You are here: Forums Smart Shopper Good, Cheap Beater Cars & Inexpensive Commuter Cars - how to find one?

Good, Cheap Beater Cars & Inexpensive Commuter Cars - how to find one?

345 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 9:00 AM

You are in the Smart Shopper Forum. Your Hosts are kirstie_h & tidester

What is this discussion about? Acura Integra, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Escort, Honda Civic, Mazda Protege, Buying Insurance

#309 of 345 '87 Ford Escort EXP... to buy or not to buy? by joyrider147 Sep 08, 2007 (2:43 pm)
I found a "brand new" 1987 Ford Escort EXP with a stick shift, 87,500 miles, and I think its had only 1 owner for $900.00.   I heard about several people having problems with Escorts, but would these problems still be there even if the original owner maintained the car extremely well, including all wiring and wiring harness?   But I heard the Escort engine itself is powerful, dependable, and reliable. And I've been seeing a lot of Escorts being sold cheaply for low miles. But, is it to make a quick sale for 16 to 20 year old Fords that were forgotten about or are they cars that you dump money in?    To buy or not to buy?
#310 of 345 Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson by joyrider147 Sep 08, 2007 (2:55 pm)
Here's a tale to beat all! Top Gear is a British car enthusiast show and they gave Jeremy Clarkson and his 2 co-presenters, James "Captain Slow" and Richard "Hamster" Hammond 100 British Pounds ($160 American Dollars) and were told to find a cheap car and they tested them to see if they could handle usual daily commutes. Jeremy bought a Volvo 760GLE fully loaded for $1.60 American dollars!!!   If you don't believe me, check youtube.com for "Top Gear cheap cars" and watch more funny and exciting Top Gear episodes! Replies to this message: kirstie_h (Sep 10, 2007 7:26 am) joyrider147 (Sep 15, 2007 12:32 pm)
#311 of 345 Re: 1987 BMW 528e...Good find! [joyrider147] by im_brentwood Sep 08, 2007 (10:33 pm)
Replying to: joyrider147 (Sep 08, 2007 2:35 pm) VERY good buy! I am big into E28s (I have an 88 M5, 86 535i and an 88 528e) and they are absolutely fantastic cars.   A 528e will last.. oh.. the engine should make it to 400k at least, automatic might hit 200-250k, diff at least as long as the engine.   They are indestructible and easy to work on. Buy the Bentley Manual on eBay.   Check out www.mye28.com   Change the timing belt!!! Unless you have PROOF that it's been done, do it and do the water pump too. It's easy DIY and there's lots of guides online to show you how to do it. The process is the same for any gasoline-engined 6-cyl BMW that uses a belt.   If you need any info on the car, let me know.. I've grown up around them and know them in and out. If it's clean it's a $2k car, you did very well. Oh, it only needs regular and if you use the cruise it gets 30 on the highway. Make sure you use 20W50 oil tho! 10W40 is winter oil for those, 10W30 for Alaskan winters.
#312 of 345 Beat-up beater... by oldfarmer50 Sep 10, 2007 (7:05 am)
My son may have come up with the best beater car I've seen. He rescued a 1988 Plymouth Reliant from a trip to the junk yard and it runs just fine. It looks like hell but for $350 you can't go wrong. Took less than $150 worth of repairs to pass inspection.   Sometimes you can get decent transportation cheap if you don't care about looks. I second that recommendation about Craigslist. Even though my son didn't go that route I've seen some pretty cheap cars on there. Sometimes the seller will tell you the whole life story of the car too.   I have a soft spot for beater cars. On the one hand if it blows up next week what have you really lost? If it runs for a couple of years you feel like a car buying genius.
#313 of 345 Re: Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson [joyrider147] by kirstie_h HOST Sep 10, 2007 (7:26 am)
Replying to: joyrider147 (Sep 08, 2007 2:55 pm) Hey, where are you finding all of these deals? Do you just shop local ads, or do you have other resources? Replies to this message: joyrider147 (Sep 15, 2007 12:32 pm)
#314 of 345 Got ya all beat by im_brentwood Sep 10, 2007 (10:45 pm)
1990 BMW 735i. Runs and drives great, 225k miles, ice cold AC, nice paint and interior, no major problems.   $800 cash off of craigslist.   I used it as a loaner until some nitwit rear-ended it. Oh yes.. the guy's insurance co gave me a check for $4500. Replies to this message: qbrozen (Sep 11, 2007 5:50 am) british_rover (Sep 11, 2007 5:56 am) kyfdx (Sep 11, 2007 6:32 am) oldfarmer50 (Sep 11, 2007 7:00 am)
#315 of 345 Re: Got ya all beat [im_brentwood] by qbrozen Sep 11, 2007 (5:50 am)
Replying to: im_brentwood (Sep 10, 2007 10:45 pm) ~640% return. Nice!
#316 of 345 Re: Got ya all beat [im_brentwood] by british_rover Sep 11, 2007 (5:56 am)
Replying to: im_brentwood (Sep 10, 2007 10:45 pm) Yikes does that count as capital gains??? Replies to this message: kyfdx (Sep 11, 2007 6:32 am)
#317 of 345 Re: Got ya all beat [british_rover] by kyfdx HOST Sep 11, 2007 (6:32 am)
Replying to: british_rover (Sep 11, 2007 5:56 am) Of course.. the trick is finding someone to rear-end you..
#318 of 345 Re: Got ya all beat [im_brentwood] by oldfarmer50 Sep 11, 2007 (7:00 am)
Replying to: im_brentwood (Sep 10, 2007 10:45 pm) "...$800 cash off of Craigslist...the guy's insurance co. gave me a check for $4500..."   Hey, will you give me the name of the guy who sold you a $4500 car for $800? I'd like to buy one too.

You are here: Forums Smart Shopper Good, Cheap Beater Cars & Inexpensive Commuter Cars - how to find one?