What would be reliable vehicle for a 17 year old. Im fixing to goto school and that will be like a 50 mile or so round trip each day on the interstate. They have a bronco II for sale its like a 84 model 4wd v6 with stock stock stock stuff. Its been abused and still is running on stock motor. and he wants 1900.00 for it. Since hes asking so much i dont think my plan will work but i was thinking of talking him down to 1000.00 (hes had it for sale for like 3 months now) and getting a new motor/trans for it. I dont have but 2000.00 to spend. So would that even work. If it would where could i find a motor/trans that would fit in such an old truck for 1000.00

Also what kind of gas milage do those things get. I was looking at this but the reserve is 3400.00 and from the search option on this board ive gatherd its pretty rough on gas so thats pretty much out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2400245926 . Any sugestions? btw in case u havnt figured out yet im planning on using this truck for WEEEEEEE so i need something that will be capable off road. Or is there such a thing. Good gas milage/reliable/2000.00/and still be capable off road. ????

So many people say a old 4x4 would not be practical to travel that much and still be reliable and good on gas. PEEZ hep mi

 

My Son got an 86 Bronco II given to him by his Aunt 4 years ago and it's been nothing but a money pit. They have rollover tendancies. The ignition module in the Distibutor is designed poorly (his has gone out 3 times). He's replaced just about everything including the auto trans. Only the engine hasn't been overhauled but it's tired It's a 2.9L 4x4 with automatic trans.

Forget your off road dreams and get a used econo box for a cheap commuter car is my best advice.

 

damn it.....


rally car

I dont want anything too small if i hit a deer or someone hits me those small cars are like cans

 

I have a 100 mile round trip and trust me you don't want something that old, especially if it has been abused. I drove an 1986 mercury sable back and forth and it was nothing but problems with a vehicle that old, it liked to blow hoses, i had to put an alternator, battery, heater core and struts in it, eventually blew a head gasket. My Ford is too expensive to drive back and forth (8 mpg with those big tires on it) so i ended up picking up a 1996 dakota with under 70K on it for $6000. You can probably get a good reliable early 90's ranger for about $3000. Although you might still want to buy the bronco as a good offroad project truck

-Jon

 

If what you need is basic, reliable, cheap transport the place to start is probably Consumer Reports and their used car ratings. They treat cars like appliances with no interest in style, performance or anything else that matters to an enthusiast. As a result they can point you at a thoroughly dumb, boring but reliable econobox. At your present station in life, it's what you need not what you want that counts. Get a really nice truck in a few years as a graduation present to yourself.

 

Or do what i did, take out some loans, buy 2 trucks and a car, and max out your credit cards buying performance parts for them. Hey, i'll pay it off someday.

-Jon

 

If you are any where near upstate NY, I have an 86 Bronco II Eddie Bauer with 57000 miles for sale. No rust but paint is lousy, interior is a little dirty. Runs great, but I think my son bent the linkage on it. It doesn,t want to go into park or low unless you really jack around with the shifter. I know the miles are accurate as I am the second owner and bought it from a nieghbor. I will let it go for $1000...

 

this idea ain't cheap but..... drop a 5.0 in it. my buddy has one and runs 38" tires. all it has is a 2 inch body lift and generous fender trimming. poof, no more rollover problems, more power, intimidating look! it looks bad ***!

 

i have an old 88 5.0 laying around with 140k miles on it. But its out of a station wagon so i dun know how that would work. I would probaly need transfer case/trans/ and that would run me well over 2k. also im in louisiana so ny is pretty far away.

 

Elephant, I live in New Orleans, where are you from?

 

St. Francisville its like 20 miles north of baton rouge. near angola, tunica hills area. let me know if u see any good trucks for sale. almost mardi gras time

 

There is like a white reg cab short bed 94 F-150 nice condition 5 speed 4.9L for sale down the street from me, I think they are asking $5800, I never really went and got a good look at it, but it looks like it was well cared for.

 

im going to go pick up a news on wheels i think that covers all of South Louisiana. Usualy some good deals in there. mostlikely for the amount i have i will end up with a realy old ranger or something 2000.00 wont get much

 

Try looking online. I did a quick search on www.cars.com for $2000 Fords within 100 miles of Zip 70775 and found an 89 F150 4 speed with 76000 original miles, hardly broken in. there are lots of used car online sites, just look around. Here's the URL for my search:

http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/s...questid=217341

 

I have a suggestion:
First I want to say that this suggestion is NOT off road capable, but it has GREAT on-road performance (good handling, accerlation, and fun to drive) and respectiable gas milage (especially for its size). Also, its cheap to insure, alot cheaper than a 4WD for sure. Check out getting a '94-'96 Chevrolet Caprice w/ the LT1 (corvette) motor. Here is a link to the Impala/Caprice site: http://www.impalassforum.com/cgi-bin...?action=intro. I know I know, its a Chevy, and I'm man enough to take the flames that I know are comming at me now, but hear me out. These cars are very reliable, easily running 250,000+ miles w/ no major rebuild necessary, very safe, and as mentioned above great performance. If you are interested in learning about these cars, you will find that they have quite a large following. I suggest you look on www.autotrader.com or other used car sites for info on these cars used. Usually, you can find a used police car w/ the LT1 motor for very good prices. Dont get me wrong, you have to look around a bit for a good one that has not seen major police abuse and/or high milage, but they are available for very low prices. Here are a few links to potential cars that might raise your interest. Also, here is a pic of my Impala to give you an idea of the look of the cars if you do not already know these cars. But you will want to look for the LT1 Caprice, not the Impala. The Impala's are holding their value VERY well and are very expensive. You would be hard pressed to find an Impala SS for less than $15,000 and if you do it WILL be a dog. But remember that the LT1 Caprice (also called a 9C1 Caprice) has the same drivetrain as the Impala, just not the Impala interior, wheels, and paint. Enought talking here are the links.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6162

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6162

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6162

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...&car_year=1994

Finally, here is my Impala