You have $2000 to buy a car on the opposite coast and drive it back to your home. What do you choose?

"Spridget" (dustbustervans)
02/15/2016 at 17:12 • Filed to: None

Thanks to a bad bet you made with him at a bar, our good friend the Magic Jalopnik Horse has given you $2000 with which to buy a vehicle and bring it home. There’s only one catch; it must be on the opposite coast from you, and it must be bought off of Craigslist, as the Magic Jalopnik Horse hates eBay due to a dispute with founder Pierre Omidyar involving Whole Foods goat cheese, a Schrade knife, a pack of flavored condoms, and a 1995 Toyota Cavalier. Anyway, the Magic Jalopnik Horse will pay for any breakdowns that happen during the journey, as well as for food, water, and gas. If you buy the car for less than two grand but it needs some work, you can use the leftovers to pay for repairs. It can be in any state on the opposite coast as long as that state borders and ocean, but you have to be able to drive it home.

EDIT: If you’re in the Midwest, South, West, etc, pick whichever coast you want.

Here’re my choices as an East Coaster:

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DISCUSSION (48)

deekster_caddy > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:21

I would find an early 90's Buick Regal with the 3800. That way it will likely make the trip, and if not it will be easy to fix.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:23

I am smack dab in the center of the country. Does that mean I get to double my budget and look on both coasts?

Birddog > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:24

I’m in Chicago, there is no opposite coast from me. Unless Michigan?

Trunk Impaired 318 > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:24

Being an East Coaster finally pays off!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/542640…

-this space for rent- > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
02/15/2016 at 17:25

Doesn’t matter, you’ll be murdered during your Craigslist transaction either way.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:25

Since the distance from the West coast to the Eastern part of Norway is just under 6 hours I’ll pick a car from the northernmost part of Norway (couple of days away from where I live..) the only cars I could find for less than 2k dollars was a Saab 900 Turbo and a Chrysler Grand Voyager..

I’d go for the Saab

Kinja'd!!!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:25

First up is this pretty clean Integra

Kinja'd!!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/544936…

Or a Type 3 Squareback

Kinja'd!!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/544367…

Or this manual, volvo wagon. Mileage is almost at 300,000 but it looks pretty solid

Kinja'd!!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/543884…

Can I bring them all back with me?

DoYouEvenShift > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:25

From Tampa Bay to Cape Canaveral! Im in!

f86sabre > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:26

Kinja'd!!!

The pay for repairs part takes the risk out of it. This E30 is $1000, so should have plenty to get it fixed up for the ride to Atlanta.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/544947…

911e46z06 > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:26

e39

PorkchoPlissken > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:31

Thinking Buick Roadmaster, but I’m too lazy to find one on the webs

Shankems > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:35

Only 2K? Would not participate.

Spridget > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
02/15/2016 at 17:35

Choose whichever coast you want, but keep the budget the same.

Spridget > Birddog
02/15/2016 at 17:36

Pick whichever side you like!

Under_Score > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:37

I’m lazy.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/544946…

not for canada - australian in disguise > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:37

I never realized just how shitty the car market in the Canadian Maritimes was.

I’m gonna list of a choice from each province in the region’s local Kijiji (which is pretty much Canada’s craigslist, we have CL here, but it’s not nearly as popular)

From Newfoundland: A Toyota Matrix, because why not. Automatic.

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

From Nova Scotia: A 97 Prelude, manual transmission. Not the best car in the world, but still decent for 2 grand.

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

From PEI: A 2006 Hyundai Tiburon. Always liked these cars, like the Prelude, it’s a stick.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Kinja'd!!!

And, last, but not least, from New Brunswick: A kickass Volvo 960, so square, so boxy. Definitely my favourite of the four.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Kinja'd!!!

If only I lived on the east coast for this challenge, because BC’s car market is awesome. Barely any rust, no real winters to deal with in the southern bits of the province, and a wealth of well preserved enthusiast cars for relatively cheap.

Spridget > not for canada - australian in disguise
02/15/2016 at 17:40

The Volvo annihilates everything else. I didn’t realize the Canadian market was so bad. Yikes.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:42

It’s mainly our shitty dollar at the moment, you gotta have around 5 grand to get anything decent in this country, even in the best markets.

Jagvar > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:46

Mmm, give me that Rover!

XJDano > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:46

So I can choose either coast, or boarder? StL is pretty much the middle.

StoneCold > Birddog
02/15/2016 at 17:56

Third coast is best coast:

Kinja'd!!!

(It’s actually a super interesting book!)

mazda616 > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 17:59

Kinja'd!!!

I’m much closer to the East Coast than the West, so I’ll look out west.

‘96 Volvo :

Kinja'd!!!

‘98 BMW :

Kinja'd!!!

‘97 Celica : (I’d be alright as long as I didn’t get caught in the rain, and as long as no one reached in through the hole in the top and stole the car.)

XJDano > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:00

In a couple minutes I found this

All the el camino around here start at $3K

http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5444887786…

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:12

I'm boring, probably some kind of Panther.

Jonee > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:12

Whoa, I love the idea of taking that Rover cross country. It’s on my coast, though, so I’m opting for this ultra low mile Renault Alliance. It’s beige on beige craptacular.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/543046…

Kinja'd!!!

lone_liberal > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:13

Here’s the reasoning: It is sure to break down numerous times on the way so those expenses will be covered. By the time I get it home it should be sorted.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5405777293…

Kinja'd!!!

Connqr > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:21

2000 Mustang GT “Coupe” (convertible). 2k in British Colombia. It’s Kijij and not CL but really they are the same thing.

Kinja'd!!!

ranwhenparked > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:23

I almost did this over the summer, bought a $2000 car down in Florida and drove it up the coast. Does the Atlantic count as a different coast from the Delaware Bay?

dietryng > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:43

what is the considered the “north” coast?

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:53

Ford Escort. I have owned enough of them that i could fix it easily on the side of the road if needed

yamahog > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 18:56

Since I’m in Michigan, my opposite coast would be the Gulf Coast, in which case, my sister lives nearby and I can hypothetically make minor repairs before leaving:

This RHD Cherokee, even I have to back it all the way up north

Kinja'd!!!

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/cto/5449507112…

This future LeMons racer Z28

Kinja'd!!!

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/cto/5444575466…

This title-free $700 300 ZX

Kinja'd!!!

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/cto/5427525017…

This shredded diesel Isuzu Pup

Kinja'd!!!

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/cto/5435533852…

Aaaand finally, this “I have to much money in engine and lift and tires I can’t afford to fix the clutch” Bronco:

Kinja'd!!!

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/cto/5442080729…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Birddog
02/15/2016 at 19:00

Gulf coast.

Spridget > dietryng
02/15/2016 at 19:00

Pick the east of west coast; whichever you like.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
02/15/2016 at 19:03

Random question:

What has the local response to the TV show “Occupied” been? I found it on Netflix and was hooked instantly. I can’t think of anything else that I wanted to watch more than that show, apart from Top Gear. It’s that good.

dietryng > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 19:10

Kinja'd!!!

package deal, TWO 1960's chevy trucks, for $2000 from the north coast

Homer Alaska

Master Cylinder > Spridget
02/15/2016 at 19:13

Jeez, I always kinda figured the market was great out in California, but I never really knew it. You guys out on the West Coast have a smorgasbord of interesting budget cars.

How about an old Jaaaaaag? Now, I know what you’re thinking - that’ll never make it across the country. But this one has a good old American small-block Chevy V8 in the bay. And $400 under budget, even.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/5428838635.html

Kinja'd!!!

Or maybe you’d rather have something taller and more 4-wheel-drivey? How about this nice Montero V6? (nice being a relative term with a sub-$2,000 budget)

Kinja'd!!!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/5429893809.html

Frenchlicker > mazda616
02/15/2016 at 19:22

You stole my Volvo!

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/15/2016 at 19:25

I’d say 50/50.. first few episodes got massive ratings, then it kinda went down the drain.. As far as I know it’s way more popular abroad than here in Norway. I tried watching it, but never really liked it, bad acting and plot holes may or may not be more obvious if you actually understand Norwegian I guess :)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
02/15/2016 at 19:40

I thought it was fantastic. I do not speak Norwegian though.

Are they going to make a second season?

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
02/15/2016 at 19:43

I’m not sure if they’ll make a second season, but I know they’ve been talking about it.