Looking for a small cheap car ASAP

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:25 pm

The insurance game is still going on w/ Pam's mom. They totaled the Corolla, so I'm in search of a small car as a replacement. As I had mentioned, the settlement was ~$2400, so I'm looking for something sub 3k for her to drive. I'm looking for something small, automatic, in decent shape over all and w/ working AC. If you know of anything, I need to purchase by the middle of next week. The rental car goes back this week....

Let me know please...

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:42 pm

Another toyota corolla.Or, subaru 2.2l sedan. Although really, the toyota is a good match, not expensive, reliable as all get out, plentiful as everything.Craigslist is your freind, be selective, be careful, and good hunting.Honda civic, toyota, mazda protoge,chevy cavalier.ford escort ,

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:10 am

1997 Volkswagen Golf GL 1.8 Manual Runs great! 37MPG!
1997 Volkswagen Golf GL 4 dr hatchback, black, great gas mileage, large trunk space! 5-speed manual, pwr locks, 6 DISC Clariion CD changer, dark tinted windows, newer tires/hubcaps, well maintained, fresh oil change and Bosch plugs too! $2495 obo cash pickup, title in hand.

Located in West Covina, CA but can ship for the right deal. I can take more photos upon request.

Great commuter car, avg 37 mpg on the highway. Mark 773-750-1040
Attached Thumbnails
1997 Volkswagen Golf GL 1.8 Manual Runs great! 37MPG!-photo-2-.jpg

veedub for sale.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:41 am

Too bad the '3 is gone already. Aside from it being a manual, it would have met all criteria.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:08 am

Scott Johnson wrote:

Too bad the '3 is gone already. Aside from it being a manual, it would have met all criteria.

Yeah, it would have, but as you mentioned it had the manual, so that marked it off the list.

Still looking.... Would love to buy from a club member first before I have to start trolling thru CL to find something.

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

RodneyWright wrote:

The insurance game is still going on w/ Pam's mom. They totaled the Corolla, so I'm in search of a small car as a replacement. As I had mentioned, the settlement was ~$2400, so I'm looking for something sub 3k for her to drive. I'm looking for something small, automatic, in decent shape over all and w/ working AC. If you know of anything, I need to purchase by the middle of next week. The rental car goes back this week....

Let me know please...

There's a good selection of older Subarus under $2,400 on Craigslist. If you go with the 2.2L engine its known to be bullet-proof. Anything you buy in that price range is going to need some work, though.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4436068545.html

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:25 pm

I'm still looking.... amazing the crap you can find in this price range. Everything I've found so far needs some serious TLC. Would like to just buy a car that's ready to drive. Unlike Mike, I'm not looking for a basket case that needs work. Please let me know if you find something.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2014 8:59 pm

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4407951755.html

http://jalopnik.com/5654312/miata-the-a ... y-question

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:41 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4407951755.html

http://jalopnik.com/5654312/miata-the-a ... y-question

lol.... I can just see Pam's mom catting around in that. At least I know she'd fit!

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:57 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I'm still looking.... amazing the crap you can find in this price range.

I think the problem is that in that price range, most everything is going to have some type of issue. I sold my Civic for that money about a year ago, but... it was 250K and was burning a bit of oil, original clutch, etc. About to put my 2000 Odyssey on the market for around the amount, but... it is 14 yrs old, has power doors that balk at times, a bit big. I wouldn't put my mom in either of those cars. I suspect you may need to either get really lucky, or do a 2x on your budget.

Richard

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

Richard Casto wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

I'm still looking.... amazing the crap you can find in this price range.

I think the problem is that in that price range, most everything is going to have some type of issue.

Richard

That's what I was trying to say as well. A few months ago I was looking for a cheap daily driver in the $4K range, and not only did all of the cars have major problems, but everything was going for substantially over Edmunds and Blue Book. The couple of couple of cars that seemed reasonably priced and well maintained were sold in a day before I could get there.

I'm sure there's cars out there that are in good condition and fairly priced, but there's a huge amount of competition for 'em.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:16 pm

unfortunately it's all the money I have to work w/. I'm willing to go 3k, but even then what I'm finding is crap. Again, if you hear of anything, let me know. There's bound to be something out there....

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Basically, I'm suggesting that for the budget you are looking for, protégé's and focus's are going to be obtainable and provide what you might want without the price premium of a civic/corolla. If those were my requirements, these are the kind of cars I'd be looking at. For that price, over 100k miles is to be expected, you just need to find one that is in decent condition.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4424163699.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4446859806.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4446807034.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/4443163242.html

Milko's suggestion is also valid. A Miata IS a valid answer to this question. . .

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Thu May 01, 2014 9:14 am

You need to suck it up and make payments on a new, stripper model Kia Rio. You are never going to find an equivalent car to mom's old one, not at that budget.

Baring that, the others have suggested good options and I'll throw this one out there:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4424811230.html (manual crank windows and all)

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu May 01, 2014 9:15 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Basically, I'm suggesting that for the budget you are looking for, protégé's and focus's are going to be obtainable and provide what you might want without the price premium of a civic/corolla. If those were my requirements, these are the kind of cars I'd be looking at. For that price, over 100k miles is to be expected, you just need to find one that is in decent condition.

Agreed. The Focus/Protege would be a good choice. If it doesn't need any work it's not going to be in your price range.

THSCC Forums

Looking for a small cheap car ASAP

Who is online