I bought a daily ! with less than 60k for less than 1k

"DatassunTX" (datassuntx)
03/18/2015 at 15:40 • Filed to: None

So this may go down as my biggest win of all time.

Better than buying my 280z for 2600 and daily driving it for a year before doing the LS swap.

Better than buying the 1983 RX7 for 1000 and selling for 1500 3 days later.

Better than buying a bike from Gas Monkey garage for 900 and selling it on ebay for 2550.

I purchased a 1998 Mazda Protege with less than 60k on the dash for 880 bucks !

Here's how this story goes. One day my coworker who sits in the cubical just to the right of me comes in cursing up and down that his car is a total piece of shit. I asked him what the issues were and all he could say was it's overheating fast and the battery keeps dying. So I asked for the key and went out to the parking lot to take a look. Upon further inspection I realize the cars serpentine belt that runs the water pump and alternator was missing. The Passenger Side Strut is Blown and the check engine light was on. After explaining that this car does need some work he offers the car to me. Stating that he'd take a 1000 bucks if I'm interested. While I was interested I wasn't interested at that price point since I'd need to invest more money to get the car running properly. I offered him 880 by taking the total amount of repairs needed and splitting the cost down the middle.

Once money and title were exchanged the following day. (him coming to work yet again over heating with a dead battery) I called my mobile mechanic . The Mobile mechanic charged me 60 bucks to replace the belt including him going to the parts store and buying it. Since the belt has been replaced I've been daily driving the car without issues watching my coworker boil with frustration and it's been great !

The only other issue I've had was on Monday this week as I pulled back into my West Austin home I heard a ting .. The same ting were all used to hearing when we drop a bolt, nut , screw , wrench on the exhaust of the car while changing spark plugs or your monthly blinker fluid change. As I got out of the car to inspect I see the entire passenger rear tire covered in oil. First thought was (damn I popped a brake line) nope not that. The oil drain plug had "popped out" "fell out" whatever you want to call it somehow a bolt that's supposed to be tight 99.9999999% of a cars life fell off. I went to the parts store 40 bucks later I had a new plug and oil change done in about 10 minutes.

Also changed the spark plugs which fixed the check engine light.

SO if anyone else is buying a car for the amount I just did with less than 60k on the dash. You must also have a massive deal boner like myself.

DISCUSSION (31)

Gary Yogurt > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:43

Congrats! And you live in the right part of the country for that old Mazda, here they are all rusted.

thebigbossyboss > Gary Yogurt
03/18/2015 at 15:43

I must live in the same part of the country as you.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:45

That is awesome! I'd definitely be pleased with that for sure.

505Turbeaux > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:47

My very first Audi, a 5000 turbo with 57K on the clock - for "a nickel" which meant $500 to the seller. DD it for quite a long time. Of course this was in 1997, but I still have deal boners

Kinja'd!!!

jariten1781 > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:52

Woah...flashback. One of my 'friends' in HS had one just like that.

It died an honorable death after getting stuck mudding uninvited in a farmer's field, said farmer decided to remove it with a tractor and a chain. Subframe moved, car did not.

Haven't seen a decent condition one in a long time.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:52

I'm genuinely super jealous.

You know that we have here don't you?

Kinja'd!!!

DatassunTX > Gary Yogurt
03/18/2015 at 15:54

Not a spec of rust on this thing. and the paint is perfect.

DatassunTX > thebigbossyboss
03/18/2015 at 15:55

If you live in Texas Country you may be correct.

DatassunTX > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 15:55

Still got those badass Jenko Jeans too ? hahaha oohhhh the 90s

thebigbossyboss > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:57

I meant the same part as Gary where things are all rusted. I wish I lived in Texas!

DatassunTX > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/18/2015 at 15:57

I'd like to thank God for making this possible and my drug dealer for teaching me to always ask for a better deal. Mom I couldn't have done it without you !

Kinja'd!!!

505Turbeaux > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 15:58

lol hell no. They are coming back out though. Maybe I will buy a pair for old times sake though and troll on the skinny jean wearing crowd

DatassunTX > jariten1781
03/18/2015 at 15:58

OUch... No off roading for this jem.

DatassunTX > thebigbossyboss
03/18/2015 at 15:58

Come on down. It's 75 and sunny as can be today.

DatassunTX > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 15:59

Pretty sure my woman would burn them before I would be able to get my pasty tooth picks I call legs into them.

505Turbeaux > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 16:00

probably for the best

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 16:00

Seems really low mileage for something so old. I's be worried about rubber bits breaking.

DatassunTX > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 16:01

OR I could keep the jeans and get rid of the woman. But idk any jeans that will do your laundry and clean the dishes among other things.

thebigbossyboss > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 16:01

Nice!! Here is cloudy and around 10F or so.

DatassunTX > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/18/2015 at 16:06

Well you'd think that but it was actually regularly driven it's entire life. The story goes.... A little old lady from my coworkers church's husband had past. Leaving behind (like most texans about to die.. ) a massive truck. She realize quickly she couldn't drive the truck after destroying her own mail box and bought this brand new in 98. She then used the car to go to the grocery store and church once a week for about 16-17 years. When my coworker was looking for a car she offered it to him for 1500 with 50k on the dash. He put 8k on it in 6 months and then took it to Lambs Tire and Auto here in Austin who I suspect cut the belt and loosened the drain plug. Fuck Lambs Tire and Auto obviously.

505Turbeaux > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 16:07

if you find out some that do, let me know

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 16:10

You kind of look like Lennon in this photo....HE'S NOT DEAD.... ILLUMATI!!!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 16:10

She then used the car to go to the grocery store and church once a week for about 16-17 years.

This is why I'd be worried. Until your buddy got hold of it (and apparently started having to replace everything), it's probably never even been taken to operating temperature. When I hear of an old lady that drove it to church and the store and believe them, I run.

505Turbeaux > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
03/18/2015 at 16:15

hahahaha I am not talking. My dad does look just like him though

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 16:21

Does your mom look like Yoko? Cause if she does then I blame you for the Beatles breaking up.

505Turbeaux > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
03/18/2015 at 16:22

hell no she doesn't. Haha

Paul is dead

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > 505Turbeaux
03/18/2015 at 16:27

NOT TRUE!!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > DatassunTX
03/18/2015 at 17:53

Nice buy! I don't think you can beat this one!

RacinBob > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/18/2015 at 19:30

Oh boy, the grampa/grandma car's can be real nightmares. I was at my buddy's shop and they were standing around an grandma's 95 Civic. 50,000 miles, like new, except it would go though oil at 400 miles to the quart. The owner bought it for his daughter.

Well...... I showed up just after they pulled the head and all 4 cylinders had about 1/8th inch ring wear in the bores. Amazing. I guess all they ever did was add oil to it, at an ever increasing rate. As far as I know, the original oil was still in there.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RacinBob
03/18/2015 at 20:06

My first two cars were low mileage Hondas from the early 90s that really were owned by little old ladies. Both were in the shop on a seemingly monthly basis. My 220k mile abuse-laden MR2, not a hitch in the year I've owned it.

DatassunTX > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
03/19/2015 at 08:54

If I do come across another deal like this I'll snag it up just like this one but most likely sell that one.