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
