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

[Xist]

I look forward to the build thread.

[iikhod]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

https://bemidji.craigslist.org/cto/d...946571888.html

Civic VX for 1200. He says the frame is slightly bent but it's been driven that way for a while. My Metro is on it's last legs, more problems than I can count and a new one every day. Should I jump on this VX?

Around here something like that would be closer to 200 bucks

I would not buy that.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by iikhod

Around here something like that would be closer to 200 bucks

I would not buy that.

We're dealing with different currencies in totally different countries here. 200 USD won't get you a car that's only good for scrap metal here. $1200 for a car that's driveable is about as cheap as you're going to get over here. Occasionally less, but then they're usually cosmetic nightmares, and/or rusty beyond reason.

[Xist]

I do not know if a salvage VX is worth $1,200, but if the price is not negotiable, the owner does not necessarily want to sell the car.

Not everyone spends as much money as possible on transportation, but some would spend $200 just for the stock wheels.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Xist

I do not know if a salvage VX is worth $1,200, but if the price is not negotiable, the owner does not necessarily want to sell the car.

Not everyone spends as much money as possible on transportation, but some would spend $200 just for the stock wheels.

A lot of times a salvage title doesn't mean much, in this case, some of the body lines don't meet up perfectly. I've talked to the guy and it's registered in Minnesota, been driving it as it is for years with no issues, no odd tire wear, etc.

I'm torn between buying this, and basically doing a full rebuild on the old Metro. I need to ring the engine, swap the tranny (or rebuild), new tires, new rear wheel bearings, new muffler, new windshield, new passenger mirror, new O2 sensor, and new driver's floor pan.

The problem is the time, all this only costs like $400 in parts, but I have no time to do the work.

[iikhod]

Now don't get me wrong guys, the price part was not the reason for me to say i would not buy it.
I meant that if you already have a car with multipe small issues, why buy something that probably would also require some attention soon.

Carry on.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by iikhod

Now don't get me wrong guys, the price part was not the reason for me to say i would not buy it.
I meant that if you already have a car with multipe small issues, why buy something that probably would also require some attention soon.

Carry on.

The civic is driveable as is, the issues it has are minor annoyances. My Metro is falling apart and in need of extensive repairs. Don't get me wrong, I would greatly prefer to just fix the Metro, and I may go that route, but sometimes a guy has to admit when he has too many projects and not enough time.

[iikhod]

Originally Posted by Shaneajanderson

sometimes a guy has to admit when he has too many projects and not enough time.

I know that feeling.
Good luck for your car hunt!

[Xist]

I would not pay $200 for a Yaris.

[iikhod]

Originally Posted by Xist

I would not pay $200 for a Yaris.

Neither would i. It's the wife's car if you are pointing your comment in my way.

Also, i used to have a similar civic myself. Damn good car. Only bad thing about it was having 3 doors. Had to get something else after a couple of times of wrestling my angry daughter in to the car and kiddo-seat in the back.