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I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help!

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Quattro80

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1991 MB 190e 2.3 / 2001 MB SL500
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Ok Guys, I need your help on the following two cars I may purchase...
1. 1988 Honda Civic DX Hatchback, blue, 154,000 original kms (saw records and paperwork), 5 speed, certified and emissions tested, $2,500....
or
2. 1992 VW Fox, 2 dr, Red, 104,000 kms, 4 speed (I don't think it's 5), certified, emission tested... $2,900 (I'm hoping to bargain on this deal...
So I need your help in regards of what is best for a University Student... maintenance, reliability, insurance, basically, operating costs... Something tells me the Honda would be more reliable, but the VW is newer and in a little better condition... HELP!

Quattro80
 
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#3 ·
Re: I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help! (Quattro80)

The Civic would be the better choice. If the body is in good shape, and you plan to take care of it, it will last you for a long time. Parts are cheaper and more plentiful too.
 
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B

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Re: I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help! (Double-V)

Yeah, I'd stay away from the Fox (though it should be a 5-speed, they dumped the 4-speed around 1989 or so). Hop over to the Golf/Jetta II forum, you should be able to pick up a later A2 with big bumpers for that price if you like. Hatchbacks make awesome student cars, take out the back seat & you've got a stationwagon to haul your stuff around. I fit a 35" TV in mine...
Failing that...yeah, I'd go Civic http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
 
M

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#6 ·
Re: I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help! (Double-V)

Not only is the civic a good choice, but take a look for some used corollas, those are just as good as a civic. and since 154K is about 96,000 miles, i would think that the clutch and tranny are in good shape for that car.
with the civic, i'd like to suggest that you keep an eye out on the radiator. i dunno if they use road salt in canada as viscously as they do in upstate NY, but the radiator in my 95 Civic EX corroded itself a hole and i had to get it completely replaced. it cost me $189, which wasnt too bad if you look around.
 
Quattro80

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1991 MB 190e 2.3 / 2001 MB SL500
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Thanks guys!

Please keep the opinions comming ... I am going into Autotrader.ca to check out 1985-87 Toyota Corrolla GT-S' right now...
On a side note, how expensive are parts for a MKII Golf or Jetta?
Quattro80 http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
 
Quattro80

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1991 MB 190e 2.3 / 2001 MB SL500
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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
I think I am going to get the CIVIC... BUT..

Can I get your two cents as to why some don't reccomend the Fox??
I can get a fox with very low kms (many) for less than my budget...
Thanks a lot again,
Quattro80
 
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Re: I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help! (Quattro80)

This is serious..... several Lada Samaras! Pay no collision insurance, and you can throw them away if they ever need major repairs, taking whatever good parts you have to the next car. Should be able to get 10 with that kind of money.
When I was in high-school I had a friend who worked this strategy on 70's corrolas, and he always had the most spending money.
Can't go too wrong with a fox in good shape tho.
 
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#15 ·
Re: THE TOYOTA COROLLA PICTURED HERE... (Quattro80)

GT-S's are in high demand and are difficult to find at times. If you start doing an aggressive search for one, you will eventually find a really nice one for not much money. The Auto Trader is published every Tuesday, so go out and buy the one that came out yesterday and scour it. Also, look on http://www.club4ag.com classifieds for someone around the area selling one. It's a little tough to find one, but if you really want to get a driver's car, they can't be beat. It's a high revving 4 cylinder RWD hatch/coupe, and has a huge following.
 
M

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#16 ·
Re: THE TOYOTA COROLLA PICTURED HERE... (Rob)

finding a gt-s in the toronto area is getting harder..
just like that $600 one, they get snapped up pretty fast.. also they're not that common to begin with, so sometimes the ones you find are in bad shape
i saw quite a few crappy ones before I picked up mine.. and I still think i lucked out big time
good luck! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
 
C

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Re: I'm 20, first car... budget: $2,500 CDN... PLEASE help! (old school A2)

quote:[HR][/HR]I owned a fox and I dont recommend that choice. The car was initially sold at a price of 6 000$ and thats the price it worth in my mind.... The 5 speeds is not reliable at all so if you buy one get the 4 speeds. The intake manifold is crap and cost 400$ with labor and parts, the injection system is pathetic, and everyhing like ball joint, tie rod etc is weak verry weak.....
the handling is scarry after 75 mph and i wasn't feeling safe with the general feeling of the car.....
Also, my car was minth... only 120 000 km.... no rust, verry clean....
A fox is a lemon end in every magazine, books about second hand car are heaven worst than me when talking about fox.[HR][/HR]​
Um.. No. The real problem with previously owned Foxes is that most people didn't take care of them. They saw them as basic, disposeable transportation, and treated them as such. It was designed, and sold as a cheap, reliable car. There are plenty of high-mileage Foxes around doing well. They have little quirks, like any car. Handling is fine. They have a little more of a tendency to understeer because of the engine being mounted longitudinally, as opposed to transversely. I'd say go for the Fox, but its your money. You could try asking in the Fox forum for major issues with the car, as I know at least one person floating around in there has owned his since it was new.
 
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