Our Cars--$2,500 Challenge
Car Lust is one of the consistent sources of joy in my life; what could be better than discussing interesting cars, both awful and fantastic, with an international community of like-minded individuals? Of all the wonderful things about Car Lust--our strange themes, the witty comments, Our Cars features--one of my favorite but least utilized is our series of classifieds challenges, in which we all search for the most interesting used cars available at a given price point. I am a confessed used-car classifieds junkie and am never happier than when browsing through the amazing possibilities available in the classifieds, and based on the response to our previous classifieds challenges, you guys share that attraction. (Previous challenges: $5,000, results; $25,000, results; Helping Alice, results; Teenmobile, results)
We are way overdue for a new challenge, and so I'm kicking off a new one with a $2,500 price limit. For those of you new to this, it's basically a treasure hunt through the used-car classifieds--what's the neatest, most interesting car you can find for $2,500? New cars up for auction that are currently $2,499 with 10 days left that will clearly wind up at a much higher price are considered cheating--fixed prices are best. In about a week, I'll summarize your contributions, pick out some winners in a few categories, and we'll go from there. Just like any other Car Lust challenge.
Except, this time there's a twist--I might actually buy one of our finds. You see, we now need a second car, we have a budget of $2,500 for that car, and I'm perfectly willing to twist the meaning of "second family car" beyond recognition. I have lived with modern, capable, new sedans for too long; it has been years now since my flirtation with the '73 Valiant and my steady relationship with the '83 Malibu. It's time for something significantly more Car Lusty. As always, interesting cars from all over the country are eligible for the challenge, but I'll be much more likely to buy it if it's close to Seattle or Portland. Extra points as usual for outrageous oddity and a wagon/hatchback body.
Over the past week I have done some preliminary research for this challenge; if you are a regular Car Lust reader, you will recognize most of these cars as my long-time favorites. The current clubhouse leader is a silver 1978 Fiat X1/9, but neck-and-neck with it are a 1988 Audi Coupe GT, a 1971 Cadillac DeVille, a 1979 Jeep Wagoneer, and a 1995 Audi A6 Wagon. Lurking just behind are a pimptastic 1978 Mercury Marquis, a 1990 Chevy Caprice Wagon, a 1990 Audi V8 Quattro, a 1984 BMW 533i, a 1983 Cadillac DeVille, 1972 Buick LeSabre, 1992 VW Corrado VR6, a 1967 Dodge Polara, and a 1986 Ford Mustang Convertible.
Looking at these photos, the right plan might just be to buy both the Cadillac and the Fiat, strap the Fiat to the Caddy's trunk, and use the Fiat as a dinghy.
--Chris H.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on October 01, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Here's one you won't be able to resist:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/1401355357.html
1997 Saab 900 SE Talladega. Looks solid, and it has a stick and a CD changer. (What more do you need?) The seller's asking $2999, but you can probably talk him down a bit (or talk Mrs. Hafner into increasing the budget appropriation!)
NatefromOgden on October 01, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Ditto about your thoughts concerning all the possibilities one can find while browsing the used car ads wherever they might be. And I love the hunt for a used car in a fixed price range, especially when its close to dang cheap.
I recently bought a 2 owner 94 Lincoln Mark VIII with just 140K miles on it for $2200, tax & title included. It has turned out to be a great car for my daily commute and I call it my economy car because it gets twice the mileage of my F250 Ford truck. If you fancy the style, I would recommend including the Mark in your search.
I'd leave out the Fiat unless you can stand having it as a project no matter how good it looks. I had a Jeep Grand Wagoneer that should have been a great vehicle but it was so underpowered that it was frightening going up the local ski resort roads. My 2 cents. Good luck with the hunt.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on October 01, 2009 at 10:21 AM
1990 CRX in Rhode Island--ultracheap!
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1385809854.html
Gives you plenty of room in the budget for the plane ticket to go there and motels on the cross-country drive bringing it home. Stop off anywhere near Cleveland or Akron and dinner's on me.
Chris Hafner on October 01, 2009 at 11:13 AM
A 1990 CRX in what looks like good condition for only $400? Isn't there a section in the penal code for theft of that magnitude?
Chris Hafner on October 01, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Ooh, that is a pretty Saab; a little too new for my tastes, though. I'm still romantically hoping that my first Saab is a gray 1986 SPG.
This shouldn't be all about me, by the way - this is a normal challenge, just with the added twist that our findings might not be entirely theoretical!
Big Chris on October 01, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I found you your very own short bus! http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ctd/1401512519.html
Big Chris on October 01, 2009 at 11:34 AM
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/1401535383.html
"1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with only 140,xxx miles, fully loaded, leather, hitch, 4x4, new tires and best of all BRAND NEW TRANNY!!! This Jeep has ZERO rust and is in very nice condition!!
asking $2200 for a quick cash sale"
Is "asking for a quick cash sale" code speak for it's hot and we have to move it before my mom finds out?
David Colborne on October 01, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Some interesting finds in my area - hey, we have an Amazon distribution center near here!
1989 GMC School Bus - $2800 (Yeah, I know it's over the limit.)
Do you have kids? I mean, LOTS AND LOTS OF KIDS? Like, almost 40 of them? Well, we have the vehicle for you!
http://reno.craigslist.org/ctd/1401216313.html
1973 Lincoln Continental Mk III - $2500
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1400859168.html
C'mon... it's a Continental! I'm a little worried about the lack of picture, though.
1975 Datsun 280Z - $1000
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1400827475.html
Yeah, it's rusted and the seats are busted, but that's what makes it the perfect sleeper!
1953 Chrysler Wagon - $2000
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1400810304.html
It doesn't run, but you have to admit, the owner definitely has a creative interpretation of "body in good condition"!
1975 Jeep J-10 - $800
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1400803282.html
The ad speaks for itself: "THIS TRUCK DOES NOT RUN ,HAS BEEN SITTING FOR YEARS. TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE" I don't know about you, but, where I'm from, "GOOD SHAPE" usually means "RUN".
1969 Mercedes-Benz 240D - $2500
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1400768622.html
It's a lemon green German diesel! C'mon... you know you wanna.
Big Chris on October 01, 2009 at 11:40 AM
96 Audi A6 (though not wagon unfortunately) $2400 http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/1401268044.html
Big Chris on October 01, 2009 at 11:47 AM
1995 Volvo SW (Wagon of course!) http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/ctd/1401111968.html - asking $1995. At that price, you could buy it and pay for the gas to have me drive it to Seattle, and then a 1 way ticket for me back to MSP!
Big Chris on October 01, 2009 at 11:50 AM
My last one, and perhaps the greatest temptation for Hafner - http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/1400788743.html - 1982 AMC Eagle 4 Wheel Drive
"Starts and runs strong, even in the winter. Never needed to plug it in. It doesn't even have a plug to plug in.
The speedometer doesn't work, but there is about 65,000 miles. It was used for city errands.
Second owner.
Good tires.
The A/C does not work.
Needs a new battery.
Has rust, but never been in an accident.
Price Negotiable"
...m... on October 01, 2009 at 01:24 PM
1960 Dodge 100 $2000
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f162/1960-dodge-100-tow-vehicle-79228/
1987 Dodge Ramcharger $1200
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f162/fs-87-dodge-ramcharger-79232/
2000 Turbobeetle $2566.40 + Aston-Martin Vanquish
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f162/wtt-2000-turbobeetle-108k-miles-am-vanquish-74743/
...oh wait, that last one's mine...
jennifer on October 01, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I missed buying 1987 Corvette for 2500 by 30 minutes. I was so mad.
Chris Hafner on October 01, 2009 at 01:46 PM
You know, I've been looking for an AMC Eagle. I had a dragnet for an AMC Matador coupe too and couldn't find a nice one. (Insert snide comment about even brand new AMC Matadors not being nice)
Chris Hafner on October 01, 2009 at 01:56 PM
David, I like the way you think. This line from the diesel Merc listing had me chuckling: "as sluggish to start as a new Diesel Mercedes Benz 240 has ever been."
Simon Buckley on October 01, 2009 at 03:59 PM
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/ctd/1385456269.html
1985 Mercedes 500 SEL runs very good with no rust shift perfect very fast euro car rare
There is nothing cooler than a big black V8 Merc
Simon Buckley on October 01, 2009 at 04:02 PM
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/1399716425.html
Except maybe a black BMW 635
SpaniardinTexas on October 01, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Geo metro, 4 door, 189k miles, manual, air conditioning, ABS... even has towing hitch. 997 dollars.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=268486005&dealer_id=622720&car_year=1996&rdm=1254448252807&num_records=25&systime=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&first_record=1&make=&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=77001&advanced=&end_year=2010&pager.offset=0&transmission=&doors=&max_price=2500&cardist=6&standard=false
Simon Buckley on October 01, 2009 at 08:32 PM
LOL What can you tow with a metro?
ERIC D on October 01, 2009 at 08:40 PM
wasabbee
1990 saab 900. 5 speed, four door hatch. whoa. come to nj and get it haha.
http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/1401436477.html
Rob on October 01, 2009 at 09:50 PM
K. Chris. I know you like weird stuff.... so... you basically have to freak out about this, since I've never even seen one of these for sale, EVER.
1991 Infiniti M30. SUPER SUPER WEIRD.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/1401681395.html
or a weird Chrysler TC Maserati turbo!
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/1401663359.html
87 325is with sports package seems pretty solid:
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1400841244.html
Rich C on October 01, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Meanwhile, down here in CA, we currently have:
1989 Peugeot 405 MI-16 that's just not getting enough film roles ($1250)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/1395635902.html
1987 Mitsubishi Starion turbo, for your very own Top Gear cheap car challenge ($2000)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1397501644.html
1987 Volkswagen GTI 16V ($2500)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1396504232.html
1969 Mercedes 250S ($2500)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1393332243.html
... and an assortment of expired Merkur and Rover ads that are due to come around again any time now.
kenny heggem on October 01, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Hands down a VW VR6 Corrado for me.
Only $1750
This one allows a nice sum to add a Turbo, repair the spoiler and SR if ya wish...and already has coilovers/full Neuspeed suspension, CA sun means no rust...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/1400096127.html
1995 Taurus SHO
Fast Sedan, fairly late model...and under $2500
Appears very clean too!
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/1401293162.html
1993 BMW 325is
$2300
I always had a fondness for these. I knew a guy, my mum's boyfriend when I was a kid...that bought an 87 new...it was FAST. These models are a cut above in all around refinement, hard to choose between a Corrado VR6 and a 6 cyl Beamer though...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1399235754.html
radar on October 02, 2009 at 01:28 AM
1982 Mercedes 300D, $1300 http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/1394377194.html
1986 Subaru GL wagon with lift kit, $800 http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/1375189093.html
Tommy's Dad on October 02, 2009 at 01:50 AM
Possible winner of the "Needs a Little Work" category:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/1402319410.html