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

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Do you need the larger size of the Accord versus a Civic? And why an automatic?

Those earlier Accords tended to have problems with the automatic transmissions. If I had to get an earleir mid-size sedan in an automatic, I'd get a Camry, if a manual Accord wasn't available.

[Xist]

I would only look at Civics and Corollas with manual transmissions if I could find many. Here is an HX: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...ssenger_banner

It says $1,234, but that looks like an idiot being stupid. The seller says $2,500 or best offer.

Here is a red one with 280,000 miles for $1,500: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/c...975254468.html

Here is a Corolla with 194,000 miles in the middle of nowhere: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/c...982646969.html

So, in the Phoenix metropolitan area, home of almost five million people, as well as my county with 100,000 inhabitants, I can find two prospects.

Yay.

Mom and I went to see why a dealership was only asking $7,000 for this Camry, but of course, how much out the door?

($8,500)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...88&query=camry

Blacked out logo:

Blacked out rims:

Blacked out taillights:

Do you see a muffler? There isn't one! Also, it is a 3.5L.

Random interior bits are poorly painted purple:

It has a CEL and they don't know why. I never realized that I needed to bring my code reader to a dealership!

Is it something that I can fix? Can I peel Plasti-Dip off the exterior pieces? Can I remove the paint from the interior pieces?

What do muffler shops charge nowadays?

Depending on the CEL, that could be a good project!

They have a 2008 Camry with 89,000 miles for $7,365, $8,860 out the door. We know the manager and he brought it down to $7,000 ($8,495 out the door).

Ooh. 5.2%.

They kept asking what number worked for me. I finally said that I couldn't put together more than $2,500 and wanted a car that I could buy with cash.

"How about $7,500 out the door?"

"I can't pay cash for that."

They mentioned $7,000 out the door, I thanked them for their time, and went home.

Mom is more upset with me than normal. I guess she wanted us to have matching grandmamobiles.

Someone is selling a 2008 with 110,000 miles for $4,800: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/c...980738966.html

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Sounds like decently okay odds for a searching for a specific kind of vehicle. When shopping for an Insight there wasn't anything within an hour radius until the one I bought popped up 20 minutes away from home.

Have you considered a Fit, Yaris, or Echo?

[Xist]

Sorry, after I posted my previous message I updated it, so please take a look at that insanity.

I once went to a dealership to get parts for whatever Honda I was driving back then and I laughed at how small a Fit was. I asked if I could sit in it.

"Of course!"

My knees hit the dashboard.

Everyone asks me "Why didn't you pull the seat back?!" with the tone that indicated they thought I am an idiot.

I am 6'2". I always pull back the seat when I get in a car.

However, the Mirage is tolerable.

Here is a 2009 Fit with a manual and 180,000 miles for $3,000: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/c...974900661.html

Here is a 2010 Yaris with 185,000 miles and a manual for $2,800: https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/c...965086353.html

Here is a 2007 Yaris with 131,000 miles for $2,300: https://offerup.com/item/detail/743048752/

[Piotrsko]

I understand the concept of fit exactly. First thing I do is see if I can actually get in & sit in the car. If you cant drive it, no point owning it.

[ME_Andy]

The Yaris with 185k seems alright. The other Yars seems better at first glance but there are some warning signs.

[Xist]

I had planned on driving down this morning and looking at cars, but the owner of a 1998 Accord responded: "It does get great gas mileage the heat and AC work great" "25 if you drive it like you stole it 30 if you drive like grandma"
I usually get 34-35. What kind of a driver am I?

It has a P1456, Evaporative Emission Control System Leak. They say they replaced the cap and sensor, but I do not know if both are Honda, and from what I am read, there could be a leak in the evaporative or fuel system. I have read many posts of 2008 Accords that perpetually have the code, even when they were new.

If only I had a source of Accord parts!

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Am I evil for laughing whenever a post advertises "Great on gas - 25 mpg!!" or "Save $$ on gas - 30 mpg!!"?

[Xist]

2002 DODGE RAM 1500 3.7 V6 5-SPEED MANUAL GAS SAVER - $4,999



Gas saver compared to what, an M1 Abrams?!

[mpg_numbers_guy]

$2000 for a VX swapped CRX with an alarm system issue. Wonder what kind of mileage something like that would get.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...8469771453146/