Frugal auto transportation: theories?
 

My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has
been to have two beaters: (a small car I use most of
the time and a larger vehicle for hauling larger cargoes
and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a 1984
Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering
what I should buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years
ago when it had 145,000 miles on it). So taken
everything into consideration (initial cost, repair
costs, insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do
you recommend as the type (age, mileage, foreign vs
domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?

Thank you.

--
Jonathan Grobe Books
Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
http://www.grobebooks.com

Jonathan Grobe wrote:
> My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has
> been to have two beaters: (a small car I use most of
> the time and a larger vehicle for hauling larger cargoes
> and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a 1984
> Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering
> what I should buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years
> ago when it had 145,000 miles on it). So taken
> everything into consideration (initial cost, repair
> costs, insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do
> you recommend as the type (age, mileage, foreign vs
> domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?
>
> Thank you.
>
I think your transportation costs are about to go up dramatically with
the newer technology and the cost of newer parts. If they can't get you
with a new car they will kill you with parts and repairs. You might get
away with one more care in the pre OBDll era before about '93. A three
cylinder Geo Metro might serve you, but I hear they have head gasket
problems. You could get lucky.
I say shop for the best condition older car rather than a poorer
condition newer car. You still have transportation so take your time
and wait for the deal to surface.

On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Jonathan Grobe wrote:

> My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has been to have two
> beaters: (a small car I use most of the time and a larger vehicle for
> hauling larger cargoes and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a
> 1984 Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering what I should
> buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years ago when it had 145,000 miles on
> it). So taken everything into consideration (initial cost, repair costs,
> insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do you recommend as the type
> (age, mileage, foreign vs domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?

A Dodge Spirit or Plymouth Acclaim with non-turbo 4-cylinder engine and
either automatic or (preferably but harder to find) manual transmission.
They are much sturdier, more reliable and more durable than your '84 Laser
was (and look how long you managed to make your Laser last!), with
identically inexpensive parts/service/insurance costs. Gas mileage is high
20s to high 30s depending on equipment and driving conditions.You and/or
your mechanic will already be familiar with Chrysler FWD cars, so there'll
be no new learning curve. Thieves don't see them any more. Cops look right
through them. They have good heaters, defoggers and air conditioners, and
most of them came with cruise control. There are still plenty of low-miles
examples around, especially if you're willing to travel for the right one.
The '91-'93 models are the best. '94-'95 models have a less-safe
(automatic motorized) right front seat belt, but are otherwise identically
reliable and the motorized belt can easily be removed and replaced with
the safer manual belt from a '91-'93 car. There's nothing really wrong
with the '89-'90 cars, but the '91-up suspension is somewhat better.

DS

Lots of cheap VW bugs still out there, and parts are still easy to come by.
Best years, IMHO, are 69 to 71, after the switch to 12 volts and before they
put air pumps on the engine. Pre-67's are ok, if you don't mind the single
circuit brake lines . . .
--Tock

"Tock" > wrote in message
om...
> Lots of cheap VW bugs still out there, and parts are still easy to come
> by. Best years, IMHO, are 69 to 71, after the switch to 12 volts and
> before they put air pumps on the engine. Pre-67's are ok, if you don't
> mind the single circuit brake lines . . .
> --Tock



Oh yah, heard on PBS radio tonight that some company started up in France to
do nothing but make replacement parts for the Citroen 2-CV. They're able
to build an entire new car from their inventory . . . so there's another
possibility . . .
-Tock

Daniel J. Stern wrote:

> On Wed, 5 Jan 2005, Jonathan Grobe wrote:
>
>
>>My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has been to have two
>>beaters: (a small car I use most of the time and a larger vehicle for
>>hauling larger cargoes and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a
>>1984 Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering what I should
>>buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years ago when it had 145,000 miles on
>>it). So taken everything into consideration (initial cost, repair costs,
>>insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do you recommend as the type
>>(age, mileage, foreign vs domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?
>
>
> A Dodge Spirit or Plymouth Acclaim with non-turbo 4-cylinder engine and
> either automatic or (preferably but harder to find) manual transmission.
> They are much sturdier, more reliable and more durable than your '84 Laser
> was (and look how long you managed to make your Laser last!), with
> identically inexpensive parts/service/insurance costs. Gas mileage is high
> 20s to high 30s depending on equipment and driving conditions.You and/or
> your mechanic will already be familiar with Chrysler FWD cars, so there'll
> be no new learning curve. Thieves don't see them any more. Cops look right
> through them. They have good heaters, defoggers and air conditioners, and
> most of them came with cruise control. There are still plenty of low-miles
> examples around, especially if you're willing to travel for the right one.
> The '91-'93 models are the best. '94-'95 models have a less-safe
> (automatic motorized) right front seat belt, but are otherwise identically
> reliable and the motorized belt can easily be removed and replaced with
> the safer manual belt from a '91-'93 car. There's nothing really wrong
> with the '89-'90 cars, but the '91-up suspension is somewhat better.

I had an 89 Acclaim for nearly 10 years. It was definitely robust,
reliable and durable, however, fuel mileage was mediocre. I never saw
high 30s, and, as best I recall, never saw 30.0 even. It averaged 26 on
mostly highway driving (80% rural highway or four-lane, at most 20% in
town). On the several long trips I took with it, the best I remember
seeing was about 29, but that was only if you stayed below 60. At 70 it
seldom got above 27 even in steady highway driving.

I had the 2.5L/3 speed auto combination.


Matt

"Jonathan Grobe" > wrote...
> So taken
> everything into consideration (initial cost, repair
> costs, insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do
> you recommend as the type (age, mileage, foreign vs
> domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?

>3 years old
<50,000 miles

Honda Civic
VW Jetta/Golf (possibly diesel)
Toyota Echo/Corolla
Kia
Hyundai

Shop around and see what you can get in those models, for what price. You'll
have to assess the condition of each car, and decide what the risk is for
maintenance costs.

"Tock" > wrote...
> Lots of cheap VW bugs still out there, and parts are still easy to come by.
> Best years, IMHO, are 69 to 71, after the switch to 12 volts and before they
> put air pumps on the engine. Pre-67's are ok, if you don't mind the single
> circuit brake lines . . .

IIRC, the 67s had the best power/weight ratio; also, 12V, large rear window,
pre-smog rules...

OTOH, they have become a cult car, and may be relatively expensive to buy...

"Tock" > wrote...
>
> Oh yah, heard on PBS radio tonight that some company started up in France to
> do nothing but make replacement parts for the Citroen 2-CV.

Isn't there still a company in CA selling 2-CV "kits" (to get around the smog &
safety regs)?

Jonathan Grobe ) writes:
> My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has
> been to have two beaters: (a small car I use most of
> the time and a larger vehicle for hauling larger cargoes
> and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a 1984
> Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering
> what I should buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years
> ago when it had 145,000 miles on it). So taken
> everything into consideration (initial cost, repair
> costs, insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do
> you recommend as the type (age, mileage, foreign vs
> domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
> Jonathan Grobe Books
> Browse our inventory of thousands of used books at:
> http://www.grobebooks.com
>

you mean to say you do not have any copies of the Lemon-Aid Used Car
buyer's guide in your "inventory of thousands of used books"?
visit www.lemonaidcars.com for a sales pitch, or go to your public library.
the reference section of our city library has them going back forever.
there is a section on "recommended beaters" for people just like you. :)


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