> My traditional view of frugal auto transportation has
> been to have two beaters: (a small car I use most of
> the time and a larger vehicle for hauling larger cargoes
> and for backup). I've given up on my small car (a 1984
> Chrysler Laser with 265,000 miles and am considering
> what I should buy next (I got the Laser about 6 years
> ago when it had 145,000 miles on it). So taken
> everything into consideration (initial cost, repair
> costs, insurance/license costs, gas costs...) what do
> you recommend as the type (age, mileage, foreign vs
> domestic...) of vehicle to purchase?


I would suggest a full size GM product from somewhere around '90 to
'94. 3.8L engine. Parts are cheap and readily available. Any shop
around can work on them. Decent mileage and you have some extra metal
around you just in case that buss full of pregnant nuns doesnt stop.

Steve B.