WTB - High MPG commuter - CHEAP!

I need a commuter car that is comfortable, gets good gas mileage, is reliable, and doesn't cost more than I can sell it for in the spring. Probably a $2000 max budget, but less if I can do it. Yeah, I know, good luck with that, but if any of you guys hear of anything in my neck of the woods, please let me know.

I had to post this somewhere. It might as well be here. Talk him down. You don't see these around and your a Hondaguy. It has a tire rotation warning light for crying out loud.

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3357539904.html

how about a 1999 Outback nice car its a little more than your max i could let it go for $2700.00 if you are interested i could bring it this weekend

I just saw a clean looking Metro for sale up here. It's about 90 minutes north of the OH/MI border. Want I should get the info for you?

I have 2 Town Cars available. Way under the $2k you set

I read that as high mileage commuter, doh

22 to 25 mpg

Cutter, more info please.
Aussie, a "real" 25 mpg from a full size car would be acceptable. The minimum mileage I would accept goes up as the comfort level goes down.
The Accord and Metro don't quite make the comfort cut for me. My body aches. I need smooth. Smooth ride, smooth power window operation, smooth cruise control, smooth shifting AUTO trans, etc...

it has a 138k on it the timimg belt, waterpump was done at 102k. i sold the car 5 years ago to a family for their daughter to go back and fourth to school. She bought a new car and sold it back to me. its loaded up and everything works. it has some scuffs on the bumpers but its a nice clean car. no rust

In reply to cutter67:

auto or manual? Any additional pictures?

its a auto i can take more pics and send to you

In reply to cutter67:

Thanks, I'd appreciate it.

Look for the "unloved."
In the past weeks, I bought a '97 LeSabre for $1,200 (was on CL for $1,900.) 110k miles which is nothing on a GM 3800.
Added some POR15 covered by factory colored spray paint and the car looks great from 20 feet.
Interior just needed general cleaning. Loaded model and all buttons and switches work.
$200 added for little things that I fixed and freshened myself (radiator flush, new serpentine belt, etc.)
Came with bad tires. Added $400 for real winter tires and I am still under $2k and fully ready for winter.
Getting 25mpg in mixed driving. My best was all hyw and returned 30.8 mpg.
These GM 3800's were rated for 20 city and 30 hyw when new.
PS: the AC works too.

I also bought a '95 Taurus SE for $1500 (seller asked $2k on CL)
Mint body and interior, only 69k miles.
Came with 4 new tires (off brand but new - Doral)
Brake light would come on some times while driving (low on fluid-win!)
Needs 4 struts. Still under $2k
Returns 25 mpg easily.

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3363505453.html

I agree with JohnRW. I would go something like this or a Buick. If you want higher MPG, than your looking at Civic/Corolla type stuff that won't be as comfortable. You can resell a Taurus or Buick no problem since they have a broad appeal.

Without trying too hard:
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3317442998.html#.UIlDRGds_Q8
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3308979781.html#.UIlDkGds_Q8
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3347346128.html#.UIlDyGds_Q8
http://youngstown.craigslist.org/cto/3341211351.html#.UIlD7Wds_Q8
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3359843165.html#.UIlEEmds_Q8
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3322311009.html#.UIlEmWds_Q8

Oldsmobiles with the 3800 are good choices too (Delta88, some Intiques, etc) Who really goes looking for an Oldsmobile?
Taurus wagons will give you SUV style carrying capability. Especially Mercury Sables (again, who looks for a Sable?)

if you go the buick route make sure it is 95 and newer that will have the 3800 series II engine. coolant leaks under the manifold are comman. there was a big recall for oil leaks in 2009 and a lot of cars fell thru the cracks and never got the upgrade. still a good reliable engine. but watch them

I've been tempted by a large buick or olds, but do they really get 30mpg freeway?

My F-I-L has been driving Chevy Impalas for years- the FWD 3800 ones. 29 mpg on the highway all day long.

My mom has been driving LeSabres for even longer, and my dad's been able to get 30 mpg on the highway with all of them. He drives like Mr. Magoo, but still...even her new car, a massive Lucerne, gets 28-29 on the highway.

I recommend these cars to anyone. They depreciated fiercely, and are still pretty reliable, other than the coolant leak mentioned earlier. But they're not bad cars to D-I-Y either.

What's the fix for the coolant leak?

See this short 3 minute video. If you can find one with this $4 tube broken, it will look like the intake gasket is leaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFiICANvre4&feature=related
Mine had this problem and repair was as simple as the video leads it to be.

The part is available everywhere, here is the quickest I found.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3-8L-V-6-Lower-Thermostat-Bypass-Coolant-Pipe-ELBOW-new-OEM-12565082-/271065044568?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D261070321410%26ps%3D54

If it is the whole intake gasket, there are instructional videos on this as well but the video will be longer than 3 minutes.