Could you knowledgable folk suggest a replacement for my '89 Dodge Omni
America (aka Plymouth Horizon)? It's an automatic, 4 door hatchback. I
want a similar, or slightly larger, 3 to 4 year old used car with good
cargo space, to drive 5,000 miles/yr. without too much aggravation,
despite my NYC metro location.

I like my Omni and want similar features:
1- Good mpg - 24/28 (better is better);
2- Small outside, roomy inside
(15.6 cu.ft. "trunk" - more is more);
3- Hatchback & folding seat let me lug bulky or long stuff; hard hatch
cover keeps stuff out of sight;
4- Peppy driving - always first away from red light w/o trying;
5- Inexpensive - to buy, operate & insure (relatively speaking);
6- Convenient - good visibility, easy to park, rear washer/wiper;
7- Simple & Sturdy - real bumpers, manual windows, locks, mirrors, etc.
(only power steering), fuel injection, stainless steel exhaust (still
OEM.)

Thanks for your input. Google hasn't helped much. - RDG

 

A Geo Metro or Ford Aspire? Both are very cheap and somewhat
dependable. I do not know much about the Accents so i can not
comment on them. I bought a 95 Aspire in 98 with 42k miles very
cheap. I now have almost 100k and have done nothing but a wheel
bearing and replaced a leaking exhaust pipe (SS but the weld broke).
They sale now for $400-1000. The Geo Metro is in the same price
range. Both are hatchbacks and both have decent room inside (the 2
door Aspire has 17cuft). Both of these cars are smaller and slower
then anything else on the road and no power steering but still great
city commuters at 35-45mpg, (Aspire is 2200lbs and 65HP). Both of
these are worth a look. The Geo is more popular and easier and
cheaper to find replacement parts if you're into doing minor repairs
yourself. YMMV.

You'll have a hard time finding anything other then a pickup truck or
a huge Buick with a "real" bumper anymore.

On Wed, 13 Aug 2003 13:08:48 -0400 (EDT), rschng@webtv.net wrote:

>Could you knowledgable folk suggest a replacement for my '89 Dodge Omni
>America (aka Plymouth Horizon)? It's an automatic, 4 door hatchback. I
>want a similar, or slightly larger, 3 to 4 year old used car with good
>cargo space, to drive 5,000 miles/yr. without too much aggravation,
>despite my NYC metro location.
>
>I like my Omni and want similar features:
>1- Good mpg - 24/28 (better is better);
>2- Small outside, roomy inside
> (15.6 cu.ft. "trunk" - more is more);
>3- Hatchback & folding seat let me lug bulky or long stuff; hard hatch
>cover keeps stuff out of sight;
>4- Peppy driving - always first away from red light w/o trying;
>5- Inexpensive - to buy, operate & insure (relatively speaking);
>6- Convenient - good visibility, easy to park, rear washer/wiper;
>7- Simple & Sturdy - real bumpers, manual windows, locks, mirrors, etc.
>(only power steering), fuel injection, stainless steel exhaust (still
>OEM.)
>
>Thanks for your input. Google hasn't helped much. - RDG

 

Thanks for your very helpful information. The Aspire & Metro may be a
little too small for me, (and manual?) The cars that have been suggested
most often are the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Ford Escort, Honda Civic, Dodge
Neon, Toyota Echo, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Subaru Outback and Mazda Protege
5, including wagons. So I'll start looking harder at these and move on
to other models until have a short list of vehicles that would be good
for my needs. But thanks again. I appreciate it.