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Cheap cars that wont embarrass you?

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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
have a low low budget for a car and don't want to be embarrased when i pull up to places, would just rather blend in.  Only thing i can thing of is a older jeep wranger.  Any other suggestions?

Thanks NS
Jul 7 2012 1:29AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
well, my best bet is a minivan. >cheap to run >good in snow >easy to fix >cheap to buy >sleeping room available in the back seats.
Jul 7 2012 1:31AM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
look for something in the 98 - 01 years....those cars just blend in, and it shouldn't really matter any ways what ever gets me from point A to point B works for me....I know so many people with super nice cars and shitty looking houses....I'm the opposite, good looking house and I still rock my 2001 buick century.
Jul 7 2012 1:33AM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
something older: subaru legacy/outback, ford ranger, toyota tacoma, volkswagen golf/jetta, jeep wrangler, maybe a saab, plus prob some others.

some cars that I can think of that last forever when properly maintained.
Jul 7 2012 1:35AM
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JzD.
Posts: 1615 - Karma: 153
Any car that would get me from point A to B wouldn't embarrass me. Just how I am, fuck anyone who judges you based off what car you drive
Jul 7 2012 1:37AM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
the car you drive is like your status around my parts
Jul 7 2012 1:43AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
My first car was a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. I loved that thing. If anything, don't take yourself so seriously, and you'll be fine
Jul 7 2012 1:44AM
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crieschl
Posts: 644 - Karma: 108
CRX

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Jul 7 2012 1:47AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
I think the person makes the car. get anything and drive it confidently. you will be fine.
Jul 7 2012 1:47AM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
get an old volvo. they have so much character. I live an Pa and no one really ever says anything negative or positive, but i live in annapolis, Md for a couple months in the summer and so many of my friends are jealous of my old volvo. and they are safe as hell and will last for ever.
Jul 7 2012 1:49AM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
it depends what state you're in (if you're in the US)..

if you're in CA.. then you need a brand fucking new 2013 GTI, Prius, Mazda3, Ford Focus, or a big ass truck with an ungodly lift on it to fit in.

if you're in colorado, then you need some sort of subaru: impreza, outback, pick one. it doesnt matter. and make sure to try your best to "pimp" it out or put a turbo on it.

if you're in MN or midwest, any old pickup truck, big ole suv/jeep or beater car with shit tons of rust will do. just have a ski rack on it, and local skate/ski shop stickers plastered on it.
Jul 7 2012 1:54AM
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crieschl
Posts: 644 - Karma: 108
it's so true lol
Jul 7 2012 1:57AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
really? around my parts the neighborhood and the house you live in are like your status. do you live in the hood? cuz i see knuckles driving around in escalades with 24s, but they live in the projects.

a car is simply a tool to get you from point a to point b....but your house is an actual investment.
Jul 7 2012 1:58AM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
go to college so everyone lives in dorm/apartments
Jul 7 2012 2:00AM
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Midwestoverdose
Posts: 833 - Karma: 45
1998-2001 Jeep Cherokee. Very simple, quite cheap. There easy to repair, good in the snow. My uncle owns a junkyard and buys em frequently. He says if you keep care of them and do regular maintence they can last up to 300,000 miles.Im looking to buy one, kept clean. Roughly 120,xxx miles and for 5000 or less.
Jul 7 2012 2:26AM
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Midwestoverdose
Posts: 833 - Karma: 45
So true for the midwest.
Jul 7 2012 2:28AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
I feel for you, OP. Cars are status symbols around here as well, even though most people are either leasing them or have loans they can't afford. Don't trip about what you drive, you're in college anyway, tell them you have tuition and other, more important expenses.
Jul 7 2012 2:36AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
if you have a 'low low budget for a car' you probably can't afford a personal vehicle
Jul 7 2012 2:43AM
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OG_lock
Posts: 314 - Karma: 1,615
this isnt my first car, things are tight at the moment with tuition and im not lookin to live to pay for a car payment.  just looking for something under 5k.
Jul 7 2012 2:46AM
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jeR.
Posts: 1325 - Karma: 58
civic all the way. my roommate's civic is older than he is and she runs like a beaut, and i can tell you for certain he is not the most adept mechanic
Jul 7 2012 2:53AM
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Toasty.
Posts: 6198 - Karma: 2,330
Mazda Protege Es. Fwd but get some good snow tires and get it in manual and you're good. You cold also get the Protege 5. its a hatchback.


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I got mine for 3,500
Jul 7 2012 4:21AM
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sir_drums_a_lot
Posts: 335 - Karma: 14
I see soooooooo many riced out CRX's
Jul 7 2012 4:29AM
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sir_drums_a_lot
Posts: 335 - Karma: 14
I see soooooooo many riced out CRX's
Jul 7 2012 4:30AM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
just buy an old volvo
Jul 7 2012 4:57AM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
I just bought a car before I left Colorado for the summer. 1998 Subaru outback, 182,000 miles, got it for $2,500, talked him down from $3,300. It runs great. All the maintenance that should have been done has been done.(Head gaskets, clutch, oxygen sensor, knock sensor, brakes, tires).

The car should last me until at least 250,000 until a major problem happens.

To answer your question: get a subaru. AWD will make it great in snow, and they blend in great. Throw stickers and a rack on it and its a Legacy Swagon.
Jul 7 2012 5:19AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10582 - Karma: 11,182
the subaru brat

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Jul 7 2012 5:38AM
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crieschl
Posts: 644 - Karma: 108
Doesn't mean he has to rice it out, CRX's can look pretty good when done properly
Jul 7 2012 11:57AM
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sir_drums_a_lot
Posts: 335 - Karma: 14
Wasn't hating, they're fine cars its just an observation
Jul 7 2012 1:58PM
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Astomp
Posts: 10090 - Karma: 344
Clutch. I had one for a bit and loved it to death. Great friend vehicle great for skiing. Just great.
Jul 7 2012 2:07PM
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dh1028
Posts: 434 - Karma: 214
I would stick with anything Toyota or Honda they are cheap to fix and run forever I drove my 97 accord to colorado 4 times with over 230 k on it and its made it no problem everytime....not the best in snow for sure but if u get good tires u will be fine ...oh yah I paid 700 dollars for it! I worked at a car dealership but still this is a car that is super cheap!
Jul 7 2012 2:14PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
75-85 f150 with the inline 6. Easy to work on/ repair as there are parts in almost every junkyard
Jul 7 2012 2:18PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
And great mpg for a 4x4 and easily can go 300k with routine matinence
Jul 7 2012 2:20PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
.
Jul 7 2012 2:21PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143
Get a 10 year old Honda Civic. Everyone has that car and no one objects to it. Most middle-of-the-road body you can find on the cheap and It'll last another 10 to boot.
Jul 7 2012 2:24PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
If you want something under 5k that's still tasteful, go for something old that's classic but low miles.

You can find a pretty solid Scout International for under 5k (if you can find one at all).

Otherwise the Old VW Rabbits are cheap, they look neat, they run forever... they are more expensive to fix.

Same goes with an early 80s bmw 3 series... I love the red ones. See quite a few in beach towns around california. They look good with a surf rack. Again, more expensive to fix.

The rabbits and bmws probably aren't great in the snow, but it depends where you live.

Just saying... a 78 diesel rabbit with a nice paint job and fixed up interior.... I'd hit it.
Jul 7 2012 2:36PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Buy an old Toyota Pickup or 4Runner. Can find them for under 5k. Get one that somebody built as an off-road rig. It'll look pretty beat up, but they'll run great and go anywhere.
Jul 7 2012 2:43PM
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Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
BMW E30 /thread

you can find cars like the 318is shown below for under 5k with if you search hard enough, around 100k miles.

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Jul 7 2012 2:45PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,846
Pontiac Sunfire
Jul 7 2012 2:46PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
yeah but old bmw's cost so much to repair though. And you have to repair them a lot generally.
Jul 7 2012 2:48PM
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Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
true, i work at a car garage at the moment so i guess i havent really experienced the full cost of repairs on my E30
Jul 7 2012 2:50PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
Fuckin old Subaru parts cost more. Back in the day my dads $600 outback needed some headlights, they were $400. He then moved on to VW's.
Jul 7 2012 3:02PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Who cares what you drive. Why are you trying to fit in and base your status on a car under 5k? A car is a car. If it gets you where you need to go, what else matters?

That being said, you can find great stuff under 5k. I have a 93' Mercedes 300e with 340,000 km that I picked up for $2500 and it's running like a champ. When stuff needs to get fixed, it's pricer and gas isn't great, but it's reliable and gets me where I need to go.

I have never owned a car that I have paid more than $2500. When I can afford something new(er), I will.
Jul 7 2012 5:36PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
What this guy said. If you're hanging out with 'friends' who judge you based on your mode of transportation, then you shouldn't be hanging out with them.
Jul 7 2012 5:39PM
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DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
geo metro....3 cylinders of fury
Jul 7 2012 5:59PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
Get an older (late 90s, early 2ks) Oldsmobile or Cadillac. Reliable as hell and they're generally pretty nice as they were higher end cars in their day.
Jul 7 2012 6:07PM
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Bloody*Dimez*
Posts: 466 - Karma: 150
used subaru outbacks... they are cheap and handle well in the snow and arent a bad looking car
Jul 7 2012 6:14PM
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BrownBomber
Posts: 675 - Karma: 446
Click for larger image

This is what i drive, except mine is blue. Its a 1993 Toyota pickup extended cab. They are super reliable at high milage, definetly cheap, and i think its pretty good looking. the only thing about them though is that they are super light over the rear axle, so ya gotta put something heavy in the back for good traction in the snow, i use sandbags.

And chicks dig trucks, never forget that.
Jul 7 2012 6:22PM
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alvy.
Posts: 2134 - Karma: 377
lol
Jul 7 2012 6:37PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
Really??? Subarus are never cheap. The prices are always jacked up on them..
Jul 7 2012 9:12PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
just get a regular boring old sedan. its cheap, easy on gas, and people will judge you for it about as much as they would for wearing a white tee shirt.
Jul 7 2012 9:18PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
mercedes 190 d if youre man enough
Jul 7 2012 9:20PM
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