Cheap (3k or less) "reliable" and good on gas vehicle

[bucky]

I wouldn't touch a Taurus SHO. Most are ragged out pieces of shit and even if you do find one still in one piece and maintained...it will be crazy expensive to keep running. The auto trannys in them sucked monkey balls also. I bought a brand new one back in 1992 and the interior and front end literally fell apart by 50k miles.

[JC316]

I had a TDI Jetta with 300K that I bought for $2,000 that got 50MPG and was extremely reliable.

That is because all of the problems were already fixed. My sister had a 99 TDI beetle with 178k on it that was a pain in the ass. Egr pipes rusted out, the interior was breaking down, the radio was shot and the turbo was leaking oil.

The VW electrical system is a pain in the ass, the injection pump has to be reprogrammed after a timing belt change, the radio can't be changed without the check engine lights coming on, etc. They aren't worth the trouble.

[white88]

That is because all of the problems were already fixed. My sister had a 99 TDI beetle with 178k on it that was a pain in the ass. Egr pipes rusted out, the interior was breaking down, the radio was shot and the turbo was leaking oil.

The VW electrical system is a pain in the ass, the injection pump has to be reprogrammed after a timing belt change, the radio can't be changed without the check engine lights coming on, etc. They aren't worth the trouble.

I've heard some horror stories about the VW's. The one I bought was in my family all of its life and never had major issues. I had a stack of maintenance paper work that came with it, she was very well taken care of, it was a '00.

[2165 Turbo Rail]

That is because all of the problems were already fixed. My sister had a 99 TDI beetle with 178k on it that was a pain in the ass. Egr pipes rusted out, the interior was breaking down, the radio was shot and the turbo was leaking oil.

The VW electrical system is a pain in the ass, the injection pump has to be reprogrammed after a timing belt change, the radio can't be changed without the check engine lights coming on, etc. They aren't worth the trouble.

Those are the two issues you could think of not to get a car??? How often do you change a timing belt or radio???

[JC316]

I've heard some horror stories about the VW's. The one I bought was in my family all of its life and never had major issues. I had a stack of maintenance paper work that came with it, she was very well taken care of, it was a '00.

Had a 96 Golf that was really reliable, but I have terrible luck with the 98+ VW's.

Those are the two issues you could think of not to get a car??? How often do you change a timing belt or radio???

Um, I listed a lot more than that. The EGR pipes ran $125 and were a bitch the change. The turbo kit cost $400. Everything for that motor is expensive as shit.

60K miles on the TDI belt unless it has been upgraded with the 100K kit. Costs $1000 to get a shop to change the belt.

[Nash B.]

Prizm/Corolla

[2011GT]

So far the car market over here blows. Having trouble finding a dealer owned car that would be easier to trade. Maybe I'll get lucky and somebody will buy it outright.

I've found a few lots that carry my cheap ass price range of used vehicles. Problem is my trade is valued higher then everything on their lot lol.

[dvups1]

I got an '02 TDI beetle for 2500. With 230k miles. I get between 40 and 42mpg depending how I drive

Don't forget to do the timing belt job on that TDI or you will be sorry. I have 2 TDIs and they will run forever and get over 40 mpg easily in city driving.

[dvups1]

Those are the two issues you could think of not to get a car??? How often do you change a timing belt or radio???

The timing belts service is at every 5 years or 100k for autos and 80k for 5 speeds.

The complete kit with rollers, tensioner, water pump, belt, accessory belt and replacement stretch bolts is $350. Labor is a different story.

I do mine myself. I have the VagCom to set the injection pump timing and the tools to lock down the motor.

Just time consuming.

[JC316]

The timing belts service is at every 5 years or 100k for autos and 80k for 5 speeds.

The complete kit with rollers, tensioner, water pump, belt, accessory belt and replacement stretch bolts is $350. Labor is a different story.

I do mine myself. I have the VagCom to set the injection pump timing and the tools to lock down the motor.

Just time consuming.

I have a timing kit for a 99 TDI up in my closet if anyone is interested. I will give someone a good deal on it.

[white88]

The timing belts service is at every 5 years or 100k for autos and 80k for 5 speeds.

The complete kit with rollers, tensioner, water pump, belt, accessory belt and replacement stretch bolts is $350. Labor is a different story.

I do mine myself. I have the VagCom to set the injection pump timing and the tools to lock down the motor.

Just time consuming.

I sold mine before I had the pleasure of doing that!

[Sean88gt]

I've thought about the tdi but am nervous about the maintenance and prior ownership.

[DriveWayBuilt]

I picked up an 02 Nissan Altima for $3000. Very very reliable car.

[War Machine]

Those are the two issues you could think of not to get a car??? How often do you change a timing belt or radio???

dont forget VW says the life of the cam in the TDI are 175k miles.


Other than that, and VW having a shitty ass auto transmission theyre good cars. If I was to own a TDI it would have to be a manual

[white88]

dont forget VW says the life of the cam in the TDI are 175k miles.


Other than that, and VW having a shitty ass auto transmission theyre good cars. If I was to own a TDI it would have to be a manual

I did not know that, does it go flat or something? Mine was a 5spd.