$2000 car

[Joel]

Probably some old Toyota or a minivan. I don't have another car so I'd need something I could use as a beater, not a project car.

EDIT: Probably something like this http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Mazda/Protege/HARRIETSFIELD/Nova+Scotia/19_7432624_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

 

[Sage Ages]

You can get them for less than $500 if you know where to look.

 

[MedigoFlame]

^ Meanwhile in Japan:

 

[Badasp5.0]

Quite. Takes the fun out of being able to buy cars like that when you pay $8-9 per gallon and have insurance quotes well into the thousands...

Personally I'd prefer to pay a little extra for the car, fill it up at $3.50 a gallon and drive it on some empty roads. Grass is always greener though, isn't it!

Shame some of the cars they get in the UK we cannot get at all
It is surprising how much it costs to run a car in the UK and the fact you have to report modifications to insurance is really shocking.

 

[Jay.]

$1000 = £617 Approx current UK conversion. Not a lot to spend.
But after a quick look through Autotrader UK I saw a VW Golf V GTI, a nice MX-5 and a few other European standards and Japanese imports, though I settled on this...

1994 Mazda MX-6 2.5 V6 GT for only £500
One careful lady owner, with full electrics, air con. and CD player.




Change from budget will do for a good service.

 

[Sage Ages]

I'm considering changing the budget to $2000. Seems to be a lot more variety.

 

[Jay.]

I'm considering changing the budget to $2000. Seems to be a lot more variety.

Nooo, don't want to make it too easy.

 

[Rage Racer]

I'm a bit jealous of the UK too. I really kinda want to move over there not just for how cheap you can get a car and the fact that you can own a Nissan Skyline GT-R without much trouble...

Russia is the same thing. We can have JDM cars with no problems, too. However, the traffic is right-hand, and driving an RHD car in a right-hand traffic isn't very comfortable sometimes. But all you have to do with the car is to make a headlight conversion (so the light is biased to the right side, not left).

JDM cars are also pretty cheap (have a great price/quality rate), especially in the eastern regions (Siberia and Far East). In Vladivostok, 90% of all cars in the city are RHD cars shipped directly from Japan.

I also know a guy from Siberia who bought a Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE85 in moderate condition for ~$650. Then repaired it and converted to AE86 (by swapping the engine for 4A-GE).

 

[RDF97]

Nooo, don't want to make it too easy.

Fair point. It's a challenge, yes. But the only car you could buy is something you'd use as a project car or if you really, really need a cheap set of wheels.

I'm considering changing the budget to $2000. Seems to be a lot more variety.

I agree with you. There is a lot more variety. $3000 down under can get a good variety so that's if you do and want to be generous.

 

[AzNTypeR]

$1000 = £617 Approx current UK conversion. Not a lot to spend.
But after a quick look through Autotrader UK I saw a VW Golf V GTI, a nice MX-5 and a few other European standards and Japanese imports, though I settled on this...

A Mark 5? I could only find Mark 4's and 3's?

 

[homeforsummer]

I'd not touch a 600-odd quid Mk4 Golf with somebody else's. Even a lot of Mk3s are utterly shagged at that price, so I can't even imagine the mileage and condition of a Mk4 for the same money.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I got a hit on something I want that's exactly $1,000 dollars; a Mk.II Ford Taurus SHO.
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4066694573.html

1996 Ford F-150
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4077872382.html

1986 Toyota MR2
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/4054173873.html

 

[KM964]

I'd go with one of these.

1990 Nissan 300ZX - $1,000

2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. 239,541 miles. Current bid is $805. Originally bought by Wisconsin State Police.

Great work vehicle. Not a show car, but a good runner. Was told by previous owner the engine/trans was replaced at some point, but cant guarantee that. engine runs great, and doesn't burn ANY oil. Has new rear shocks, tune up, front brakes, tires have good tread and all matching, am/fm cd player. AC blows ice cold. Replaced some parts on it last year. I bought it with 215k miles on it, and have put 25k miles on it since, and it hasn't skipped a beat. starts up and drives awesome. Recently took it on a 700 mile trip, and it got around 24mpg.

Originally this car was purchased new by the Wisconsin state police. Then I believe it was a taxi. Then a private owner bought it, and had it repainted back to its original blue color. Paint job is low budget. Has scratches, a little damage to the rear pass door/fender. Overall, its just a good reliable work car, with a big trunk. This would make a great first car for someone. Big, safe, and cheap to repair. I drive it daily.

 

[RDF97]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Falcon-2001/SSE-AD-2413566/?Cr=78&sdmvc=1

'01 Ford Falcon AU II Forte $1,990.

 

[Sage Ages]

240SX - $1000

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4146490528.html

Grand Cherokee - $1600

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/4109532934.html

 

[Jay.]

A Mark 5? I could only find Mark 4's and 3's?

Sorry, typo. It should have read Mk IV

I'd not touch a 600-odd quid Mk4 Golf with somebody else's. Even a lot of Mk3s are utterly shagged at that price, so I can't even imagine the mileage and condition of a Mk4 for the same money.

One of my previous GTIs was a 1997 Mk 3, bought it in 2003 for £400.
Needed new tyres, new front discs and a service. Bodywork was pretty good with no rust. I already had a replacement set of 17" rims and tyres for it, discs and service done by myself for less than £100. Three days later it was immaculate and capable of nearly 140mph (on sat-nav system).
A beautiful Mk 3 GTI for less than £500. It can be done if you look around.

Anyway... $2000? we got a payrise!
So... *gets calculator out* ...thats about £1235 GBP. I'll be back soon with a new car.

 

[homeforsummer]

So because you bought a mk3 under 600 quid a decade ago and it was fine, my point doesn't stand? Doing the same now isn't quite as easy. Mk3s start to look pretty ropey at that price and Mk4s are about as desirable as a nicely-damped grab handle inserted rectally.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Decent looking 735i for $2k:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-735i-1989/SSE-AD-2348511/?Cr=8&sdmvc=1

No RWC but since the only criteria is for it to be running....perfect

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Well, I found this celica for $1800 around where I'm moving too soon.
http://dothan.craigslist.org/cto/4141967554.html

 

[Slash]

I like the Celica's body lines, only because it's a ripoff of a Mustang. I'd like get seriously laughed at unless I swapped in a V8. Then people would ask me what year Mustang it was. Which would get very old. Vey fast.


Anyways, for $2k

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4126390703.html

$1,650, Ford 5.0L (302), 165k. Solid daily driver.


Also, this '76 Mach 1 I almost bought.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4147848732.html

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I love this thread, lets keep it going! 👍

1996 Ford Mustang, now wondering how it would drive with modern brakes and suspension. Maybe a engine swap with a 5.0L coyote v8.
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/4072449247.html

1985 Fox for $1750
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/4051861504.html

 

[RVDNuT374]

Since I live in an area where used cars are insanely overpriced with extremely high mileage, options are very limited. 👎

1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS- $2000: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=29102&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=1360956&startYear=1981&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=2000&listingId=353013309&listingIndex=2&Log=0

1995 Ford Explorer- $1900: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=29102&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=1360956&startYear=1981&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=2000&listingId=353770043&listingIndex=7&Log=0

1996 Ford E-150 Cargo Van- $1500: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=29102&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=1360956&startYear=1981&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&searchRadius=50&maxPrice=2000&listingId=357792808&listingIndex=18&Log=0

 

[Slash]

@RandomCarGuy

Wow that fox is a STEAL for what's been done to it. Dayum.

 

[dsgerbc]

Do you just have $2k or you have some extra for repairs too?
If you only have $2k, than your budget for the car should be just $1k.

Anyway, any car for $2k is likely to have issues, so you need one that has cheap and readily available used parts. If gas money isn't a big deal, get a crown vic. Otherwise, some frist-gen Focus.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

^It's just 2k for the car I think and it's up to you to share what you would do afterwards to it.

$1600 for a 1996 Camaro; not bad value.
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/4142337009.html

$1500 for a e30 325ci
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/4118457603.html

$1500 for a 1990s caprice (it says impala ss, but I doubt it's one). It's basically another buy to save. The rims and hood would be sold and I would begin my vision of what muscle car pontential it has.
http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/ctd/4077221833.html

Yes, lincoln LS!
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/4086120305.html

 

[Kent]

Could you resize that first Crown Victoria picture, Doog? Image is huge!

For $1000, there's actually some...cars available here. Mainly...winter beaters.
Plenty of 1st and 2nd generation Subaru Legacy's on craigslist that could be bought for $1000 or less. That is...with a LOT of miles...

But if I'm lucky... I'd love to snag a Tercel 4x4 wagon, AWD Civic wagon, or a uncommon 1st gen Camry All-Trac.

The idea of a Camry from that gen with EKM-3 enkei wheels going for under 2k makes me think it's all about the seller (though I might be wrong about the wheels).

I suppose there is a McLaren F1 for 2k out there somewhere.

That said, I'd buy a "recent" model Toyota or a mass production American car so the parts and services wouldn't be too much.

 

[AzNTypeR]

$2000 = £1236.55 (According to Google)

Honda Prelude 2.0i

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310209376413

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Oh, this just wasted way too much of my time. I found these cars within the budget:

Mazda MX-5 NB, £1075

Alfa Romeo GTV, £1000

Toyota Supra MK 3, manual, £1195

MG TF, £1200

BMW 535i E39, £1195

 

[Sage Ages]

Do you just have $2k or you have some extra for repairs too?
If you only have $2k, than your budget for the car should be just $1k.

Anyway, any car for $2k is likely to have issues, so you need one that has cheap and readily available used parts. If gas money isn't a big deal, get a crown vic. Otherwise, some frist-gen Focus.

2k for the car. Repairs are separate.

 

[Rage Racer]

$2000 is the way easier.
But in my area, I still can't have as nice cars as you can for this price (MG TF, GTV )

1988 Audi 80 - 55,000 rub ($1,737)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/50828923-09c8.html

1988 BMW 325i E30 sedan - 55,555 rub ($1,754)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53878497-8bfd0.html

1987 GAZ 24-10 Volga - 59,000 rub ($1,863)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53369168-5f5c05.html

1989 Honda Civic IV 3door - 50,000 rub ($1,579)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53600227-6bffe4.html

1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E W201 - 55,000 rub ($1,737)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/52456091-26123.html

1990 Nissan Pulsar N14 1.5 16V 4WD X1 (3 dr) - 57,000 rub ($1,800)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53670514-a1bad6.html

1992 Toyota Camry 3.0 - 63,000 ($1,989)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53483220-d25b60.html

1987 VW Golf II - 57,000 rub ($1,800)
http://cars.auto.ru/cars/used/sale/53898210-a72b5.html