Tuesday, December 2, 2008












When buying cheap cars under 1000 dollars the choices are limitless. However some stand out more than others; these "All-Stars" stand out for a number of reasons. Some are just great cars and others lets say are just plain cool or fun to own, so I wanted to start showing some love to the greatest of the great beaters out there.
Profile: Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon
Ok so this one has some bias with me, because I owned one. It was dirt cheap, served my purposes well, and put up with all the stupid abuse that only a 16 year old kid can dish out. From 1978-1990 During the "K" car years Chrysler built these shoe-boxes to be cheap and economical as an answer to the VW rabbit and Golf models. The Omni/Horizons even share most of the characteristics of the VW competition with a 5-door hatch design, rear beam axle, and a 4 cylinder motor that in the base models provided "adequate" horsepower enough to at least be faster than a bicycle. However one reason these cars are special is that for limited production Carrol Shelby (don't think I need to explain who he is) partnered with Chrysler to produce two models the GLH and the GLH-S, which stands for "goes like hell". These models received brake and suspension upgrades as well as turbocharged engines. The rarest of the rare GLH-S models produced a factory rated 175hp enough to embarrass a few mustangs and camaros.
Now that we have some history lets review a few of the finer points of Omni ownership. First of all they're cheap. I mean really cheap examples exceeding $1000-$1500 are only the cleanest of the clean or the rarest of the rare turbo models. Perfectly good examples of base models as well as some turbos can be had all day long for a few hundred bucks (although the recent demand for gas savers may drive prices up). These little shoe boxes get around 40mpg and the parts are just as cheap as the cars. One great thing about the "K" cars is that they made so many off of virtually the same platform so parts from everything from a Lebaron to a Caravan can fit in these cars. My experience from owning one was that it was simply tough as nails, surprisingly comfortable (these might be one of the few 80's American cars that had an interior that wont completely fall apart) and it was fun to drive. These cars share the same concept as other fun to drive hot hatches like the GTI and Civic and most of the best performance parts are available from where else but Mopar. So if your looking for a nice cheap beater that's good on gas and fun to drive the crap out of an Omni is a somewhat forgotten, but very available choice.
Got a suggestion for a cheap car All-Star? Check my profile to submit your ideas for a new article!
About the Author:
Brian Ostrowiak is the co-creator of http://www.1000DollarAutos.com and an avid car enthusiast who often buys and sells cars and trucks for less than one thousand dollars.
1000DollarAutos is the best place to buy and sell vehicles of all kinds for $1000 or less. If you are looking to buy or sell a car or truck for one thousand dollars or less as quickly as possible, visit http://www.1000DollarAutos.com right now to post your ad or check out the current ads.
1000DollarAutos - the place with thousands of cars for hundreds of dollars.
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The internet is a useful resource when you are researching vehicles. You want to make sure you get a used car that is of a high quality, and therefore, you need to do some research. There are many sites out there that allow you to research different vehicles so you can get all the information you need.
NadaGuides is a site you should use if looking for a used car. This site offers a great deal of information in regards to used cars. You can get information regarding price, and you will be able to compare different cars. When you visit the site, you will also get to see what kinds of cars are available, which can aid you in your search.
CarSoup is another popular website for researching used cars. When you go to CarSoup, you will have access to all the information you could possibly want. If you want a vehicle history report, you can get it on the website. You can also get an insurance quote and learn more about vehicle financing. This is a good resource for someone who wants to learn more about the used car market before they make a purchase.
AutoTrader is another great used car resource. This site has insurance and financing information, and also allows you to research and compare different vehicles. You will be able to see how your car stacks up against the competition, and also find out what car would be a good buy.
This is a great resource for someone who does not know much about cars, just as it is a good resource for someone who actually does know a lot. It has such a wealth of information that people of all experience levels can benefit. You will be able to find out everything you want to know about your car prior to making a purchase. You will be able to get more information than you would ever be able to get from a dealership.
Another great resource you can find online is Edmunds. When you visit this website, you will have a plethora of information at your fingertips. You will be able to research your car, and also read informative articles about used cars. This can be very helpful. The information that Edmunds has can guide you when making a purchase.
With the internet, you no longer have to leave the house to find the used car you are looking for. You can get all the information you need while sitting at home. It is easier than ever to find the perfect vehicle. You are able to test drive cars from the comfort of your home, which makes the process much easier than it was in the past.
Do not be afraid to use the tools that are available online. Not only will the internet make it easier, but you will also be able to get information you would not have access to otherwise. Log onto the computer and find out about different used cars, or research the car you think you might want.
Daniel Legal is on the web marketing team that runs the automobile search engine LemonFree When he's not talking about cars in various automotive forums you can find him in his garage working on his classic Chevy Camaro or his wifes Honda Civic.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Legal