I am looking for a mid-90's reliable vehicle with a manual.
I narrowed down my choices to Subaru Legacy with 2.2L,
Mazda 626, probably with V6.
I also like full size GM cars like LeSabre but I fear their
transmissions are not that reliable, notwithstanding the fact
I have a 4L60 which keeps going at 175K miles... And in any
case, I now want a 5-speed manual.
Does Toyota Camry ever come with a manual?
> I am looking for a mid-90's reliable vehicle with a manual.
>
> I narrowed down my choices to Subaru Legacy with 2.2L,
> Mazda 626, probably with V6.
Maybe a 5 speed Altima or Maxima?
> I narrowed down my choices to Subaru Legacy with 2.2L,
Great car, and I wish I had the manual; the auto was damned expensive to
replace at just over 200k miles. I could've gotten five rebuilds on any of
the manuals I've had for what that cost...and according to my transmission
guy, I could have gotten at least two five-speeds for that car...but the
other stuff to change it would have gone over the budget. (hmm...two five
speeds, rigged together to make it a 25-speed could be worth it for the
anti-theft value)
Normal repairs are pretty easy for a modern car, which is always a concern
with me for a used car.
The alternator (my habit of adding more electronics than some armies use
tends to be tough on alternators and batteries) is a breeze to replace, and
most dealers can get one with a lifetime warranty. Any good tranny shop
can swap your CV shafts (with rough, corner-filled roads all over the place
around here, I can eat a set in no time, regardless of the vehicle type)
pretty quick if you're not set up for it, and I've also gotten these with
lifetime warranties. Tires can be tricky to find, but most places can have
them in the next day, and big stores will usually have a pair around
somewhere.
Keep an eye on the mainshaft pulley bolt, though; I can't blame Subaru for
it, (engine work done before I got it by a guy who should be flogged) but
it's a pain in the a.s to fix on the side of the road if that comes loose
and shears the pins off.
OTOH, before you're discouraged by my repairs so far, bear in mind that
this car has had a *lot* of use, with some of it going well beyond "normal
driving."