Bought: Commuter car

[stefrrr]

Looking for a used commuter car, preferably 4 door (but seriously, I don't care) for up to $1500.

Manual, automatic, American, Japanese, Korean - anything. Running and in condition to probably continue running for another year or two. I'm looking for the kind of car you'd give to your 16-year-old when they learn to drive.

Preferably within a 3-4 hour drive of Olympia, WA.

[Carbonero]

I don't know what it's like out there, but the availability of sub $2500 cars had increased considerably over the last two years around here, and I've seen stuff that looks like it will actually pass inspection for the prices you mention.

I think the return of the "super cheap beater used car" is upon us. Finally. Say what you will about "quality" used cars and the need for safety, but there's always been and always will be a need for beater cars that only need to last a year.  

[stefrrr]

I wish I could buy mrs. Dantesdame's bug, but it's little too far.

We had two new vehicles, sold the truck because I was going to commute by motorcycle and bicycle, and then I just got offered my dream job in a professional-dress office. :-/
Now I just need something that I can drive to and from work and not get my  fancypants rained on.  

Just for the next year or two.  They're hard to find and I don't know if it's just the market (WA vs. FL) or if the people on craigslist are smoking primo crack. '93 geo storm - $1500.  

[veefer800canuck]

Just make sure it's got a good timing belt!  

[coho]

Decent looking Sephia in Belfair for eight hundred bucks: http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/3278547394.html
Might be the ticket.

[stefrrr]

That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for! Thanks!

Just make sure it's got a good timing belt!  

That never gets old.  

[stefrrr]

It sold. Still searching.

[stefrrr]

We picked up a super-sweet 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with only minor transmission problems.   A super-cheap part that's a bitch to replace.

Actually, a nice car and overall a bargain. Cleaned it up and gave it a good once-over yesterday. Now we just need to buy stock in Febreze to get rid of the smoky smell...

About $180 in parts (including floor mats), a new windshield, and it'll be good as new.  

[nnjhawk02]

Some tips I just emailed a friend

Below are things I do when buying a car;

1. Use Craigslist,  search for cars with pictures, and make sure title is clean.  Meaning it doesn't have an R- for rebuilt or S- for salvaged or F- for flood damaged. Use search button that says for sale by owner -  no dealers.  Use $1k to $2.5k range, you can always talk em down.
2. Look in towns where people have $, they tend to take care of their vehicles.
3. Ask if they have documentation for work done to car.
4. For front wheeled drive cars, when you test drive it,  turn wheels all the way from left to right, to drive in circles each way a few times & listen for any knocking noise, that means the CV joint is toast.
5. Turn on AC.  When you do, does belt or compressor make noise?  Does it blow cold air?  Check the heating system too.
6. Pull dipstick on the oil is it tan,  meaning new & clean?  Check transmission fluid should be cherry in color, and it shouldn't smell bad. (some newer cars u can't check).  Check air filter
7. When was it last serviced?  When were brakes done?  Again receipts are key or some kind of documentation.
8. Take car to a mechanic,  they might charge u some $ to look over a potential purchase.
9. When you drive it,  does car drive straight?  If car pulls from one side could mean it was in a accident or it needs a wheel alignment. How do the tires look?

Good luck

[stefrrr]

Welcome to a week ago.

Not really looking for that kind of advice - we were having a hard time finding listings even on Craigslist. My husband is a mechanical genius. If he says it's worth fixing, then it's ok by me.

[Jeff]

Welcome to a week ago.

Not really looking for that kind of advice - we were having a hard time finding listings even on Craigslist. My husband is a mechanical genius. If he says it's worth fixing, then it's ok by me.

For the smokey smell, check out a home restoration place. For example, this place http://www.rainbowintl.com/ottawa is in my town in Illinois. They have equipment that can take smoke out of homes and I believe it would fit in a car. Worth looking into anyway. Also, change the passenger cabin air filter, maybe that will help?

[stefrrr]

I did a little research, and I now have a plan... First, charcoal. Leave the car sealed up for two days with charcoal placed throughout the car and it'll soak up the smell. Second attempt is to do basically the same thing with bowls of vinegar.

Third option is to rent an izone machine. I think that's what the home restoration places use. From what I've seen, you leave it in there for 1/2 hour to 2 hours and when it's out, no smoky smell. But you have to be careful because the ozone cause damage, so I'm saving it for last.

Febreze auto is working pretty well too. That stuff is much better than regular febreze. It's just difficult to be sure you're spraying into every nook and cranny.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_082W287403120001P?sid=KDx01192011x000001&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=31-36680594-2

[Jeff]

Third option is to rent an izone machine. I think that's what the home restoration places use. From what I've seen, you leave it in there for 1/2 hour to 2 hours and when it's out, no smoky smell. But you have to be careful because the ozone cause damage, so I'm saving it for last.

Yeah, that's what my local place has. I just couldn't think of what it was called. I didn't know about the charcoal. That's good to know.

[Andrew]

We picked up a super-sweet 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT with only minor transmission problems.   A super-cheap part that's a bitch to replace.

Actually, a nice car and overall a bargain. Cleaned it up and gave it a good once-over yesterday. Now we just need to buy stock in Febreze to get rid of the smoky smell...

About $180 in parts (including floor mats), a new windshield, and it'll be good as new.  

Not that hard of a part to change, but getting to it is another issue (Been there done that job)