CHEAP economy cars

I have a friend looking for a cheap economy car. I of course suggest a 2.0 Ford. He's looking for something "American" to keep his union father happy. He is thinking Geo.

So, to sum things up, max price is less than $1000, "American," a and has mileage over 30 mpg.

Suggestions?

Whats a 2.0 Ford? And when did Ford become foreign?

On a related note, since when was a Geo American?

Saturn.

He didn't shot down the Ford idea, just looking at all his options. The Geo was in his eyes close enough to being American. His head, not mine. I just act like I know what's going on there.

bravenrace wrote: Whats a 2.0 Ford? And when did Ford become foreign?

Escort, focus, tempo (not sure about that least one.)

I guess a drop of Chevy blood makes Geo American.

second vote for a Saturn

N Sperlo wrote:

bravenrace wrote: Whats a 2.0 Ford? And when did Ford become foreign?

Escort, focus, tempo (not sure about that least one.)

Hmmm, never heard them referred to as that. I would have thought that was an engine, not a car... If the engine is the criteria, you can add Pinto to that list!

What about a $500 90's pontioldshevuick... although about 70% of those were built in Canada. 4-bangers can be had for cheap, and they might actually be worth $500.

I'm not a fan of Saturns, but if he insists on uhmerican, tell him to look at the first digit of the VIN. In his price range, he'll probably find more "1" VIN hondas than he will GMs.

Or if you really want to change his mind on being so staunchly domestic, tell him to buy a mid 80s K-car and stand back and laugh at the comedic hilarity that ensues.

My dad is the same way. He's GM forever, mostly because they're American. He now owns two trucks (one built in Mexico, the other in Canada) and a Cadillac (built in Germany).

I'll be the voice of reason here, how about he buys the best car he can for the money, regardless of make, since it's used, the money has already been transferred to a foreign company if that's the route he goes. Besides there's no knowing if the owner of said domestic or foreign branded car he buys is going to spend that money on foreign goods or domestic, perhaps he needs to interview the seller to make sure they aren't going to buy foreign made goods. The whole argument of foreign/domestic on a used car is useless. Hell, most foreign cars are made here now, and most domestics made in foreign countries. It's sad people don't understand this Brave New World we live in...

Raze wrote: I'll be the voice of reason here, how about he buys the best car he can for the money, regardless of make, since it's used, the money has already been transferred to a foreign company if that's the route he goes. Besides there's no knowing if the owner of said domestic or foreign branded car he buys is going to spend that money on foreign goods or domestic, perhaps he needs to interview the seller to make sure they aren't going to buy foreign made goods. The whole argument of foreign/domestic on a used car is useless. Hell, most foreign cars are made here now, and most domestics made in foreign countries. It's sad people don't understand this Brave New World we live in...

There is a lot of truth there.

In reply to Raze:

Uhuh.

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0710

In reply to Raze:

That's kind of what i hit on when we talked. He's a mechanic that checks in with me and doesn't have a good knowledge of cars. Yea, figure that out.

Escort with a 1.9 cvh will get better than 30 mpgs, IIRC. Never owned one myself so take it with a grain of salt.

www.fueleconomy.com says a 1991 Ford Escort 1.9 liter manual gets 33 mpg on the highway.

Escort Pony will get ridiculous gas mileage.

89 cvh tbi 1.9 escort will pull 45 i dont care what fuel economy says ive owned 3 of them and everyone got 45

KATYB wrote: 89 cvh tbi 1.9 escort will pull 45 i dont care what fuel economy says ive owned 3 of them and everyone got 45

Ill definitely add this to the list.

The only thing better (in the escort world) than a first gen Escort is a first gen Escort:

US first gen:

Euro first gen:

To bad the US 1st gens rusted away 10 years ago.

Chevy Prism. It's a toyota corolla in disguise, built at the NUMMI plant. It's a domestic as far as I can tell.

I agree with most here, unless you don't feel patriotic driving a 10-15 year old "foreign branded" but not necessarily foreign built car, there really isn't a point to buying American. That said, my father refuses to drive/own a foreign BRAND of car. If he were buying another new car, and at 90 years old, that's doubtful, I'm sure I could get him behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion but NOT an Accord or Camry...even tho the Ford is NOT built in the U.S. and the Accord and Camry COULD be.

My vote, and I can't believe I'm saying this, is a Cavalier. They are dirt cheap, and usually JUST worth what the folks selling them are asking and CAN get decent gas mileage....not sure they can top 30 mpg regularly, tho. Barring that? A Geo Metro or Geo/Chevy Prism....the last ones where branded as Chevies. There actually is/was a K-car for sale a few days ago on my local CL...it was nearly $1,000. I forget what the "issue" with it was.

+1 on the Escort. '95 wagon gave 38 highway and sometimes 40. With COLD a/c.

In reply to RossD:

says who.../. i finally got rid of mine 2 years ago.... and i see 4 or 5 of them driving around my time on a weekly basis.

The fuel economy website shows the Cavy/Sunfire compares to a Boneville as far as MPG, so I'd re-think that.Cavaliers are ok, but keep a stock of mufflers and front hub assemblies on the shelf as well.

My new favorite car is a Neon. They get decent mileage (25-30, people have got more than 35 out of some models)and can be bought for under $1000 in some areas. I am picking one up this week for $400 that needs nothing but a new driver and a fender.

Metro, Festiva, Aspire.