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A talk about how to use local free resources (Craigslist and eBay) to located and purchase a reliable mode of transportation for $1,000 or less. Specifically there are several key points: 1) The car has to be under $1,000 dont go over, you dont need to. Never leave a deposit. 2) Car must be ready to drive, no major broken parts, cant be towed, you dont want someone elses problem. 3) Dont buy from a dealer, go private party. Dealers are shady mmmkay 4) What cars to look for, Older Dodge/GMC/Chevy mini-vans, 4x4 Jimmy/Blazers, Mercedes Diesels, Hondas 5) What not to look for... older jags, gas engine merdedes, 6) Share my experiences with CL and cheap car buying...
How to buy a car for under $1,000
By:@KevinFox
Now you can spend $1k on...
... for today's purposes
“People often overlook some of the best features that a vehicle has to offer merely because it looks different than the most popular cars on
the road,” - Mark Simmons, purchasing manager for
CarMax.
You may be thinking....
No way can I get something decent....
But you are wrong!
Of course decent is relative, we are talking $1,000 or less here...
A word on New Vs. Used● Depreciation● Costs● Warranty● Condition● Insurance● History● Reliability● At the end of the day...
Let's get to it● Getting Started
– Craigslist.org (go local!)● portland.craigslist.org/car● search by price (aim high, you can bargain!)
– Ebay is less helpful for cheaper cars but worth a look sometimes
Sorting through it all● What to look for
– Minivans (not just for soccer moms... for realz)
– Compacts (with gas prices these just make sense)
– Boxy Cars (cars do not have to look like jelly beans)
● What not to Look For– Exotic Foreign Cars (especially with high mileage)
– Anything Broke down (the car has to run, no rollers)
– Stay away from dealerships (umm ya....)
Look for keywords...
● easy project car = completely disassembled, bring many boxes
● only 59,000 miles = actually 359,000 miles● rare model = one of 500,000 made● must sell = before law finds seller● only driven Sundays = Sunday is race day● trans. rebuilt = fine sawdust used to make it
quiet● family owned = driven by 6 teenagers
Apply the Rules
● Search local, by price– Check Mailing lists / Forums
● Do not ever pay over $1,000– Good tags for a while a plus!
– Do not leave a deposit
● Car must run w/o need for maintenance● Stay away from dealerships● Always arrange a test drive and buy during day
– Loud knock from the engine is bad thing
I Did...
● 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE– $700
– Good tags
– Runs Great
– 218k Miles
It has been great
● Road trip to Reno AND back– Now has 232k
● Good gas mileage● Cheap Insurance● 12 second quarter mile?● People love a family man...
What is out there now
● Always lots to choose from on Portland Craigslist– 1991 Chevrolet Blazer S-10, 4.3L V-6, 4x4 - $550
– 1989 Chevy Astro Van - reduced price - $800
– 1988 LeBaron Coupe - $900
– 1991 VW Jetta - $850
● I even found a few gems when I visited Tulsa...– 1990 Chevy Astro Van w/ TV and A/C - $1000
– 1993 Mazda 929 - $800
Example #1
● An example of a good boxy car
● The 4.3L V6 is a good, reliable motor (same as Astro Van)
● Some actual maintenance records are posted
● Easy to contact
● http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/715692649.html
Example #2
● The Vans...– Voyager/Caravan
– Astro Van/Safari (AWD)
– Windstar
– Conversion Vans
Example #3
● True American luxury people● $900 w/ new tires and turbo motor!!● http://polybushings.com/pages/LeBaron1.html● Found this on a list.... definite plus
Example #4
● $850 Jetta● Tags good till 09● Decent tires● 35mpg+● Would also suggest
– Volvo
– Mercedes Diesel
– Porsche?
What I like...
● The hunt● Good People / Stories● 4x4 or AWD for the mountain● Lots of leg room● A/C for the summer... or convertible● Cop Car● Possible Veggie Oil conversion
Resources out there...
● Mailing Lists– NW-SDAC
● For enthusiasts of Dodge vehicles inspired by Carol Shelby
– Check Google for your favorite brand/car● Lots of online communities out there to help
● Forums– Volvo
● IPD Website● VolvoSpeed.com
The End...
