What is the single best vehicle to buy if you're a tightwad?
- Thread starter macarose
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Cheap, reliable and doesn’t look ugly like the hatchback version. Only con is not safe because it’s so small.
Toyota Corolla
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New or Used?
I mean a scooter or bicycle is the cheapest, but sucks if your going more than 10 miles or its raining.
I mean a scooter or bicycle is the cheapest, but sucks if your going more than 10 miles or its raining.
Maybe a Mazda 3?
Get a demo. Used but new with used car prices and better warranty.
If you're a real tightwad and get the manual, I bet the reliability would be similar. Versa is a bit bigger and tightwads are always looking for value.
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How about import an old Mexican Centra (Tsuru). Preferably with an authentic Mexican plate so you don't have to pay registration or anything. 
T
True but the better mpg and longer warranty makes it more appealing. They have the same jatco trans i believe but the mirage makes much less torque so it gets abused less.
How about import an old Mexican Centra (Tsuru). Preferably with an authentic Mexican plate so you don't have to pay registration or anything.
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I have family members down south with these and they're unkillable. Though it wouldn't pass federal inspection here which is a shame.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Definitely less torque lol. I’ve driven a lot at work when I was working on every brand they are slow as heck. One of them pulled out in front of me once on my way to work and I had to lay on my brakes and get over in the shoulder to avoid hitting that slow thing. After that I zoomed past and dusted it. But I love the G4 they look great. At work we call the hatchback ones onions because that’s what they look like lol.
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Yep. People make fun of the Centra here, but they made that model in Mexico for 25 years, and it was the number one car for decades because it was cheap and reliable. Is pretty close to the 1986-1990 US Centra made in Smyrna TN.
Toyota Camry. Tightwad can afford them and they last way longer then you want and decent enough you’ll keep for 25 years. My neighbor is president of a tech company and drives a 1996 Camry XLE he bought out of college and lives in same ranch home(very renovated) he paid off years ago.
XV10/20/30 Camry
Runner up in the poverty spec department would be a 3rd gen J Body (Cavalier) with the archaic 2.2 I4 and a 3 speed auto or 5 speed manual
Runner up in the poverty spec department would be a 3rd gen J Body (Cavalier) with the archaic 2.2 I4 and a 3 speed auto or 5 speed manual
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
Colorado WT 4WD - cheapest I’d own …
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F150 Supercrew V6 XL trim
It will last forever and can do it all. It can haul all the cheap furniture you buy on Facebook, building materials for DIY, used lawnmowers, etc.. Further enabling your ability to be cheap.
It will last forever and can do it all. It can haul all the cheap furniture you buy on Facebook, building materials for DIY, used lawnmowers, etc.. Further enabling your ability to be cheap.
