Thread: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars

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  1. #1 Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GTP Level Member indygrandprix's Avatar
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    Anyone know of any cars that are decently reliable and can be had for around 2K?

    I know for 2k you can't get a perfectly good running, driving and looking car

    But besides GP's I can't seem to find any other cars that aren't a crackerbox like a civic and also something that's easy to work on. I went and looked at an 01 Dodge Stratus R/T not a bad looking car IMO but the 3.0 engine just looked so cramped compared to the GP's. And the suspension has way more ball joints than necessary.

    So what cars are there besides GP's, Regals, Bonnies, and Montes that are decent. Not looking for anything thats a racekar just a DD.
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    I went NA when a whore left -$300 in my bank account.
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  2. #2 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    Moderator Russosaur's Avatar
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    Camry? Buddy had one beat the tar out of it and never had problems as far as I know.

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  3. #3 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    Donating User Odi's Avatar
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    Accords with the 4 cylinders tend to be easy to work on (somuchroom.engimebayyy) and last forever. Buddies has 220k and he barely does anything to it other than drive.
    2001 GT Special Edition - 208k miles, junkyard status. Part out in progress.
    2015 Mazda Mazda3 S Touring - 39000 miles, bone stock.
    Questions regarding LED's, headlights, HID's, taillights and more!? Click here.
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  4. #4 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    s10, cavaqueer, saturn sl1, something like that.

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  5. #5 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GTP Level Member indygrandprix's Avatar
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    Do you know what year accord?
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    I went NA when a whore left -$300 in my bank account.
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  6. #6 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    Donating User Odi's Avatar
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    cavaqueers are meh, my mom has one. nothing drivetrain wise but the interior will fall apart, guages crap out all the time too.

    My buddies accord is a 2000.
    2001 GT Special Edition - 208k miles, junkyard status. Part out in progress.
    2015 Mazda Mazda3 S Touring - 39000 miles, bone stock.
    Questions regarding LED's, headlights, HID's, taillights and more!? Click here.
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  7. #7 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GTX Level Member Neil98gt's Avatar
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    My sister has a 98 accord 4cyl with 225k I believe. Has been a damn good car for the 3 years she's had it, no major problems.
    98 GT 2dr 116k, Sold
    07 Lexus ES350 Obsidian Black. Premium Plus package, sold
    2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
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  8. #8 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GrandPrix Junkie
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    Not a huge modern Chrysler fan. Seen too many with trans/head gasket issues. Might just be me though. Mazda 323 or 626, Hyundai Accent, Ford Ranger (late 90's early 2000's), Chevy Malibu come to mind.
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  9. #9 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GTP Level Member indygrandprix's Avatar
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    What about a 94 Firebird with an LT1 and 90,000 miles. Has different color body panels and all the paint is sun fadded but its rust free and miles are correct. I've always heard that the LT1 motors are really reliable.
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    I went NA when a whore left -$300 in my bank account.
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  10. #10 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GrandPrix Junkie Sandman's Avatar
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    Honda. Cheap and reliable as they come.
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    Quote Originally Posted by TLSheff View Post
    You said "I'm done with it"... car says "Oh, really? *trollface*"
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  11. #11 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
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    Avoid the five speed auto, they're not so great.
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  12. #12 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    Moderator DanPrixGTP's Avatar
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    Friend of mine has a '96 Camry.

    Never seen any major work done. Daily drives it with 175k and still runs just fine.
    '97 GTP - Stage 2 Heads, 90# Springs, 1.9 Harland Sharp Rockers, Gen V, 3.0, Intake, N* TB, LQ4, FSIC, 10.5mm Wires, Poly Mounts, SLP Headers, Borla Exaust, Built Trans - SOLD*

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  13. #13 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GrandPrix Junkie
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    Quote Originally Posted by indygrandprix View Post
    What about a 94 Firebird with an LT1 and 90,000 miles. Has different color body panels and all the paint is sun fadded but its rust free and miles are correct. I've always heard that the LT1 motors are really reliable.
    90K miles isn't bad for that year.The LT1's are a good motor. Common issue is the Optispark. If it goes make sure you replace it with an OEM Delco one and you should be good. They also have a reverse cooling system on them that can be an issue if you don't burp the system correctly, but not a major issue. As long as it's had a good maint. history I'd grab it. They can last well into the 300K range with routine maint. Problem is people like to beat on them and not maintain them. I just sold my 95 Formula T-top with 145K on it for $400 with a blown LT1 (drivers HG). Was my buddies car. Decently fast and decent mileage (for a V8) if driven normally. The LT1's get a bad rap sometimes but taken care of they can last. I'd be more concerned about the multi colored body panels on that one more than the paint quality. Wonder how many times it's been wrecked, and how badly??
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  14. #14 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GrandPrix Junkie
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    If you aren't partial to any one brand, you could probably find a Crown Vic, Grand Marquis or Towncar that would serve you well. The Panther platform is known for it's longevity and are reasonably comfortable depending on which one you get. Parts are cheap and often interchange between them, they get ok mileage for a V8 and have loads of trunk space. I'd go for at least a 99+ car if I was looking. When driven normally I get around 390/400 miles per tank on my 03 LX Sport with the 3.27 rear. I drive a lot of hwy and have seen as high as 424/tank.
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  15. #15 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    I live here. theaceofspades's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DanPrixGTP View Post
    Friend of mine has a '96 Camry.

    Never seen any major work done. Daily drives it with 175k and still runs just fine.
    This toyota makes a great car


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Quote Originally Posted by theaceofspades View Post
    I now own a stance car parts I just like them DICKS
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  16. #16 Re: Reliable cars for around 1500-2000 dollars 
    GT Level Member addzradd's Avatar
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    A 4 CYL 5 speed ranger base model, can be had for nothing and cannot, will not die. 18-21 year old me had a part time job at napa, the whole last 9 months working there was trying to kill the napa ranger named "disaster transport" I played bumper cars emptied the oil and diff fluid, jumped tracks with 1000 lbs of batteries in the back hit a fire hydrant just abused the hell out of it. Did not die, with 600k VERY VERY hard miles running 24/7. a friend of mine bought the thing 3 years ago and it has won 2 demo derbys the one it lost it got stuck on the hood of another truck.

    That is exactly what I have as a cheap beater, have not put a dime in mine 278k.

    I
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