Another help me pick out a 3k car thread
 

The old 1990 Geo Tracker with Zebra stripes is about to self terminate, rust never sleeps.

Gas Tank removal:
http://www.carnuts.us/viewtopic.php?t=1048

Rust has destroyed this car, the top of the gas tank exposed banjo connectors for the fuel pump and fuel-sending unit are leaking small amounts of gas. To replace them would be at least another $300 in addition to the $200 I just dumped into her, and the battery might be leaking. Plus I would have to pull the gas tank for the fourth time, and we all know its three strikes and out. I also suspect that the car is getting wobbly, this could be so many things that I don't even want to get started. It's the tail wagging and the front end, the whole car feels like it's inching towards the scrap yard.

Seems like every time I dive the car people smile and tell me how much they like it and the paint job, it will be sad to say good bye.

My replacement car will be driven only 2,000 miles a year, mostly in the winter. The car or truck must be able to tow about 1,000 lbs, hovercraft is 400 lbs, plus I'm guessing 300 lbs for the trailer, 100 lbs of cargo.

I'm thinking $3,000 give or take a few hundred is all I should spend, as I'm still paying last years taxes off and business is slow in Michigan. Also anything I don't spend on the beater can be spent on getting the Porsche nice and right.

The barber down the hall has a 1996 2-door Explorer that he will sell me for 3k. I know he takes care of his cars, but it's larger than I want. I don't care too much about gas mileage; I just don't like large vehicles in general.

How about an older Jeep? I really like having 4WD in the winter.

I can pick up a 1994-98 V8 Ford Mustang for $3,000 and put snow tires and a hitch on it. This way if I have to sell the Porsche I won't suffer from lack of automobile fun.

Any other ideas?

97+ subaru impreza L or outback sport with the 2.2 liter engine

I'm trying to picture one in zebra stripes.;)

Ford Ranger?

I rebuilt wrecked avengers and sebring coupes for several years. They were pretty problem free. If you buy one of them I have several parts cars if you would need parts.

Here's a crazy idea: What about another Sidekick/Tracker? Seems like you've gotten good use out of yours, and you wouldn't have to learn how to work on a new type of vehicle.

They made them till ~99, didn't they? You should be able to find a good solid one.

I'm with Jake. If not the Tracker, then how about a regular Jeep Cherokee? Keep in mind the Jeep will have much worse gas mileage.

Or 'upgrade' to the 4dr hardtop Chev Tracker or Suzuki Vitara which they made up until a couple years ago. 4 cyl or 6 cyl.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222192793

Funny, I'm actually considering one for my next vehicle. I can't import a 96-99 e300d Benz from the US, I won't even consider another VW, but I can get a 4dr Vitara/Tracker and put a VW 1.9 diesel in it.

They tend to be closer to 7K US though, pretty far from Kach22i's 3k criteria

A $3K Jeep CJ is going to be a POS that is a money pit...and the 4 banger will struggle to pull the hovercraft.

I suggest another tracker and keep the old one for a parts car...it would be worth the trip to find a southern caR that wasn't a rust bucket.

Because Mercedes won't issue recall paperwork?

The one I linked in Michigan (Kachi) was $4399 asking price for a 2000 4x4 4DR, AT with power everything. There were others. I'm guessing you can find them for $3K if you were okay with high miles and had patience and some negotiation skills.

They block them on the RIV. Bumpers & door glass.

Wow, that's really good value. You guys in the US have access to such inexpensive cars.

Thanks for all the ideas.

I have to cut a check to the state of Michigan right now and get a couple project proposals and invoices out. Things are in a constant state of flux.