Best vehicle for three grand?

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 59 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 16, 2014 - 07:59pm PT
What are your thoughts?
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:04pm PT
Handa Cvic..... Just dont get one with carb.

I have a 2001 ....5 spd... and it gets 40mpg on the road, about 31 round town. No weird parts (batterys) just a basic car.

Oh I paid 4,000 but whos counting.

ruppell

climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:08pm PT
I think I need a lot more info from you. Assuming you'll be using it for work and play I'd go with an 87-89 Toyota van with manual trans and 4wd. Should be able to find one in that price range. They get about 22mpg and last forever. My 2wd has 337,000 on it and runs great. Removable bed platform in the back for trips. Take out the bed and tons of room for work related crap.
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:28pm PT
I've got a '98 Merc Sable wagon with 135k on it, strong V6, all power, leather, etc. You can have it if you want to come out here and run the crown, base, and some oddball door and window trim in my cabin. Hell, I'll even throw down for the plane ticket out here, hang in California a while, then drive it home.

overwatch

climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:40pm PT
That sounds like a pretty decent offer right there...nice one eciya
ruppell

climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:42pm PT
No kidding. I'd take that offer in a second.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 16, 2014 - 08:47pm PT
No sh#t?

I've got to finish siding this addition that I'm building, but I could be there in three weeks or so. Where exactly are you?
overwatch

climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:47pm PT
Before he changes his mind. You get a vehicle a trip to ca and keep your three grand?
WBraun

climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:48pm PT
Best vehicle for three grand?

One that runs .....
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:53pm PT
I just sold my honda odysee for three grand. Of course the transmission was out and I owed 5 grand on it. Only got three grand because I bought a brand new one. That I will pay forever on, but it has a warranty and gets 40 mpg
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:54pm PT
In Joshua Tree. Send me an email and we can talk particulars, I'm not in any kind of hurry.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Apr 16, 2014 - 08:57pm PT
I'd take that offer also.

However

If you don't

Get a S Series Saturn with under 150k miles (2door 4 door or wagon)

$1500 max for a car under 150k miles that will go 250k easy with minor maintenance and easy cheap repairs. Stuff that will always happen at that milage in any vehicle.. alternator, starter, water pump, radiator, occasional sensor. Nice thing is the engine and transmission and electrical on them tend to be stout.

Can get 42mpg on highway depending on model and never less than 33mpg even with automatic and the dohc engine.

I paid a premium for a 2000 manual wagon (very hard to find) in great condition with 120k miles. $2100 .. did a fifth gear swap from the sohc transmission and get 39MPG higway and 31 in town.

Easily as reliable as toyota, subaru or honda and for 1/2 to 1/3 the price in condition/milage.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Apr 16, 2014 - 09:04pm PT
Had a civic and loved that car. Also loved the crv but prolly have to spend more than that. In about 89 I bought a 4 year old yugo with 40,000 miles on it for $400. Drove it for 4 years and put another 40,000 on it and sold it for $250. If you can find a yugo definitely buy it. It came with its own wrenches and a heater.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Apr 16, 2014 - 09:07pm PT
Fukkin A Brandon do it.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Apr 16, 2014 - 09:11pm PT
No doubt. Elcap your the man. Last week I might have left the wife and kids for that offer. Plus have you seen that guys abs.
HighDesertDJ

Trad climber
Apr 16, 2014 - 09:15pm PT
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/vintage-speed/fun-cars-for-less-than-3k#slide-1
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Apr 16, 2014 - 09:25pm PT
mid 90s Civic Hatchback, manual transmission, non-vtech. Always worth fixing, do the head gasket if you are not sure about the motor. Will run forever.
mojede

Trad climber
Butte, America
Apr 17, 2014 - 12:26am PT
Early 90's Jeep Cherokee--not the best mpg, but good enough and they'll go anywhere and haul plenty of shite (tow stuff, too). I ditched a mid 90's Suby for one and haven't looked back; that 4.0l six will last pertnear forever and is easy and cheap to fix...

...fwiw :-)

edit: fun to mod up, plenty of parts out there, everywhere AND you can sleep in it at the difficult spots to get to
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Apr 17, 2014 - 12:30am PT
'69 Volvo wagon with an IPD manifold with a two barrel Weber. Don't get simpler or more bullet-proof.
Or ya could do like my homie Oddvar did and drop a short block Buick in it and then you gots a stealth rocket ship.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Apr 17, 2014 - 12:32am PT
Brandon, elcapiya is hte real deal. He will honor what he sez here and you won't be disappointed. I've ridden in this rig and it's the goods!
Messages 1 - 20 of total 59 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta