how to buy a car for $1,000 - gnomedex 2008

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...