First Car Purchase *Help*
 

Wasnt really sure where i should post this but this seemed like the right place (hopefully im right)
anyways, im looking to make a car purcahse hopefully within the month or so thought i should ask for your guys opinions, and first hand experiences. At first i was going to save up and try and buy a pretty nice car but now im just going to save a couple thousand and buy a some "what" beater car.

my question is:
"What do you guy's think would be the best cheapest/sporty/reliable" car to pick up.
i was talking to a friend and he said to look at hondas/acuras because there cheap and easy to get parts for if anything goes wrong, personally i've kinda always liked the 240sx but everyone i've talked to says not to buy it.

so what would you guys look for if your price range was around 2500(max)???
cars i've thought of are - 240sx, miata, and a honda civic.

thanks

civic is always a good buy, find one without rust and a good engine then you can modify it that suits your style

240sx is rwd but thats all its can do.
Miata is a chick car lol
Finding a 84-87 corolla would be nice.

I have a mint S13 Coupe Chassis.
$1500
Throw in a KA for $200 and a weekend.
Under $2G's for a mint Chassis. Or pay the difference for SR.

Good stock handling
RWD, not front.
perfectly fine in the snow
decent on gas
cheappppp insurance.

The money you save on insurance balances it out with the gas you save with a civic. Except you'll have more fun when you're turning, or in the rain with a 240.

You mean a AE86 and paint it panda colours?

Anyways, If you want something reliable, and good on gas. Get a Tercel. Not joking, my uncle got his for $1500, got 160k kms on it. If this is just a temporary thing so that you can save up for something better, this is a good choice.

still saving up money, thanks tho

dont really like the look that much. thanks tho, any other rides? also was thinkin about a golf?

You won't find a decent 240sx (mostly high mileage, and rusty especially at shock towers) or Miata (Usually decent ones go for ~4k) in your price range.

As for the Miata, it's weird. People say it's a chick car, but in Vancouver the only young people you see driving Miatas are car guys. Other Miata drivers are usually old white people, both male and female. Either way, they are the most fun to drive car for the price. Anyways, I digress.

For $2500, perhaps a late 80s/early 90s stock CRX or Civic Si?

You might also be able to find a BMW E30 318i for around that price, great handling, fun to drive and decent to maintain. Very reliable engines.

Go on CL, I've seen a couple decent 240's

I've been looking into Mk II Jettas as my first car. Reliable, can be bought in decent condition for cheap, parts come cheap, and insurance is low from what I hear. My other option is the 240 so people already covered that ground.

accord...cheap on insurance too..icbc will screw you with a two door

my friends where telling me i should get a miata hahaha they like them, there guys then every once in a while i hear its a chicks car lol

Yah, I am biased coz I own a Miata. If you can handle having little to no cargo room, they are your best bet for true RWD handling and performance fun. Also tons of aftermarket support and great for AutoX with little to no modification.

Plus you'll have access to two miata-specialized mechanic/tuner shops right in Vancouver (well, north van and richmond) in Eunos and Chikara Motorsport (the latter did the metal fab on the diffuser on Truong's S2K).

As I said, for $2.5k you'll come into a rougher condition average/higher mileage one (low miles for miatas are around 130k to 160k, average is about 180k, and highest I've seen is high 200/low 300k).

I would say AE86 as well, but you don't like the looks. :(

A 240sx is a good choice. RWD, got potential, and can be aggressive when modded properly.

I've been looking around to find my uncle a 2nd car for under 3000.

There are so many 1993-ish V6 Camrys around. Sure its not as sporty as a 240/Miata. But that also means low insurance. Also those things are pretty damn foolproof. My mom's friend bought a 94 4-cyl camry 2 years ago and to my surprise she has only done 1 actual tune up. O.O. and its still running!

My buddy is selling a 1996 protoge with a brand new clutch and brakes all round $2000 somthing like 220kms but its reliable as fuck

FWIW, insurance on my '90 Miata is only about $100 more per year as my friends' '86 sunbird with almost the same coverage (I have additional Specified Perils coverage, and I think 10% more discount than him).

1st Gen MR2.

you want a car that you easily access custom parts.

The AE86 really is too old. There is motor parts and thats it.

The 94-01 Integra is a good car.

The 240SX, is a great car, rear drive, lots of power and suspension options, lots of them around.

How about a V8 car like a 82-92 Camaro, or a Mustang 87-93

i like the integras and i think im leanin out towards the 240.
i've been lookin at camaros and mustangs to but i heard they suck for gas

do AE86 have power steering?

i think so

GTS 100% has it unless taken out. Some SR5s don't have it.

I find that 94-97 Accords are really cheap and people don't know about it. Full power options often with A/C for very little money. Reasonably sized (compared to to a modern day Civic and Corolla it's about the same size) with a slightly peppier engine (than a modern day Corolla/Civic non sport models) For A to B it's perfect.

alright thanks guys

I would go with 90's camry 4 cyl, manual transmission
or old toyota pick up truck 4 cyl 22R motor

i probably wouldnt get a truck most of the guys i'd be around have cars like 240, accord, FD rx7
dont really wanna be the guy 4x4

i've read all the same post, and i found it very informative! thanks for sharing your advice!