My Top 5 Cars: Economy & Reliability

[commutercar]

You should consider the Civic wagon built during the EF chassis era. 89-91. They are rarely hot rodded and most young guys have no interest in them. I have owned a couple and they are in my opinion a retro fit with better aftermarket support plus you can fit a ton of crap in them. GL

[Slothman86]

Originally Posted by Scott

It's coming to that time in my life where I get to get another car, the Solstice is soon to go into storage and with many hours behind the computer looking up everything I can find, these are my top 5 car picks for Economy & Reliability.

Cars I Plan to Avoid:

All Toyota's...

What? Toyotas are known for their reliablility. Well, even though the reliabililty ranking has dropped recently. I have had 0, no problems with my Yaris. I have about 30,000 miles on it. My wife's '97 Camry with 129,000 miles has had no mechanical problems with regular maint.

I don't know about you but I see old Camrys and Corollas running around all the time. There may be a reason for that. Also check out this cool link.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk
Part 2a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc4K...eature=related
Part 2b http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDt...eature=related

"Announced on Friday, November 23, 2007, the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Toyota Corolla was the most dependable used car of 26 manufacturers and 133 different models of automobiles. In all, 35,000 previously owned cars, which averaged just under five years old, were inspected. The Toyota Corolla only had an average of three faults per 100 cars. "

taken from http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15518/1066/

Originally Posted by Scott

Kia...

10,000 dollars for a car with 100,000 miles warranty? There must be some type of catch to this right?





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[hondacivicman]

I would always recommend a Honda, and could even offer you a beautiful white '90 4dr Civic (I'm in MD too), but it's an automatic and you probably want a 5spd. However, your comments about Toyota surprise me, especially in view of the fact that you would consider an Escort or a VW - both vehicles with far worse reliability records than any Toyota.

Anyhow, regarding your other suggestions, think about the Mitsubishi. The Mirage is cheap, more reliable than some other Mitsus, and they are a blast to drive. I rented one once and found it to be a great handling/driving car. I also like the newer Lancers, they are very space-efficient and have excellent visibility and driving position.

Good luck!

[lovemysan]

I'd hold out for a 98 and up saturn with the taller overdrive in the SOHC. One thing I like about the escort is the engine is non interference. If the timing belt snaps no big deal. I'd steer well clear of the gas VW's I don't see any advantage to them. They have short gearing, among lots of other issues. The cavaliers/j bodies, wouldn't scare me a bit, there good cars for the money. I had only minor issues with mine that were all easy and cheap to fix.

[yellowtail3]

Originally Posted by lovemysan

One thing I like about the escort is the engine is non interference. If the timing belt snaps no big deal.

Very true, and a lesson learned: don't ignore a leaky water pump! I put off fixing it - I was busy - and the damn thing seized, and belt slipped. Car was at highway speed, and engine just quit. No damage at all. Had it been most other fours, there would have been bent valves and maybe destroyed motor. The belt was pretty easy to replace.

[VetteOwner]

Originally Posted by yellowtail3

Very true, and a lesson learned: don't ignore a leaky water pump! I put off fixing it - I was busy - and the damn thing seized, and belt slipped. Car was at highway speed, and engine just quit. No damage at all. Had it been most other fours, there would have been bent valves and maybe destroyed motor. The belt was pretty easy to replace.

ahh yes, just like a chevette (but v belt driven pump) chevette anyways u can remove a plastic cover, line up the cam cog turn the motor by hand (or bump the starter) line it up slip the new belt on, tighen the tensioner and away u go

id say go with the escorts, VERy reliable, cheap parts if it goes out, and can cram alot of stuff in all styles (wagon, hatch, or 4 door) insirance is probably cheap too.

my friend had a 93 escort that he slid off the road going about 35mph, rolled the car 4 times and landed right side up. he said when he came to a few seconds after he stopped the engine was still running! He walked away from it with cuts(every piece of glass was broken) and bruises. The tow truck guy started the car back up and limped it back to the road and onto the flatbed.

if that doesnt scream reliability and safety then ur nuts! my friend still wants another one and get rid of his gashog 2000 ranger 4X4 :P

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

You do feel you're sitting a bit low in an Escort compared to some other cars, but that's the same in Civics, Tercels, Cavaliers etc, but vision all round is excellent and the maneuverability for keeping out of trouble is excellent, they can pull .8G plus, sportscar territory. I tried finding the limit on mine on a cloverleaf, and I was mushed against the window struggling to keep the wheel turned (weight of my own arm, not the steering) before the tires even began to grumble.

[CaliberMan71]

The comment of all neons needing the headgasket replaced at 40K is not true, I have a 2000 with over 60K doing just fine.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

They fixed it in 98 or 99, the problem has been fixed with the gasket design, so if it's had one new HG since 98, it probably won't need another for a couple hundred K.

[limerence]

been takin a look at some of the escort wagons... scott mentions 97-99 but most of you guys have prior years. are 97-99 indeed better years?