"Mitch Moen" (pirateshift)
07/21/2016 at 16:31 • Filed to: None
0
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"Mitch Moen" (pirateshift)
07/21/2016 at 16:31 • Filed to: None | 0
| 11 |
“Babe, I can drive this one for free…I can’t afford not to buy it”
Let me explain.
I’m a middle aged man with a wife, three kids, two dogs, and one lizard. If you’re like me, and you have limited resources when it comes to “vehicles” , this is for you.
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-Driving for free explained
Step 1. Carefully purchase the selected vehicle
Step 2. Put 10-20k in mileage on the vehicle
Step 3. Sell that vehicle 8-12 months later for what you paid for it or more
Disclaimer: This is a bit different than your standard fix and flip. Your incredible market knowledge will allow you to “invest” in a vehicle, drive it, and then sell it. All while breaking even or making a tidy profit.
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-Commandments of Vehicular Selection
You must patiently stalk !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (or similar) until you find “the one”
You must obtain all available receipts, service records, and car fax reports
DO NOT PURCHASE A HEAVILY MODIFIED VEHICLE
You must strive to purchase a vehicle as close to stock condition as possible
You must resist the urge to modify that vehicle while it is in your possession (…yes I’m a fan of the aftermarket, but stock sports cars are much easier to sell)
You must cherish this new vehicle as you are now attempting to prove to your significant other that you can “drive for free”
You must take the time to construct a proper craigslist ad to sell that vehicle (Ill discuss this in a future post)
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VOL 1 Selections
*** As I carefully zip up my flame suit*** I don’t know everything about these vehicles (and I’m certain you do) so leave me feedback. If you think I’m wrong, tell me. (Read in Homer Simpson voice) “these are all damn good buys and you know it!”
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S2000
Honda S2000
Recommend Years: 1999-2009
Engine: 2.0-liter, 240 hp & 2.2-liter, 240 hp
Notes: If the S2000 seems underpowered, it’s because you don’t you don’t have the balls to rev it to its 9,000 rpm redline. Considering this convertible only weighs in at 2,750 lbs ., it still does zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds. If Formula One engineers built an affordable car for weekend use, it would be the S2000. (Motor Trend 2009).
*Formula One engineers don’t build anything affordable*
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240sx
Nissan 240sx
Recommend Years: 1997-1998 “Kouki”
Engine: The KA24 is anemic…and a truck engine (but I’ll get to that)
Notes: There were only about 6,000 “Koukis” built, (sounds like a lot) but most of them have been wrecked…or hacked up with a half assed/ unfinished motor swap. While the car is really slow in stock form, if you even look at this car sideways, it will drift . Not mention, those projector headlights look amazing. The trick to modding this car without tanking the value, or spending a small fortune, is swapping the KA24 for the Blacktop SR20DET that should have come in the car all along. (SR20DETs came in the Nissan Silvia…think identical to a 240SX but faster)
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F150 SVT
Ford F150 (of the SVT Lightning variety)
Recommend Years: 1999-2004 (early 90’s models are great too)
Engine: 5.4 Triton w/ Eaton Supercharger 380 HP / 450 TQ
Notes: While pretty much every other truck on the market is depreciating, this bad boy is still holding rock solid value. If you are looking for something to haul your Home Depot bounty back to your doublewide, look no further than this supercharged monster.
*If you go to look at the truck, and the seller says he’s only done a few “tasteful” mods to include a smaller supercharger pulley for the last 60 thousand miles, that might not be your truck. *
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Camaro SS
Chevrolet Camaro (of the SS variety)
Recommend Years: 2001 – 2002
Engine: LS1 305 HP / 350 TQ
Notes: The 4 th gen Camaro is no slouch, and the 2001 model year saw the addition of the LS6 intake manifold and clutch, and removal of the EGR system. You will find SS Camaros in two types, drag ready and stock; you want the stock ones. If you can find a sub 70k mile SS with SLP mods, that’s the car to buy.
*Yes, I know the Firehawk is even more desirable, and I’ll address it in a future post*
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M Coupe
BMW M Coupe
Recommend Years: 2001 – 2002
Engine: 3.2-liter I-6, 240 hp, 3.2-liter I-6, 315 hp
Notes: Besides being named Top Gear’s “ Best Driver’s Car of the Year” in 2000 , the M Coupe is already considered to be a BMW classic . When engineers are given the keys to the development facility afterhours, you end up amazing hardtop coupe, where function is valued over form (which is why is looks like a clown shoe).
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Remember the commandments …
Good luck and happy hunting .
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Mitch Moen writes “stuff” because he loves “driving for free” and desperately misses Sport Compact Car Magazine. He has a wife, three kids, two dogs, and one lizard.
mcseanerson
> Mitch Moen
07/21/2016 at 16:47 |
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Prices on 4th gen Camaros are stupid. It’s like nobody told them they finally came out with another one.
JustAnotherG6
> mcseanerson
07/21/2016 at 16:51 |
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and they are ugly to boot.
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mcseanerson
> JustAnotherG6
07/21/2016 at 17:08 |
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A fact I don’t even want to admit and I’m a GM guy: They’re just rwd Chrysler Sebrings.
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JustAnotherG6
> mcseanerson
07/21/2016 at 17:11 |
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ew.
Ross Kraz
> Mitch Moen
07/21/2016 at 17:38 |
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Even if you come out behind, you are saving money over buying something new because of depreciation. And if you get something like the S2000, your purchase is justified by better fuel economy than whatever you would normally be driving. So the more you drive it, the more money you save.
Out of these the S2000 and the Lightning would probably retain value the best and have the lower maintenance costs... but the Lightning isn’t cheap to begin with.
Similar to this idea, my recent BMW E39 purchase should be a “drive for free” scenario. I should be able to make my money back after fixing a few small things, all while saving money on gas and having a pretty fun, practical daily driver.
thebigbossyboss
> mcseanerson
07/21/2016 at 17:49 |
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I can never like them now. Thanks.
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Mitch Moen
> Ross Kraz
07/22/2016 at 02:26 |
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I totally agree Ross. The E39 was on one of my other lists. Great buy.
Tohru
> mcseanerson
07/22/2016 at 14:55 |
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You shut your mouth and you never,
ever
open it again.
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mcseanerson
> Tohru
07/22/2016 at 17:10 |
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Lol, seeing is believing.
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Tohru
> mcseanerson
07/28/2016 at 16:44 |
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My mom had a ‘96 Camaro when I was a kid (teal, V6, automatic, T-tops). It is NOT a Sebring.
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mcseanerson
> Tohru
07/29/2016 at 09:32 |
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No, ‘96 had a different headlight style. But by ‘98 the Sebringing was complete.