WTB - Cheap Daily Driver (Dependable, but Ugly) <$1500

[Conemasher]

So the RX-8 has been sold and I no longer own any vehicles. Anyone got a lead on something cheap and ugly, but well maintained? Only requirement is it must be a car, preferably a manual. Let me know what you find.

[Flynlow]

Scott,

Is this just a holdover until you get something else?  Will you be at the autox Sunday?  I may be buying an ACR Neon next week.  I've got enough other cars, that you'd be welcome to use it for the price of free, just give it back when you're done (even if that's a year from now).  We can talk more then, also wanted to ask you about the United behind Chelsea website.

Cheers,

Cliff

[Conemasher]

Thanks Cliff. That is very generous. With Chelsea and Catherine being in Germany until late July, I have her newly acquired Sentra to daily drive until they get back. I just want to get something I can DD, and possibly rally cross or autocross in a pinch. Not really a necessity at this point. Just need to own something. It just feels weird not owning a car.

I appreciate the offer. If I don't find something suitable before July, I may take you up on it.

I'll be there running with David in the STX MINI again Sunday. Come by and say hey and I'll answer any questions I can about Chelsea and her website.

~Scott

[blue06civic]

I don't know of anyone getting rid of a car, but you can pick up mid 90s Mazda Proteges or For Escorts on Craigslist in your price range.  They're fairly indestructible and cheap/easy to fix if one of the few important parts does happen to need replacing.

My recommendation for whatever car you do look at is to bring a jack and a compression tester.  Jack up each front wheel by the control arm and try and move the tire in/out by holding it at the 12 and 6 positions and the 3 and 9 positions to check for play in the ball joints/tie rods/wheel bearings.  Check for oil leaks (wet oil spots...just dirty is fine), check the condition of whatever fluids you can get to (at least coolant and engine oil).  Compression test it too, if any of the cylinders are a little low it's usually okay...put a capful of motor oil into that cylinder and test again, if it increases, it's the rings...should be fine once warmed up (and you can use it as a negotiation point with the seller).  I usually take a wheel off each end and check the brakes and bushings too, just to understand the condition of the vehicle.