I'm tired of buying an around-$1,000 car and having to replace it again soon. So, I give up. I'm going to be normal and get a loan and buy a car through a dealer. But, I still don't want a big loan, and I don't want to be paying too long. So I'm thinking around $6,000 or so, and after lots of searching with that in mind, the one I keep coming back to is this Protege5.

Most of the reviews are glowing, it's under 100k miles, 5 speed, under book...I know they're prone to rust and there looks to be a spot starting behind the passenger rear wheel, but other than that, what's the prognosis?

edit: The main complaint seems to be the cost of the tires for those alloys, and I was already planning to sell those once the tires go bald and swap on a set of 15" steelies. I like the way they look better anyway.

Well nevermind, they sold it. And I think I've got a line on a cheap Lumina to get me by. Let the cheap car cycle start over

Get a $1000 4.0 Cherokee and call it a day. They last forever, cheap to repair, and when it finally dies, some Jeep freak will give you enough money to make you feel good about the purchase, as long as it isn't rusted beyond driving. Though, I like rusted vehicles. Never know when the taco commeth.

Ha, my girlfriend's brother just texted me to tell me he just bought a $300 4.0 cherokee. He was bragging

Posted by jeepdave Get a $1000 4.0 Cherokee and call it a day. They last forever, cheap to repair, and when it finally dies, some Jeep freak will give you enough money to make you feel good about the purchase, as long as it isn't rusted beyond driving. Though, I like rusted vehicles. Never know when the taco commeth.

and 12 miles to the gallon...

Posted by jeepdave Though, I like rusted vehicles. Never know when the taco commeth.

The best Cherokee I ever had was $150. It was pretty awesome, but was in no way ever destined to win a beauty pageant. I think it had a rather rough life before I bought it.

remember that 93 Lumina I had? $125 and beat the everloving shit out of it... sometimes you do get more than what you paid for.

Posted by Samurai and 12 miles to the gallon...

I get 14 just doing city!

Posted by Samurai remember that 93 Lumina I had? $125 and beat the everloving shit out of it... sometimes you do get more than what you paid for.

i had bought a 91 chevy sprint 4 door 1l 3cyl from a dealer that was using it as a courtesy car, i actually jumped that car and it still ran!

Posted by Samurai and 12 miles to the gallon...

I get about 16-18 out of mine, on Mud Terrain 31's. If you are getting poor MPG's out of one, either a sensor is out or you haul around way too much shit

Posted by nostra-YOUPPI! i had bought a 91 chevy sprint 4 door 1l 3cyl from a dealer that was using it as a courtesy car, i actually jumped that car and it still ran!

NOt a very 'courteous' dealer if a sprint was the loaner.

Posted by oddspot NOt a very 'courteous' dealer if a sprint was the loaner.

they had nice loaners, and they had old sprints and cavaliers as loaners for the body shop...

The poor lumina I'm getting was sold to my dad by a friend of mine for $350 because he couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. It would idle fine, but die the second you hit the gas pedal.

Turned out, the catalytic converter was clogged up, which had burnt the plugs up. Knocked the insides out of the cat, reset the computer, couple new gaskets, new set of plugs and wires, replace the rear brakes, and I've got my next cheap car.

It's a 91, 3.1 v6 auto, around 130k if I remember right. Picking it up this weekend.

Posted by oddspot NOt a very 'courteous' dealer if a sprint was the loaner.

The GM dealer I worked for had a Buick Century with the worst bottom end knock I've ever heard for a loaner. Always seemed like bad advertising to me.

Posted by CDSbigsby The poor lumina I'm getting was sold to my dad by a friend of mine for $350 because he couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. It would idle fine, but die the second you hit the gas pedal. Turned out, the catalytic converter was clogged up, which had burnt the plugs up. Knocked the insides out of the cat, reset the computer, couple new gaskets, new set of plugs and wires, replace the rear brakes, and I've got my next cheap car. It's a 91, 3.1 v6 auto, around 130k if I remember right. Picking it up this weekend.

the MPFI 3.1L is INVINCIBLE!

Well that's good to hear.

New ride procured...It's not the prettiest thing, and I had to spend 3 hours with a bottle of Simple Green on the interior it was so filthy, but it runs and it was only $600.

'91 Lumina 3.1 V6, automatic on the column, 130,050 miles.



edited: smaller pics

i"ll trade you a 96 Beretta with 131,000 miles for that Lumina.

If you lived closer I might honestly consider that.

Of course, if you saw it in person, you'd probably reconsider.