In addition to that list, it's been rear shocks, cuz Fritz would load that trunk like ya would a ranch truck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />, and had the fuel pump in the tank go south. That one was easy; just pulled the rear seat cushion, and there she was. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Almost bought a friend's Camry wagon a few years back, but I'd just plopped some $$ on land about 2 weeks before she called me. It's all good. It went on to be someone's kid's rig for college.

Honestly? Look for an 00-05 Hyundai Accent.

Stay away from the automatics, they die quickly and frequently from what I hear. Get the 1.6DOHC over the 1.5SOHC.

Yes, the interior is crap. Yes, the rear visibility sucks. Yes, the shifter is garbage.


BUT� they depreciate like mad, mechanically are probably 95% as sound as a similar Japanese model, and they are dirt cheap to fix if something does go wrong.

My wife was able to pick up her 2003 in 2005 for 4k, a third of what it sold for new. By now there ought to be plenty around 1000 bucks. Gets about 35MPG on a 20 mile/2000ft commute. Pushes 38 around flat areas.

What did you end up getting Justice? Also did you stay out east after you retired?

Wow those Hyundai Accents are dirt cheap...I didnt look at those but they are definitely worth a look. Offroader, I'm back in So Cal now, and working for a medical air systems company down south from where I live. Been building huge vacuum systems for hospitals the last couple weeks.

Sorry I didn't really take anyone's advice, and I may end up paying for it later, but for now very happy with the car I got. Its a 2000 Passat with the 1.8 turbo and a manual trans, and cloth interior (the leather ones are really all torn up bad at this age) with 133K miles. picked it up for 2700 bucks. It Nets about 30 MPG on the highway. The little turbo kicks in when I need it to on the highway and the car handles really nice.

Changed out all the fluids this weekend with high quality synthetic, as I'm aware of the oil sludge issue with the 1.8 if not maintained. Changed out the transaxle oil as well. Still needs a new snub mount in the front and I have that on order with a bunch of other small bits.

I test drove a Civic and a few other econo's (that were more $$ and miles) but they were just not comparable in ride quality and the road noise was all over the place IMO they felt like go carts.

Nice lookin' rig for that price; I'd say you did well so far. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />