused the hell of out it, including never changing the oil, and it always ran.

My suggestions, besides buying the Beast, don't buy a J-body, don't buy a Blazer, and don't buy anything with a Quad4. If you do, you'll be even worse off than you already are.

yea... so far standing out in my mind are A-bodys, Saturns, maybe a cougar/thunderbird (they seem cheap) and im pondering some other ideas.... thanks for the help so far guys!

[SuperSport623]

and BV, not to be mean but your cars are my inspiration of what a beater shoudlnt be...

[Drew Dowdell]

suhhweet.. thats what i was looking for... i dont know newer or FWD platforms, if you dont mind me asking, what else beside ciera/century are on the FWD A platform? what engines? 3100? 3400? no chance on the 3800 right?

LOL! A-body a "newer platform" ?

A-bodies:

Chevy Celebrity

Pontiac 6000

Olds Cutlass Cierra

Buick Century

You could get the 3800 in certain Cutlass Cierra and Buick Century coupes. They are sleepers.... they go like snot.

[SuperSport623]

LOL! A-body a "newer platform" ?

well cars after the great FWD switch dont hold my attention, so i never really cared to learn about them.... i know older platfomrs decently... im starting to pay attention again though!

[Camino LS6]

Very sorry to hear that you've bent the Nova. My suggestion would be to go the truck route - you won't regret it.

I may be able to get you a new NOS bumper filler for the Nova if it is still where I think it is.

[SuperSport623]

Very sorry to hear that you've bent the Nova. My suggestion would be to go the truck route - you won't regret it.

I may be able to get you a new NOS bumper filler for the Nova if it is still where I think it is.

i am thinking possibly about the small truck route. itd be nice to have 4wd too, but alot of older S series trucks seem to be rot boxes.... my friend recently bought a first gen explorer for $800.

and the filler panel i broke was a repop, so for $50 i can pick up a new one easily... the metal reenforcement underneath looks in good shape, though i have to get out there and start investigating once the damn rain stops...

[Blake Noble]

A word of warning: you will need good luck on finding a decent S-Series truck for under $5000, especially the late model ones. I know the asking price of my '98 Sonoma, which had horrible brakes and was missing two mirrors at the time of purchase, was $4995 before we convinced them to knock the price down to $2700 plus tax and license. The '94 Blazer I found earlier probably wasn't in the best of shape, given it's low asking price.

You know, you could take your money and go to an auction and see if there is anything worth your time.

Edited April 2, 2008 by YellowJacket894

[SuperSport623]

A word of warning: you will good luck on finding a decent S-Series truck for under $5000, especially the late model ones. I know the asking price of my '98 Sonoma, which had horrible brakes and was missing two mirrors at the time of purchase, was $4995 before we convinced them to knock the price down to $2700 plus tax and license. The '94 Blazer I found earlier probably wasn't in the best of shape, given it's low asking price.

You know, you could take your money and go to an auction and see if there is anything worth your time.

yea i know... they seem to hold their value well... ive got some thinking to do.. and some organs to sell... thiers an auction around the corner that goes on every two weeks... im gonna start checking it out and see how cheap the cars selll...

[Camino LS6]

i am thinking possibly about the small truck route. itd be nice to have 4wd too, but alot of older S series trucks seem to be rot boxes.... my friend recently bought a first gen explorer for $800.

and the filler panel i broke was a repop, so for $50 i can pick up a new one easily... the metal reenforcement underneath looks in good shape, though i have to get out there and start investigating once the damn rain stops...

Gotcha.

I'll check into the filler panel anyway, just in case.

[SuperSport623]

Gotcha.

I'll check into the filler panel anyway, just in case.

thanks a bunch!

[Satty]

Late 80's/early 90's Accord or Civic

Great mileage

They run forever (literally, there is one in my family with 250k on it and its still strong)

Cheap

Handle better than a '71 Nova could ever dream of

[A Horse With No Name]

1995 Camaro V6, 130K- 2000$ Negotiable

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/626592926.html

1989 Cutlass Ciera, 78K Miles, One Owner, Garaged All Its Life - 975$

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/606963540.html

Both of these would be great choices. The Camaro would be a great companion to the Nova, and the Cierra will probably outlive cockroaches on this planet. It's an old man's car that you can still be driving when your an old man. They run 4-ever.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

yea i know... they seem to hold their value well... ive got some thinking to do.. and some organs to sell... thiers an auction around the corner that goes on every two weeks... im gonna start checking it out and see how cheap the cars selll...

Rather than auctions listen around for someone who wants to get rid of a car. If you can find a one owner car that someone is tired of or no longer wants to/is able to drive you could get 3-5 years worth of driving.

The little old lady with the Buick Century who always has had the dealer service her car and can no longer drive is your dear, dear friend in a situation like this.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Late 80's/early 90's Accord or Civic

Great mileage

They run forever (literally, there is one in my family with 250k on it and its still strong)

Cheap

Handle better than a '71 Nova could ever dream of

While Accords and Civics are good cars, under 5k he will get tons more with tons more choices if he goes GM.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

...one more thing and I hate to say it. Look for a really clean 87-92 4 cyl mustang notchback. They can be bought for about a grand, 35 mpg, a monkey can fix one, parts are cheap...and huge V8 swap/power upgrades are just a visa card and a phone call away when you get bored.

Chris

[vonVeezelsnider]

I found you a Dustbuster... But it's 2000$ and in N.J.

1995 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L

The ad says it has a 3-Spd, but it has 4 Spd. (They're wrong)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpa...&cardist=93

1991 Buick Century V6 Estate - 1500$

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/607363496.html

[CMG]

DUSTBUSTER VANS?

You guys don't like him or what?

40mpg? LOL

Here, drop the brand stuff and buy a late 80s early 90s Daytona, good on gas, reliable, CHEAP, easy to find and CHEAP.

Did I mention inexpensive?

[Blake Noble]

I had two different aunts own examples of this car. One aunt had two Daytonas, the other aunt had the Chrysler flavor of this car, the LeBaron. All of those cars were horribly unreliable. They usually suffered from mostly engine trouble or electrical gremlins.

Edited April 3, 2008 by YellowJacket894

[vonVeezelsnider]

DUSTBUSTER VANS?

You guys don't like him or what?

40mpg? LOL

Oh, Cmon, CMG. We had a 1994 with the 3.8L and it got 42MPG consistently as it plowed across Alberta's flatland, even with 100K miles on it. It got like 36-37MPG in the Mountain passes. They were good vans and we still regret selling ours, Nine Years Later. They weren't that bad (Well, Ours Wasn't)

It looked just like this one:

Edited April 3, 2008 by vonVeezelsnider

[Sixty8panther]

1. Stop driving like an asshole in your gorgeous classic Chevy.

2. Stop being a pussy... you got a kickass daily driver, DRIVE it.

[CMG]

I had two different aunts own examples of this car. One aunt had two Daytonas, the other aunt had the Chrysler flavor of this car, the LeBaron. All of those cars were horribly unreliable. They usually suffered from mostly engine trouble or electrical gremlins.

2.2 and 2.5s are and were VERY reliable.

Hall effect sensors would ocassionally cause a "no start" condition after high miles, smacking the distributor would get one home and $50-$55 would get a new sensor.

Timing belts last a loooong time, and the engines aren't interference engines anyways.

Maybe overheating and/or screwing with the wastegate for more boost would take a head gasket out, but EVERY brand car would do the same...

I have a feeling no matter what MoPar brand car I posted you would have a relative that had numerous troubles with one, if ya know what I mean.....?

:AH-HA_wink:

Sorry, but they are cheap and rock solid basic transportation.

[CMG]

Oh, Cmon, CMG. We had a 1994 with the 3.8L and it got 42MPG consistently as it plowed across Alberta's flatland, even with 100K miles on it.

I reject that!

In the nicest way though....

[vonVeezelsnider]

I reject that!

In the nicest way though....

Hey, I've got gas receipts somewhere to prove it. Do a little drafting and it's def. Possible with the Series I FWD 3800. Just ask WMJ about his Eighty Eight :AH-HA_wink:

Edited April 3, 2008 by vonVeezelsnider

[Blake Noble]

I have a feeling no matter what MoPar brand car I posted you would have a relative that had numerous troubles with one, if ya know what I mean.....? :AH-HA_wink:

I am afraid not. A Mopar product is out in our driveway right now and it has proven to be reliable. :AH-HA_wink:

[SuperSport623]

Thanks but no thanks on the minivan, i know their reliable, im just not a fan.. and the 4 Cylinder Stang is out of the picture only because i know ill start dropping money into it for a v8 swap.. less money for the nova...

and 68... besides being on a $140 a week budget and trying to save money, driving the nova everyday is killing me.. i love it, but i cant do it... besides, if i have another car, i can afford the downtime for me tranny and rear end swaps coming soon!

[Blake Noble]

1. Stop driving like an asshole in your gorgeous classic Chevy.

2. Stop being a pussy... you got a kickass daily driver, DRIVE it.

Wow. Talk about stepping on one's toes.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Thanks but no thanks on the minivan, i know their reliable, im just not a fan.

All the more for me :AH-HA_wink:. For Me, a 1994-1995 Trans Sport 3.8L, and a 1990-1992 Toronado (non Trofeo) would be ideal *project* cars.

But Seriously consider that A-Bod Cutlass Ciera I posted, even the Century Estate wouldn't be bad.

[Blake Noble]

Well, since it seems that you are not against front-drivers for a daily driver, why not check into a last-generation Toronado like Veezel mentioned? I know if I had to get a front-drive car to putter around in on a frequent basis, that period of Toro would be my at the top of my list.

Edited April 3, 2008 by YellowJacket894