Buying A 2nd Car To Fix Up Another Car

[Tim Phillips]

I’m considering buying a cheap $2,000 car as a 2nd car so I can fix up my Mustang GT. What do ya’ll recommend, I’m leaning toward an 2000-2005 Ford Taurus or a 1991-2001 Toyota Camry, which ever I decided to get it’ll have an automatic due to I hate driving in traffic and a bad left knee. BTW my Mustang GT does run and drive. It just needs some work. Thanks.

Topic

[Its me]

I am possibly a little partial toward the Camry, for obvious reasons, but here is my recommendation.

If getting an older car, don’t get one older than 1996 (if you are in the U.S.). 1996 and above have OBD II and a simple scanner can tell you a lot about what may be wrong. If you go below 1996, you may have to backprobe wires and read voltage readings (and have the data to know what it means)

Why Toyota:

There are plenty of them.. The Camry has been the top selling car for years. Aftermarket parts are dirt cheap (rotors, pads, cv axles, bearings, etc…)

I would recommend a Camry with a 2.2 (I4) and steer clear of the 3.0(V6). For the simple reason is there is less to do on a 4 cylinder (one head instead of two). The 3.0 is a good engine but does have some sludge issues.

No shortage of Camry’s in the scrapyard. Sadly there are lots of them there because of accidents and owner neglect. A well taken care of Camry can easily last 250-300k miles.

Good luck

-Karl

[Tim Phillips]

Thanks Karl. I’ve only owned 2 Ford’s in my 18+ years of driving my Mustang being one of those 2 Fords the other a 1st gen Ford Taurus and that 1st gen Taurus was nearly a nightmare for me.

[Thomas Ferry]

I’d go with the Camry too. As you cannot throw a stone in a parking lot and not find one. Heh. Also the parts tend to be cheaper for them because of the sheer amount of them still on the road today. Just make sure you get one that has a straight body and not been rusted to all hell and back. I’ve seen some Camry’s with really bad holes in the floor pans.

As the other poster has said get the one the 4-banger. It will be cheaper on gas and a lot easier to repair as it won’t be as cramped in the engine bay.

[Sam Roodman]

Recommend a 97-01 camry. Plenty of them. All obd 2 usual problems with them are the plastic door handles breaking both interior and exterior and crummy engine connectors. Don’t get a v6 because they are a royal pita.

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[Tim Phillips]

Thanks Jinzo and Angrysmileyface.

[Paul]

Crown Vics and Mercury Grand Marquis generally go pretty high mileage and can be reasonable.

[Thomas Ferry]

[quote=”beardog” post=166011]Crown Vics and Mercury Grand Marquis generally go pretty high mileage and can be reasonable.[/quote]

Really just about any body on frame car is a solid choice. whether it’d be Ford or GM.

[Author]

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