Alright everyone, I need a winter car, but I'm on the worlds tightest budget. I've got at a max $3,000 to spend on a car or truck. I'd prefer to get a truck, but I think getting a good one for $3,000 will be tought to find. So, what I'm thinking of is getting a sport compact (i know, i know). What is a reliable, pretty quick sport compact. Preferably manual tranny. What should I look for on these heaps?

Thanks guys,
Mike

 

not topic related sorry dude

 

What do you want in a car? The only thing that you'll be able to get that isn't really slow for $3,000 is an Eclipse. If you want to go that route, you MUST get a GSX (that's the AWD turbo model). The GS-T is turbo, but only FWD, so not worth if when the AWD exists. Just pass altogether on a non-turbo model.

If you want something reliable, get a Honda or a Toyota. The sportier ones will be the Civic, Integra for Honda (Acura) and the Celica or MR-2 for the Toyota. The Nissan 240's are RWD.

A Miata is RWD, realiable as all hell (most ones you find have low miles as well), handles well, and is a true roadster, but most people think they are too tough to drive a Miata.

 

eagle talon!

 

I forgot to mention that an Eagle Talon and Plymoth Laser are the same cars as the Eclipse.

 

3000 is a tight budget man you dont know tight J/K
seriously though its not hard to find a good vehicle for that much you just have to look harder than usual
I havent paid more than 1 grand for anything and I wont unless its an extraordinary item not a daily driver

 

i paid 3k for my T/A...3k aint "tight"...maybe 1k or less...that would be tight

 

my truck page 2


we can work out a price

im just waiting on the belt tentioner and fuel sending unit(backorder) but everything else is set on it...

dave

 

I think you could find an really nice S10 for $3000... Plus you could get an older one with the TBI 4.3 and have really good reliability and ease of maintenance.

 

you could always get a late 80s turbo dodge car, they are really fun little cars, and easy to make faster

 

An RS camaro V-6.

yeah you could find some nice trucks for 3000 but 4wd is harder to find. Now a 2wd s-10 in the winter is FUN and scary at same time. Just stud the tires and throw 200lbs in the bed should be alright but dont get crazy like going out in the middle of a blizzard at night and see how far you can go!! Fun times. Nice ride, good times especially 5-speed.

How bout older rx-7s or mx6's. Old 80's thunderbird turbos, 80's dodge turbos, '90 probe turbo, maybe older 80's supra's if found at good price. Opportunities are broad. Any older turbo car will be best bang for buck on performance/budget. Eagle talon would be best bet.

 

Avoid the Probe turbo, it's not worth it. It's basically a ****ty turbo slapped onto a ****tier car. The Omni GLH or GLS, or whatever it is, turbo is the 1980's American car manufactures little secret (well, besides the Buick Grand National of course) but I don't really know much about them. If you are talking about those Plymouth, or was it Buick?) sedans that are turbo, I'd avoid those as well.

Oh yeah, and V6 Camaros are too slow to be worth it.

 

get an old pick up 75-85 with no more than 160k miles and you'll be fine. Try to find something that can pull up stumps if you want fun.

 

just lok around , you can find a s10 or s10blazer for nto that much.. I got a 93 s10 2wd balzer with 145k on it for for under 2k . i spent antoehr 2 hundred doing smail motor repairs so far but its become alomst my daily driver now . that was about a yr ago so look around. my truck has a 4.3l vortec with 4l60 tranny and 10 bolt . just take some macanically inclined to find problem with the truck so you can talk them down . that all i did. orginal price was like 2000 when i got there. we started making a list of things that were wrong and he knocked off the money i used to fix it . The bigest thing is dontbe in such a hurry you buy the first thing you see, be prepared to leave if you dont get the right deal . i spent a whole day driving around and looking at trucks until i found one that i coudl afford and that i know i could talk the guy down. also smaller dealerships or private owners are alot better to deal with then big places.

good luck.

 

I'd go for a truck. Either an S-10 or a Ranger. Sport compacts for under $3K are usually junk.

A 90-92 probe lx would be ok. There's no aftermarket on the 3.0L motor, so you won't waste money on mods. They are kinda quick and very cheap.

 

I know this forum may be the closest thing to an off topic forum on this message board, but this needs to be locked as it is too far off topic.