I need a little help. I'm sorry this is OT, but I want some quick thoughts. I'm looking for a second car to transport me the 100 miles a day it takes me to get to and from work. It needs to be less then 10G's, and I'm looking for a car with some space.

My thoughts have run from a 91 Integra, a Contour, a mid-nineties Galant, a 626, and now I'm seeing a 95 Passat GLX with 98000 miles, at $7800. Are VWs reliable, will the engine hold up. I drive a ton (probably around 25K miles a year for second car) so I need a cheap car that will hold up.

I know that doesn't sound right, but that's what I need. Thanks for the input. Oh, no SUVs. Just a car.

ERIK

 

I had a 90 Integra LS...loved it dearly. That would be vote...90-91...any Integra you could afford would do you fine.

 

Thanks greg. Integra's are tough to find without a ton of miles. I dragged on a 91 with 33000 miles because I wasn't able to drive it, and I called back a day later, and it was sold. Missed my shot. I would buy an Acura or Honda, but they have such high resale value.

ERIK

 

I wouldn't buy a used German car except for a Mercedes. Subaru and Toyota are known for getting 100k+ trouble free miles from their cars. Consider a 1995 Subaru Legacy which should cost under 10k.

 

I feel your pain. I'm trying to do the same thing right now. Except I'm looking at a 2000 3.2 TL bastards won't come down on the price. Good luck. personal observation. I gave my 94 Civic SI to my dad he has 230k Km on it and it runs and looks brand new. And he takes poor care of it. Really good buy IMO

 

My secretary has an 89 Legend coupe she bought used years ago. It now has 260,000 miles on it. New springs and shocks, rebuilt auto tranny. Runs like new. 1st get Legends can be had around here for $3,500-7,000.

I have a 93 Legend coupe 6 spd. Admittedly, 6 spds are rare and command a premium on resale, but nice G2 Legend automatics can be had for $8-10K (and up of course).

I personally think these cars are terrific. Sweet riding, powerful, handle really nicely, safe, and they last if well maintained.

Just my $0.02.

2x6spds

 

I think it might be possible to get a 1991 Lexus for that price range. I've seen LS400s run in the low $10K range. That was the most trouble free car on the planet in 1991 and for a few years after.

 

I have a '90 Accord 4-door and a '99 Accord EX coupe -- the latter has a 6 cyl VTEC (unfortunately automatic is the only tranny offered). I bought the '99 two months prior to getting my S2000. Everytime I swith from my roadster to the Accord, I sit down and look around and feel surprised at how BIG it is! It has all the acceleration and power I ever need for daily driving, and for long road trips. And I feel it is well engineered and built. Extremely comfortable with lots of bells and whistles. Quality all around. I love it. The only thing more fun than driving the '99 Accord is driving the Stook!

The '90 Accord was purchased used. It's still running like a swiss watch going on 130,000 miles. Maintenance costs have been excellent.

I would expect that a recent model Accord would approach your price range. For those of us who love the S2K so much, the Accord EX makes a perfect second set of wheels.