Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » What sub-$1500 FWD car? 1 2

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  Feb. 15, 2010 5:37 p.m. M030 Reader

  I know, another "what car" thread..

  My neighbor is looking for a cheap, FWD, stick shift car that gets decent mileage and is inexpensive to repair/maintain.

  I want to help said neighbor, because in addition to the $1500 he has to spend, he's got a 1995 GTI VR6 that I want to own.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 5:42 p.m. moxnix New Reader

  Saturn S-Series

• 

  Feb. 15, 2010 5:42 p.m. unevolved Reader

  What about an egg?
  

  

  They're cheap and very easy to maintain.

  Texas A&M Racing

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  Feb. 15, 2010 6:05 p.m. stealthfighter1 New Reader

  civic for sure

  78 z / 89 sx / 87 gts / 03 gtv6

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  Feb. 15, 2010 6:10 p.m. ccrelan New Reader

  Nissan NX2000.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 6:14 p.m. P71 SuperDork

  Escort GT or ZX2 is the best bang-for-the-buck FWD hatch in stupid-cheap territory. Even cheaper and you can get lucky and find an old bucket-light EXP (I had one and it was massively cool in an 80's way). Older box Civic's are there as well, but they are more expensive to maintain.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Hornet / 93 Miata STS / 01 P71 Interceptor

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  Feb. 15, 2010 6:18 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  saturn is dead reliable AND gets great miliage

  Non-Sequitor Alert!

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  Feb. 15, 2010 7:15 p.m. irish44j Reader

  3rd generation (mid-90s) Nissan Maxima.

  FWD, good power, decent mileage, stick shift, bulletproof engine.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 7:34 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

  Rolla. A clean AE92 with a 4AFE will be in that price range.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 7:58 p.m. bamalama Reader

  BG chassis Protege LX.

  If you ever want to make something stop existing, the Milwaukee Sawzall is the tool.

• 

  Feb. 15, 2010 8:02 p.m. ckosacranoid HalfDork

  maita....because its always the answer.....

  Otuka Racing and Photography- need photos, just ask!

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  Feb. 15, 2010 8:10 p.m. mtn SuperDork

  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1598281438.html
  http://hartford.craigslist.org/ctd/1592104467.html
  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1591627467.html
  http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/1590174753.html

  there’s a lot of debate on this subject—about what kind of car handles best. Some say a front-engined car; some say a rear-engined car. I say a rented car.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 8:54 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

  Answer: The best maintained one you can find.

  Like punching your mom in the face....

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  Feb. 15, 2010 9:22 p.m. 3Door4G New Reader

  Much as I love Honda, I have to go with a Saturn. I used to do emissions testing and those things would always pass. Hondas are reliable too, but they're more expensive. If fun doesn't weigh in to the equation, go with a Saturn.

  Clean cars can be found at http://rabidclean.blogspot.com

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  Feb. 15, 2010 9:39 p.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader

  1st gen Neon. Simple, reliable, and fun!

  Better to be a racer for a moment than spectator for a life time.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:11 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

  Mazda 323 / Protege

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:12 p.m. Nitroracer Dork

  ccrelan wrote: Nissan NX2000.

  Made a great first car for me!

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:19 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork

  I love Hondas but good luck finding one without rust or a horrible body kit or both for that price

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:22 p.m. Stealthtercel Reader

  I obviously have to put in a word for the Toyota Tercel! 95-up gets you the DOHC 5EFE engine; lightness has been added from the factory.

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:30 p.m. EvanB HalfDork

  Infiniti G20

  Formerly jdmae92

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  Feb. 15, 2010 10:49 p.m. Vigo Reader

  Oddly i have owned many of the cars mentioned in this thread.

  I havent owned the Saturn, but thats the one im going to recommend, for sure. They are super easy to work on and get awesome mileage.. like 40mpg highway (5spd).

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  Feb. 16, 2010 6:58 a.m. Gearheadotaku HalfDork

  Yet another vote for a Saturn s-series 95-02 are best.

  Old enough to know better, too young too care!

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  Feb. 16, 2010 7:36 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

  Escort GT/Tracer LTS/Protege LX/Escort LX-E
  AE92 Corolla GTS (Yes, you can find them in that price range)
  Neon
  4th gen Celica GT/GTS
  Dual Cam Saturns
  Paseo (these are hilariously fun cars)

  I think finding an EG hatch worth anything for $1500 will be hard. At least it is around here. Them there ricers snatch 'em up.

  But really... the Escort GT idea will get you a LOT of car in the $1500 range. That's pretty much mint low miles no rust range. And they're deceptively quick. Probably the fastest thing listed in this thread.

  1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)

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  Feb. 16, 2010 7:49 a.m. zomby woof HalfDork

  Did somebody say Suzuki Swift? I didn't think so.

  95+ cars are solid, reliable, cheap as hell. 98+ have 16V motors.

  My son just bought a 98 Tercel in good shape for less than that. Awful car to drive, but normal people don't notice, and they're as reliable as anything you'll find.

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  Feb. 16, 2010 9:46 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  if you can find one.. a Hyundai Tiburon is a rather frugal cruiser and still has enough handling and power to be entertaining.

  parts are cheap, there are hop up parts availible, and they are pretty bulletproof

  Non-Sequitor Alert!

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