Happy Friday, Autopians! We’ve stuck with nice cheap cars all week, and all of our finalists run and drive well, so let’s pit them all against each other and see who comes out on top. Four beaters enter; one beater leaves. Welcome to Clunkerdome.
It’s a little earlier in the day than I usually call these races as I’m writing this, but yesterday’s Bimmer battle looks like a foregone conclusion. The old scruffy 7 Series appears to have an insurmountable lead, and it’s my pick anyway, so I’m declaring it the winner.
The E39 5 Series is a hell of a nice car, but its possible transmission issues put me off, and bothered some of you as well, from the sound of it. Besides, the E23-chassis 735 just has more of a classic BMW feel to it.
Most of us are in the fortunate position of no longer needing to shop for $2,000 cars just to get around. But let’s imagine for a minute that you did need such a car, just something that will last a year or so, to avoid having a car payment, or to keep miles off your nice car, or whatever. You find a used car lot that’s going out of business, and these are the last four cars left. It’s up to you to decide which one you’re taking home.
2006 Ford Focus ZXW SE – $1,850
The case for it: It’s a wagon, the most practical form of small car there is. Its engine is Ford’s version of the Mazda MZR, a delightful twin-cam motor that also happens to be dead-reliable. And even though it’s a little beat-up outside, the inside looks cleaner than most cars in this price range.
The case against it: With an automatic transmission, the driving experience is about as exciting as a rice cake. And there is a chance that the rust is more advanced than it looks like from the outside.
2003 Honda Accord EX – $2,475
The case for it: It’s a Honda, which means reliability and durability are baked right in. It’s also a manual, which makes it more entertaining (and arguably longer-lasting) than it would be if it were an automatic. And it’s the fancy model, with all kinds of goodies inside, along with nice leather seats.
The case against it: Other than being the most expensive option, nothing, really. Unless you can’t drive a stick, in which case, this is a good car to learn on.
1994 Chevy Cavalier Z24 Convertible – $1,500
The case for it: Good convertibles aren’t often found in this price range. Plus, it has a certain retro ’90s charm to it, which pushes all kinds of nostalgia buttons if you’re my age. And mechanical parts are cheap, easy to find, and not likely to disappear any time soon.
The case against it: It’s a 90s GM product, which means its build quality rivals a dollar-store toy. And the top mechanism is a little stubborn.
1989 BMW 735i – $1,700
The case for it: It’s a BMW from back when that meant quality, not status. And it would not have reached 300,000 miles if people weren’t taking care of it along the way. It’s also probably the most comfortable choice here.
The case against it: It’s pieced together from at least two cars. And while BMWs get cheap with age, their parts do not. This is almost certainly the most expensive car to keep on the road.
Well, there they are, the week’s finalists, as chosen by you. Which one of them makes for the best cheap used car? That’s for you to decide, and I’ll meet you back here next week. Have a great weekend!
Based on the prompt, the Accord is the only choice. Otherwise I may have gone BMW.
Something about the Chevy Cavalier that always made me sad . . . in the same way the Ford Tempo made me sad. The BMW was probably manufactured when Reagan was still in office. The Honda is the same color as a shitty company car I drive in the 1990’s. By default and because it’s a wagon, the Ford gets my vote.
I drove both, the J cars were worlds better in almost every way to the Tempo, esp with the 3.1V6
In reality I’d get the Accord. Besides it being a Honda and most likely to not blow up in the near future, it is also pretty nice for the price.
But the nostalgia of that Cavalier is calling even though I can hear the rattles of the hard plastic interior in my memory bank.
No brainer for me (same as everyone else), I’m picking the most usable and reliable of the bunch… Honda.
The sensible choice is the Honda, but I went Cavalier.
I already have a daily driver car and a pickup for hauling, so were I to up my stable, a convertible would probably be next. And as mentioned, parts should be cheap and plentiful.
That’s why the Honda was so easy for me… already have a pickup, a minivan and a reliable convertible, so the Accord is the perfect DD for foul weather days.
Honda + leather + manual transmission = runaway win.
The Bimmer has enough small projects that you could try to spruce it up and be rewarded for your effort, its also $700 less than the Honda.
The Honda’s gonna win, and it should. But I already own a Honda product of approximately this vintage, so it’s out.
The Focus is the most practical, but the rust takes it out.
And I don’t have a garage, so the Cav loses.
Which leaves us with the 7er. I’ve never owned a BMW, but this is the one I would want. Give me a paint sprayer and let me at it.
I have to put in a kind word for Ford, specifically boring silver sedans bought used and cheap. My 02′ Taurus was only in my possession for 7 weeks, but was a screaming deal and quite possibly saved my life, or at least spared me from serious injury. My 2010 Focus was also bought in a similar “transitional” point in life, but ended up being my longest-owned car ever, was not perfect but never let me down and helped me save a lot of money. Sometimes Fords can be a nightmare, but sometimes they are golden. Choose carefully but don’t be afraid to check them out.
Honda is the daily driver on the cheap. though I still kind of want the Cav, just because it should be saved from a college girl trashing or worse a winter beater from a desperate person looking to just get by another year.
I have a better use case for the Focus, but it might be too far gone.
The Accord is the better option by far.
If I’d be in a different situation, the 7-series.
I don’t need a droptop and don’t want a Cavalier whatsoever.
The honda should stay mediocre forever.
Accord. I briefly thought I might go Focus, which wasn’t actually my pick against the F-150 that day. My thinking was 100k fewer miles than the Accord and cargo room. But, the body is just too rough with a higher likelihood of rust, plus the auto.
Accord. Stick. Handles well. Great aftermarket. 2nd pick would be the 735, but as good as it is, it’d be less fun to wheel than the Accord, which would also likely outrun it.
Head says Honda, heart says Cavalier. Honda just weeks out my choice today. If Cavalier was manual, it would have won hands down. But those 90’s FWD slush boxes are just terrible.
The Accord wins by default. It’s easily the best car.
The accord is the only right choice here. I voted Cavalier.
Head says Honda.
Heart says 7 series.
If I’m digging around in the two grand realm, I can’t afford to listen to my heart. Accord it is.
My sentiments exactly.
Nothing runs worse for longer than a Chevy. Gimme that convertible all day. just because I am broke doesn’t mean i cant have fun.
(i own a 2008 BMW convertible i bought on salvage title for 3800 bucks)
You have my sympathy…./s
it honestly been really good. got it from a single owner who really took care of it.
let me tell you about my 2016 Jaguar xf..
I think we found our poster boy for automotive masochism PSAs.
Surprised you didn’t want to double dip and pick up the 7 series then!
Can’t go wrong with as much Accord as you can afford. Interior looks in pretty good shape and the extra bonus pedal.
If you’re a 57 year old ex cheerleader, the Chevy. The Honda for the practical choice.
How about an 18 year old whos broke but wants a drop top?
Buy the BMW and borrow a sawzall, duh. 😉
The Chevy Convertible is cheaper than the BMW…
Hitchhike to spring break
Hey, I HAVE A NAME.
Plop $2k in cash on the desk, and I bet you’re driving home by far the best car to reliably get to work in, the Accord.
Is this even a question? lol. I just hit 290k on my 2000 Insight a few days ago. Everything works. In my 150k of ownership I’ve had to do 2 control arms, tie rod ends, a wheel bearing, and a temp sender. That’s it.
Honda all day long.
This☝️
Still love the BMW but the Accord is my logical choice.
Same.