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Used Hatchbacks - Got any ideas?
I am 17 and looking to buy a car used. The things
I care about most are style, speed, and
reliability. I also am looking for a car that is
not on the insurance "hit" list. I'm looking for a
240SX but a civic or crx would be nice. I was alos
looking at Golfs but they're to slow. I want
anyone who has any good car that is between 87-93
to reply and tell me if its reliable and any
problems I might have.
I care about most are style, speed, and
reliability. I also am looking for a car that is
not on the insurance "hit" list. I'm looking for a
240SX but a civic or crx would be nice. I was alos
looking at Golfs but they're to slow. I want
anyone who has any good car that is between 87-93
to reply and tell me if its reliable and any
problems I might have.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
carlady/host
Honda stopped making the Accord hatchback in 1989. I bought mine used in 1994 at 47K and now have about 83K on it.
Honda's are usually "bulletproof." I, however, have had a few problems this year which tempers my enthusiasm; I have had to replace both the alternator and steering rack (not cheap items) and now I'm having a clutch/transmission problem.
Up until now, however, the car has been very reliable. My experience may not be typical; Accords have great reputations. Also note that while I have low miles, but many of those were driven in the city--i.e. with more start-stops per mile).
One warning, however: Accords rust. Nearly every similar model of late-eighties accord has rust around the wheel-wells. It's a shame because it makes a great care age prematurely. Apparently Honda fixed this problem in the early/mid 90's (according to an unverified rumour from a friend). If you live in a city with cold weather and salted roads, this probably isn't a great car for you.
The back seat lets you carry an extra friend or two (or maybe that's enemy B-) and helps keep the insurance down. I pay less than $1000/year in insurance (20 y.o. male, no tickets or accidents) so insurance isn't too unreasonable, and it's not on my insurance company's "sporty" list. The hatchback means you'll be able to carry much more stuff than you think, and I get almost 30 mpg on the freeway.
I did have one problem with it, the timing chain tensioner broke the day (!) after I got it. It was sort of a freak thing, and the replacement parts are (supposedly) stronger, but it still set me back $900. Statistically, the cars are pretty reliable, though. I think it's on Consumer Report's "Reliable Used Car" list.
There's a site at http://www.240sx.org with more information. Also, the 1991+ cars come with a DOHC 16V engine, but in my test drives that didn't seem to make much difference. (Your mileage may vary, of course.)
So, if you want to go out and beat up on 5.0 Mustangs, the 240SX is not the right car. But if you like twisty canyon roads (like me) it's a blast to drive.
I would like to get someone's advice on this: how reliable are the above mentioned cars? Say, a car around 93' or with no more than 10k miles on it. Or, what kind of the car should I looking for with those money, if a trouble-free(no need for big maintainence, if any) car for at least 4 or 5 years is possible?
Advise and help highly appreciated. Thanks very much. Please reply to yli9@students.wisc.edu.
I'm a junior in college. This year I bought a 1990 Acura Integra LS hatchback for $4200, with 119k miles (about avg). It gets 26 mi/ga city and 32/hwy. I avg about 28 mi/ga. I believe it fits more cargo than my brother's '88 Accord Hatchback (basically the same as an '89). The back seats fold down like the Accord but my hatch window is round whereas the Accord's is flat so I can fit a bit more (I was surprised at how much more!) in there.
Performance wise, it's pretty quick. I'm satisfied. Plus there's no shortage of aftermarket add ons for this car if I can afford them later. 0-60 mph in about 9.6s I think. It has 130 hp, weighing about 2650 lbs. Quarter mile in about 16.5s or so.
Styling. Damn, this is a sweet looking car though! Mine's black with a spoiler and moon roof. I think it's the best looking Integra ever made and the best looking car for the money. I happened to buy a set of '92-93 Integra GS 6-spoke rims used for $240 to add a little flava.
Insurance isn't too expensive, especially since I turned 21, have only 1 speeding ticket, no accidents, and good student discount. Downside, Acura parts are more expensive than Honda parts. Plus, I've spent a grand total of about $8,000 on my car in 8 months, including regular service and fixing what the previous owner broke. The blue book value was something like $6,000 for the car, though. I would definitely have any car you are considering checked out by a mechanic. I brought mine to a Honda dealer and they told me basically everything that I would need to fix. Half hour inspection for $30.
I would definitely not waste my money on a Geo/Chevy Metro or Cavalier. Definitely not low maintenance (they're American cars! haha!). You may think I'm a hypocrite for saying that but I knew my car needed work due to prior neglect and was prepared to breathe life back into it. Also, I don't think a either of those cars would last much longer than 5 years. Okay I'm just saying that to be cocky but Hondas are known (as are Toyotas) for lasting into several hundred thousand miles. Sorry for writing a novel.
Ben
P.S. Acura is a "sister" company of Honda, for anybody that didn't know, and is made by Honda. Sort of an "upper line" Honda, as Lexus is to Toyota, Infinity is to Nissan and I think even Lincoln is to Ford.
I used to have a 1990 non-GSI version and I loved it! It averaged in the mid-30's for gas mileage, and had lots of cargo room for the 'typical single college student'. The GSI editions have 130hp (instead of 100), and better options.
1991 is the last year they made the 5 door hatch.
BTW, this *is* a Toyota Corolla with a different nameplate.
I pay about 600 US$ per year, and it's a hoot to drive. 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds. I've had mine past the 120mph speedo, and it still had more before I chickened out.
I would recommend it if you can find one with decent mileage (mine only has 76,000).
Good luck.
If u have like $2000, buy a Dodge Colt, a Subaru DL/GL, or a pre 1990 Mazda 323--those cars are un beatable
Other then that I dont suggest any hatchbacks except for maybe a civic if you want to pay $4000 for a car with 200k.
The only good hatchback now is the Ford Focus
You'd be hard-pressed to find a used Ford Focus ZX3 now, otherwise, it might be an option.
carlady/host
Please email at emperor@amabilis.net
into buying a new car when i graduate highschool.
I have a car now, but this one will be the first I
will buy....so, i feel like its my responsibility
to look into the situiation and figure out what is
best. Im looking to spend no more than 10,000
dollars, and ive narrowed down my choices, but i
want to know the differences and opinions. Its
either a 95-98 Mitsubishi Eclipse, or an Eagle
Talon of the same year. Now, i think i read they
both have the same basic engine...and that Talons
come turbo charged alot of times, and thats not
always good....but i would like to know of any
differences between them or any stories i need to
hear that would help me. My dad is an
airplane/helicopter mechanic, so he knows a little
and is willing to help me, but hes no car expert.
I
just dont want to get screwed over because im a
teenage girl. any advice or feedback would be
greatly appreciated! Thank you all.
OH, and this car is 4wd! Goes through any depth of snow with ease.
Reliable as a Honda, seats 4 easily, and no one has one, unlike the slew of Civics and Eclipses that are everywhere.
Get the 5 speed, 4wd version. Comes with a tach and A/C. I still can't understand why they stopped making this car....
Thanks
Please return to share any information you find regarding the 626 hatchback. Thanks!
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Board
Thanks for your comments. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks Message Board
- Edmunds.com's Used Vehicle Appraiser will help you determine the true market value of a used vehicle in your area.
Let us know what you think. These items will also be linked into the Additional Resources box, on the left hand side of the page. Happy Shopping!
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks/Station Wagons Message Boards
Reliability wise the car is great I have to replace the power steering pump on it now and that is it. No a a heavy price for a "street legal race car".
2nd gen (94?-99) Eclipses/Talons tend to be cheap and can be very, very fast but they're small and cramped and often have reliability problems.
A last-gen Probe GT (93-96?) is cheap and can be alot of fun (it's even got a V6) but the maintainance and reliability can be a risk. They eat spark plug wires, the tranny's can be fragile, etc.
A Civic hatch would tend to be pretty reliable (the only thing sure to kill a Honda is rust) but not so cheap and not as fast. There's a huge aftermarket fot them, though.
A used Integra would seem to be a nice balance,
reliable and decently fast, but they would also tend to be pricier(used) than your other options.
;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
So, what is or was your experience with these cars? Reliable? (sort of) safe? Which (if any) should I buy. Would also consider a Mazda 323.
Once you look up one vehicle (i.e. 94 4-door LX Ford Escort, all you have to do click on the "Other Compact Hatchbacks" link near the top of the page, and it will take you to a page listing ALL the other similar models (hatchbacks) available in the same year. Btw, at a quick glance in Edmunds' Used Vehicle Guide, I noticed the Ford Escort had the highest reliability rating of the three. I was comparing 94's models. Crash test results on the 94 Escort were also "good"; however I should note, there was no information about driver/passenger air bags.
One thing you may want to consider is that safety equipment, such as dual airbags and steel beams in the side doors, were not standard equipment on most make/models prior to 1995. Also, vehicle weight is going to be the biggest factor in terms of safety. For that reason, you may even want to consider keeping the Dodge Caravan, or at the very least buying a station wagon, as you mentioned you might do.
Insurance costs will also be lower with a Van/Station Wagon, than a compact hatchback..., especially for a teenager. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Good luck with your decision, and please return to let us know what you decide. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
1997 Toyota Paseo 2D Hatchback, 30k miles, $7,000, 5-speed manual, 6-disk CD changer, power sun-roof, spoiler, a/c, alloy wheels, 1.5L 4cyl. Wrecked once 3 years ago and needed new front clip, but there have been no problems since then. This is a private sale.
OR
1996 Ford Probe SE 2D Hatchback, 36k miles, $5,900, 5-speed manual, radio/cassette, 2L 4cyl. This is a dealership sale.
So, what do you think? What advice and recommendations do you have concerning these two cars? I'd appreciate any feedback you can give. Thanks!
Paseo: a bit newer, will certainly get better gas mileage, but also less room (tiny, tiny back seat), smaller in general and more expensive;
Probe: a bit sportier, less money, good Mazda engine, a bit more room, but worse gas mileage and perhaps less reliable (though you never know).
Check the insurance rates for both, this might help with the decision as well. Also, check the message boards about both cars here and see what owners have to say. Good luck.
Did routine maintenance on it and had the boots changed about every 3 years. It would cruise AZ I-8 at the speed limit in 115/125 degree heat with a cold ac and doing 40mpg, passing dead fords and chevys. (Ford/chevs cooling systems can't handle extreme heat for long periods????) The Mirage had a large radiator with two big fans. The temp gauge never varied even on hills. Used ones are very hard to find. I can see why. This is a perfect car for a college student. Amazing what you can put in it.
I am retired and still have it. It is a great around town car(Phoenix). I would like a new car but can't bear to give it up. Yup, it still gets 40mpg and purrs like a fat cat.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
I would love (since I'm broke and have lousy credit) someone to write an article on good 'beaters', i.e. used cars for $500-5000. I live in the city of Chicago, our rents are high, lots of us don't drive to work, so many of us have 'beaters.' I do realize that previous owner care has a lot to do with the 'goodness' of a used car (especially one this old), but older cars can still be compared on their merits, can't they?
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
Thanx, Dinu
You will not find a better value.
-people that have successfully haggled for a lower price when buying a certified used car
-people that have met resistance when asking the cert. used car dealership if they can take the car to their own mechanic
-and people that have been persuaded NOT to buy the car they wanted because of comments on a chat board like edmunds' town hall.
If any of these apply to you, please call 212-830-9275 and/or send your email to rmalkin@hearst.com. It is helpful to include your name and phone number. Please respond by March 15.
As always, you can also contact Jeannine Fallon, RR Director for Edmunds.com, if you have questions about this process. Thanks for your participation.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I am new to this Car world. I don't know which car is good for me to buy. I want a used car which works fine and can drive me to the places safely. I don't want many fancy features except necessary. My budget is limited to 4000 USD including all expenses. I am a student.
I don't know what to look for in used car before buying. I have not used cars much so I am totally ignorant you can say.
Please help me.
Regards,
Maulin.
At 4k out the door, you're primarily looking at vehicles that are as least 6 to 8 years old. Both reliability and safety are going to be limited when you're going back that far. For one, as any vehicle gets older, it's more likely to have mechanical problems.
Secondly, vehicles prior to 94/95 do not have the type of safety equipment (air bags/side impact steel beams) that are standard on newer models. Just curious, have you considered purchasing a newer vehicle and taking on a small monthly payment?
That being said, here are a few ideas for hatches in the 3500-4000 range: 94 Honda Civic, 93 Acura Integra, 95 Ford Escort, or 94 Dodge Colt. Statistically, the Civic and Integra have the better reliability ratings of these four. (FTR, these are my own suggestions, not Edmunds' recommendations.)
I also recommend that you have the vehicle thoroughly check out by a certified mechanic prior to purchase. Other's here may have more to add, so please return for more feedback. Good luck.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Also, from our Maintenance & Repair Board, here's an archived discussion I came across: My Adventures with My New/Used Eagle Talon. You may find some helpful information there. Good luck, and please keep us posted on what you decide.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards