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...
3. ... 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.
4. You may be thinking....
No way can I get something decent....
5. But you are wrong!
Of course decent is relative, we are talking $1,000
or less here...
6. A word on New Vs. Used
● Depreciation
● Costs
● Warranty
● Condition
● Insurance
● History
● Reliability
● At the end of the day...
7. 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
8. 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....)
9. 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
10. 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
11. I Did...
● 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE
– $700
– Good tags
– Runs Great
– 218k Miles
12. 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...
13. 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
14. 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
15. Example #2
● The Vans...
– Voyager/Caravan
– Astro Van/Safari (AWD)
– Windstar
– Conversion Vans
16. 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
17. Example #4
● $850 Jetta
● Tags good till 09
● Decent tires
● 35mpg+
● Would also suggest
– Volvo
– Mercedes Diesel
– Porsche?
18. 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
19. 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