Most Reliable Under $2000?

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[lophilip1980]

especially Talon, unless you want to fix it after, and during every event, ask me how I know.  or.... ask Matt how he knows.

Take the CRX, add water to the fuel tank then run the car until it dies, park beside your garage for 6 months and spend the next year trying to get the rust out of your system. The same applies for Talons.

I don't think Johnny's Talon suffered from fuel rust contamination, but it did suffer from a similar thing to the Jellybean: PITA breakdowns.

[midnightsky]

Did you check out this SVT Contour posted on the board a few weeks ago, which Keith linked to earlier in this thread?
http://cscc.speedracer.ca/forums/index.php/topic,9522.0.html

SVT Contour was the factory hot rod, got a lot of good go-fast stuff - engine, brakes, stiffer springs and struts, thinner front, heavier rear bars - good stuff. This one has an engine swap to a larger displacement one - you'd want to find out what all it has there. And be aware things like struts may not be inexpensive parts-store items.

thought i had emailed the guy but never called, sorta forgot about that one in all the chaos that has taken place in my life.  will contact him today and see if it's still available.

[Talonman]

I don't think Johnny's Talon suffered from fuel rust contamination, but it did suffer from a similar thing to the Jellybean: PITA breakdowns.

Now in all honesty I can count on one hand the times the car has failed to run because it broke, ummm wait it is once since I started racing it full time in gravel. I ripped the k member in half because I was missing some support bolts, the other time it failed was way back in Red Deer (solo 2) when the A/C belt cut into the front cover then got under the timing belt and skipped.

So twice in like 5-6 years of racing, and those two times were not the fault of the car but mine both times. I call that not too bad

[Vicar]

Now in all honesty I can count on one hand the times the car has failed to run because it broke, ummm wait it is once since I started racing it full time in gravel. I ripped the k member in half because I was missing some support bolts, the other time it failed was way back in Red Deer (solo 2) when the A/C belt cut into the front cover then got under the timing belt and skipped.

So twice in like 5-6 years of racing, and those two times were not the fault of the car but mine both times. I call that not too bad

that's good.

now, the person buying a car asked for a reliable car under 2000.  I still wouldn't buy anything boosted.  also, you know your car inside out, have tools, and a shop to work in right?

I own a shop and I wouldn't even think of buying a boosted car under 2k and expect it to be reliable.

my .02

[Talonman]

You have a point.

[midnightsky]

that's good.

now, the person buying a car asked for a reliable car under 2000.  I still wouldn't buy anything boosted.  also, you know your car inside out, have tools, and a shop to work in right?

I own a shop and I wouldn't even think of buying a boosted car under 2k and expect it to be reliable.

my .02

I agree 100% with johnny

[midnightsky]

found this for $1000 from a mechanic with too many projects, viewing it tomorrow, seems like a decent deal for a car in good running condition.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1986-Wide-Fender-flare-style-300zx-Manual-5-Speed-good-Engine-W0QQAdIdZ187848606

[Audi200tq]

The EF (88-91) was the best Civic ever made:

http://calgary.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1555809501.html

[midnightsky]

not so sure i want a civic........

[Audi200tq]

not so sure i want a civic........

Don't say that until you try flogging one around an autocross course.  EF platform is one of the most versatile, responsive and fun-to-drive low-buck autocross cars ever made.  With double-wishbone front suspension it has really good camber curves.  Add some cheap Koni yellows, a front bar and some R comps and you have a H-stock machine that becomes a PAX giant-killer.  And there are volumes of info on the 'net when you want to start adding mods.  The winning ST setup is essentially public domain.

Autocrossers eventually overcome brand perceptions and start to focus on fun-to-drive, responsiveness and performance.  For example, I used to think that a Miata was a girly little convertible for secretaries.  Now I think of it as a true sports car, and a potentially (with mods) fierce performer.

[midnightsky]

i've been watching like a hawk for a Miata that is $2000 or less but nothing has come up, that would be my FIRST choice if I ever found one for under $2000 that didn't need any significant work done to it.

I'm with Jonny on the CRX idea, of any honda the CRX and Prelude are my favorite choices even above the older integra's.  Personally I am also a big fan of the Nissan 300zx old body style, bigger engine(more HP less MPG i know), RWD, manual, and coming from a mechanic who has been driving it daily all winter long.

[midnightsky]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Let the owner negotiate a fair price and let my financial situation work for this Miata, it's even white

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1991-Mazda-MX-5-Miata-Convertible-W0QQAdIdZ189794424

[JamesV]

The EF (88-91) was the best Civic ever made:

http://calgary.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1555809501.html

Proud owner of a 90 Civic SI hatchback. In WAX, I love this thing more than the RSX.

[midnightsky]

Proud owner of a 90 Civic SI hatchback. In WAX, I love this thing more than the RSX.

I would only do a CRX Si, only because a friend of mine had one previous and I drove it once, instant smiles.

[CRXsi]

The 86 300zx you posted I would run from...they were very prone to rust in a bad way! I can't count how many I had to refuse to work on because the frames and floors were rotted out so bad the hoist would just crush them. If you do look at it pay very close attention to the strut towers and also to the frame rails from about the rear of the front fender back to the rear of the doors.

As for the 88-91 Civic/ CRX I personally highly recommend them. Very cheap to maintain/repair extremely reliable, easy to modify and fun to drive. Keep in mind the Civic Si and CRXsi are the same except for the body style.

Honda Prelude...I would stay away from. I doubt you will find any Honda mechanics (trust me I am one) that would say they are good cars. They can be problematic and are generally expensive to fix and maintain.