cheap hauler: honda or subie or ?

[nostatic]

I think I'm going to have to buy a cheap car for hauling my bass gear around. It needs to be damn cheap to buy and cheap to run. My first inclination is an old Civic hatchback (love to find a mid to late 80's one, but they seem a bit scarce, at least from private parties). But I think an old Subie wagon would be cool....I just don't know much about the various models, how reliable they are, etc.

Any thoughts? Something else I should look for? Gotta have a hatch I think...

[RickM]

I believe the mid 80's Sentra came in either a hatchback or wagon. (Not real high on the cool scale). I had a winter beater sedan and the thing was bullet proof. Sold it in perfect running condition @ 180k miles.

I think the mid '80s Hondas are a bit more prone to rust. I had problems on a '82 Civic.

Don't know much about Suburus but parts may be harder to find and/or more expensive.

[arcsine]

My '99 Scooby-doo has been bullet proof in 60,000 miles and I beat on it more than I should. Carries 300 lbs of dogs and two people pretty well. They should be pretty cheap second hand as, for around here at least, every fourth car is an Outback wagon.

[project935]

Subies were way underpowered back then. Look out for lots of rust and high cost of repair parts.

I would think a high-mileage late-'80s/early-90's Honda would be easy to find in SoCal.

[nostatic]

yeah, I've seen civic hatchbacks with 180K, 220K, etc. Couple grand. Lots of lowered ones too with body panels and modified intakes, exhaust, etc. Hey...now there's a thought

[304065]

Man, get yourself a VAN!

You can haul gear AND trailer your car to the track!

You WILL end up trailering your car to the track, you know!

Plus the van can be a statement: visualize a late '70s Ramcharger with a heart-shaped window, fantasy/religious portrait lovingly airbrushed onto the side

[RickM]

GM is saying that the conversion van market is ripe for a huge comeback.
Remember, "If this van's a rockin, don't come a knockin"

[nostatic]

back in the late 70's, my dad had a Dodge van conversion. It was lovingly referred to as the "f*ck truck" by my friend/bass player. Had the shag carpeting, fold down rear couch/bed, captains chairs, and overhead console with stereo, graphic equalizer, and CB radio. Yeah baby!

I'd go for that, but the gas mileage would kill me. Cheap to run is needed.

[BigD9146gt]

My mom had an ~85 Subaru Legacy, brand new, and we had it till '94 when we traided it in to get a new Legacy. That old Subaru had over 250K+ miles on it. Parts are easy to get, crate motors are cheap too. The key is they made lots of those cars, just like Hondas, so parts are there.