[mang]

So as I walked back to my car after work, I notice a piece of paper underneath my windshield. I look at it and it just has some random stuff on it. I do a quick walk-around of my car and of course, it's been hit n run AGAIN 5th time now and I'm pretty tired of it. And this person is slick enough to pretend to leave a note on my car. Even though I always park in the furthest, safest, spots I can find, it seems inevitable(hit n runs, dings, keyed).

The damage isn't the worst, but obviously I'm still pissed. Fender/hood/front bumper aren't lining up and it's causing the tire to rub against the fender driving over bumps.

My budget isn't very big, but I've decided to look for a cheap daily driver around 3-4k. Preferably OBDII(96+), reliable and economical. Any suggestions? Was thinking of a 96 Corolla or Civic.

 

[RoosterRoadster]

I have a 2001 Celica. Love it as a dd. Spare parts fit both 1ZZ engines.

 

[nocoolname]

I picked up a 98 ranger 2wd. It's a regular cab with the 4cyl and 5 speed for less than a grand. It gets about 25mpg and won't break the speed limit. I originally bought it to clean up and flip, but I've started driving it back and forth to college sometimes. It rides pretty decent for a truck, plus it's handy to haul small stuff when I don't want to use one of our full size diesel trucks.

I've also got an older 92 toyota 4wd truck, it doesn't have a straight panel on it. The thing I noticed with it is that people give me extra room when they park by me in it. They're more afraid of door dings than I am with that thing.

 

[kaustein]

So as I walked back to my car after work, I notice a piece of paper underneath my windshield. I look at it and it just has some random stuff on it. I do a quick walk-around of my car and of course, it's been hit n run AGAIN 5th time now and I'm pretty tired of it. And this person is slick enough to pretend to leave a note on my car. Even though I always park in the furthest, safest, spots I can find, it seems inevitable(hit n runs, dings, keyed).

The damage isn't the worst, but obviously I'm still pissed. Fender/hood/front bumper aren't lining up and it's causing the tire to rub against the fender driving over bumps.

My budget isn't very big, but I've decided to look for a cheap daily driver around 3-4k. Preferably OBDII(96+), reliable and economical. Any suggestions? Was thinking of a 96 Corolla or Civic.

If you park away, as I do, how are people still hitting the car?

 

[pturley]

If you park away, as I do, how are people still hitting the car?

Location: bay area, ca

It's very crowded there.

 

[kaustein]

Location: bay area, ca

It's very crowded there.

Still not far enough away! Dent and ding free and loving it!

 

[tecaholic2]

If you park away, as I do, how are people still hitting the car?

Still not far enough away! Dent and ding free and loving it!

Better Knock on wood....


I knew a guy once who always parked way out in the parking lot, away from all the other cars. One day a car ran off the highway, into that outer part of the lot, hit his immaculate muscle car, and totaled it out.

 

[nocoolname]

I've seen the wind push buggies into cars and cause more damage than a door ding. I'll take my chances with door dings and park closer to the front.

 

[MISOJDM]

You can get an 02-03 Lancer OZ Rally for that price range. I use that as my daily.

 

[MelloYello]

You could also look into an early 2000s Suzuki Aerio SX hatchback. Uses a timing chain, has a torquey 2.0-liter motor, and has almost as much room as a Matrix for half the price.

 

[dblazer]

You can't go wrong with a Corolla, as old as maybe '87-'88. That particular version seems to last forever. My wife's had 275K+ on it the last time we saw it, and the people that had it gave it to one of their kids. It's probably still on the road now.

 

[GuySmily]

That sucks man. For them to push your panels out of alignment it must have been more than a gentle bump. Did they decimate some panels? Have full coverage?

Why go obdii? Find yourself an aw11 for <$2000 and still enjoy daily driving an mr2 but have the convenience of two fully usable trunks.

 

[beachbum]

You can't go wrong with a Corolla, as old as maybe '87-'88. That particular version seems to last forever. My wife's had 275K+ on it the last time we saw it, and the people that had it gave it to one of their kids. It's probably still on the road now.

I would second the Corolla, or a Hyundai. Both are cheap, reliable, and anonymous. Another thing to consider is theft statistics. The National Insurance Crime Bureau publishes a top 10 list of stolen cars by state, and the Honda Civic, Corolla, and Nissan Sentra all made the list in CA as mid 90's models. The Civic was at the top of the list in many states.

Why? They are very popular so they are stolen for parts, or as a daily driver. :lol:

You might want to look at something less popular.

 

[kamlung]

You can't go wrong with a Corolla, as old as maybe '87-'88. That particular version seems to last forever. My wife's had 275K+ on it the last time we saw it, and the people that had it gave it to one of their kids. It's probably still on the road now.

I would second the Corolla, or a Hyundai. Both are cheap, reliable, and anonymous. Another thing to consider is theft statistics. The National Insurance Crime Bureau publishes a top 10 list of stolen cars by state, and the Honda Civic, Corolla, and Nissan Sentra all made the list in CA as mid 90's models. The Civic was at the top of the list in many states.

Why? They are very popular so they are stolen for parts, or as a daily driver. :lol:

You might want to look at something less popular.

i'd also recommend a Corolla on the list... we have an '07 that my wife dailys to work... gets great gas mileage... prior to that i had a '97 that was over 250k mi no issues and all i did was oil changes...

i keep all my cars as clean as possible no matter how old, but people out there aren't as considerate to other people's property...

 

[NitroMidgets]

Get an old Subaru of some sort and weld and exo-cage onto it. That should at least show those assholes you aren't messing around. It also makes it a nice car to use when you absolutely have to go to the mall.

 

[High_Colorado]

Second the corolla. Sold mine with 275k oil changes and brakes. NOW THEN; as to your hit n run: the only reason there was a note is because there were witnesses. a little thought and detective work... Deductive reasoning; might just yield results.... Ask m:huh:e how i know!

 

[ju5tchi11in]

You could find a beat up turbo SW20 or a nicer NA SW20. Or a quite good AW11 as previously stated for that price range and still be driving an MR2.

 

[MCquik]

Mid 1990s Ford Escort GT. Mazda 1.8L DOHC, available in a 5 spd that gets over 30mpg, easy to work on, and with the fold down rear seats and hatch back, you can put a lot back there. I owned two...loved them. Find a cherry one that the owner cant pass exhaust with...they are notorious for needing new cats every 5-6 years - one small downside (they are cheap though).

 

[rvicke]

Second the Subaru...

I bought a 2001 Outback for $500 after the SC crash, 220k miles on the 2.5...five speed wagon, but you could tell this was built well....I put about 4k on it, sold it when I found the '93 for $500...the guy was happy as hell to get it...it's probably still going six years later.

Considering the oil usage on the spyder and Toyota's non-response; for reliability, I'd buy a Subaru.

Find one well taken care of, with 80k - 100k miles....easily within your budget; probably go to 300k with good maintenance.

Rick

 

[yz007]

Second the Subaru...

I bought a 2001 Outback for $500 after the SC crash, 220k miles on the 2.5...five speed wagon, but you could tell this was built well....I put about 4k on it, sold it when I found the '93 for $500...the guy was happy as hell to get it...it's probably still going six years later.

Considering the oil usage on the spyder and Toyota's non-response; for reliability, I'd buy a Subaru.

Find one well taken care of, with 80k - 100k miles....easily within your budget; probably go to 300k with good maintenance.

Rick

Where did you find those cars? I have been looking around memphis and little rock for a cheap beater (around $500) everything I have found so far in that range needs a new engine, trans, or both. ��