So I have been waiting for my MC(mini cooper) '05. It is probably soppose come around Sept. The problem is my dad's car (Celica '89) has just started to have so many problems that it's not even worth the money to repair it. He is currently using my car to get to work since this is summer for me and I'm not doing much. The problem is that I will begin to have school next week 6/28/04. What do you think some of our options should be on a temp car? What should we do? Thanks.

Quote: Originally Posted by danbanger So I have been waiting for my MC '05. It is probably soppose come around Sept. The problem is my dad's car (Celica '89) has just started to have so many problems that it's not even worth the money to repair it. He is currently using my car to get to work since this is summer for me and I'm not doing much. The problem is that I will begin to have school next week 6/28/04. What do you think some of our options should be on a temp car? What should we do? Thanks.

Check your local paper for a used car for no more than $500.00. That should do you until september. I'm assuming you're getting the '05 Mustang Convertible?

Story time folks:

My Father-out-law bought a used 1989 Ford Taurus for $300 3 years ago. He uses it to go to work every day, approximately 30km's one way. He's put over 100,000kms on it in those 3 years. The tranny died last week. I think he got his money's worth...

Living in the Bay area, I think that you'd have two options. First, get a bicycle. It'll do the environment good. If school is a little further away from your house, look into getting a Vespa (moped) or even a motocycle. Great on gas, plus it's the summertime.

PJ apparently doesn't realize the high prices in the Bay area. Looking for a $500 beater car in the classified ads is like trying to sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo...just ain't gonna happen. However, you might get lucky finding something on Craigslist.

Then again...I hear that Nike makes an excellent conveyance model. You say that it feels like your WALKING on AIR!!! Sorry...just amusing myself.

Hope this helps...

Rob

uhh school will take me about 15 minutes on a car So I have a choice of getting a really cheap car or a decent car and maybe I will still have a good resale value?

I just bought myself a new bike and my poor Jeep has been a little neglected. I personally think that if you can set aside the time and if you're not going too far, it's well worth the effort. Everything around you is so much more enjoyable than in a car, while a car just makes everything a nuisance. But I don' think that's the answer you're looking for is it

Quote: Originally Posted by danbanger uhh school will take me about 15 minutes on a car So I have a choice of getting a really cheap car or a decent car and maybe I will still have a good resale value?

Rule #1 with buying a car:

There's no such thing as 'good resale value'. You're always gonna get boned.

A car is NOT an investment.

I like the motorcycle idea...

And to Rob:

I saw on the discovery channel the other day (MythBusters program) a taxi company in SanFran selling a 3-year-old dodge intrepid for $900 (which they bought) so don't tell me there's no deals...they may be hard to find, but if my Mom can get a fully loaded apartment in San Jose for $777.00/month then you can find a cheap beater somewhere. It's not gonna be easy, but it is possible.

sell you my 1992 ford ranger for 1000.00. but i live in ohio, just swapped in a new motor. 2.3L out of a 1993 mustang. it's a hella nice truck.

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose Rule #1 with buying a car: There's no such thing as 'good resale value'. You're always gonna get boned. ...

My first car cost £80, I sold it for £90 a year later

I have alot of beaters the problem is pricewise to get them from utah to cali it would not be worth it. It cost me $787.00 to get a blazer from Fort Hood, Texas to Salt Lake city, Utah.

So basically, you need a temp beater that will get you thru for a couple of months...... You know, I used to just drive around the subdivisions in the higher rent district and look for cars.........I've found fantastic deals out there with people that just want to off their old rides.....

might i suggest the geo metro.
i think the new ones are caleld chevy aveos or whatever.
anyway, metros are disposable cars as i call em.
when your done, take it for a joy ride and roll it.
break all the windows, spraypaint the car, get hammer happy.
even break out the dremel if u have one.

Dremel?! I'd break out the air hammer, die grinder, and a tool we call ol' Bertha, its a 14" gas powered metal cutting saw we use to cut cars into quarters so metal salvage will accept them without titles. But on a serious note motorcycle or scooter. If its only 15 min than it wont be so bad, plus think of the gas mileage! Especially with todays gas prices, ouch

Get a beater. I paid $900 Canadian for an 81 Toyota SupraCelica in mint condition with absolutely no rust in November of 2003. It had 272200KM On it. It's coming up @ 305000KM now. Nothing big got replaced except a few belts and a water pump, aswell as a battery for my high power stereo (1000watts (500RMS)). Now I average between 150-300km a day, sometimes upto 400 on weekends. The car is on its original engine and transmission. The engine gasket was rebuilt at 180062KM. Wonderful beater with many many many KM's to go. So yeah if you look around you'll find a deal.

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp_joose And to Rob: I saw on the discovery channel the other day (MythBusters program) a taxi company in SanFran selling a 3-year-old dodge intrepid for $900 (which they bought) so don't tell me there's no deals...they may be hard to find, but if my Mom can get a fully loaded apartment in San Jose for $777.00/month then you can find a cheap beater somewhere. It's not gonna be easy, but it is possible.

Have you seen the way the taxis drive in the Bay Area?

$777.00/month? Damn. I think I got screwed. My roommate and I got a 2 bedroom, 2 bath in Foster City for $2100.00/month unfurnished when I lived there.

Yeah, I guess it is possible but when you get down to the $500 range...let's just say that I'd want to run the VIN and get the title verified by the state before I gave up any dough (and that's after I check under the hood to see if there is an engine in it, too). I gave him a link to a site called Craigslist, which you can find some really great deals on there. I do want to wish him luck in finding a car, but I think the motocycle route is the best way to go.

Rob