Cheap first cars...how much do they REALLY cost - Page 3

_HighVoltage_ · June 25th, 2009, 2:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeVeL

idk about Greece, but in the US you can find miatas in decent condition for under 3k and there are plenty of decent stock civics to choose from

I'm not in Greece, God damn it images/smilies/smile.gif

It is Athens, West Virginia, US and A! images/smilies/tongue.gif

(there is also an Athens, Ohio...where I plan to go to grad school eventually...)

LeVeL · June 25th, 2009, 2:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

I'm not in Greece, God damn it images/smilies/smile.gif

It is Athens, West Virginia, US and A! images/smilies/tongue.gif

(there is also an Athens, Ohio...where I plan to go to grad school eventually...)

Yeah, yeah. Get back to me when I bother reading your entire "Location" line and not just one word from it images/smilies/blush.gif

_HighVoltage_ · June 25th, 2009, 2:10 PM

Back on topic, I just scouted eBay and there are NO cheap MX-5's. Their price is usually above the $3,000 mark.

thedguy already explained why his was so cheap.

Austere · June 25th, 2009, 2:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

Anyways, I don't think most of you have gotten the idea here. I'm not talking about project cars.

Well, personally mine's far from a fixer-upper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

I'm not talking about beater cars.

Mine's far from a beater.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

We are looking for reliable, fun cars that you can trust to drive across the country today.

Oh come on now, play fair, this is a pretty big country... and I got shit to do today... images/smilies/think.gif

.... Nah, yeah, I think it could do it. I bought it in Melbourne and then drove it back to Adelaide the very next day. That took trust. Now that I've owned it and I know it's fine? Yeah, I think it could make it. I don't see why not! I've always wanted to drive from Adelaide to Darwin. I'll do it! Just watch me!

The only thing you might have me on there is 'fun'. But honestly, my idea of fun behind the wheel is a flat, straight, open road at dusk - no, no, wait - at dawn... yeah... and the biggest Cohiba in the world. Mmmm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

This automatically excludes most cars over 200k miles

Ha! Mine's done just over a quarter of that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

or the cars from the 80s.

Hmm, well, uhhh images/smilies/unsure.gif

Hey! Look! Behind you! *runs*

Momentum57 · June 25th, 2009, 2:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katwalk

The jeep and rabbit will NEVER go that cheap unless it is being sold by an idiot. Any MK1 golf will very quickly get snatched up by a VW collector and they will drop good money on one as a project car. I have looked for the jeeps myself and they are ALWAYS expensive even with plywood windows.

You need to look over in New York Saw a MK1 golf for 2400 fresh repaint just needs headliner work. Jeep Cherokee's go for next to nothing.

_HighVoltage_ · June 25th, 2009, 2:16 PM

Austere, your car is an obvious exception. There aren't a lot of cars from 1971 that can be used as daily drivers today, not if they cost $3,000.
(flamesuit ON, before Nabster comes in this thread images/smilies/smile.gif

)

Dr_Grip · June 25th, 2009, 2:36 PM

I think it's possible to get a reliable, non-project car daily driver (maybe one that's not too much fun, more of a "reasonable" car) for under a thousand bucks, at least over here in Europe.

Of course, nine of ten cars in the segment below 5000 bucks are either pure junk or potential project cars (in other words: junk in which enthusiasts see more than just junk). It takes time, care, and at least a good friend who knows his way 'round cars to buy a good car for small money. But it's possible.

Two of my friends got themselves early-1990s VW Polo hatchbacks for 500 and 550 Euros, respectivly... While those are chronically underpowered, they still offer huge amount of storage space for cars of their size, have no rust problems worth mentioning, the engines run smoothly, the only things they both did (more as a precaution than anyting else) was to change all fluids in the car right after buying. But as has been mentioned earlier, that should be done with every used car you buy from private.

Point is: Both of them settled for a specific model before starting to shop for a new car and then spent weeks browsing online and offline ads and visiting private-to-private car markets on weekends. The gallery of utter junk they (and me, i went with them some times) saw in this time was hilarious, especially when compared to the ads "descriptions".... but in the end, both found perfectely well-kept cars, and that despite the scrapping scheme having slimmed the low-cost car market even more.

Dsemaj · June 25th, 2009, 3:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austere

I bought a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280S for $3,500 a few years ago. I've spent, maybe.... fifteen-hundred on it? And that includes tyres!

Funny thing is, you can buy a car that's mechanically identical, from the same manufacturer, and the same time period and everything but with two less doors and no roof and it costs ten times as much! People are idiots.

It's actually quite cheap to run. It can get expensive to fix but thankfully there isn't much wrong with mine. Touch wood. Also, I can do a lot of work on it myself if I need to. When you the lift the bonnet all you see is a naked straight six and two carburettors. Granted, they're the most devious carburettors ever made but still, they're the only real complicated bits on the car.

My plan is to keep it forever and to just replace worn out parts as I need to. Surely that will be cheaper than buying a new car every 8-10 years.... Surely. images/smilies/unsure.gif

Plus, I've always got a nice S-Class handy. An ace in the hole as it were. You can't tell that I'm broke or that I don't bother to wear underpants half the time. images/smilies/mrgreen.gif

Oh and some day... just some day... they might go up in value. images/smilies/shifty.gif

Whoh! Haven't seen you around here in ages! Last time I recall seeing a post from you, I believe you just got a 1337 or something containing it for your numberplate...

Anyway! If you look hard and smart enough, you can find some real bargains. When I was going to look at a 70,000km Mitsubishi Sigma with the 2.6L Arston 4 cylinder, which has a decent bit of pull for a crappy 80's RWD box. I believe it was about $1000 bucks. Sadly, it was already gone!

Keep an eye out in the papers and you can find a real clean, low mileage grandpa car. Hell, that's what my Bluebird is - been in the family for something like 3 years now, the only thing that's broken is the radiator thermostat, which was replaced.

Besides, if you buy a $1000 car that runs really well, gets you around for 6 months and it explodes, that's cheap motoring. And it doesn't matter if you smack it into someone else or a wall or whatever, because you can throw it away and not care.

JScullin · June 25th, 2009, 3:28 PM

^^ I forgot to mention that when I got into the wreck with my Interceptor they cosmetically totaled it because of its age.

They sent me a check for $2,700!

public · June 25th, 2009, 3:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

I'm not in Greece, God damn it images/smilies/smile.gif

It is Athens, West Virginia, US and A! images/smilies/tongue.gif

R.E.M. country, right?

_HighVoltage_ · June 25th, 2009, 3:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsemaj

Besides, if you buy a $1000 car that runs really well, gets you around for 6 months and it explodes, that's cheap motoring. And it doesn't matter if you smack it into someone else or a wall or whatever, because you can throw it away and not care.

Again...all right if you're just going to drive around town, not if you plan long trips with the car. For example, in the Fall I've planned 1,000 mile trip with the Volvo. Would I go if I knew the timing belt, head gasket or something else may explode any minute? No.

Cobol74 · June 25th, 2009, 4:02 PM

Just spent 2,200 GBP on a Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVTi GLS from 1999 for mu 17 yo daughter (yes I know, she is a lucky girl!) - 130,000 miles and goes like a dream!

Whilst a learner 670 GBP to insure - once she passes her test I expect it to go up substantially!

public · June 25th, 2009, 4:05 PM

What kind of a dream is it where you drive a Yaris?

Dr_Grip · June 25th, 2009, 4:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momentum57

You need to look over in New York Saw a MK1 golf for 2400 fresh repaint just needs headliner work.

Over here "fresh repaint" is a code word for rustbucket...

Posmo · June 25th, 2009, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by public

What kind of a dream is it where you drive a Yaris?

I've driven a Yaris, and In my opinion it would have to be a nightmare.

Worst. gearchange. ever.

public · June 25th, 2009, 4:20 PM

My complaints about the 1st gen Yaris are centred around the tin can feel of the car, especially on gravel. And I hate the center-mounted speedo.

Cobol74 · June 25th, 2009, 4:23 PM

Challenge yes. ...

Toughen her up a bit. ...

Apart from 1 - 2 or 3 - 2 where it is a bit 'notchey' especially when cold, everything else is fine, body work is a bit tatty but no rust to speak of.

byrt what do you want when you are 17 yo girl - something to get you to college and take the old man down the pub (yes that is going to happen!) - that is it really.

nouseferaname90 · June 25th, 2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

Back on topic, I just scouted eBay and there are NO cheap MX-5's. Their price is usually above the $3,000 mark.

you obviously aren't looking hard enough

$1000
$1500
$1500
$1600
$2350

public · June 25th, 2009, 10:19 PM

Around here, you need to shell out 5-7k euros to get a decent basic early-'90s Miata.

Nocturnal · June 25th, 2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by public

Around here, you need to shell out 5-7k euros to get a decent basic early-'90s Miata.

You're being hugely ripped off. You can buy them for £400 here in perfect mechanical condition.

June 25th, 2009, 2:10 PM	#43
_HighVoltage_ Joined: Aug 5th, 2006 Last Online: 9:13 PM Location: Bulgaria/Athens,WV Age: 22 Posts: 2,665 Car: 1994 Volvo 854 Rep Power: 53	Back on topic, I just scouted eBay and there are NO cheap MX-5's. Their price is usually above the $3,000 mark. thedguy already explained why his was so cheap. __________________ If your tires are not squealing on the corners...you're simply not going fast enough. Last edited by _HighVoltage_; June 25th, 2009 at 2:11 PM.

June 25th, 2009, 2:16 PM	#46
_HighVoltage_ Joined: Aug 5th, 2006 Last Online: 9:13 PM Location: Bulgaria/Athens,WV Age: 22 Posts: 2,665 Car: 1994 Volvo 854 Rep Power: 53	Austere, your car is an obvious exception. There aren't a lot of cars from 1971 that can be used as daily drivers today, not if they cost $3,000. (flamesuit ON, before Nabster comes in this thread ) __________________ If your tires are not squealing on the corners...you're simply not going fast enough.

June 25th, 2009, 2:36 PM	#47
Dr_Grip Joined: Jul 8th, 2008 Last Online: 9:22 PM Location: Germany Posts: 1,462 Car: 1979 Opel Kadett (Oliver's Son) Rep Power: 70	I think it's possible to get a reliable, non-project car daily driver (maybe one that's not too much fun, more of a "reasonable" car) for under a thousand bucks, at least over here in Europe. Of course, nine of ten cars in the segment below 5000 bucks are either pure junk or potential project cars (in other words: junk in which enthusiasts see more than just junk). It takes time, care, and at least a good friend who knows his way 'round cars to buy a good car for small money. But it's possible. Two of my friends got themselves early-1990s VW Polo hatchbacks for 500 and 550 Euros, respectivly... While those are chronically underpowered, they still offer huge amount of storage space for cars of their size, have no rust problems worth mentioning, the engines run smoothly, the only things they both did (more as a precaution than anyting else) was to change all fluids in the car right after buying. But as has been mentioned earlier, that should be done with every used car you buy from private. Point is: Both of them settled for a specific model before starting to shop for a new car and then spent weeks browsing online and offline ads and visiting private-to-private car markets on weekends. The gallery of utter junk they (and me, i went with them some times) saw in this time was hilarious, especially when compared to the ads "descriptions".... but in the end, both found perfectely well-kept cars, and that despite the scrapping scheme having slimmed the low-cost car market even more. __________________ I got a Rolls-Royce 'Cause it's good for my voice (Mark Bolan/T-Rex) Last edited by Dr_Grip; June 25th, 2009 at 2:47 PM.

June 25th, 2009, 3:28 PM	#49
JScullin Joined: Jun 5th, 2004 Last Online: 8:52 PM Location: Badassachusetts Posts: 325 Car: 2000 Mercury Cougar V6, MTX Rep Power: 32	^^ I forgot to mention that when I got into the wreck with my Interceptor they cosmetically totaled it because of its age. They sent me a check for $2,700! __________________ Skolenimation: My designs/art \| Modifications @ Cougardb.com

June 25th, 2009, 4:02 PM	#52
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 10:50 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,592 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Just spent 2,200 GBP on a Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVTi GLS from 1999 for mu 17 yo daughter (yes I know, she is a lucky girl!) - 130,000 miles and goes like a dream! Whilst a learner 670 GBP to insure - once she passes her test I expect it to go up substantially! __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

June 25th, 2009, 4:05 PM	#53
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	What kind of a dream is it where you drive a Yaris? __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

June 25th, 2009, 4:20 PM	#56
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	My complaints about the 1st gen Yaris are centred around the tin can feel of the car, especially on gravel. And I hate the center-mounted speedo. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

June 25th, 2009, 4:23 PM	#57
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 10:50 AM Location: Southampton Posts: 8,592 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 126	Challenge yes. ... Toughen her up a bit. ... Apart from 1 - 2 or 3 - 2 where it is a bit 'notchey' especially when cold, everything else is fine, body work is a bit tatty but no rust to speak of. byrt what do you want when you are 17 yo girl - something to get you to college and take the old man down the pub (yes that is going to happen!) - that is it really. __________________ Lotus 7 Registration Mark = KAR120C : Engine Number = 461034 TZ Ross Brawn genius or what?

June 25th, 2009, 10:19 PM	#59
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	Around here, you need to shell out 5-7k euros to get a decent basic early-'90s Miata. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

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