4 beater cars I’m considering. Input?

The 1.2 Ltr. 3 cylinder can take a beating . There are some threads here on that topic . Test drove the MAZDA 2 with 5 speed manual the first year of introduction in the U.S in 2010 as an 2011 . The clutch and shifting were the easiest I ever encountered to this day . Wish I bought it and still see them on the road or parked in driveways in what look to be in good external condition.
Oh yeah I forgot there's such thing as a Mazda 2. I'd be sharing the car with a non manual driver, otherwise I'd love to get one with a stick.
 
The RAV and Camry are 2AZ but the low tension rings weren’t until 2007. Still have head bolts to worry about though. Corolla or Accord are probably the better bets. My 2007 Corolla was absolutely trouble free for 180k miles before I sold it, but it was a stick.
 
So far the Accord is sold. All seems to be "import" high mileage car from the mainland to Hawaii. I would say you need to check Carfax and underbody for rust and condition. All seems to be ok as long as you are familiar with how to maintain them.

I don't think you will drive enough miles to wear them out but you might need different advice based on parts availability. You want something easy to fix locally with locally available parts.

Not sure if oil burning is the biggest concern in Hawaii if you don't drive too many miles, but as long as you are changing oil based on time instead of miles you are probably going to be ok.
 
Got there as the Accord was being sold. Drove the Corolla and it was a little too beat up for me. Drove it though and it kind of spoke to me. Think I’ll Keep an eye out for a clean example of the generation and see if I can get it for around $4500. I’m a patient person
 
Got there as the Accord was being sold. Drove the Corolla and it was a little too beat up for me. Drove it though and it kind of spoke to me. Think I’ll Keep an eye out for a clean example of the generation and see if I can get it for around $4500. I’m a patient person
I had some fun with one:

 
Nice. It's funny how a basic ass car like a 2008 Corolla could inspire nostalgia the way this beat up little car did today. The first car I drove extensively was a 1990 Corolla 5 speed manual that my sister and I split as our first car and my test drive today really brought back memories of that rattly but solid little thing. The cloth interior, the mushy pedals and the heavy steering felt like home if that doesn't sound too corny. I think I was born a couple decades too late LOL.
 
Nice. It's funny how a basic ass car like a 2008 Corolla could inspire nostalgia the way this beat up little car did today. The first car I drove extensively was a 1990 Corolla 5 speed manual that my sister and I split as our first car and my test drive today really brought back memories of that rattly but solid little thing. The cloth interior, the mushy pedals and the heavy steering felt like home if that doesn't sound too corny. I think I was born a couple decades too late LOL.
Agree. To me I always found light weight car a lot more fun than high power car tuned for track car firmness. Heck a bouncy all strut blown Ford Escort was a lot of fun to me back before we crush it.

Believe it or not I feel the same about vacuum cleaner as well. I tried some heavy vacuum that has "movement assist" and it just feel, weird. It is the exact same feeling I got when I drove SUV and CUV rentals.
 
Back
Top Bottom