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      04-28-2012, 06:43 PM   #1
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Thumbs down Will it ever be easy to find a cheap beater again?

Cash for Clunkers, the used car market being at an all-time high, etc etc have contributed to it being nearly impossible to find a cheap (Sub $5k) & reliable daily driver in GOOD condition.

I have been looking for something either more fun and/or better on gas than my current beater, but keep coming up empty. Everything has WELL over 100k miles, needs a lot of $ dumped into it mechanically and/or cosmetically and/or the price is always way too high for what you're getting.

Who the hell pays $5k+ for a car with nearly 200k miles on it?!

I'm not going to go far for a beater. I've traveled for too many cars that have been falsely advertised in the past.

I guess I'm mainly just venting, but if anyone can help please feel free.
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      04-28-2012, 08:25 PM   #2
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Here you go!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682681
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      04-29-2012, 09:56 AM   #3
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I have no idea what you are talking about, it's an amazing time to buy used cars. A lot of people are desperate or need to sell one of their toys... I just sold an 01 GTP for 5k 97k miles with extensive maintenance and many new parts, took a few months before it even sold...
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      04-29-2012, 10:05 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90 87ss View Post
I have no idea what you are talking about, it's an amazing time to buy used cars.
Used cars are at an all time high in price.

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A lot of people are desperate or need to sell one of their toys...
I have a toy. I want a cheap reliable daily. People don't consider a Civic a toy.

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I just sold an 01 GTP for 5k 97k miles with extensive maintenance and many new parts, took a few months before it even sold...
You raped them. I've owned 3 GTPs (one 98 & two 99s). Wouldn't mind another as a daily as long as it is stock & not high miles w/a solid trans as that is their weak point & I already have 1 beater with a slipping transmission.
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      04-29-2012, 10:35 AM   #5
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97-99 GTP go for low prices KBB was 6200. New tires, alt, battery, window regulator, trans didn't slip, s/c oil, wheel bearing, LIM and associated maintenance... A lot og the guys on the GTP site are desperate to sell, check it out.
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      04-29-2012, 11:02 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90 87ss View Post
97-99 GTP go for low prices KBB was 6200. New tires, alt, battery, window regulator, trans didn't slip, s/c oil, wheel bearing, LIM and associated maintenance... A lot og the guys on the GTP site are desperate to sell, check it out.
We all know you don't get your mods or maint $ back. Also, KBB doesn't buy cars. I love when a dealer tells me KBB says their car is worth X. Great, is KBB here to buy? No, I am.

I've been on the GP sites for years & nothing local that gets me interested in up right now. I don't need to buy anything.
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      04-29-2012, 05:48 PM   #7
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I see you drive a Corvette. Do you really need another beater?

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      04-29-2012, 06:09 PM   #8
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I paid $7k for my 98 land cruiser with 198k miles on it.



Most reliable car i own, and it only gets driven to be pounded on off road.

pre-ford RWD Volvos are very reliable, fun to drive and get good gas mileage, need to go 88ish or older.

ANY Honda of ANY year.

cash for clunkers didn't jack up used car prices, a crappy economy and people wanting to hold on to their used car jacked the prices up. But there is plenty of opportunity to find a great car for less than 5k out there, just need to know what to look for.
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      04-29-2012, 06:42 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ENGINE er View Post
I paid $7k for my 98 land cruiser with 198k miles on it.



Most reliable car i own, and it only gets driven to be pounded on off road.

pre-ford RWD Volvos are very reliable, fun to drive and get good gas mileage, need to go 88ish or older.

ANY Honda of ANY year.

cash for clunkers didn't jack up used car prices, a crappy economy and people wanting to hold on to their used car jacked the prices up. But there is plenty of opportunity to find a great car for less than 5k out there, just need to know what to look for.
That thing looks badass and $7k seems like a steal.

My girlfriends family swears by these cars. They own 3 of them. Her fathers just rolled over 200k, her brothers has well over that and hers is an 06 with 114k. All have been very reliable. I may talk to her father about picking one up at some point...I don't need or want a second car right now, but soon I will.
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      04-30-2012, 01:22 AM   #10
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i'm in the same boat as you, i got a new job that requires a 50 mile commute round trip each day, m3's not doing a great job with gas millage and i've been browsing craigslist for a more economical car and it's pretty much impossible
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      04-30-2012, 08:38 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ENGINE er View Post
I paid $7k for my 98 land cruiser with 198k miles on it.
That's what I'm talking about. I would never pay $7k for a car with 198k miles on it unless it was a collectible or worth a considerable chunk of change.

On another note, not looking for a truck or SUV to daily drive.
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      04-30-2012, 08:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherCar View Post
Cash for Clunkers, the used car market being at an all-time high, etc etc have contributed to it being nearly impossible to find a cheap (Sub $5k) & reliable daily driver in GOOD condition.

I have been looking for something either more fun and/or better on gas than my current beater, but keep coming up empty. Everything has WELL over 100k miles, needs a lot of $ dumped into it mechanically and/or cosmetically and/or the price is always way too high for what you're getting.

Who the hell pays $5k+ for a car with nearly 200k miles on it?!

I'm not going to go far for a beater. I've traveled for too many cars that have been falsely advertised in the past.

I guess I'm mainly just venting, but if anyone can help please feel free.
+1

i've been looking for a daily driver/beater myself for a while now...
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      04-30-2012, 10:19 AM   #13
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You guys just aren't motivated enough, there are a lot of cars to choose from under $5k.

Or your expectations are unrealistic.
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      04-30-2012, 11:30 AM   #14
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"There just isn't anything out there with under 200k for $5,000"

*SEARCH HERE*

*Enter Advanced Search Criteria HERE*

-Within 10 miles
-Automatic
-2 doors
-300hp
-All service records and receipts
-BMW, Toyota, Audi, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan, Lexus
-under 100,000 miles


HAHAHAH no friggin wonder you can't find anything.

I bet you can find a cavalier with 50,000 for $5,000... don't forget to smack yourself in the head for thinking mileage is that important.
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      04-30-2012, 09:31 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ENGINE er View Post
You guys just aren't motivated enough, there are a lot of cars to choose from under $5k.

Or your expectations are unrealistic.
*I* never said there are no cars under $5k. I am saying that most of them are not worth the price and/or have issues or are junk.

I'm not looking for any old make/model/year under the sun either.
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      05-01-2012, 08:43 AM   #16
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Everyone with a car worth keeping is doing just that because they don't want to deal with the hassle of selling it. Selling a car has become 5 x the hassle it was 5 years ago. Back then people would show up and buy your car, now - because of the economy/housing crisis everyone thinks like this:

"ah, I see he is asking $10K for his car - he must be laid off, getting his house foreclosed on and $12K in credit card debt and desperate to sell - I'll offer him 50% of what he is asking"
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      05-01-2012, 08:57 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoconutPete View Post
Everyone with a car worth keeping is doing just that because they don't want to deal with the hassle of selling it. Selling a car has become 5 x the hassle it was 5 years ago. Back then people would show up and buy your car, now - because of the economy/housing crisis everyone thinks like this:

"ah, I see he is asking $10K for his car - he must be laid off, getting his house foreclosed on and $12K in credit card debt and desperate to sell - I'll offer him 50% of what he is asking"
So you just pay everyone asking price for stuff?

If someone doesn't want less then put "firm" in their ad & ignore lower offers
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      05-01-2012, 09:06 AM   #18
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Last year I sold my '02 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT. It had 56,000 miles on it. It was in great condition. The aftermarket stuff I had on it (custom sound, two sets of wheels, exhaust, intake) of course didn't really add value, but I did have all new brakes/rotors, it was 100% up to date on services, etc. I sold it for $5,500 and was happy. KBB said I could get like $6,500 for it, but I found a buyer who had $5,500 cash and was willing to buy it right away (via craigslist).

The car was a great DD for a smaller 2 door coupe. IMO you're being too picky for something $5k or under...
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      05-01-2012, 09:08 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoconutPete View Post
Everyone with a car worth keeping is doing just that because they don't want to deal with the hassle of selling it. Selling a car has become 5 x the hassle it was 5 years ago. Back then people would show up and buy your car, now - because of the economy/housing crisis everyone thinks like this:

"ah, I see he is asking $10K for his car - he must be laid off, getting his house foreclosed on and $12K in credit card debt and desperate to sell - I'll offer him 50% of what he is asking"
That is not true. I sold my '07 328i sport in less than one day for asking price last year. My '11 335i was on swapalease.com for two weeks before it got taken with no concessions. You just have to know how to sell and negotiate man.
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      05-01-2012, 09:53 AM   #20
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You can easily get a Lexus ES300 for under $5k. Pretty nice for a DD and will run to very high miles. There are many cars, mainly Honda and Toyota, that balk at 200k. My pops has 340k on his 1998 4Runner and it runs like a champ! Two new starters and one clutch in all of those miles. Don't be married to the mileage myth.
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      05-01-2012, 09:56 AM   #21
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Originally Posted by Templar View Post
IMO you're being too picky for something $5k or under...
How do you know that when you don't even know what I'm looking at/for?
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      05-01-2012, 10:01 AM   #22
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Why don't you just tell us?
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