Efficient, cheap beaters! Used car ads: 35 mpg highway or more for $1500 or less

[Xist]

and this is why I hate Craigslist: 96 GEO METRO;1L,3 CYL,5SPD,45MPG,174K,BODY GOOD,NEEDS FUEL PUMP ONLY

$600 for a Metro that needs a fuel pump, without pictures, and it is written terribly!

I found a 2,001 Focus for $1,300, but it is only rated 29-30. Unrelated, but here is a 1,996 Infiniti for $650 that could be parted out: Infiniti 1996 j30

2,005 salvage mid-sized Kia Rio with 118,000 miles: 2005 kia I speak Spanish, but I do not know that I would want to negotiate a car sale in Spanglish!

I always had more important things to do than scrounge Craigslist, but I did not expect to find anything good.

[MetroMPG]

Even though I already found the winter beater, I haven't stopped browsing the ads. I guess I'm already looking ahead to next winter's beater.

I have learned that the Swift/Metro market dries up in the winter. (Maybe it does for other cars too, I dunno.) Haven't seen a local 3-cylinder Suzukiclone for a long time.

[OBD1Kenobi]

1997 suzuki swift

New paint..inside is in good condition almost new tires rebuilt tranny and new thermostat and new water pump new head gasket and seals new freeze plug as of 12/30/14 ice cold air runs and drives goot $900.00 firm call or text 606-547-5641. 214,127 miles gets about 38 miles per gallon of gas..price is firm a great deal for this car.. I dnt need to sell the car not desperate for money just doesnt get much use anymore so if ya want a very good little car the looks good and gets great gas mileage here it is but dnt expect me to give it away. I will post pics in a few hours.

2001 SUZUKI SWIFT 5 SPEED car gets 30 miles per gallon!! INSPECTED

2001 SUZUKI SWIFT 5 SPEED 4CLYN car runs and drives excellent.. and just passed new york state inspection and comes with a one year warranty on the engine asking 1100 or best reasonable offer CALL OR TEXT JOE @ 716 474 5287 OR TOM @ 716 474 6992.... SUPREME AUTO Fac # 5050298

2001 Suzuki swift

2001 Suzuki swift has brand new breaks just flushed radiator and transmission changed the oil has a new shift linkage. Has manual windows locks and steering. Currently not inspected will be inspected befor you buy missing drivers side mirror and might need a muffler for inspection. Great little car have done tons of work to it just bought another car and don't need this one anymore gets around 42 mpg any questions call or txt me at 814-360-6596

There are still a few out there!

[jcp123]

I wonder if any of the first-gen Neons would be a good beater buy?

[OBD1Kenobi]

Jumped the gun on my last post......2 of the three are automatics, sorry.

[user removed]

1997 Nissan 200SX - $600

1997 Nissan 200SX
odometer: 128000
transmission : manual
title status : clean
cylinders : 4 cylinders
condition: fair

This is a great car. I used it for work from Chesapeake to Norfolk and very good on gas. Strong engine,good tires,brakes,paint and body are good for a 18 year old vehicle. The front end has a little pull and wobble maybe alighnment or tie rod. It has a small leak in sunroof gasket,passenger window does not work and needs battery the one inside will jump to get home. Inspection was due last month. If interested I prefer text or email. Thank you.

Might be the best chance I have seen in awhile, manual with current epa of 35 highway.

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Hmmm - is that a 2.0? There was a Sentra R advertised locally... wonder what engine is in that one...

[user removed]

It's the 1.6 same as mine. I think the 2.0 was still called the SER in the 96+ year model.
Nowhere near the gas mileage, like the SI civic compared to the DX.

Sunroof seals don't leak, the drains get plugged up.

Front end? Free up a caliper,slap a tie rod end on it and balance the wheels, checking tire-rims for damage.

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Just checked: my local Sentra is an '04 SE-R sedan 5-speed with the 2.5 (from the larger Altima ... following the classic "muscle car" formula... big engine into small car).

I bet it's fun to drive, but the MPG disqualifies it, at just 20 city /27 hwy / 23 combined!

It sure is easier to find cheap beaters that get below 35 mpg highway than above!

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I always wonder about the photos CL sellers take. Was there no way around the table and chairs? Even better are the photos taken through screen doors.