HELP! find my friend a car listed for 5k or less!!!

"americancarfanboi" (americancarfanboi) 09/10/2014 at 00:36 • Filed to: None

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Okay, super long story, but ultimately my best friend is a huge car enthusiast and needs help finding a fun car to daily drive. Between the two of us, we can get $4000-$4500 to get him into something he will be able to love. There are a few requirements, though if something looks really awesome but doesn't meet the requirements, post it anyway. We are open to all suggestions. That said, the obvious choice, a miata is the one car he won't get. So to get to the point, these are the things most important in a car to him. (not in strict order)

Also looking for specific listings, not just types of cars though I suppose all help is welcome.

the top 5 most important things to him in order are:

1 - rear wheel drive

2 - reliable enough to be used as daily driver (also has to be able to make it from where its currently located to Jacksonville FL under its own power.

3 - not a convertible.

4 - German

5 - manual transmission

Please help us find a car that will help free an enthusiast from a beigemobile and allow more hooning to ensue!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:39

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http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/463707…

Getting it to Florida might be tricky, but its only $3200 so you could probably have it shipped and stay under $5k

D > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:40

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E40 minus E10

Matthew Phillips > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:40

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almost Any 1980-97 BMW 3-5 series

Sportwδgen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:40

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E36 is always the answer?

mcseanerson > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:41

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Florida has a horrible car culture and people who just abuse they're cars because they're too ignorant. I say this as a former Floridian. People thought I was a master mechanic because I changed my own spark plugs. Be cautious with enthusiasts cars there. American stuff is usually safe though. The import scene there is pretty awful though.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:42

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E36 BMW 3-Series. Preferably 328i.

Or, if you can find one, E30 325i.

Both are pretty reliable by German standards. Both RWD. And both can be had with a manual.

Arben72 > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:42

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Ok, it's not German but the rear wheels do power it (+ so do the front). It's stupid amounts of fun and can be attained as a hatch for practicality. They look amazing too.

michael bleggi > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:43

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http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4600741654…

michael bleggi > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:45

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http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4659034155…

michael bleggi > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:48

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http://gainesville.craigslist.org/cto/4638663564…

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:49

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You want something built in the past 15 years or so. A BMW 325i like this one should fit the bill - http://tallahassee.craigslist.org/cto/4654372389… but this one is a bit overpriced IMO. 4k should get it or something similar. The mileage is high.

wabbalosthiskey > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:50

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http://lakecity.craigslist.org/cto/4653492834… - OK not german, but manual, rwd, regular cab diesel fun!

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/4621248070… - Not likely reliable but it makes up for it in so many ways.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/4648298891… - Another great manual find, wow, but also not german. Easily the coolest thing in Ocala craigslist.

OK for the best actual answer.. Half German, front wheel drive but fun enough to drive that he won't care. http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4653956045…

Bam!

mcseanerson > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:51

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https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4646008648…
https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4600741654…

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4644697121…

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4577568416…

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4660271498…

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4651130032…

and my personal favorites

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4635480019… 1970 Porsche 914 low miles $5950

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4593205943…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Dsscats > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:53

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He wants a reliable, sub-$5000 German coupe? Not going to happen. Be real with him and tell him to buy a Honda or Toyota or Nissan. MR2?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:54

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Foxes are plentiful and cheap down in Fl. dang

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4607578253…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4659905075…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4652543726…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4659601689…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4655633852…

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/4647851529…

Dsscats > Arben72 09/10/2014 at 00:55

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STI or clean title WRX for $5k? Probably a base Impreza though, which is even a little more reliable if anything.

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 00:58

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Yeah you'd have a better chance finding a Forester XT for that price and any turbo subie for this money will need an immediate timing belt.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 00:58

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http://brunswick.craigslist.org/cto/4659837315…

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2014 at 00:59

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Yeah American cars a great route for a decent car culture in Florida. Their import car culture is obsessed with fast and furious and none of them work on their own cars.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 00:59

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That 86 tho.

CRider > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 01:01

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Your friend will thanks me later. It's sure as hell not German, or manual, but does that matter when you've got this much luxury and class?

Dsscats > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:02

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Or an NA subie. You can find an older Impreza, 03ish Forester, older Legacy or outback for that.

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:02

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Exactly. That being said my two favorite finds in their area was a '70 914 and and an '84 240. Both manual and rwd. And Swedish cars are the most reliable european cars you're going to get.

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2014 at 01:03

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The yota?

Arben72 > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:03

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Bah,

Picked up this lovely thing for 2k clean title and all. Just don't ask about the reliability...

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:05

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Yeah, I'd be fine with an NA subie myself. To be honest though there's no need for awd in Florida.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:05

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PLus if you want cheap and reliable German probably isn't your best option. No offence to German car lovers.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:05

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yes.

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2014 at 01:06

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I always tell people who want a reliable German car to just buy a Swedish car instead. You get the euro cred with none of the German Engineering .

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2014 at 01:07

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Yeah, that is probably the nicest car aside from the Volvo and the Porsche in my opinion.

Aaron James > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 01:08

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For that kind of money you can get #2 or #4, not both.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:08

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I think I only really love it because of the steering wheel, and shifter combo tho,

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2014 at 01:11

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Yeah, that looks like a Grant steering wheel from autozone though. Just my personal experience back in Florida with their streetracing I always avoided the Asian car crowd closely followed by the German car crowd. Most of them are enthusiasts cars owned by non enthusiasts who like to street race.

Dsscats > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:12

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I love the 914, and they're effectively air cooled VWs, so they're pretty reliable too. But to be fair, he wants a reliable German coupe. I bet he wants AC too.

Dsscats > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:12

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Front diff removal? Driftbaru!!!

Bytemite > Arben72 09/10/2014 at 01:13

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I believe that meets maybe 2 of the 5 requirements...did you even read them? lol

Dsscats > Arben72 09/10/2014 at 01:13

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But let's be fair, that's the deal of a life time. No one is ever gonna find something that good again :p. Seriously, you got a $2k WRX. That's insane.

Bytemite > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 01:17

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You guys are looking at Mercedes 190E, BMW E30, E36, maybe even E46, Porsche 944, 924,....that is it actually. That's all there is.

Arben72 > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:21

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Yep, came with a few thousand in mods too. Also a very valuable (and forced) education on how to repair a car.

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:28

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AC + Enthusiasts car + Florida =\= $5,000 or less. Used cars with AC fetch a pretty nice premium in Florida.

mcseanerson > Bytemite 09/10/2014 at 01:30

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You're insane. A 9-2x aero for $2k is an awesome car and the bargain of the century. You're lucky to find one for $7k

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:31

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With a nicer interior (fact) and body styling (opinion). You're lucky to get one of those for $7k.

Dsscats > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:41

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Or 8k for the turbo, which this is

Dsscats > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:42

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And AC+German+Reliable+Enthusiast=/= <$5000. Pick 3, not 4.

mcseanerson > Dsscats 09/10/2014 at 01:43

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I've seen the Aero for $7k but obviously you realize even that would be a deal.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/10/2014 at 01:46

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it does look like that says Grant... at least it looks nice. makes me think of this Momo

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 01:53

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318ti?

Steve in Manhattan > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 01:58

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Done: http://www.e30marketplace.com/

Conan > D 09/10/2014 at 07:15

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Michael J Posner > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 07:37

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I am in the same boat, except I would like a convertible, must have working a/c and I can go up a few k. I am in South Florida.

P.S. That 914 listed: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/AAA-Logistic…

P.S.S. That dude who bashed Florida and cars is wrong. Go to any local cruise-in and you will meet alot of great car guys. My Corvair Club gets 15 at a monthly meeting every month.

P.S.S.S. Proof of a good car culture: www.Aircooledforcharity.org

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 13:33

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-2002-B…

It's in Florida. Your friend is welcome.

I used to daily my 2002. It's reliable enough.

Unless you crash it. Tell him not to crash it.

EDIT: Oops! Didn't see the reserve hadn't been met. My bad.

bob and john > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 13:47

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"german" if you cant afford a 10k bm,w, you cant afford a 1k bmw.
german is more or less off the list unless he can do his own work.

dogisbadob > americancarfanboi 09/10/2014 at 18:39

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which is more important, #2 or #4?

The Lexus IS300 might work, but perhaps it's too reliable for its own good.

The Jaguar X-Type is available with a manual transmission and it's FWD AND RWD :p OK maybe it's not as reliable as a Japanese car, but it does use enough Ford shit to not be a problem.

The G35 should be a choice too.

At least there's no year restrictions!

An E36 sedan is probably the closest he'll get to meeting ALL the requirements while not being too too old.

An 80s W123 might also be the route for him if he wants reliable AND German.

The 70s Capri is German and RWD and not a convertible, unlike the 90s Capri which is Australian FGWD and convertible.

90s small pickups and even some SUV's are also RWD and available with a manual transmission, but they're mostly American and Japanese.

The first-gen Sportage is Korean, but it is RWD and stick was available. They were made in Germany, but only for the European market, but German cars at the time were on par with Korean cars at the time or maybe a little less than that.

The 80s also offered the Mazda 323 GTX, Corolla and Camry All-Trac.