How to buy a car for under $1,000
By:
@KevinFox

Now you can spend $1k on...

... 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.

You may be thinking....
No way can I get something decent....

But you are wrong!
Of course decent is relative, we are talking $1,000
or less here...

A word on New Vs. Used
● Depreciation
● Costs
● Warranty
● Condition
● Insurance
● History
● Reliability
● At the end of the day...

Let's get to it
● Getting Started
– Craigslist.org (go local!)
● www.craigshelper.com (useful CL search site)
● portland.craigslist.org/car
● search by price (aim high, you can bargain!)
– Ebay is less helpful for cheaper cars but worth a look
sometimes

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....)

Look for keywords...
● easy project car = completely disassembled,
bring many boxes
● minor rust = major rust you can't see.
● 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

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

I Did...
● 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE
– $700
– Good tags
– Runs Great
– 218k Miles

It has been great
● Road trip to Reno AND back
– Now has 232k
● Good gas mileage
– 25mpg on 4 cylinder Turbo
● Cheap Insurance
● 12 second quarter mile?
● People love a family man...

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 Bend...
– 1984 BMW 733i – good reputation on forums - $900
– 1987 Chevy Astro Van AWD – good tags - $600

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

Example #2
● The Vans...
– Voyager/Caravan
– Astro Van/Safari (AWD)
– Windstar
– Conversion Vans

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

Example #4
● $850 Jetta
● Tags good till 09
● Decent tires
● 35mpg+
● Would also suggest
– Volvo 240/740/850
– Early Mercedes Diesels
– Porsche 944 (do homework)
– BMW 733i (new purchase for me - $900)

What I like...
● The hunt
● Good People / Stories
– I look for people more than cars
● 4x4 or AWD for the mountain
● Lots of leg room
● Something different, no jelly bean cars
● Affordable Luxury
● A/C for the summer... or convertible
● Cop Car
● Possible Veggie Oil conversion

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 on-line communities out there to help
● Web Sites
– www.carsurvey.org
● Forums
– Volvo
● IPD Website
● VolvoSpeed.com

The End...