Struggling with my next used car purchase

[Orangepeel]

I'm looking for a car just a 4-5k every day daily driver. Looking at vastly different things.
2008 scion TC195k good maintenance records for 4k looks decently clean
2004 Acura tsx 180,000 miles for 5k. Good records and is clean
2008 rabbit 2.5 guy had it a couple months and now wants a truck looks clean 127k miles $4700
Or way out in left field and obviously more of a weekend play toy a 1968 mgb. Looks good overall $4900

I want something relatively solid and reliable I don't mind fixing things though and I have other cars if it breaks. Something with a car community is always a plus to. I enjoy a good **** box what is a guy to do?

 

[SC Maintenance]

The Toyota (scion) or Acura - choice based on condition. Not saying I don't like the other two but theose are more hobbiest vehicles at this point / lower reliability generally.

 

[drtyler]

MGB, since you have other rides.

If its really clean and in good shape, $4900 is not a bad price.

Assume the Acura is a TSX? Not a bad option if you want a modern car. The Rabbit would be in consideration as well.

Might be worth going to look at all of them, see their condition in person and driving. One may speak to you more as definitely buy or not buy.

 

[PF52]

What kind of Scion is it? Xb? TC?

 

[JeffKeryk]

The 1st gen TSX is a great car. Just service it.

 

[DriveHard]

Are any of them a manual transmission? If so, that would be my top choice.

 

[Orangepeel]

Are any of them a manual transmission? If so, that would be my top choice.

All of them are manuals

 

[Orangepeel]

What kind of Scion is it? Xb? TC?

TC sorry I forgot to type that

 

[Elkins45]

2008 Scion tC would still be the 2az-fe engine. At 195k it’s very likely to be a severe oil burner. 2007-2009 were the worst years for that engine.

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

Acura 1st, VW 2nd, or keep looking.

 

[atikovi]

All of them are manuals

Is a newer and cheaper Mercedes on your radar?

 

[fantastic]

Is a newer and cheaper Mercedes on your radar?

Not that pile you posted earlier

Acura is my vote

 

[DriveHard]

Acura 1st, VW 2nd, or keep looking.

If all are manuals, I agree with this...

 

[vwmaniaman]

I vote for the VW. The 2.5 cylinder is reliable and has a relatively easy clutch replacement procedure. That 5 cylinder has a sound that is much sweeter than a 4.

 

[Thermo1223]

I vote for the VW. The 2.5 cylinder is reliable and has a relatively easy clutch replacement procedure. That 5 cylinder has a sound that is much sweeter than a 4.

I agree and other than it not being the most fuel efficient it is a fun car.

 

[Dave Hess]

Mazda 3 with 6 speed manual transmission.

Ultra reliable and very cheap to keep on the road, not a boring econobox.

 

[drtyler]

 

[fdcg27]

As an entertaining car the MGB stands out in the cars you list.
An actually good '68 MGB for five grand is a steal.
As long as you don't mind fiddling with it as needed (it will be) it should never leave you stranded and there is no better manual shifter. Bear in mind that if it ever needs a clutch, you'll probably need to pull the engine and trans as a unit since they usually can't be separated while installed, although on some Bs you can get the tranny back far enough to do the job. Could be the reason this car is being sold.
Mine never left me stranded although it did challenge me a couple of times.
For occasional use since you write that you have other cars, I'd find the B hard to resist.

 

[bunnspecial]

As an entertaining car the MGB stands out in the cars you list.
An actually good '68 MGB for five grand is a steal.
As long as you don't mind fiddling with it as needed (it will be) it should never leave you stranded and there is no better manual shifter. Bear in mind that if it ever needs a clutch, you'll probably need to pull the engine and trans as a unit since they usually can't be separated while installed, although on some Bs you can get the tranny back far enough to do the job. Could be the reason this car is being sold.
Mine never left me stranded although it did challenge me a couple of times.
For occasional use since you write that you have other cars, I'd find the B hard to resist.

Of course we know from another thread what the OP bought, but I'll just throw out too that I've been towed home once in 9 years, and it was completely my fault.

I was out for a drive after doing some repair work, and didn't realize I'd left a can of carburetor cleaner under the hood. Somewhere or another in my drive, it worked forward and lodged between the engine front plate and the(metal) fan. The bent fan blade then gouged a hole in the radiator. Needless to say I wasn't driving that one home!

Otherwise, though, I've made plenty of roadside repairs. I've filed points and cleaned carb float valves on the side of the road. I've done far too many to count. I've also limped the car home in a state that it really shouldn't have been running. The first time I adjusted the valves, I didn't appreciate how tight the locknuts needed to be. Within a week, the engine was making an awful racket and I was downshifting to 2nd to make it up hills on a country drive. I got home, popped the valve cover, and found enough valves loose that it was effectively only running fully on one cylinder, with maybe enough valve operation that a second was sort of running. Still, though, I made it home.

I've found, though, that the car is most reliable when I drive it regularly. I've had periods of near daily driving it, or at least taking it out for a cruise every day, and the car has never ran better than when I was doing that.