I still have a '91 Mazda 626 LX I got 4 years ago for $2k, have put about
30k miles on it, it had 84K when I got it, still a solid car - no rust (good for
Hawaii) and I just keep it for an extra. Recently sold a '90 Nissan VE 6
pickup that had 218k miles and was going great - very few maintenance
issues. It was the 5 speed and still had the original clutch - no slip at all.
No
oil lost or burned - I changed it every 5k. I had to buy a new one for
the company or pay the $ in taxes - no brainer there. A friend still has
his Honda civic and it is way past 250K miles and even bagged a deer with it
North Carolina. Very good car. I think the critical issue on buying any of
these is feeling comfortable about it's maintenance history - whatever it is.