Cheap car? - Page 3 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

justjohn · 12-13-2009, 11:14 AM

The elantra isn't that good on gas either. You like the echo then? I looked it up and found some good reviews, but there don't seem to be many of them out there.

Christ · 12-13-2009, 12:01 PM

Out here, once in awhile, I can find a non-raped Civic in half-assed decent condition for under $1,000.

Lately, I've seen more and more of them on CL for in the $500 range, even as new as '95, and owned by normal people, not ricers.

Christopher Jordan · 12-13-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christ

Lately, I've seen more and more of them on CL for in the $500 range

I way overpaid for a Ford Aspire a few years ago due to low miles and air conditioning. It gets an average of 40 mpg but it went out of style fast.

This year I got a $400. Ford Probe. I knew the Aspire is a Kia and yesterday I found out that the Probe has a Mazda engine. Both are all right so far. I want to stay "cheap" so I can afford my EVs.

Not a fancy Honda' but that is one way for me to get 4 vehicles for the price of 1

bestclimb · 12-13-2009, 05:02 PM

I only dropped 500 for my nonriced 95 civic hatch. The bumpers have taken a little abuse and the speedo is funky otherwise it is in fine shape. Once I move to town and start driving it an MPGuino and some aero mods will fix up those shortcomings nicely.

When I got my current samurai I paid 500 for two (would love to find a similar deal on a pair of metros) The man I bought them from said that one don't run good and the other does not run at all. I adjusted the timing on the one that ran bad and have been driving it the last 2 years or so, the other I put gas in it and traded it for a 500 dollar gun.

alohaspirit · 12-13-2009, 05:43 PM

i agree with the last posters

you can find a good running, high mpg car for $1000 or less

(my crx)

Christ · 12-13-2009, 06:04 PM

I just had a hint of this discussion with Ben (SVOboy) earlier.

I told him that the requirements for me to buy a vehicle are that there are less than 4 digits in the price, and the first one is less than a 5.

I've never paid more than $500 for a car. I usually beat 'em up, add stupid little things, and sell them for more than I have into them, including tax/tags/title fees.

If that doesn't happen, I take 'em off the road and part them out, definitely making more money than I have into it. I prefer to keep them on the road or sell as a whole to someone who can use them, though. Less stress that way.

justjohn · 12-13-2009, 11:01 PM

Any good places to look besides craigslist? Seems like half the prices on there are significantly over blue book.

MadisonMPG · 12-13-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justjohn

Any good places to look besides craigslist? Seems like half the prices on there are significantly over blue book.

Driving aroudn isn't a bad idea really, going to those "mom and pop" type car dealers.

eBay is another good choice.

Check 250 miles away on CL that may help broaden your search.

SentraSE-R · 12-13-2009, 11:33 PM

Look at cars.com and autotrader, too. They're mostly dealers on autotrader, but dealers are more willing to negotiate.

Christ · 12-14-2009, 12:02 AM

People will negotiate when you find their bad spots.

The put the price up as a starting point. Most people know they're not going to get that much.

Often, you can make a reasonable offer, and you'll get it.

I've seen cars that were listed for 2,000 go fro under 1,000 after tearing into the owner about quality issues.