Just some advice...
Just some advice...
Hey guys,
After looking around, Max's here are like hen's teeth - the one's around are not for sale...
So, I've currently got it narrowed down to two prospects...see whihc of these two you guys would suggest...remember, I'm aiming for a 4-door, with a big enough back seat to fit 3 child booster seats, if needed...and it HAS to get good milage...gas prices here just hit $2.15/gal, and areonly going up...
1993 Corsica
3.1 V6
Auto
Needs tires
140k miles
1991 Mazda 626 LX
F2 2.2ltr FI 4 cyl. NA engine
5-speed trans
Needs tires
140k miles
The Mazda is about $500 more than the Chevy, and is at a small dealership - the Chevy is from an individual...
Any suggestions...???
I have to keep this under $2000, and these are the only two prospects available locally for this price range...
After looking around, Max's here are like hen's teeth - the one's around are not for sale...
So, I've currently got it narrowed down to two prospects...see whihc of these two you guys would suggest...remember, I'm aiming for a 4-door, with a big enough back seat to fit 3 child booster seats, if needed...and it HAS to get good milage...gas prices here just hit $2.15/gal, and areonly going up...
1993 Corsica
3.1 V6
Auto
Needs tires
140k miles
1991 Mazda 626 LX
F2 2.2ltr FI 4 cyl. NA engine
5-speed trans
Needs tires
140k miles
The Mazda is about $500 more than the Chevy, and is at a small dealership - the Chevy is from an individual...
Any suggestions...???
I have to keep this under $2000, and these are the only two prospects available locally for this price range...
my parents had a lumina with the same 3.1L motor. They sold it with around 130K. The engine ran stong but the tranny did go out in it around 120k. And the car was not the best on gas (my dad did have a chip in it though).
I don't know much about the 626's but with the price of gas I cannot help but to lean toward the 4 cyl. Check out www.mazdaworld.com , my brother uses this site for his millenia, and I know there is a 626 forum...maybe you can find out more about commom problems and things like that.
--Good luck, if you were closer to VA I could offer many options. One of my friends runs a local auction, so cars rarely sell for over 2K, only reason they would be over 2K would be because they are newer than 1997.
-You may also want to look at the older camry. I used to have one and those motors will run for ever. The only thing I can say bad about that car is that it loved snapping timing belts. But its not an interferance motor.
I don't know much about the 626's but with the price of gas I cannot help but to lean toward the 4 cyl. Check out www.mazdaworld.com , my brother uses this site for his millenia, and I know there is a 626 forum...maybe you can find out more about commom problems and things like that.
--Good luck, if you were closer to VA I could offer many options. One of my friends runs a local auction, so cars rarely sell for over 2K, only reason they would be over 2K would be because they are newer than 1997.
-You may also want to look at the older camry. I used to have one and those motors will run for ever. The only thing I can say bad about that car is that it loved snapping timing belts. But its not an interferance motor.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 548
well I know it's personal preference, but I'd stay away from the chevy. the 3.1s actually aren't bad motors, and they're certainly better than their 4 cylinder engines, but I've lost most of my faith in GM products after my cavalier. I've never owned a mazda but I test-drove a 323 one time and it wasn't a bad little car. plus, generally you can get at least 250k on a foreign car, while GMs have a limited life span...
of course, every scenario is different...
Dan
of course, every scenario is different...
Dan
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 367
Yea I agree that the 3.1 is decent motor, but it uses way too much gas IMO. I had a friend with a 2 door Lumina that had the 3.1 and it used lots of gas. I've driven my brother's Regal (3.8) 450 miles to Buffalo and got decent mileage with that though.
I wouldnt go for the Corsica. Like they stated strong engine but the tranny's just arent hittin the nails on the head. Id rather go for the 626.
Gas mileage for the 626 on edmunds shows 24 city/31 highway. 110hp with a 15.9 gallon tank.
Versus
Gas mileage for the Corsica on edmunds shows 20 city/28 highway. 140hp with a 15.2 gallon tank.
Of course age has taken on these cars so the gas mileage may be different now than when they were brand new but you get the basic picture though.
Gas mileage for the 626 on edmunds shows 24 city/31 highway. 110hp with a 15.9 gallon tank.
Versus
Gas mileage for the Corsica on edmunds shows 20 city/28 highway. 140hp with a 15.2 gallon tank.
Of course age has taken on these cars so the gas mileage may be different now than when they were brand new but you get the basic picture though.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 32
Go with the 626. In a family who's owned both types of cars (my aunt & uncle the Chevy, us the Mazda), the 626 is such a safer bet with tranny and gas milage. We drove ours from Bryan TX to Welston OH one year, and it was GREAT. They love higher speeds too (and believe me, we went through them.) Meanwhile, the tranny on the Corsica died on my Aunt & Uncle, and they bought a Nissan Altima.
The only wierd thing I remember about our 626 was one day I couldn't get it to start. We jiggled the fuse box, started right up. I've seen this happen with other 626's as well.
The only wierd thing I remember about our 626 was one day I couldn't get it to start. We jiggled the fuse box, started right up. I've seen this happen with other 626's as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 548
I guess each one has its advantages. The chevy has a timing chain and a more powerful engine. GM's 3.1s are decent and fairly dependable, but they're nothing fabulous in the fuel economy department. plus, if you look at it you'll see some of GM's typical stunts like making stuff extremely difficult to get to. for example, I bet your battery (being a side terminal and I HATE them as it is) is buried under the washer fluid bottle and you gotta move that crossmember to get to it. or not having a temperature gauge. GM for whatever reason didn't believe in temperature gauges for a while. they just gave you a warning light that came on when you overheated. you don't have the advantage of shutting the engine down ahead of time. and if you have an automatic, it's probably only a 3-speed. also, I've heard of and experienced alternators going bad in FAR more GM cars than anything else combined.
but the mazda probably has a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. and like your typical japanese car, some stuff can be difficult to get to as well. you have the benefit though of having an efficient little engine. asian 4-cyls are far better on gas than anything else, IMO, and have a decent amount of power behind them. and with this wonderful gas price inflation, I'd take the mazda simply cos it's a 4-cylinder. I can't speak much for mazdas cos I don't know much about them. like I said, I test-drove a 323 one time and it was a peppy little thing. and again, you can run that mazda probably up to 250,000 without any problems, where GMs typically have a very limited life span.
but the mazda probably has a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. and like your typical japanese car, some stuff can be difficult to get to as well. you have the benefit though of having an efficient little engine. asian 4-cyls are far better on gas than anything else, IMO, and have a decent amount of power behind them. and with this wonderful gas price inflation, I'd take the mazda simply cos it's a 4-cylinder. I can't speak much for mazdas cos I don't know much about them. like I said, I test-drove a 323 one time and it was a peppy little thing. and again, you can run that mazda probably up to 250,000 without any problems, where GMs typically have a very limited life span.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 186
Originally Posted by blackmaxima88
I guess each one has its advantages. The chevy has a timing chain and a more powerful engine. GM's 3.1s are decent and fairly dependable, but they're nothing fabulous in the fuel economy department. plus, if you look at it you'll see some of GM's typical stunts like making stuff extremely difficult to get to. for example, I bet your battery (being a side terminal and I HATE them as it is) is buried under the washer fluid bottle and you gotta move that crossmember to get to it. or not having a temperature gauge. GM for whatever reason didn't believe in temperature gauges for a while. they just gave you a warning light that came on when you overheated. you don't have the advantage of shutting the engine down ahead of time. and if you have an automatic, it's probably only a 3-speed. also, I've heard of and experienced alternators going bad in FAR more GM cars than anything else combined.
GM had water temperature guages, You had to get a guage package as an option to get it though, unless it's the sportier Corsica. 3.1 is a pretty good motor, with good torque. Since the Corsica is pretty light, it has no problem moving it. Only problem is, that the spark plugs on the back of the 3.1 are hard to get at.
but the mazda probably has a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. and like your typical japanese car, some stuff can be difficult to get to as well. you have the benefit though of having an efficient little engine. asian 4-cyls are far better on gas than anything else, IMO, and have a decent amount of power behind them. and with this wonderful gas price inflation, I'd take the mazda simply cos it's a 4-cylinder. I can't speak much for mazdas cos I don't know much about them. like I said, I test-drove a 323 one time and it was a peppy little thing. and again, you can run that mazda probably up to 250,000 without any problems, where GMs typically have a very limited life span.
GM had water temperature guages, You had to get a guage package as an option to get it though, unless it's the sportier Corsica. 3.1 is a pretty good motor, with good torque. Since the Corsica is pretty light, it has no problem moving it. Only problem is, that the spark plugs on the back of the 3.1 are hard to get at.
but the mazda probably has a timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. and like your typical japanese car, some stuff can be difficult to get to as well. you have the benefit though of having an efficient little engine. asian 4-cyls are far better on gas than anything else, IMO, and have a decent amount of power behind them. and with this wonderful gas price inflation, I'd take the mazda simply cos it's a 4-cylinder. I can't speak much for mazdas cos I don't know much about them. like I said, I test-drove a 323 one time and it was a peppy little thing. and again, you can run that mazda probably up to 250,000 without any problems, where GMs typically have a very limited life span.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 186
These are the only two cars in your price range? Have you looked at a 1989 or 1990 Bonneville? They were pretty good cars, roomy, got good gas mileage, and power with the 3.8, could be had with a full set of guages, and have been pretty reliable. If you could find an SE in good shape in your price range, it could be a very good deal. Pontiac made some pretty good cars back then, the Bonnie being the best. If not, I'd go for the Corsica, only because it has a V-6, parts are easy to find, and any GM dealership or general mechanic can work on them, whereas the Mazda, you may have to go only to the dealership for certain repairs. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Originally Posted by Drjmaxx88
2.47/per gallon in southern california. Thats for 87! Bend over californians its gonna be a long summer!
S
Welp, unless someone slips in under me, I'm going to get the Mazda this afternoon.
After driving it again, and double-checking a couple of things, the car actually has only 114k miles on it, it does use a timing belt, etc...
Being a 4-banger in that has advantages...virtually everything under the hood is accessible...the engine bay looks big enough to drop a VG into - not that it would be an issue, but that's a lot of room to have a 4-cyl in...
The timing belt is a simple, 2 hour process to change, with the only two things to remove are the belts, and the timing cover...it on;y takes 2 hours, estimated, by the books, due to needing timing adjustments, etc.. after belt change...no biggie...
it's one drawback - other than lack of HP, is drum brakes in the back - but these can be swapped out for disc's pretty cheaply...
most of the parts are readily available at the local stores, and we have a Mazda house that isn't too bad...
even domaestics - Chevy, Ford, etc... have a lot of dealer only items on them...
On the second trip out with the Mazda, in process of getting used to the clutch, i found that little 2.2 ltr engine can chirp the tires all the way into 3rd gear...
Now, if I could just find a good set of 15" wheels to fit my tires onto, that I bought for the max...
After driving it again, and double-checking a couple of things, the car actually has only 114k miles on it, it does use a timing belt, etc...
Being a 4-banger in that has advantages...virtually everything under the hood is accessible...the engine bay looks big enough to drop a VG into - not that it would be an issue, but that's a lot of room to have a 4-cyl in...
The timing belt is a simple, 2 hour process to change, with the only two things to remove are the belts, and the timing cover...it on;y takes 2 hours, estimated, by the books, due to needing timing adjustments, etc.. after belt change...no biggie...
it's one drawback - other than lack of HP, is drum brakes in the back - but these can be swapped out for disc's pretty cheaply...
most of the parts are readily available at the local stores, and we have a Mazda house that isn't too bad...
even domaestics - Chevy, Ford, etc... have a lot of dealer only items on them...
On the second trip out with the Mazda, in process of getting used to the clutch, i found that little 2.2 ltr engine can chirp the tires all the way into 3rd gear...
Now, if I could just find a good set of 15" wheels to fit my tires onto, that I bought for the max...
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by max88q
Good thing I live in Texas... Central Texas for that matter.
Then we stuck $40 in my mother's caddy, and I thanked the spirits that I have a smaller car....
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