My DD (only car) engine block cracked. Looking for a cheap used car

[Jordan]

I would look at a cavalier long before I would dare look at a cobalt.

The Pontiac Vibe is a good option if you want a 5 foot hatchback. It was essentially a Toyota Matrix.

If you want to get super tricky, hunt down a Geo or Chevy Prism. It was literally a Toyota Corolla with a different badge. They stopped making them around the mid-late 90’s.

Scions would be a good choice. They were made by Toyota.

If you have any Honda or Acura specific questions, feel free to ask. I can go deep down that rabbit hole.

Cavaliers that have made it this long will undoubtedly need a crossmember and rocker panels, and the engine options prior to 03 were junk or underpowered junk.

Personally I would take a Cobalt or Pursuit/G5 over a Cavalier... they have a few common, easily corrected faults and drive much better.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

I would look at a cavalier long before I would dare look at a cobalt.

The Pontiac Vibe is a good option if you want a 5 foot hatchback. It was essentially a Toyota Matrix.

If you want to get super tricky, hunt down a Geo or Chevy Prism. It was literally a Toyota Corolla with a different badge. They stopped making them around the mid-late 90’s.

Scions would be a good choice. They were made by Toyota.

If you have any Honda or Acura specific questions, feel free to ask. I can go deep down that rabbit hole.

i would love a 2dr geo/chevy tracker (werent they both just suzuki sidekicks?) . i also really like the look of the first gen 2dr toyota rav4. im a big hatchback guy and i like tiny cars

[punkncat]

Cavalier is total shit, wouldn't waste time on that. I honestly wouldn't mess with a Cobalt either.

There are a couple of the Buick, such as the Century, that where they aren't a sexy car have a great v6 engine, decent enough trans, and are STUPID cheap. They are known to have a couple of bugs and in particular the computer....

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Cavalier is total shit, wouldn't waste time on that. I honestly wouldn't mess with a Cobalt either.

There are a couple of the Buick, such as the Century, that where they aren't a sexy car have a great v6 engine, decent enough trans, and are STUPID cheap. They are known to have a couple of bugs and in particular the computer....

Yeah the 3800 series engines (including the 3100 and 3400) were super reliable and simple. those 90s and early 2000s gm cars with that engine and trans are definitely great cheap beaters/daily's

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Cavaliers that have made it this long will undoubtedly need a crossmember and rocker panels, and the engine options prior to 03 were junk or underpowered junk.

Personally I would take a Cobalt or Pursuit/G5 over a Cavalier... they have a few common, easily corrected faults and drive much better.

The later model third gens had the turd motor that would lock up. The ecotec L61

[Jordan]

2.2 Ecotecs are bulletproof.

Change my mind.

[pghp8ntballer]

The 3800 V6s weren't terrible. But I wouldn't trust a 3100 or 3400 at anything over 75k. They are notorious for intake manifold gasket leaks which can easily lead to head gasket issues. The rear 3 spark plugs are difficult to get to on all the 3k series engines so half the time, they never get replaced. Yes I know the trick to reach them. Thats called a bad design. The Malibu's from the 90's (which also had the 3100's) had terrible transmissions. I wouldn't dare trust any mid 90's to mid 2000's GM car trans on anything that isn't a large sedan (impala, etc) or a cavalier platform. But I'm sure there are a host of things that I am unfamiliar with about the GMs both good and bad so outside of this info, I will digress to those more knowledgable.

But to be brutally honest, if you want true reliability, low cost of ownership, good fuel economy, etc. you only have 3-ish choices: Toyota, Honda, or Subaru. These 3 manufacturers have a very broad range of options collectively to suit nearly any need. That is unless you need a vehicle that requires special use cases such as a cargo van for work or handicap use, true HD truck (¾ ton and up), or you suffer from LDS and require something to impress people you don't even like. The downfall here is you will most likely pay up-front for the true quality cars, but you will most likely be rewarded the longer you own the vehicle (and maintain it properly). If someone doesn't have a budget to afford these cars, there are tons of other options (as expressed above by everyone) that can be had super cheap.

However, always remember this: You may get lucky and a beater will last 10 years with minimal maintenance. Or you could drop top dollar for a "great" car (high ratings, made by Toyota, Honda, Subaru, or any other "good company" of your choosing) and it could be an absolute junk heap. It boils down to research, luck, and perspective. Period.

[punkncat]

GM has been notorious about that 'fire wall side' plug access issue for years. The old Monte Carlo, Gran Prix, that whole line were nearly impossible to get to without taking extreme measures.

[Jordan]

Those back plugs are a cakewalk compared to a 4.0L Aerostar tuneup. Or a timing belt on a 3400 DOHC GM.

Are Subarus really that great? Most people seem to have Imprezas around here, so I've changed a few heads on the 2.5s with broken cams or cracks and done more than a few headgaskets. They're a huge PITA to work on.

[Tarsun2]

the matrix was a good car.
the engine (2az-fe) 2.4L was a pretty trick engine, "low" reving - high torque...
fully counterbalanced engine, off center crank, vvt, timing chain, and a few other goodies i cant remember.

the thing i didnt like about mine was the electric ps, hydraulic clutch, and the god awful electric throttle.

other than personal preference, it was a solid car.

[RAZRBAKK]

I am here to back Toyota as well. I have a 2006 Yaris and a 2003 Celica, both approaching 300,000 kms (186,000 miles?). Both have never needed anything more than general maintenance.

The celica has the same motor as the Corolla of that generation, the 1ZZ-FE. I would look at 2003 or newer if going for something from that generation, as the <2002 1ZZs have a tendency to blow up or clog the pre-cat.

I am fully biased towards Toyota.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Looking at some used early 20 teens fiat 500s. Pop, sport, and abarth models. Though id bet have to insurance is gonna be high on the abarth.

[Jordan]

Looking at some used early 20 teens fiat 500s. Pop, sport, and abarth models. Though id bet have to insurance is gonna be high on the abarth.

The Multi air engine is... interesting. Not a fan.

[Macdave06]

the matrix was a good car.
the engine (2az-fe) 2.4L was a pretty trick engine, "low" reving - high torque...
fully counterbalanced engine, off center crank, vvt, timing chain, and a few other goodies i cant remember.

the thing i didnt like about mine was the electric ps, hydraulic clutch, and the god awful electric throttle.

other than personal preference, it was a solid car.

Just beware of some of the later 2az-fe's. They added oil squirters in thr cylinders at some point down the road and they're known for excessive oil consumption. Like 1 qt/1000 miles. My dad just had his rebuilt (luckily under warranty) due to this issue. A friend of mine also had the same issue with a camry he bought.

I think it's in the 2007(8?)-11 range.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[Siress]

If form factor is optional, I'd add Toyota trucks into the search list as well.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

I looking at a 2010 mazda 3 hatch hopefully this Wednesday. Low miles and its a stick! Great price too.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s a good deal for that car tho I wouldn’t sleep on it. $7500 is MMR on it (Auction value). A dealer would put that car on the lot for about $10k. It’s very Low mileage, average for those cars are 150k miles+

Watch the (doc fee) dealers bait and switch with that tactic. They inflate the “processing fees” after they get you in there signing the paperwork. Get an out the door price. A lot of times they won’t sell the cars for advertise price because they make there profit on those hidden fees. Average customer thinks try get a good deal but in the end they get hosed on the fees. See if they will give you the price breakdown before you waste your time. (It looks like a dealer add with financing available) carful with that as well most banks give a much better interest rate. Dealer will “keep your payment low” but charge you crazy interest and spread it out over a longer period of time. Sometimes 6 years. This is how people end up with massive negative equity on car loans.

It could just be a good deal but be aware of the tactics so you don’t get hosed.

Also if you are financing it’s best to get a pre approved car loan from your bank / credit union.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

@Chuck E Ducky
Yeah I wouldn't be financing with them for any reason. This car will be paid for in full cash in hand.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s good Cash is the Best way to buy especially used cars if you can swing it. Unless you are going brand new with 0% financing. Loans are rip offs.

Good luck.

[Chuck E Ducky]

If the rest of the car is good throw a used motor in it those motors are cheap and plentiful at any Junk yard. Used car prices are crazy right now. You could probably have that car back up and running with a low mileage motor for sub $1300 depends on how expensive your mechanic is.

You should be able to find sub 50k mile replacements for approx $500 for that car. If nothing else it’s worth fixing and selling. You could probably off set most of the cost of your new car with it.

Your mechanic offer to buy it yet lol.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Sold the civic about 2 weeks ago. Got $1425 for it. Been driving my dads 2008 mazdaspeed3 since the civic died (so much fun!).

anyone have opinions on this?

[glaman5266]

I'd be careful about buying a Suzuki. They no longer have a presence in the North American auto market, so parts availability may be an issue. I'd pass based on that alone, but that's just me.