POV: it’s 1999 and you’ve recently been released from jail and are looking for a new car since you’re old one got impounded. Your budget is $1500. What do you pick?

1985 Buick Regal: it's being sold at a junkyard. The exterior is beaten up and the passenger quarter panel has been sanded. The interior is in relatively good condition but the radio is missing and all the wires are in the back seat. The trunk has some connections for a aftermarket stereo. Runs but it has a exhaust leak. $600

1987 Dodge Aries: it's being sold by a elderly lady who has had it since new. The exterior is in good condition but the is some rust on the rockers. The interior is also in good condition but smells stale and a bit rotten. Runs and drives but hasn't been registered since 1995. $1000

1983 Volkswagen Rabbit: the exterior is in pretty good condition but the driver side tail light is cracked and the driver side door handle sticks. The interior is in good condition but the driver seat is torn. Runs and drives but it needs a new fuel pump. $550

1987 Ford Escort: it's being sold by your friend who has been using it since highschool. The exterior is in rough shape as the front bumper is missing and the passenger door is held closed by a sliding door lock. The interior is in okay condition but it is dirty and reeks of weed. Runs but the catalytic converters are missing and the hood opens at high speeds. $450

1993 Chevy S10: it's being sold on the side of the road. The exterior is in bad shape as the front end is pretty banged up, and the interior looks to be in good condition. There is something covered by a tarp in the bed.$1250

1986 Honda Accord: it's being sold at sketchy used car lot. The exterior looks to be in good condition but the interior reeks of oil and there are several deep oil stains throughout the interior. It starts but burns oil and pours blue smoke out of the exhaust. $1500

1988 Hyundai Excel: it's being sold in the parking lot of a local strip club. There are several faded bumper stickers and the exterior is beat up all around. The Interior smells like Newports and there is fuzzy Pink steering wheel cover in the backseat. Runs and drives fine. $750

1985 Ford Tempo GL: The exterior is in pretty good condition but there are small dings all around the car. The Interior is also in good condition but some of the plastic trim pieces are cracked and missing. It hasn't been driven since the owner died in 1989. $300

1977 Chevy Nova: it's being sold by the original 92 year old owner who is now too old to drive it. The exterior is in pretty good condition aside from some rust on the rear bumper and inside the trunk. The interior is also in good condition but it has very little options. Runs but the power steering is out and it has some trouble with the carburetor. $780