My daughter is about a year from being old enough to drive, I'm looking for something +/-$1k ish that I can fix/test/ready for that day. Looking at MKII Jetta Coupe, 626, MX6 type cars. Late 80's early 90's. Cheap to fix and use and not precious if it gets ditched. Located in NW Ohio but travel to Chicago/ Indy/ Louisville/ Harrisburg/ Cincinnati etc for work and willing to travel to grab the right thing.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/223664872318678/
Ford Probe GT in Ohio. Lowball the guy.
In reply to chandler :
That Probe looks great, but, is she okay with a car that old?
I have a theory and that is that kids don't want cars that we built before the beginning of time. The trouble with this is that at only age 15, the beginning of their time was just 2005. Similarly, we adults want something cool from when we were imprssionable (like high school) but most car guys don't really shop for cars a lot older than their own lifetime.
So, with 2005 in mind and a coupe, cheaply; I recommend a Scion tC which launched in 2005. Not a radically sporty car but with the 2.4L out of a Camry, more of a Camry hatchback. When equipped with a manual trans, these cars are very hard to sell and that can keep the prices very low. Most manual trans shoppers will actually buy something sportier. Anyone with kids will not look at the cars because of their inability to get a car seat in back. Anyone looking for an economy commuter will buy something that gets better mpg than the 19/22/27 rating of the big 2.4L.
But, for a HS/College kid, they seem like a great choice and the hatchback gives the a lot of utility. Also, an added bonus is these cars actually come in some colors and not just silver/gray (though they offer that too.) Look for a blue or purple.
If you do find one with a manual, low ball the heck out fo the seller. These cars don't sell slow because the offers are too low but instead they sell so slow because NO ONE ever calls about them.
I care about what's easy and cheap to drive and fix. Im not a person who will just give a car to my kids so if she likes it she will drive and if she doesn't it will drive her to get a job? I just don't have any cast off cars right now; should have kept the MZ5 lol.
Needs engine work???? Asking $1k in Indy w/ 150k
You the man
+1 on the scion
$500 Scion tC in Columbus. This one blue claims to be an automatic but no picture proof.
That one isn't showing for me and the one in Indy never responded. I don't have Facebook so I'm having my brother try to get phone numbers which doesn't always work so well
I just clicked back to the Columbus car and it is SOLD. Sorry.
Go around to Milwaukee and pick up the 5 door 626 GT. F2T greatness, amazing 5 door versatility. It's listed at $1700 and I suspect the seller would love to see it go to a young woman who is showing her journey of automotive appreciation and ownership. Yes it's a 5 door, but they're sleekish and the utility on them remains amazing. And torque, silly amounts of torque.
I'm gonna go ahead and say skip the scion. As my scions aged I have been annoyed at every turn with lackluster design when it comes to repair. They are NOT the 90s car easy to work on they look like. My inner tie rod ends are part of the electric steering rack for berks sake. These are not, imho, as easy as a corolla/camary or as cheap. Parts availability is already getting iffy for non-shared (toyota) parts.
If you want cheap/easy to work on, stay toyota/honda/etc. As a honda guy I would suggest 88-00 civics, or an 89-01 acura integra, but only if suspension bushings have been done in the last 5 years. While parts are cheap, it is a ton of work. Otherwise go for a camry, corolla, paseo, or your personal favorite to work on. Familiarity is underrated, if you already know a platform well, lean that way.
P.s. I have a cheap scion for sale. Ask me why!
In reply to Nugi :
If going Honda, I'll go one further, RSX Type-S one of the most competent, capable yet somehow fairly unloved and overlooked platforms ever.
It may be too far afield, so to speak, but look Atlanta. If you want closer, look at cities with large college populations. In my experience the mix of eclectic cars is greatest in areas with colleges in or nearby.
What's the story with that 325i? Body looks okay, esp since it's PA, top looks its age.
I'll throw out the car I recommend a lot and say.....zx2
Made a deal on it, I didn't have my truck or trailer and it's 7 hours from my house so no guarantee but that's the plan for this weekend.
I'm glad you're moving forward to on the BMW.
Crash safety changed a lot in the 90's... All the E36 M3boxes you rattled off wouldn't inspire confidence to me when you can get something with a lot better Engineering from the later 90's like that 3 series.
They're kids, someone is going to hit them... Or they'll hit something... Just from lack of experience.
Super cool. E36 convertible!
John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:Super cool. E36 convertible!
Individual paint and all
Little far away but go little or go home. Can't beat the 2 seater X90.
The BMW just fell through, his son cried when he said he was selling it. Doh, back to the drawing board
Infiniti M30. Reliable and you don't see them every day.
Chrysler Crossfire - Mercedes quality, somewhat rare, and pretty awesome.
Surprisingly decent as a first car.
IF you find one in good shape, let me know LOL.
The Paseo has Toytota reliability, is 2-door, might be cheaper than a tC, and can look pretty cool.
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