Oppo, help me find a beater for a month

Kinja'd!!! by "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
Published 09/21/2017 at 21:17

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Kinja'd!!!

So my Miata is finally getting the rust properly cut out and the rear quarter swapped out. The body guy is a friend doing it for the cost of parts and like a half day’s worth of labor, even though he said 30-40 hours for sure. Since this is a very good deal, its worth keeping the car and getting it done. However, he is doing it in spare time so my car will be down for 2-3 weeks. It is my only form of transportation so I need to get some wheels for about a month. I think a rental is too expensive for that, so I am looking to just buy a beater. So I am enlisting Oppo to suggest some beaters on my local NJ craigslist for under $2k!

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/search/cto?max_price=2500

Literally anything that is gonna be running or easy to make running and can legally run an autocross event and get registered and crap. Ideally a manual of course, mostly because cheap automatics scare me! I need it to be cheap to fix up and sell for around the same price, profit would be nice though since my labor is free.

The weirder the better though for sure!

EDIT: I am checking out this Del Sol and Neon tomorrow afternoon:

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Replies (59)

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 21:23, STARS: 2

The del slo or the fiero even though it’s an auto

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1986-pontiac-fiero/6283622399.html

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/94-del-sol-sohc-vtec/6311434235.html

Kinja'd!!! "diplodicus forgot his password" (diplodicusforgothispassword)
09/21/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 3

How is this even a question. https ://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-lincoln-triple-stretch/6283228728.html

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 21:28, STARS: 0

Also I obviously had to get this

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/2006-mini-cooper/6310734250.html

Kinja'd!!! "Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
09/21/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 5

He said winter car, not time-bomb with four wheels.

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0

One more even though it’s in the Bronx https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/d/bmw-540i-6-speed/6269142743.html

Kinja'd!!! "Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
09/21/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0

Would suggest a Toyota pickup ... dead reliable, and you can pretty it up and sell it for more, perhaps.

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0

I also just sent myself a post with a 540 in it. And the mini could last for a winter

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0

Haha i wonder what class this would run in autocross

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0

Its not even for winter, literally a month, time bombs are fine as long as it makes it that long. The only problem with that one is its a damn auto

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 0

But i cant autocross that! The body guy actually has a Cherokee I can take for $900. Knows the girl who just wants the money, it is running and in good shape. But I cant autocross a jeep.

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
09/21/2017 at 21:43, STARS: 0

1966 VW Bug Beetle - $2500

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
09/21/2017 at 21:45, STARS: 1

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-dodge-neon-t-dohc/6277087243.html

You’ll probably want to keep it though. DOHC motor, 5-speed manual, and it’s a halfway-decent handler.

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/honda-civic-lx-1994/6313394761.html

Body looks halfway decent and a replacement engine is $500. Could probably part it out for $800.

Kinja'd!!! "Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
09/21/2017 at 21:45, STARS: 0

My gf has a ‘96 Camry that’ll last like a month or two. $500. In lincroft.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:46, STARS: 1

I also kind of need to be able to sell it. And more importantly register it. I have to go through a military base gate for work so i cant get away with quasi legal stuff lol.

Kinja'd!!! "ToyotaFamily" (robbav35)
09/21/2017 at 21:48, STARS: 1

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1996-honda-civic/6279239489.html

manual civic. done.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:49, STARS: 0

Hmm I like the Neon, thats not a bad idea at all! Id prefer something running. I dont want to have to do an engine swap lol

Kinja'd!!! "Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/21/2017 at 21:50, STARS: 3

Stick shift cloud car.

Kinja'd!!!

Hey, it’s weird?

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
09/21/2017 at 21:56, STARS: 0

 but its a RUNNING, DRIVING car. it needs a windshield, YES. but that is just flat glass. the guy even has all of the other glass for it, including side popouts. you might have to put something over the hole showing in the picture, but that is MINOR.

have you seen what these go for with a fresh coat of paint?..........  nicer beetles .......

Kinja'd!!! "RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
09/21/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 1

These aren’t exactly common, and being from a brand that doesn’t exist here anymore, it would be weird!

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/2003-suzuki-aerio-sx/6295075224.html


Deville land yacht with digidash? :O

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-cadillac-sedan-deville/6315141598.html


JJJJAAAGGGG?

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/jaguar-xj8-2000/6314857473.html


First-gen Neon? R/T package....would be fun for Autocross probably!

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1998-dodge-neon-t-dohc/6277087243.html


Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 1

The bigger problem is the firm $2500 price tag. I need like something listed for that and get it down below $2k

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 1

I saw that one, but the ad is 29 days old! And they listed it as 6 cyl...

Kinja'd!!! "Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
09/21/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 0

Maybe a short probationary period off of autocross? Gather your thoughts?

Kinja'd!!! "for Michigan" (formichigan)
09/21/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 1

Do not auto Fiero. Been there, done that. Please don’t repeat my mistake.

Kinja'd!!! "ToyotaFamily" (robbav35)
09/21/2017 at 22:03, STARS: 0

Hey, worth a try, especially at that price. And I wouldn’t worry about the cylinder thing, I saw an ad for a ZHP coupe where the seller listed it as a 4 cylinder. Talked to him and it was obvious he was an enthusiast, so could be an honest mistake.

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:03, STARS: 1

Sorry but I couldn’t resist. POLICE HOLDEN

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/2012-caprice-ppv/6315792924.html

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 0

Not autocrossing is a poor life choice as far as I am concerned! Plus I want to enjoy the car anyways. Id have trouble with a truck or something like that.

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 0

The auto is not that bad in this car

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:05, STARS: 1

You must be high suggesting that on oppo

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 0

ughhh automatics.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 0

But its like buying an automatic miata. They are just sacralige. A giant Cadillac boat? Thats okay in auto in my book. But tiny tossable stuff its just wrong.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 0

See this is why I come to Oppo. I know if someone here says BAD IDEA, then I REALLLLLLY know its a bad idea. If I ask my real life friends, they think buying ANY car instead of just renting is a bad idea lol.

Kinja'd!!! "AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
09/21/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 1

https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/d/1991-toyota-celica-gt-manual/6246986873.html

Kinja'd!!!

https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/93-mercury-capri-xr2-43k/6295539164.html

Kinja'd!!!

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/1994-mazda-miata-5-speed-112k/6315514661.html

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:09, STARS: 0

good point. certainly worth a text message

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 1

You’ve got a fair point but when do you need lightning fast shifts the most? At an autocross! And there is a manual mode in the auto so the manual isn’t dead in this car

Kinja'd!!! "Obruni" (Obruni)
09/21/2017 at 22:15, STARS: 0

$900 Tercel. These things are unkillable.

https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-tercel-1996/6303544056.html

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
09/21/2017 at 22:16, STARS: 0

yeah, i can understand that....

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:20, STARS: 0

Well auto trans problems being present scare me a bit haha. Buying a cheap Mini is probably kind of like buying a cheap BMW. I dont want to go broke lol

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 1

Plus I HATE people that say price is firm. No price is ever firm, you are just a dumbass for saying that, unless you dont actually want to sell the car...

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 1

This is really odd, i wish there were more than one picture lol.

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:23, STARS: 0

They are certainly reliable for a month trust me. Three months however...

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 0

Just SLIGHTLY out of my price range lol

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
09/21/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 0

i usually hit the guy with a price anyhow to see if the guy is willing to budge, especially if it has been listed for a long while......

Kinja'd!!! "Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/21/2017 at 22:39, STARS: 0

Just a bit

Kinja'd!!! "Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
09/21/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 1

I think the del sol looks like a good option.

I also saw this and depending on the top issue a profit may be possible.

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-bmw-325i-5-speed-manual/6304825484.html

Maybe a bagged Merc is more your taste.

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/mercedes-240-bagged-air/6277698240.html

Branching out a bit further

https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/1971-volvocoupe/6310084875.html

You said you want different

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/mustang-ii-mach/6285813714.html

I wanted to suggest one of several MGs but assumed you actually needed to get to work without breaking down.

Kinja'd!!! "Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
09/21/2017 at 22:56, STARS: 1

Unfortunately no ... NY state has yet to legalize, and I have a professional license.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 23:03, STARS: 0

What is life without the adventure of breaking down! But yeah something remotely reliable is a good idea. I dont mind doing some work and my commute is short. But within reason haha. Id rather work on a 90s honda than a carb’d MG

Kinja'd!!! "jasmits" (jasmits)
09/21/2017 at 23:11, STARS: 2

YOOOO that Volvo is awesome

Kinja'd!!! "Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
09/21/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 0

I’m the exact opposite. I actually enjoy tearing down a carb to install a rebuild kit. Tuning multi-carb setups can be a pain but still not bad.

However, I commute 50 miles one way, so as appealing as the MG would be the thought of breaking down far from walking distance to anywhere is concerning.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 23:29, STARS: 0

Yeah if I wasnt also moving in like a month I would be more inclined to a project. But I really need something cheap that will run acceptably, maybe do some autocross, and then sell it for around the same price.

Kinja'd!!! "Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
09/21/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 1

Other than maybe the Del Sol you’re already looking at I would probably look at the Mustang II I found. It actually looks pretty good other than under the hood.

Of course, I’m sure there are better options and ones that make more sense, but after a page of sensible options I got bored and changed the search so nothing remotely new showed up in hopes I’d find a running Studebaker or Hudson in your area to suggest.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/21/2017 at 23:41, STARS: 1

Thanks for the effort, you are a trooper! I think it would be fun, I will at least message the guy. Ive got nothing to do with my car being in the shop so going and kicking some tires isnt a bad plan for the weekend.

Kinja'd!!! "SpeedSix" (speedsix)
09/21/2017 at 23:58, STARS: 0

Slow car fast?

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/mk2-vw-jetta-8v/6294732798.html

Not quite for serious consideration, but you did mention that automatics belong on luxury barges, GM automatics are quite proven, plus this is quite underpriced.

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/d/mk2-vw-jetta-8v/6294732798.html

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/22/2017 at 00:15, STARS: 0

I am scared of VAG. NO HOMO

Kinja'd!!! "Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/22/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 0

Yep. It’s ready to be dropped, gutted, and turboed, or repainted, reupholstered, and dailied—these things are so frickin versatile.

Kinja'd!!! "Amoore100" (amoore100)
09/22/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 0

Yep. It’s ready to be dropped, gutted, and turboed, or repainted, reupholstered, and dailied—these things are so frickin versatile.

Kinja'd!!! "jasmits" (jasmits)
09/22/2017 at 01:43, STARS: 1

I’d rock that as a daily as it is lol

Kinja'd!!! "RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
09/22/2017 at 05:21, STARS: 0

The Neon was a stick! You said weird! :P

Kinja'd!!! "for Michigan" (formichigan)
09/22/2017 at 06:23, STARS: 1

That trans is so bad. I wish I’d known to avoid it when I bought mine, but I didn’t have anyone to tell me otherwise at the time. The only Fiero I’d consider is a manual/V6 Fiero.

Kinja'd!!! "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/22/2017 at 07:06, STARS: 1

Oh yeah the neon I’m looking at this afternoon, could be a pretty good option and is certainly cheap.