Where to look for used vehicles?

[mudman]

Everybody here knows the shortfalls of CL, but where else can I search?

I admit that there isn't a huge supply of things that meet our criteria but I don't want to miss out on the 'right' one. We are looking for: old Wagoneers, Grand Wagoneers, Land Cruisers, Cherokee Chiefs, old Range Rovers, etc. Basically has to be 4x4, decent condition and something that a Porsche guy could stay excited about. Even pre-85ish pick ups would work. Old technology makes me feel warm and fuzzy, I'm way more comfortable working on older stuff, we live in a rural area, fuel economy isn't a concern but getting up our driveway is. Budget of $4k to buy another vehicle AND do all the required repairs and maintenance and while you're in there to keep the vehicle going for the next few months. My winter gig pays well but keeps me away from home from beginning of Dec to Mar, maybe more if I can pick up more work.


Short version of why we are searching: I have been self employed for 10 yrs, no health insurance (I'm healthy and just turned 31, thought I didn't need it) wife and 1 kid, mortgage, no debt except mortgage. I got really sick this summer and spent all of our savings on staying alive. My company cannot operate without my daily presence. We sold all of our trucks and DD cars while I got my old Wrangler back on the road just so we could stay afloat (I was the breadwinner for our household).
Oh, BTW my 911 (in pieces) is for sale: 1973 Porsche 911 $1,000,000 OBO NEW LINK WORKS!
If that sells soon the situation will be different but I'm confident my criteria can be met in my budget, satisfying the wife is another story...

Soooooo, where do I look and what other vehicles should I consider?

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

well, unfortunately you need to sell something first, and its probably the 911, so put a realistic price on it, sell it, and move on!!

can't you just drive the 2500? should be a business expense?

[mudman]

2500 is sold. The price in the CL Porsche ad is a joke, I've spent too much time on CL lately and just wanted to weed out some of the fools, any real prospective buyer will see that and say 'WTF' and then read the ad to see what it is all about. Nothing of any real value left to sell. Do you doubt I can find my car in my budget?

[mudman]

to clarify: We've already sold a ton of stuff to pay med bills and stay above water with our home, not much left with any value.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i was given my blazer, just had a clogged cat, but have since blown the v6 non vortec. my recent problem is that a lot of good fixable 4wd went to the scrpaaer when steel was high. I have since found some more by driving about 100 miles out of town, and to richer sections of town. they still want 500 to 1,000 for stuff that needs fixing, but i may have to pay to get another 4wd. my drive is steep and crooked and poor surfaced.

wait, and something will show up. also check the bank lots for repos. lots of those around.

[mudman]

I found that prices for common stuff varies greatly between areas. Newer Cherokees in good shape are about $1500 less in Ohio compared to those local to me. Also found lots of neat stuff in northern MI with lower miles, it is just tough to coordinate a trip with the Wrangler as a family ride. I'll drive quite a distance for the right car.

We were recently burned when we drove up to Harbor Springs to buy a Grand Wagoneer, seller doctored photos and lied to us about the condition of the vehicle, that was a bad day.

[Laneco]

There are alot of vehicles in that price range. Also, I spent about half a day a few weeks ago perusing all the local u-pull wrecking yards and WOW - if I were you, I'd buy a Jeep Cherokee, a Grand Cherokee or a Ford Explorer that runs very well but is maybe otherwise a bit beat. Those three vehicles seem to be traded in more times on cash for clunkers than anything else. All the motors are bad, but everything else is good and can be sold. You can't buy the whole vehicle but you can sure pick up any of the other parts cheap.

Craigslist, bulletin boards, local newspapers (so-so results for me there) and any type of discount local "stuff for sale" newspaper such as the Nickel classifieds. And garage sales. No kidding - I see affordable vehicles for sale all the time at yard sales.

And right now? Cash flat out talks... The Pathfinder we bought for me started out at $2,500 and we wound up taking the little SUV home for $1,000. A little beat up but the V6 runs great, all the power accessories work and the a/c is cold. Saw alot of 2-3,000 dollar SUVs when I was looking for a winter beater. Best luck!

angela

[MBAtarga]

Looks like your Craigslist ad was flagged - and hence is now removed.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I paid $3800 for my '91 Land Cruiser. Nearly perfect interior, very nice exterior, 193k but records since new, including the original sticker. After doing a little PM I would honestly drive it anywhere, and have no doubt that it will hit 300k without issue. Surprisingly nice to drive, lots of room for people, and will carry 4x8 sheets inside. Best of all, it's SIMPLE.

I'm a sucker for Land Rovers, and have almost bought one myself on several occasions. But if you're strapped for cash, stay away. Look for a Land Cruiser or 4Runner, even with high miles they will be reliable drivers. Angela suggested the Pathfinder, they are good SUVs as well.

CL is your best bet for bargains, especially for cheap stuff. I have also driven a few hours only to find that a seller mis-represented a car, so I feel your pain. Go with your gut, if they sound full of BS they probably are.

[willtel]

I use this to search eBay and Craigslist for specific models.
site mash : : combined classified and auction listings

This site also turns up cars that aren't listed elsewhere.
Vast Home

[myamoto1]

Originally Posted by willtel

I use this to search eBay and Craigslist for specific models.
site mash : : combined classified and auction listings

This site also turns up cars that aren't listed elsewhere.
Vast Home

+1 on the jaxed (Mash) site above. Also, depending on where you are, many areas still have nickle ads or want ad digest type ads that are nothing but local stuff for sale.

[mudman]

Thanks guys, part of my problem is getting over the idea of a FIRM budget. In the past I would have considered financing a small part of the money or just spending a little more but in my situation (uncertain future, health-wise) we want to pay cash and do PM+repairs in our set budget. Seeing cars just out of our price range has me saying 'I think something better will show up in our budget'.

Discos (as cool as they are) are tempting- newer models, lux features, etc.- but we all know why you can buy a nice Disco II for $3500, and I'm not going to make that mistake. Older Range Rovers (pre 90ish) seem like bargains but still have their issues. Being able to buy a starter solenoid at 10:30 pm from a local parts place has me leaning towards my Jeep picks. FJ60s rock but there aren't that many out there. We went to look at an 88 with 160K that was clean but had been sitting and developed trans issues, the price of $2200 wasn't enough to offset the repairs needed though. Toyotas and Nissans seem to rot out quikly up here and the good ones are on dealer lots. I sold new and used cars for a Jeep dealer a few winters ago and learned enough to know there aren't many true deals through a dealer.

My CL ad was flagged repeatedly yesterday, I'll post a new link.

Thanks for those links guys, I'll check them out!

[myamoto1]

It sounds like Toyotas might be off the table, but an '88 ('89?) or older 4Runner is great. They're super easy to work on, parts are everywhere and you can pop the top off for larger loads. You can usually find one w/ a blown head gasket for pretty cheap. The heads don't usually warp and it's short day's work to replace it. It's even possible to replace it w/o pulling everything apart (lift head up enough to R&R gasket), although I've never done it that way.

[Zef]

Look everywhere, and if you find a badge related to GM crap....Run away fast.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Shawn on here has a 2nd generation 4Runner that is more rust that steel, but it runs great.. Don't rule out the Toyotas.

Also don't rule out a little travel. I flip cars for extra cash and always have to go somewhere. Its worth $200 to save $2000.

[mudman]

There is an FJ60 Land Cruiser with a 'possible' blown head gasket for $800 about two hours away from me. The seller's ad leaves me to think little of their character but that doesn't always make a difference. The catch is that I've sold all my tow vehicles (except one that I'm working on right now) and my wife is tired of looking at vehicles needing repair (she is having trouble facing the reality of our options).

Tried the 'Vast' site just now, not too impressed as it missed a TON of the specific vehicles we were considering. Now for jaxed...

[onewhippedpuppy]

I can't imagine a 60 HG would cost much. That's about as simple as it gets for engines. Never know, it could be something simple to fix. HG can easily be misdiagnosed.

[mudman]

my worry is that the guy has been driving it like that for a while, I seem to remember the ad saying something like "it runs and drives, just overheats after a while". Simple as an HG or as involved as a full rebuild.

I would not hesitate to at least look at it if things were different, but if I buy it thinking it is just the HG and it turns out the douche drove it with coolant lubing the bearings and overheating it every trip its game over for me. No more cash for at least a month, and we're still paying med bills in the meantime. I can't be wrong, and making a decision on the spot means I haven't double/triple checked everything.

[mudman]

Oh yeah, and then there is the whole getting the car home thing...

[mike monde]

+1 on the Toyota Land Cruiser. Good soilid vehicle.
On the other hand,I can tell that I have owned 3 oldr RR's over the years and if you plan on using as a DD, be prepared to pay.
Entry into owning one is reasonable, maintaining and fixing annoying issues can get pricey.