OT: Girlfriend needs a new car! Help!

[toddnappi]

Hi,
My girlfriend's parents are taking away her car... so she needs to source a new car within a month. She's considering her friend's Geo Storm for $1700, but it needs new brake pads and possibly has rotor damage... I really don't want her to get it. I was looking in the paper for the typical under $3k reliable car... not much in terms of imports as a lot of the compacts are being snatched up. There was a 95 Nissan 200sx SE 5sp with 95k miles for $2850 BO... I like the sound of that... anyone have experience buying a car in this range? Can anyone offer suggestions? Thanks, Todd

[JEdubz]

I have never really liked 200sx SE's but that's just my 2 cents.... If she is into speed and likes cars tell her to get something like a 240 or even a non turbo FC3S...but If she's willing to shell out a bit more for a comfortable, stylish, *reasonably* fast car... A 2nd Gen MX-6 can be purchased for around $5000.... But because I'm a nice guy I would sell you mine for $4,200 &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> &nbsp; &nbsp; They have power everything and the LS second gen's have a sun roof, abs (safety is always nice) power steering, v6 2.5 liter, and often leather seats (mine doesn't have them...which I'm not sure why ...but yeah)... Or just have her get a Honda...they aren't *that* bad.

[S14Pilot]

Considering that she is looking at a Geo Storm...she obviously doesn't want a race car. &nbsp;

I would honestly look into a 5th gen Civic (1992-1995). &nbsp;I had mine for quite a few years and really gave it a beating. &nbsp;Only thing I ever had to replace was a bolt in the clutch pedal. &nbsp;$2.50 and she was running strong again.

Plus, if the milage gets tooo high (it'll run 200,000+ anyway) there are plenty of low milage D-series engines out there to be had cheap.

If she wants the 200SX, I would push her in that direction as well. &nbsp;I was thinking about getting one for my girlfriend because between school and the $350/month payments on her 2001 Civic...the budget is getting pretty tight. &nbsp;200's can be found fairly cheap if you're not set on an SE-R. &nbsp;As for reliability...on average not quite as good as the Honda (you guys can't deny that)...but still should last 100,000 +++. &nbsp;I don't know about engine availability on that one though.

Basically...if its for a chick and she doesn't want to race it out...look for reliability and safety...ie. Civic's, 200SX's, Toyota Celica's, Sentra's, etc.

[BEISSEN]

ther is a 93 240sx here for sale need a paint job but it is only 1400.00.

[Yosho]

In that range your best bet would probably be either a classic SE-R (if you can find one) or a 240sx. &nbsp;2nd Gen RX7's are nice as well but the Insurance will probably be more than the SE-R or 240sx. &nbsp;I'd stay away from the Storm if you can help it. &nbsp;Civics are nice, but I think their prices tend to be a little inflated because they're more popular. &nbsp;Still if you can find one in good shape and for a good price... not a bad choice either (just a little weak on power is all).

[sil80]

under 3k... girl... probably recommend a MR2/civic something easy to drive and reliable. Plus both cars have a pretty big following so shouldnt be difficult if you need to repair... or modify <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
Im leaning towards the MR2....
Stay away form geo metros... everytime I see one there wrecked... *squrm*

[SilviaDriver]

yea i would agree with the civic..i like it..or civic hb..i still want a civic HB [go ahead..flame all you want..i dont care!!]..yea i still want one!

[Nitrous242]

dont let her get a fc3s (2nd gen rx7) b/c if you want a problem free car, that is not it. unless she is a mechanich dont do it. &nbsp;also the mr2 would be out of that price range.
why dont u tell her to ge a 90-92 240? &nbsp;whats wroung w/that??

[toddnappi]

Yah a 240 was my first idea... I've had mine since 70k (now @ 95l) and NOTHING went wrong. How are the SOHCs in terms of reliability compared to the DOHCs? Is 120k miles a bad thing if its a nice car? I'm pretty sure I would be able to tell if I checked it out.

[/etc/shadow]

I bought my 1990 240sx Fastback 5spd with 100,000 miles for $2450. There was *NOTHING* wrong with it aside from a very small dent on the passenger rear side of the car. The engine still runs like a champ - no troubles at all. They even had a new head unit and Polk speakers in there.

I love my car.

[porkchop]

i think some good "beat the shit out of" cars, are civics, integras, celicas....i won't recommend a 240...or any rwd...not saying anything about girls driving...cuz they know how....it's just it's alil safer in rain or snow for them....just make sure it's reliable!!..that 200sx sounds a lil too cheap, might be something wrong....but they are a solid car..
just to let u know i have a 87 celica gts for winter...and that thing will never die...248,000 kms and doesn't burn ANY oil, and i drive the piss out of that thing!!!
you can never go wrong with an import

about the geo, they always seem to have brake and exhaust problems...i don't know why

keep us posted on what u find for her &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>