Sunfire vs Alero Options

[TheChildOfTheSea]

I'm shopping for a winter beater, because I don't want my beautiful St205 in the mud and shiz.

I found 2 interesting deals.

the first one is a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire, with ~142k miles on it. not a single trace of rust and engine bay seems in order, guy asking 900$, I could deal at 800$

The second one is a 1999 Alero, same mileage as the sunfire, car is on primer because the rust was sanded but wasn't repainted, engine bay is in order, too. for 500$

My 3rd choice would be to shop around for a dodge neon. I would go with a tercel but they are a bit overpriced where I am from

[stephen_lee]

its just a beater, id go cheaper.

[block]

NONE. I'd look into a Corolla. Those can be had for around $500. Bought mines $400 with 142k miles a year/half ago and it's still running like a champ! Every year for the past 7 years, I've been driving a 90-92 corolla as my winter beater lol!

[jordisonjr]

Don't buy and alero, they are sh!t
I drive a 1999 cavalier in the winter(basically teh same thing as a sunfire) and its been good to me.
Gets to -40 degress celsius here and its had no problems starting or anything.
And they are super cheap on parts if something does go wrong, not to mention they are also everywhere in junkyards.
800 bucks is not bad at all.

This post has been edited by jordisonjr: Oct 14, 2011 - 11:14 AM

[njccmd2002]

let me see, between a pile of crap and a bag of garbage. hmmmmmm....

i rather shoot myself in the foot.

a winter beater also needs to be an easy to fix and cheap, and thse cars will nickle you to death....


COROLLA to go!!!!!

[TheChildOfTheSea]

What about the tercel/Paseo? found a nice deal for 500$ not a single spot of rust, 140k miles on it and clutch was recently changed...I heard that was the only issue with that car...for 500$ I guess I can't go wrong

[block]

tercel's and paseo's are also nice cheap economical cars.

[TheChildOfTheSea]

tercel's and paseo's are also nice cheap economical cars.

I think I'll definatly go for it, I'm in love with that car to be honest...

[Bitter]

Most common problem I see with them are clogged EGR systems and oil consumption at high miles. A few doses of seafoam or similar solvent on the piston tops can help with the oil burning and oddly so can fixing the EGR. Had one in...the passages in the head were totally packed solid, luckily they provide a plug to remove to get straight shots into the passages to clean them easily. a heavy steel cable in a drill works well!

[Soulend]

My friend has a Sunfire... its ****... I mean it gets him where he needs, but there are a million other small eco cars that are way mechanically friendly. (to your wallet and/or repair skills)

he has been using it as a "just until my 300ZX is running" car.

I will always back an older Toyota choice though.
Good luck!

Kevin

This post has been edited by Soulend: Oct 15, 2011 - 12:06 PM

[njccmd2002]

paseos can be cool, and get a jdm tercel turbo engine and voila...

[4-eyed-freek]

I had a cavalier...aka a sunfire, Worst car I ever owned, even for a beater it was ******

This post has been edited by 4-eyed-freek: Oct 16, 2011 - 10:02 AM

[mak5603]

paseos can be cool

They can?

[Bitter]

turbo paseo or drop in an A series engine to a 2000lb car....7A, 110whp and torque from the word go with a light weight car CAN be fun you know. 4A-GE even, more hp but less tq down low though being so light you don't need much torque.

[njccmd2002]

paseos can be cool

They can?

yes, like he said, even a starlt turbo can be fun

[block]

paseos can be cool

They can?

any car can be made fun and cool if you have the funds to do so. just look at our cars haha

This post has been edited by block: Oct 16, 2011 - 7:04 PM

[RabidTRD]

let me see, between a pile of crap and a bag of garbage. hmmmmmm....

i rather shoot myself in the foot.

a winter beater also needs to be an easy to fix and cheap, and thse cars will nickle you to death....


COROLLA to go!!!!!

I have to agree with this guy. I've sold way too many parts for these two cars to ever consider one. It's always stupid things that break on them and they're stupidly hard to fix.

You want a winter beater? Look at a really old scubie with 4wd. They are cheap as he'll around these parts for the old close to 200k ones.

I'd also suggest a Tercel. My buddy had one and threw studded winter tires on it. If felt like you were riding in a snow mobile. The car is light enough to drive over most anything and steady enough not to get knocked around by drifts.

[PolliS_5S-FE]

paseos can be cool

They can?

yes, like he said, even a starlt turbo can be fun

whats wrong with a starlet turbo? ive always had a thing for them

[easternpiro1]

lol im surprised nobody mentioned a good 1994 civic! but then again this is a toyota site, i better not talk such BLASPHEMY.

cop an old honda, just gotta watch out for the rice theives!

me personally i have had a DSM ever since i got a beater. when your main car is turbo, a beater is A MUST.

I drove a 1994 mitsubishi eclipse burned oil a bit smoked like crap when i turned corners (eventually stopped) i drove that car to like 262k when i got it i had like 170k on it! i bought the car for 800.

I now drive a 95 eagle talon, $800 bucks from the same friend i bought the eclipse from...

DSM has not failed me yet!

but my first choice for a beater would be toyota, honda,DSM, then whatever.... i dont like american cars AT ALL... i dont trust them ESPECIALLY beaters.

but then again... my talon is TECHNICALLY an american car, but watever.... /rant sorry to threadjack

This post has been edited by easternpiro1: Oct 17, 2011 - 10:33 PM

[block]

a civic would be nice. i had 3 civics and were all sold within' a month! that's how paranoid i was otherwise they're nice cars.