Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Asian vehicles only!!
I will never trust an American or Euro for used without full warranty ( certified cars ). People tend to not care for them, and parts are wayyyy more expensive.
Pablum. For a $2000 vehicle, there is NOTHING I would choose over a Panther car! There is a reason cabbies run them 500,000 miles!
$2k is tough for something half reliable, maybe look for something with superficial damage, like hail or peeling paint.
Also my buddy has had good luck with his 98 oddesey, they basically accord wagons.
A low miles 95-98 oddesey with hail damage, in white, as tremclad out of the can is a perfect match!
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
$2k is tough for something half reliable, maybe look for something with superficial damage, like hail or peeling paint.
Also my buddy has had good luck with his 98 oddesey, they basically accord wagons.
A low miles 95-98 oddesey with hail damage, in white, as tremclad out of the can is a perfect match!
1st gen Odyssey is a good option, if you can find one that isn't too worn. They also didn't have the grenading transmissions that plagued the 2nd gen.
You might find a 2.4 powered Voyager. It has a timing belt and it is slowwwwwww.
I like the Chevy Astros at that price. You can sometimes even find a plush conversion van. It is going to have some problems I'm sure but find one with a good 4.3 and good steering and you'll be doing well.
The Chrysler van are not a bad option for the budget but they are known dogs. 144K is high for a Chrysler... mostly because everything else brakes even if the block does not. Honda/Toyota options at 2 grand would be dogs and good ones will command a better price. 3K is the minimum price in my area for any toyota in good condition... save a Tercel. I would not touch a Honda V6 with a Honda auto-transmission. I would not put a lot of faith in used late 90s-00 Kias either.
Maybe an interesting option would be to search for a Mazda MPV. Might not be perfect or easy to find but they do not have blind followings that Toyota or Honda would have to drive up the price.
Pretty obvious curbstoner, not that there's a problem with that.
"No dash lights-- honest"
"Just cleaned it out"
Plus he washed it before photographing it.
This is the sort of vehicle she'll wind up with.
If it has the 2.4 4 cyl it'll have the three speed automatic which is actually pretty good, though it needs its bands adjusted occasionally which nobody does.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
I would be concerned about flood cars from Grafton. Not saying this one was in a flood. I'm saying check it out if that's how you go.