$3500, what to buy?

"AddMustard" (AddMustard)
09/24/2015 at 02:11 • Filed to: None

I need a second car. My budget is $3500, and I don’t have a garage. I’m not afraid to work on my cars but with winter coming I don’t need a big project.

I am pretty narrow minded, my craigslist searches consist of:

Nissan 240sx (Coupe only), Infiniti Q45, Infiniti G20, ??? I’m a Nissan guy but I like a lot of cars. RWD coupe is what I really want but a good looking car will always get my consideration. I really like G50 Q45s (90-93) but am very picky about these, so it’s hard to find a good one.

Give me some ideas! I’ll start:

Miata

ok now with that out of the way, what else??

DISCUSSION (21)

AddMustard > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 02:16

Here’s a good Miata, actually.... I don’t like the bright red, though one of the other cars I’m looking at is bright red so it’s not a deal breaker I guess

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/523250…

AddMustard > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 02:29

A counterpoint: Used to have a 1980 Honda Civic “Hondamatic”, brown, yellow interior... this one is nice but maybe $1k too expensive

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/521250…

Amoore100 > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 02:37

Depends on what you’re looking for...if it were myself I would totally go after a really clean old Q45 or something but if you’re looking for a ‘fun’ second car the Miata is probably your best bet, unless you want to be weird and get a MR2...

ptak appreciates old racecars > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 02:48

Miata

pip bip - choose Corrour > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 03:06

Subaru Outback?

AddMustard > pip bip - choose Corrour
09/24/2015 at 03:17

I’ve got an Impreza wagon on my list!

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/523522…

pip bip - choose Corrour > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 03:44

close enough.

Tohru > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 03:53

I’ve got a nice ‘95 F150 I’d sell you for $1000. It’s a red RWD coupe with an inline 6.

Kinja'd!!!

GhostZ > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 04:24

As much as I like your choices, finding one (of any) of them under $3500 that isn’t going to crap out on you over the winter and require constant wrenching is going to be tough. Even finding a miata at that price range that doesn’t need some work is getting difficult, much less a 240SX.

Don’t forget to budget for regular maintenance, insurance, etc. The insurance, if you’re young, is going to outweigh your budget fast .

I’m going to go with the unconventional. Bear with me for a second...

Kinja'd!!!

The 240SX before there was a 240SX is the Datsun 280ZX. It’s going to be just as fast as a 240SX (maybe faster, depending on gear ratios). What you would want is a 5-speed (close ratio) NA model. They are absurdly reliable vehicles, for what they are. You can try to find a turbo, but good luck finding one that isn’t blown or rusted.

You MIGHT be able to insure it as a classic car, also, which is going to lower your costs dramatically.

They’re older, but probably far more stock and better maintained than anything else at that price range, and I guarantee you’re not going to sell it for less than you buy it if you buy it now and then sell at the beginning of summer.

Other suggestions.

Datsun 200SX / S10 Silvia
Third Gen Mustang or Camaro (You might get a V8 for that price)

Other suggestions you should not follow because they will break down constantly:
First-gen RX-7
300ZX Z31 NA

Shark-Attack > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 04:44

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/517478…

300 left over is definately enough for a windshield installation.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/523237…

Paint is bad and a disturbing stain on the rear seat, but I bet it’s fun.

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/522499…

I didn’t really even read this ad but iy looks super clean and also would be fun and lighter on gas.

Earnest The Betrayer > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 04:45

So much yes.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > AddMustard
09/24/2015 at 06:32

Third-gen Camaro or Firebird. I'd recommend a t-top car with the 305 TPI and a 5 speed, though you sometimes see 350 TPI cars that have been converted to sticks...GM never sold them that way.