Craigslist Car Challenge - What would you buy?

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori) 05/22/2020 at 12:40 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

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I’ve got some work travel coming up in a couple months. Since we’re in the middle of a global pandemic (in case you hadn’t heard) I’m opting to drive vs fly and the company is mostly allowing this.

I’ll end up driving the Volvo, Land Rover, or Jaaaag... but also thought it would be fun to muse about buying a car to make the trip in. Then I thought it would be more fun to make you guys speculate about what car I should buy!

Trip Details

1,500+ miles (2 x 750 mile days + weekend adventure driving)

August in southern New Mexico (Hot and rainy, apparently)

>98% Highway, <2% overland (light, optional)

Constraints and Considerations

Budget: $5,000 all-in (including repairs, tires, etc)

Repair Tolerance: No more than 1 weekends worth, repairs come out of total budget (Subjective I know, but keep it reasonable. No head gaskets or engine rebuilds, but alternators and air leaks are OK.)

Must have: AC (-$1000 for non-working), Cruse control, no major body damage, Good gas mileage

Major needs: Quiet, comfortable, presentable paint

Other considerations: Offroad ability would be nice

So basically I’m looking for something quiet, and comfortable that is good on the highway and light on gas . If I didn’t care about that last part I’d just send the Jag because it is killer on the highway and I don’t REALLY care about being able to offroad.

I guess something like a Subaru might make sense?

What does Oppo think?

interstate366, now In The Industry > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:44

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First thing that showed up when I opened my local CL

https://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/d/henrico-toyota-corolla-2009/7128540496.html

HammerheadFistpunch > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:44

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I guess it depends on what that 2% off-roading looks like.  rough road 2% or low range 2%

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/22/2020 at 12:47

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Edited to clarify.  Offroading can be as light or as heavy as I want, but mostly I’d classify it as light overlanding.  A little extra ground clearance or AWD would be helpful.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > interstate366, now In The Industry 05/22/2020 at 12:48

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getout.gif

interstate366, now In The Industry > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:49

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Hey, it can go off-road...it just might not make it back.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:51

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https://vancouver.craigslist.org/nvn/cto/d/vancouver-ghost-cop-car/7127753011.html

Drive exactly the speed limit and see how far you can back-up traffic :)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:52

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That is a fun challenge. Is the 2% offroad like washed out dirt road accessible by any car?

For the moderately fun choice, I would go with this Cruze. 6 speed manual will spice it up and these are pretty good on gas without being terrible on t he highway. You could also sell it for exactly the same as you paid for it. And it’s red.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/roswell-2013-chevy-cruze-lt/7128500996.html

This Toyota Matrix does the same thing for much cheaper.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/marietta-2007-toyota-matrix/7128269082.html

But really the correct answer is this Volvo S60 R 6 Speed with AWD for the dirt. Only $3,750 and it doesn’t need much! It’s got the space ball shifter!

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/atlanta-2004-volvo-s-speed-manual-awd/7127203446.html

AkursedX > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:52

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It seems like a Honda Element might be something that would meet most of these requirements. I did a quick check of fb marketplace and there are a bunch under 5k.

Sovande > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/22/2020 at 12:56

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That Volvo is the answer. Perfect suggestion.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Sovande 05/22/2020 at 12:57

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Except the whole fuel efficiency thing. This has it all except that.

Milky > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 12:58

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For top down goodness

for the mp gs

for both

Sovande > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/22/2020 at 13:00

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I bet you could get 25 on the highway. Or 12 if you gave it the beans. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/22/2020 at 13:00

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That Volvo is excellent and totally on-brand.  My Volvo mechanic would KILL ME if I bought an AWD R.  Apparently they’re a nightmare to work on.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:01

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Accord. Budget to spare for a full AC tune up plus other misc tune up items...oil, plugs, brake fluid....

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/firestone-2004-honda-accord/7128552407.html

HammerheadFistpunch > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:01

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Are you being reimbursed for miles?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Milky 05/22/2020 at 13:01

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Lol that is excellent.  I’d actually really love a manual 1st gen Insight despite all the problems they have.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Sovande 05/22/2020 at 13:02

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Exactly. But hey even premium is pretty cheap right now. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:04

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You already have to be a little crazy to be a Volvo mechanic, so what's 2x the pain among friends? It would make for a pretty fun coast to coast cruiser but you would have to plan ahead all the reputable Volvo specialists. That is one brand that you can't take to a general mechanic. 

smobgirl > interstate366, now In The Industry 05/22/2020 at 13:04

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I took a brand new 2010  rental Corolla (3 miles on it) down some nasty roads in Garnet, MT. It was a blast! 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:05

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I say you can’t go wrong with an MN12 Thunderbird or MKVIII. They’re a dime a dozen, parts are cheap, and they’re made for eating highway miles. The V8/RWD combo would make them super slidy in the dirt too. Fuel economy won't be stellar (low 20s) but you'll more than make up for it with how cheap these are.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:13

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It will overland with enough momentum 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:18

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Well shit. I should probably go buy this car. https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto/d/lakeside-mercury-gran-marquis-ls-2008/7128558206.html

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 05/22/2020 at 13:19

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Soooooooooooooooort of, yes.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:20

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Or this acura

https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto/d/libby-1999-acura-rl-sedan-35-litre-one/7127609336.html

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/22/2020 at 13:21

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Niiiiiiiiiice.

Milky > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:22

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A ssuming it worked right it be a great way to be truly economical.  Low cost of entry and great mileage.  

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 13:49

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I have kinda sorta done something similar in 2018...Did a road trip around the East Coast in my Mini (around 7000 miles in a 1.5 ish months ) . You can find one around ~$3500 in the midwest, decently comfy on the highway, quite reliable, 27mpg (with stock SC pulley) and fun in the twisties.

XJDano > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 14:01

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Suzuki Samurai Tin Top

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/saint-charles-suzuki-samurai-tin-top/7126672467.html

I mean it’s neat. Probably not up to the comfort levels you want. 

Nom De Plume > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 14:05

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Not even going to look if anyone else suggested this it is so strong an option.

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/22/2020 at 14:08

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With what, an AARP discount on your Diners Club c ard.

Nom De Plume > Nom De Plume 05/22/2020 at 14:13

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Option #2 - $4600 4x4 converted Suzuki Samurai

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > XJDano 05/22/2020 at 14:20

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That is a neat car and not a terrible price. It it had EFI I’d be eyeing it as a new project haha.  A friend of mine had a newer version and it was pretty miserable on the highway...

dogisbadob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 14:24

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LOLOLOLOL

Budget: $5,000 all-in (including repairs, tires, etc)

Repair Tolerance: No more than 1 weekends worth, repairs come out of total budget (Subjective I know, but keep it reasonable. No head gaskets ...

I guess something like a Subaru might make sense?

(sorry, I had to)

I’d suggest a Saturn Astra since they are cool cars. No off-roading, but still cool, especially if you can find one with the big sunroof

Another good choice is the Toyota Echo. Awesome gas mileage and cheap to run with no problems. Not a lot of features, but otherwise a cool car. The first-gen Prius is basically just a hybrid Echo

You might even be able to get a good Chevy Sonic for $5000

If you really want quiet, nothing is quieter than an electric car, and you might be able to get a Leaf for $5000

Honda is out because of the presentable paint requirement (Honda really really sucks at paint)

The Matrix/Vibe was available with AWD, so that would work too. It’s just a Corolla wagon

Jb boin > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 16:29

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Something with a 6 cylinder diesel !

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 18:21

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https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/ctd/d/canton-2007-honda-odyssey-ex/7128763506.html

Like riding a cloud. A minivan is about the most comfortable way to do 10 00 miles a day.

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 18:25

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Assuming $2000 will fix it...

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/d/onalaska-2005-audi/7127445854.html

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 18:29

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How about a Ford?

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/ctd/d/wautoma-2010-ford-taurus-limited/7126192246.html

twodudesnape > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/26/2020 at 10:16

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I recently bought a cheap neglected 2000 Insight. The engines are bulletproof. The batteries are meh but if you can find one with batteries that haven’t been messed with, a grid charger is a great way of restoring the batteries. Mine had been driven gas only for at least 5 years, a couple days with a grid charger and haven’t had any battery issues since.