by "Kyle D." (kyledblog)
Published 02/05/2017 at 16:35
by "Kyle D." (kyledblog)
Published 02/05/2017 at 16:35
Tags: car buying
STARS: 0
I’m looking into getting a car with a manual transmission solely for learning how to drive a manual transmission. I don’t care if it’s falling apart. I don’t care if it doesn’t have air conditioning or even a radio. It can get 9 miles to the gallon and lose 9 ounces per mile due to rust. I really do just want a cruddy manual car, and I’m looking to spend around $500.
I’ve tried Craiglist and eBay and the like, but I’ve not had much luck. I understand that most people value their cars at a bit more than that, but I feel like I’m just missing out on a resource if I’m not finding anything at all.
It’s crossed my mind that dealerships take these vehicles as trade-ins when they guarantee a certain amount for any vehicle, and I’m sure there must be a way to find them online. Should I be looking at auctions?
Let me know if you guys have any ideas or tips! Links are always appreciated.
Thanks guys!
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/05/2017 at 16:38, STARS: 3
You got any self service junkyards near you? Sometimes they have cars that you can buy, that might be worth looking into.
"PS9" (PS9)
02/05/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 0
Follow someone who buys a W220 around for a bit. After the breakdowns and repair bills he’ll be begging you to take it away on a flatbed.
Upside: Cheap luxury car
Downside: Cheap
german
luxury car, so good freakin’ luck.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
02/05/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 0
I think you’re going to have a hard time finding a car under $500 that runs. I’d try to find something you would keep, at least for a little while, like a small truck or Miata.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
02/05/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1
FWIW, I learned to drive a manual transmission on an ancient, beat up pickup. Granted, it was a complete dog, but it had so much torque and the gearing was so low that it was really quite difficult to stall out. For this reason, I generally recommend teaching my friends on a truck if its available.
$0.02!
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/05/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 2
Facebook groups. My buddy got an S13 roller with a cage for a 24 pack of Coors.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/05/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 1
Downside: not available with three pedals.
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
02/05/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
Facebook selling pages often get filled with the shitty cars no one can be bothered to list properly.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/05/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
That guy should have at least asked for a 30 rack.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
02/05/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 1
You don’t need a cruddy car to learn stick on. Just a good teacher/ friend who already knows.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/05/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0
Have you tried widening your search area? They’re out there.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/05/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 0
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
02/05/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 1
As to acquiring one of these inexpensive vehicles, a lot of dealer auctions that sell these ‘low value trade-ins’ are often wholesale only or only open to people/companies in the industry, per se. Some of the really cheap ones (sub $500) may even just be sold to parts yards or for scrap. You may have good luck browsing Craigslist or other online classifieds.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/05/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
Yeah, probably. But whatever, it was a clean, rust-free shell already caged for dirt cheap. Another guy I know got a Ford Escort for $50.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/05/2017 at 16:56, STARS: 0
I’ve always to get something stupid cheap like that and drive the wheels off, I’ve just never had a place to store it.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/05/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0
Just make sure the clutch and trans are OK. Gonna have a tough time learning if it’s beat too much.
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/05/2017 at 17:21, STARS: 0
Maybe see if there are any contacts in your circle — or people they know — that work(s) at a dealership or auto auction, and ask them to keep an eye out? You could tell them your max spend so they only call if there’s something.
Could even be win-win if they truly get a no-hoper on their hands like in your post
A noble pursuit! Get ready to be spoiled :D Best wishes! Save the manuals!
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/05/2017 at 17:31, STARS: 0
Find a buddy who has a big enough industrial spot that you can stash a cheap car inside a shipping container to keep it looking neat and tidy?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
02/05/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 0
Are you near a city? Try increasing the distance for Craigslist. If I put in “$500" as a maximum there are hundreds of listings within 50 miles, at least half of them running, but Seattle is pretty good for used cars.
Junkyards normally have some dirt cheap cars that run (barely).
If you really just want to learn, rent the cheapest manual car you can find. 500 should get you at least a week which is more then enough. And if you’re lucky you may even find a FUN cheap car to rent. Another plus being you don’t have to worry about selling a piece of junk no one wants if you rent
"NojustNo" (front24200)
02/05/2017 at 17:50, STARS: 1
you might try auctions At tow yards. a lot of times you just need to beat the scrap guys bids. They’re usually pretty cheap because there’s not much known about their condition. I used to go to these tow auctions years ago and I picked up quite a few running cars for a hundred or two
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/05/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 0
Not bad
"Kyle D." (kyledblog)
02/06/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 0
That’s a fantastic suggestion and an even better story.
"Kyle D." (kyledblog)
02/06/2017 at 17:29, STARS: 0
I’m not going to say that driving an S600 with a resonator delete as an old man hasn’t crossed my mind.