Need to find a "Beater" or Dave Ramsey Special

[Pistol Gripper]

Cars can still be had on the cheap.  I'd find one you fit in and stick with that model.  I bought a Chevy Z-28 for $450 and have been driving it off and on for 3 years.  Also picked up a 1988 Daytona Shelby Turbo Z for $850 and have been driving it for about 2 years.  Good to have 2 running in case one barfs.  There's plenty of Cavaliers around for under a Grand, as long as you fit.  Easy to get, easy to keep running.

P.G.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

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I hear ya about the Prizm too.  My wife's car is a Mazda MPV and no matter what I do I am not comfortable in it.  My knees almost hit the dash and the seat is too small.  Luckily, I am not overweight at all at 195#'s but still, I'm just not a small or even average sized person.  I guess that's another reason I love old Mopars, I've always been able to fit in them comfortably.

 

[gkring]

$500 motorcycle and keep the truck for rainy weather?
Forget the $500 cars, they just don't happen anymore. You have to buy two $500 cars so you can keep robbing parts off one to keep the other going. The money saved is wasted from all the times it will be down or your time spent keeping it going. Find a cheap extended cab mini truck and get the new car warranty and payment plan to go with it.

[Jacksboys]

I have to disagree with those who say that cheap cars do not happen anymore.  I have a Honda Crx that was given to me because a lady wanted it out of her yard after her husband died.  I had to replace a few parts and put a couple new gaskets on the engine, but nothing has been rebuilt.  I had about $700 invested in it.  It may not look like a new car, but it has been extremely dependable for almost three years (has over 200,000 miles). 

I know that this car is tiny, but I just wanted to give you an example that they are still out there, you just have to make sure everyone you know keeps an eye out for you.  In your case, I might consider rebuilding the tranny, while checking craigslist on a daily basis so you can purchase another car for a backup.

[brads70]

Yeah,  that's what my wife does not understand.  She's pushing for me to get a car butI am not comfortable in a lot of cars.  Trucks are WAY better for me.  The only thing is if a put $800 into the Ramcharger, where do you stop throwing good money into a beat up old truck?

That's better than a $800 per month car /truck payment plus more for insurance? Just my 2 cents.
My  2nd last car I bought right out of a wrecking yard . The yard loader put it right on my trailer even. It was a 1986 regal . I put new brakes and lines on it and a new fuel line and gave it a $180 paint job  ( myself) then drove it for 3 years till it rotted away, then it ended up at a stock car track! Reduce ,reuse ,recycle!!

[ChallengerGary]

That's better than a $800 per month car /truck payment plus more for insurance? Just my 2 cents.
My  2nd last car I bought right out of a wrecking yard . The yard loader put it right on my trailer even. It was a 1986 regal . I put new brakes and lines on it and a new fuel line and gave it a $180 paint job  ( myself) then drove it for 3 years till it rotted away, then it ended up at a stock car track! Reduce ,reuse ,recycle!!

I agree about car payments.  Talk about a bad "investment."  My wife was saying to me the other day that maybe we should just go trade in her van for two other cars/payments, I said "No way.  I am NOT going further into debt for anything." 

Funny you mention being a junk yard special, I actually saw a few cars for sale at one of the yards I went to and was tempted.  Prayerfully, it will al work out.  I guess this is one of those "Character Building" times my parent's used to talk about.  For now, a buddy from work is picking me up in the mornings and I am bumming a ride with whomever I can at night.

[gkring]

That's better than a $800 per month car /truck payment plus more for insurance? Just my 2 cents.
My  2nd last car I bought right out of a wrecking yard . The yard loader put it right on my trailer even. It was a 1986 regal . I put new brakes and lines on it and a new fuel line and gave it a $180 paint job  ( myself) then drove it for 3 years till it rotted away, then it ended up at a stock car track! Reduce ,reuse ,recycle!!

hey guys, I am not talking about $35,000 loaded cars here. I am talking about stripper model base trucks in the $15K range, which would give you a $350 payment on a 4 year note. Stretch it out on an interest free loan or go with one a year or two old and get it under $300 per month. You just can't beat it for dependability, factory warranty, mileage, comfort, etc. Even new stripper cars beat 1985 hondas for daily transportation. $500 ready to go cars do not exist. You may get lucky and come across one, but I wouldn't put my wife or kids in it and send them across town. Some people do not enjoy having to carry a trunk full of tools, antifreeze, and duct tape to make sure they make it to work. Some people do enjoy it. My point is you have to get the car that fits you and your purpose. if you can risk being stranded somewhere then the $500 cars are an option. for every one of you who says they have the perfect $500 or free car that so and so gave you I can give you examples of another 100 that did not work out. Along the same lines as the $1000 barn find hemi cuda. It may exist, but I wouldn't hold out for it. Gary, I am local to you so if I see something I will let you know.

[The Cuda Guy]

Might be worth looking into?

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/904644121.html

Don

[ChallengerGary]

Okay,  I just got offered a 1993 Infiniti J30 in trade for my 72 Satellite project (as-is but with a full set of Rallye Rims thrown in).  The car looks good, seems to run nice, has cold a/c, decent leather interior.  Kind of torn, I hate to give up on a project but I really need a driver.

Opinions?

[NoMope Greg]

I always liked those.  That 3.0 V6 Nissan is a good engine - they used that in a lot of cars back then.  If it seems to be in good shape and you fit in it OK, why not?  Have you done any mechanical inspection of it?

[ChallengerGary]

There's plenty of legroom in it and just enough headroom.  Not as comfortable to get in & out of as my truck though.  It's a lot lower tahn what I am used to.  I've noticed a lot of these cars are out there for sale with well over 150-200K miles so I guess your opinion of the Nissan V6 is dead-on.  Must be a good engine and this one looks well maintained.  Haven't done a full mechanical inspection yet but the guy with it says he actually bought it for his father and has been driving it himself since his dad does not like the fact that the radio is broken (you can't see the station numbers although it does work).

[ChallengerGary]

Leaning towards passing on the J30.  I realized I would not be comfortable in it due to the very low ride height.  Plus, I had to put the front seat all the way back which made for less room in the back seat than in an e-body (believe it or not).  Gonna see if I get any other trade offers or if it sells for cash maybe I'll just rebuild the trans in the Ram Charger and replace the rear main seal while I am at it.