Gotta buy a car *< 4k

Rugger

Rugger

Well-known member
Thinking about an older (2001-2003) police interceptor just because of reliability. Was thinking about an older (1996ish) grand cherokee but I'm worried about their reliability.

Any ideas for me? Reliability and winter weather fortitude is a priority.
 
1987-1990 Volvo 240DL.

I've lived in michigan and chicago, need more winter cred than that? My 87 had 187,900 miles when the trip stopped working, my moms 1984 had 362,480 when she sold it and my 1990 has 158,600 on it right now.

They're tanks, and really comfortable.
 
I was looking at a volvo but don't know anything about their quality/reliability. There's a 93 850 around here for 1900 with 130k. May go take a look at it.
 
I bought my 87 for 2500, and my 90 for 2200. I wouldnt look at price to be the indicator of quality. I think most people just arent really into them, unless your in certain areas. For some reason they're really trendy in minneapolis/ st. paul, minnesota and on the west coast, san francisco, seattle.

My moms car was over 20 yrs old when she sold it, if that says anything for reliability.

I would personally only look at 240 series volvos, those were some of the last made in sweden to the original specs.
 
volvo, subaru and honda are reliable. But IMO a car is only as reliable as you make it. Old police cars are nice but if i had a chance i wouldnt get an 8 cyl. i have a 6(06' Grand prix) or a 4cyl.
goodluck.
 
Old police cars *CAN BE* nice - but often they're beat to pieces before they're replaced.

For reliability & winter-readiness, Volvos can't be beat.
(no, I don't have one, but I have friends who have owned them for years & won't get anything else - and I still see 30 & 40-year-old volvos on the street...)
 
A Subaru Impreza L or Legacy L. You should be able to find one for $4k. Subarus have the best AWD around, they're tanks, they're very easy to work on yourself, and they last FOREVER. You can also easily turn em into screamers, mine is. ;)

Something like this:

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Check out the NASIOC classifieds:

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$6500:

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Oooo, NICE, $3500!!!

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Ughugh, yeah, $3200!

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That's all from the first page this morning. Subaru's are awesome! They'll be far more useful and fun to drive, and throw in dirt, gravel, or snow, and you'll be passing full on SUV's.
 
I would be grabbing a legy or impreza in an instant but I decided to lower my budget to 2000!
 
You'll never get an auto loan for a $2k car.

$2k? Any Japanese car for cheap repairs. Ford Fiesta? Stay away from Jeep.
 
poison said:
You'll never get an auto loan for a $2k car.

$2k? Any Japanese car for cheap repairs. Ford Fiesta? Stay away from Jeep.
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Por Que? I've heard good things about jeeps with high mileage. Reason being they've probably already had all the necessary work done.
 
Wranglers, maybe, but Cherokees suck ass. My bro-in-laws cherokee looked like ****, and was falling apart after 3-4 years. Like seriously, the leather was cracking, EVERYTHING squeaked and rattled, and it had a lot of mechanical work done.

I'll never own one.
 
cherokees blow. Im in chicago. They dont handle it nearly as well as the hondas, subarus, rams/durangos arent bad, I like Grand Prix, they last a long time. The 3400, 3600 and 3800 series motors are solid.
But man, for 2000, dont expect much.
 
Funny how I saw the title to this thread and I was going to suggest going to a government auction.

If you are anywhere near MA, shoot me a PM, I have inside connections at the state auctions there. When I lived there, I used to buy old cruisers like crazy, fix them up, and resell them on eBay. Your $4K will go a long, long way at an auction. Not even a pristine, year-old Euro sedan will cost you $4K in MA, heck I see nearly-new unmarked CVPIs go for $1500 all day long, or anything 4x4 nearly new for just a little more $. Figure you will pay 10 to 15% of book value.

The most expensive vehicle sale I've ever seen at a MA auction, and I've been going to them for almost 20 years, was a drug-dealer seizure Ferrari, it was about 7 years old but looked new, for $5000.
 
grand cherokees- notrious for tranny and rear end noise/ problems

the older police cars are great, fords or an lt1 caprice.

a ford taurus, good car

if you go volvo/ volkswagon, expect to take it to the dealer, they realise no service info about anything. you cant even check the tranny fluid in a volkswagon half the time (no dipstick) and all repairs will be out the butt

subarus are kinda 50/50 if u get a good one, its good, if not then it will be in the shop 50% of the time.

hondas are excellent, realible, and there are some people who do kno how to work on them.

and older tuned port camaro/trans am would be a good choice (but im biased)
fox body mustang or sn95 car

a suburban, explorer, durango are pretty good

ford/chevy pickup (but then rust)
 
Poison, the auctions are open to the public, located mainly at Devens, Westboro, and Bridgewater, MA. PM me if you need more info.

Most people are there to buy construction trucks and power equipment, not passenger cars, so that's why they are so cheap. Also the notorious "New England Frame Rot" affliction of the CVPI, keeps a lot of people away and the bids low. Then again, that problem is pretty much gone in the past few years.
 
:huh: Really? I know these auctions go on, but it's always 'call this number and pay $50, and we'll tell you how to buy cheap at auction!!!" infomercial bullshit.

Cool, pming you.
 
methusaleh said:
The most expensive vehicle sale I've ever seen at a MA auction, and I've been going to them for almost 20 years, was a drug-dealer seizure Ferrari, it was about 7 years old but looked new, for $5000.
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do you want to help me buy myself an early christmas present ;)
 
im in the market for a car too. if anyone has hook ups or info for southern california, hit me up doggy.

/end thread jack.

im lookin at 2000-2002 civics, and 97-2001 grand cherokees, and 2001-present tacomas.

my 95 dodge intrepid has finally died i think.
 
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