$3k + Nor Cal Craigslist, what would you buy???

I know another "what car thread'. But I though I would try this once more. Work kept me from searching very hard the last few times. Every time I am on here, it seems that you all have much better luck on Craigslist, that i could every dream of. So her it goes...

The title spells out the basics, but here are the criteria:

• $3k price point, give or take some
• Nor Cal Craigslist, but preferably Sacramento area, unless it is an amazing deal
• Good on gas, preferably high 20's or better. I would be willing to make some concessions in the name of performance if its the right car.
• 70 mile round trip commute 5 days a week on I-80 and I-5(Sacramento to Dixon, and back). So durability/maintenance and comfort are important.
• Prefer a manual transmission
• Sporty. I would like to be able to do a few autocross weekends with the car at some point, and maybe a track day or two.
• I am 6'-4", so height is a consideration.

So what you you all do? -thanks in advance for the help

Buick Roadmaster Wagon. If you can't go 80 on 80, you're screwed. I've seen a couple over here on the North Bay CL for $2k or less.

Some cars I found searching sac craigslist: Ford Focus Hyundai Tiburon (not sure if you fit) Saab 9-3 Nissan/Datsun 240Z Ford Probe / Mazda MX6 Kia Rio

I live in that area and I bought my Mercedes on craigslist for $2300 and drive on the same freeways. I drove a roadmonster once, and I much prefer my 300SD. It handles well enough in everyday type driving I dont really miss the Milano I used to have. It wouldn't do so well at autocross though, although you could.

Older but looks well maintained, '80 BMW 528 My guess is 18/24 type mpg.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2496557845.html

Any Celica:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2496794835.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2489561889.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2496716345.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2494577022.html

MR2:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2491283957.html

Good commuters:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2475862024.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2473403251.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2496744040.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2496654308.html

Clean old Saturn:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2492549190.html

Thinking out of the box:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2495701150.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2490902356.html
http://yubasutter.craigslist.org/cto/2495101671.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2496298910.html

Oh yeah, these:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2491619914.html
http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/2490666412.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2494898261.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2489510686.html

The rx-7 looks interesting, but i have always been scared away by the talks of high maintenance and low fuel mileage. Do these cars like the longer commutes? What about upkeep?

the zx2 looks promising, anything I need to know about these, things to look for?

The Celicas, are they just typical toyota stuff to look for, or anything special to them?

carczar_84 wrote: The rx-7 looks interesting, but i have always been scared away by the talks of high maintenance and low fuel mileage. Do these cars like the longer commutes? What about upkeep? the zx2 looks promising, anything I need to know about these, things to look for? The Celicas, are they just typical toyota stuff to look for, or anything special to them?

Celicas will be typical Toyota stuff. Rust and leaks. All the examples posted look great.

The 1.6/1.8 litre variants (ST) will be slower, but lighter and MIGHT get 1-2mpg better than the bigger motor'd cars.

For $3k, i'll sell you my MX6. I can even deliver if you can shuttle me down to SoCal this coming week.

But then passing inspection and any tickets thereafter are on you.