Can be had for a good bit <$1,000?

Opinions?

10/13/2011 12:56:26 PM

my neighbor just got a 96 sentra for that price. It needed cv joints and brakes tho

10/13/2011 1:01:48 PM

Yeh, that's my fear/what I've seen. I'd like something well south of $1,000, but it appears that all of those are going to require a good bit of work. I mean, brakes, etc. is fine, but if I have to start spending money on mechanical issues, to the point where they're as much as the vehicle, I'd rather not. I'm primarily just curious... has anyone seen any vehicles at this price range that won't require expensive repairs in the near future.

10/13/2011 1:04:52 PM

I got my daily driver for $600 and have probably put about that much work into it over 3 years.

1989 Ford Mustang 2.3L

[Edited on October 13, 2011 at 1:19 PM. Reason : it could definitely use new shocks, but i'm not worried right now]

10/13/2011 1:18:06 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/2647722826.html

10/13/2011 1:19:18 PM

10/13/2011 1:21:40 PM

Civic or Corolla would be good but they hold their value for a reason. You probably won't find one in that price range that is in good working order.

10/13/2011 1:55:12 PM

I think that times have changed enough that without the stars aligning, you will not find a reliable vehicle for <$1000 that is not in need of work.

10/13/2011 2:22:19 PM

93/94 camry/corolla dx

10/13/2011 2:24:05 PM

that sucks dude... i just gave the dealer a 1999 suzuki esteem for 1k that worked just fine and drove well, had new tires too.

it did burn some oil but it was a valve seal issue but for a 1k car it ran great...

i would look for an e30 318i from someone who doesn't know the car has it's own racing series.

10/13/2011 2:49:36 PM

Quote :

"I think that times have changed enough that without the stars aligning, you will not find a reliable vehicle for <$1000 that is not in need of work."

yep. i was shopping for a <$1500 car for a friend, and everything i looked at needed all kinds of work. you might get lucky...but it's gonna take a LOT of looking and pouncing on cars as soon as they get listed.

10/13/2011 2:58:57 PM

what really puts this goal into perspective is...

i just bought a 4 yr old bike for 1k

10/13/2011 3:00:45 PM

Replace your gaskets and paint over your rust,
You'll still end up with something that you'll never trust.

10/13/2011 7:07:58 PM

I figured as much. Well, I guess I'll keep an eye out, but I'm not hopeful.

And can't do a bike/scooter/deathtrap

10/14/2011 8:40:57 AM

don't forget the Geo Prism, which is a Corolla. Told a friend at work to look for those, they sell for less, and are the same car

10/14/2011 8:47:19 AM

meh

10/14/2011 9:23:35 AM

Quote :

"i would look for an e30 318i from someone who doesn't know the car has it's own racing series."

I bought a 1991 318is a few years back for $400.
It was actually in really good shape, but needed tires, fluids, some interior pieces (radio ripped out of dash), and it had some really jacked up lug studs that were a PITA to deal with. Jeepman ended up drilling out a couple of the lug bolts for me.

[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 10:18 AM. Reason : s]

10/14/2011 10:17:08 AM

i wouldn't expect to get more than $1000 for my 2002 saturn SL1 with 200k miles...but maybe i would?

in any case, seems like you could get a late 90s SC/SL for under $1k

10/14/2011 12:38:33 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/2641256546.html

10/14/2011 2:52:55 PM

^ Quit tempting me with cheap e30 pr0n!
I love those cars.

[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 3:35 PM. Reason : s]

10/14/2011 3:34:38 PM

hmm, enticing, though more than I care to pay.

what you think is a good price on that one?

10/14/2011 3:36:46 PM

lol if you don't love them... you don't love cars...


they're like the US version of how top gear discribes alpha romeos.

10/14/2011 3:36:53 PM

Quote :

"hmm, enticing, though more than I care to pay. what you think is a good price on that one? "

$1600

If I didn't already have two cars (and no room for another) I'd buy it, clean it up, plasti-dip the body, and DD it in a heartbeat.

Gas mileage from the old I-6 is nothing to brag about though. You'd be doing well to see 25 MPG so don't expect to save a ton of gas with it.

[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 3:41 PM. Reason : l]

10/14/2011 3:39:13 PM

$1,600 for a car listed at $1,200?

I drive a full size V8 truck.

25 MPG would be lovely.

[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 3:42 PM. Reason : .]

10/14/2011 3:41:47 PM

Quote :

"$1,600 for a car listed at $1,200?"

Yes. I was implying that it's a good deal at $1200.

Clean e30s with good tires and no major issues regularly bring $2000-$3000.

You can't really say until you see it in person and drive it though. Obviously it's not so great of a deal if you get there and find that it's falling to pieces.

But let's face it...Champagne colored cars are fugly so you've gotta knock $500 off for that.

[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 3:47 PM. Reason : l]

10/14/2011 3:45:50 PM

right, but I basically meant what would you offer?

From what I'm seeing, there isn't much in the price range I like. Oh well. I'll keep looking though. I really don't want to spend $1,000. If it can't be had, then ok. I just want something that can survive 10 mi/d for a commute in easy conditions

^

Let me restart my request. By good gas mileage, I mean an improvement from what I currently have. While 30+MPG is nice, it's not required. Something 20+ would be fine.

Must haves:
Manual
AC/Heat
FM stereo
<<<$1,000

Preferences:
Sport car
or
Luxury car

Other Thoughts:
2/4 door isn't really important, though I guess I prefer a 2 dr sport/4 dr luxury
Convertible would be awesome
CD player
Not a bucket of parts
Doesn't require mechanical repairs
I'm talking 3,000 mi/yr max


How about a $50 finders fee if you find the vehicle I purchase?


[Edited on October 14, 2011 at 4:01 PM. Reason : /]

10/14/2011 3:48:29 PM

lay off the drugs

10/14/2011 7:44:03 PM

at only 3k mi/yr you'll never justify the cost of taxes/tags/inspection with gas savings

10/14/2011 9:00:20 PM

Savings is not the primary purpose

10/14/2011 11:03:40 PM

Quote :

"Must haves: Manual AC/Heat FM stereo <<<$1,000 Preferences: Sport car or Luxury car"

lol, really?

10/15/2011 7:33:30 AM

This guy sure is needy we should get commission on this

10/15/2011 9:54:19 AM

Nvm. Trolls

[Edited on October 15, 2011 at 10:07 AM. Reason : b]

10/15/2011 10:06:56 AM

I honestly feel you are trolling us.

If you wanted what you asked for, you would have offered 1k on that e30 and be the current owner.

10/16/2011 10:30:04 AM

No. I said less than $1,000. And I said if that isn't going to happen, then oh well. I was hoping to get honest opinions on if this was viable and if so, what I should be looking for. FWIW, I did send that guy an offer. But I'm not paying $1,000. If that's not going to happen then fine, tell me that. That's not trolling.

And I don't get how what hgtran said isn't trolling. I'm clearly near, if not within, the range of some luxury (BMW) or sporty (acura) cars for sell. So yes, lol, really.

And I've asked essentially 2 questions, so I don't know how that qualifies as needy. And I did offer a finder's fee already, so there is your "commission".

10/16/2011 11:26:55 AM

Quote :

"alpha romeos"

you mean alfa?

10/16/2011 3:43:52 PM

meh yeah


move along 3 series nazi.

10/16/2011 5:56:06 PM

Quote :

"FOR SELL"

for <$1000, you will get nothing in good (enough) condition that is luxury or sport or convertible

instead you should take 1000 rides on the luxury cat bus

10/16/2011 6:09:10 PM

ive got a 95 civic beater for sale, two problems, i want 1700 for it and............i live in wisconsin :-)

10/16/2011 10:04:56 PM

You could have had this



But now it is mine



[Edited on October 23, 2011 at 1:39 AM. Reason : 88 325is ]

10/23/2011 1:38:25 AM

Quote :

"luxury (BMW) or sporty (acura)"

(facepalm)

Quote :

"for sell"

(facepalm again)

10/23/2011 1:43:29 AM

I'm mulling over an e30 purchase at the moment (not the one posted).

10/23/2011 6:11:22 PM

Quote :

"meh yeah move along 3 series nazi."

I didn't expect you to know the spelling, but it was funny nonetheless

10/24/2011 11:02:21 AM

damn, all this talk makes me want to get my own e30. Please find me one. It doesn't have to be <$1k.

10/24/2011 11:07:23 AM

I'm assuming the shiny red one pictured above is still wet

10/25/2011 2:33:38 AM

Ha, I didn't actually wash it, just stopped to throw away some shit that was in the trunk.

Hood, front fenders and doors are in great shape. Rear panels are dull but not faded. Trunk lid has a few faded spots.

10/25/2011 7:44:07 AM

sweet car man! you get a dance afterward?

10/25/2011 9:43:47 AM

i wanted an e30 when i was buying a car a couple months ago, but i couldn't find one I liked (the only 4 door cars i like are 5 series. had to be a 325is and i couldn't find one that was manual anywhere close to me) oh well. got a e46 instead and she's lovely to me.

11/1/2011 12:06:49 PM

BTTT

So I decided to hold off on this because I started looking at houses. Now that I'm getting closer to getting a house (and moving further away) I'll probably sell my truck to get some cash on hand and then use some of that to get a daily driver.

So any advice on what to get (in addition to the above; I'll look at those)

Daily driver
20 mile commute (one way)
Manual
<$4,000?
4 door

2/15/2012 9:04:09 AM

Honda civic
toyota corolla
nissan sentra
mazda something or another
chevy cavalier (gf has an 03, thing has been a good ride maintenance-wise)

2/15/2012 9:12:06 AM

MX3. I have one. But I'm going to hang on to it.

Not that many cars on the road these days with double digit horse powers.

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 9:49 AM. Reason : .]

2/15/2012 9:49:29 AM