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Looking for a good, cheap, car.

Discussion in 'Texas' started by jimpo1, Jul 14, 2011.

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  1. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 30, 2001
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    #1 jimpo1, Jul 14, 2011
    Keyword cheap. A neighbors son just turned 16, and he needs a car. He's already wrecked one, so she's not willing to spend more than about $3k. The problem with buying in that price range from an individual or a dealer is that you're very likely to get a POS. She'd rather buy from a known quantity. So, if your parents, grandparents, teenagers, or whoever has a good car for sale that's not worth much, please let me know. I've seen a few here recently that would've been perfect, Phils Mountaineer, DStacy's Mustang. Anyone else?
     
  2. Challengehauler

    Challengehauler Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2008
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    #2 Challengehauler, Jul 14, 2011
    Jim I have two, not sure about the price range though.

    2003 Infiniti M45 with 80K $4000 slight front bumper puncture, but that's about it. The fuel gauge has a mind of it's own. The problem is it's 340hp :)

    1986 Mustang SVO - 80K - Great condition BUT a collectors car 200+ hp, a manual, and $4500

    Just throwin it out there.

    Dan
     
  3. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 jimpo1, Jul 14, 2011
    I had a Merkur XR4Ti with the same engine as that SVO. Loved that car.

    Am guessing both of those have WAY too much hp and go-fastness for this kid. He's not the most responsible teenager I've met. I'd hate to put that SVO in his hands because it wouldn't live to keep being collectable. He needs an Oldsmobile Alero.
     
  4. hplug

    hplug Karting

    Sep 23, 2005
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    Hayes
    #4 hplug, Jul 27, 2011
    Hey Jim
    How about a 1989 BMW 325is? bout that price as I will have to send it to chad at stett performance to swap out the trashed tranny but cool car. Hope all is well in Jimpoland
     
  5. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 WJHMH, Jul 27, 2011
    My niece will be turning 16 soon & I'm thinking about the same question. Being hear first so there's lots of room for error I was thinking about a e36 325is BMW, I helped pick one up for a friend for about $1500 a couple of years ago. The only thing that's been done to it is replace the bushing, motor mounts, new tires, & flushing all the fluids. So far it's been a real solid car.
     
  6. BlackBird007

    BlackBird007 F1 Rookie

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    #6 BlackBird007, Jul 27, 2011
    Ever thought about a first generation Audi A4? Don't know much about those though.
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 BigTex, Jul 27, 2011
    Those Mustangs are really rare, a buddy has one...that's cool.
     
  8. Bimmerista

    Bimmerista Formula 3

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    #8 Bimmerista, Jul 27, 2011
    Do you have any pics? Can you PM me some details? Thanks!
     
  9. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 jimpo1, Jul 27, 2011
    Based on the moms experience with the recently wrecked Jetta, I'm guessing she wants to stay away from German cars.

    You still in NM Hayes?
     
  10. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    #10 kverges, Jul 28, 2011
    BMW? Audi? this group is smart enough to know aquisition cost is only part of it and especially with a cheap car, some extra maintenance and repair is likely and I simply can't imagine that either make is a good idea in that regard.

    I'd look at 5-10 year old entry-level Japanese, Korean and domestic cars. Camry, Civic, Accord, Kia, Taurus, Aztec, Vibe, Focus, Neon, Jeep that kind of thing.
     
  11. TRScotty

    TRScotty F1 Rookie
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    #11 TRScotty, Jul 28, 2011
    My FIL just bought his grand-daughter a 2001 V-6 Mustang for ~$4,000 in Duncanville.

    Very nice, clean little car for the money.

    Just keep your eyes open, they are out there.
     
  12. BlackBird007

    BlackBird007 F1 Rookie

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    #12 BlackBird007, Jul 28, 2011
    A Jeep Wrangler maybe?
     
  13. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #13 GrigioGuy, Jul 28, 2011
    This. Cheap to maintain, not fast, and Chicks Dig It.
     
  14. hplug

    hplug Karting

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    #14 hplug, Jul 28, 2011
    A focus? Neon? Aztec? Really look at one of these 10 years old and you have a worthless car with many broken bits.

    Jimpo yup still in NM bbut still lurk on here a bit. Starting a new dealership out here and dragging a master tech from Big D to help with the maintence side.

    Bimmerista I will try to get you some pictures this weekend. Thx
     
  15. BlackBird007

    BlackBird007 F1 Rookie

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    #15 BlackBird007, Jul 28, 2011
    He could also get some off-road fun out of it.
     
  16. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 jimpo1, Jul 29, 2011
    I have a line on a Mustang that I need to follow up on, but have been too busy to worry about other people the last few weeks! :)

    All good suggestions on possible cars, but I'd really like to help her find a 'known' car. She'd rather buy from an individual that will be honest about what she's getting, than from some guy off of Craigslist. I found her the perfect car a few months ago, but she wasn't able to buy it and it's gone.
     
  17. Face76

    Face76 F1 World Champ
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    #17 Face76, Jul 29, 2011
    Won't help much here but our strategy when our kids neared 16 was to buy new cheap cars and drive them ourselves for the first 60,000 miles. It takes my wife about 1-1/2 years to get 50k - 60k on a car. We take car of the cars and pass them down to our kids so the cars are "known". Nissan Versa, Kias, Hyundais are all great choices. Just glad my wife drove them and not me.
     
  18. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    #18 FarmerDave, Jul 29, 2011
    Holler
     
  19. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 jimpo1, Jul 29, 2011
    :)
     
  20. AnotherDunneDeal

    AnotherDunneDeal F1 Veteran

    Jun 2, 2003
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    #20 AnotherDunneDeal, Aug 5, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I paid just $3000 for my '91 Miata with 102k on it in June of 2010. I have put on another 12k miles and have replaced the radiatior, two hoses and had the R12 recharged (have not converted to R34 yet). I found it on www.autotrader.com. It was close enough I could go over and drive it. You might consider looking there. It is a fun little car.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. BlackBird007

    BlackBird007 F1 Rookie

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    #21 BlackBird007, Aug 5, 2011
    I second the Miata. Fun little car.
     
  22. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 jimpo1, Jan 10, 2013
    BUMP!

    Same neighbor, different kid! This is basically a single mom that gets to do it all herself.

    Anybody got a good old car sitting around? Not interested in advice on what kind of car to buy, just looking for an actual car.
     
  23. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

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    #23 TexasMike, Jan 10, 2013
    My 1986 325es has over 502,000 miles on the original engine. It a very fun car & turned out to be my favorite car that I have ever owned. Almost all the parts are cheaper than my Miata parts.
     
  24. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 texasmr2, Jan 10, 2013
    +1

    Also you can easily find a Gen I-II MR2 within your price range.
     
  25. cycloneGTS

    cycloneGTS Formula Junior
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    #25 cycloneGTS, Jan 10, 2013
    Rude. LOL.
     
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