Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: 1970GTX]
#3008341
01/23/22 09:42 PM
01/23/22 09:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,949 Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
not_a_charger
Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator
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Mr. Big Shot Moparts Moderator
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,949
Puttin' on the foil in Charles...
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Everyone I've spoken to that had a Dart liked it. If you can find an unthrashed Focus or Cruze, you can probably get it cheaper than a comparable Civic or Corolla. My younger daughter just turned 14, and the cars I mentioned are the ones I will be looking to get for her. Market has changed, but 2.5 years ago, I picked up an 06 Civic with 96k on it for my older daughter. Car has been flawless, has 124k on it now. I've done brakes, tires, belts, hoses, fluids, and rear stabilizer links and bushings. I've got about $5k in it, including purchase price.
Avoid anything European. My $.02.
Earning every penny of that moderator paycheck.
DBAP
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: 1970GTX]
#3008342
01/23/22 09:44 PM
01/23/22 09:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228 Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
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My coworker is looking for a cheap dependable commuter car.
He needs something that is easy to work on, 4 cylinder, fwd, cheap to repair. The Honda Civic looks like a good candidate.
Anyone have any other suggestions/experience?
Anything to stay away from? My little brother really likes his Honda Insight, 52 MPG?. He's a recent convert from Nissan. Don't know anything about repair costs, he hasn't had any.
'68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: TJP]
#3008367
01/23/22 10:23 PM
01/23/22 10:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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I have a 2012 Cruze 2LT Manual I bought new. It had some teething issues but its been basically flawless the last couple years. If its a manual make sure it doesn't whine in 5th or 6th gear and it'll be fine.
The 1.4 engine is super easy to work on but you will need an e-torx plus socket set. I would guess at some point they will all need a valve cover, intake manifold, and vent tube with check valve. All cheap and easy to replace parts.
Compared to a civic or a corolla, its a much more comfortable car and it has a huge trunk. Its a likeable car.
I would say avoid VWs and Nissans. If the Nissan is stick shift and dirt cheap it might be OK.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: Dcuda69]
#3008422
01/24/22 07:02 AM
01/24/22 07:02 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,779 Holland MI Ottawa
2boltmain
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,779
Holland MI Ottawa
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If they are considering buying a timing belt vehicle count on having to do a timing component job. People do not have this done because the car is running fine. Even when the add says its been done chances are it was just the $35 rubber belt replaced and not the idler, water pump, tensioners and seals that are hard and leaking by now.
Keep old mopars alive.
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: 2boltmain]
#3008435
01/24/22 09:07 AM
01/24/22 09:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,987 new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,987
new jersey usa
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Honda... we have had several of them..great cars!! in the last 10 years I had a 2011 Civic I bought for commuting then the 2016 Honda HRV I bought after the Civic because I wanted All Wheel Drive. When I was working several of my co workers drove Civics with well over 100,000 miles with minimal problems
Last edited by 11secdart; 01/24/22 09:12 AM.
68 Dart 410 / 904 92 D150 original owner 21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4 23 Audi Q5 16 Honda HRV
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: 340SIX]
#3008506
01/24/22 01:42 PM
01/24/22 01:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,465 Michigan
oldjonny
Don't argue with me.
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Don't argue with me.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,465
Michigan
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Anything with the Toyota 1.8 in it. Pontiac Vibe leads people to believe that you support GM (LOL). 292K on mine.
Never, ever argue with an IDIOT. They will drag you to their level and then beat you with their years of experience
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: 2boltmain]
#3008553
01/24/22 03:32 PM
01/24/22 03:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,600 Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX
Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
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Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,600
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
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I believe no one has asked thus far. What is the price range? Come on. He's Mopar guy and member of Moparts.com he is cheap. So low price should be assumed.
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: Kidsixpack]
#3008592
01/24/22 06:34 PM
01/24/22 06:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,894 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,894
Central Florida
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I agree Civic maybe not a hybrid though. Older ones won't be anyway. Corolla too. And as Not a Charger mentioned Ford Focus were good but not pre-'03 (I believe) because they had a lot of issues.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: larrymopar360]
#3008594
01/24/22 06:39 PM
01/24/22 06:39 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,281 nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,281
nowhere
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I agree Civic maybe not a hybrid though. Older ones won't be anyway. You realize that an 07 Civic hybrid, which is what I was referring to, is 15 years old. Most would call that an old car.
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Re: Cheap dependable commuter car.
[Re: Sniper]
#3008599
01/24/22 06:46 PM
01/24/22 06:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,894 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,894
Central Florida
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I agree Civic maybe not a hybrid though. Older ones won't be anyway. You realize that an 07 Civic hybrid, which is what I was referring to, is 15 years old. Most would call that an old car. Yeah I hear ya. But weren't a lot of that year and even later models not hybrids?
Facts are stubborn things.
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