Cheap Car Challenge

"FromCanadaWithLove" (fromcanadawithlove) 10/13/2016 at 09:14 • Filed to: CHEAP CAR CHALLENGE

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I’m planning on moving to Vancouver at the end of the year, and I need to find a car. TLDR at the bottom.

A little background; I’m a Master of Architecture student in Halifax, NS. My school lets us take an 8 month work-term anywhere between January and August 2017. The program is structured like this: 8 months in school, 8 months working, then 8 months doing a thesis. I’m coming up on the working part of that. As soon as the work term is done, I’ll need to come back to Halifax.

I’ve got a car here now, but I’m not keen on the idea of driving it across Canada in early January. Shipping costs around $2k from Halifax to Vancouver, and there’s risk of the car getting damaged, so that’s not great either. There’s also the problem of changing insurance, as British Columbia has their own communist version.

My plan is to leave my car in Halifax (my parents live in the province, they’re happy take care of it), and buy something cheap and cheerful in BC. It won’t need to be a daily driver as I’ll probably take transit, but I’d likely drive every weekend. I’m thinking this is a good opportunity to get something fun / unpractical. I’m not a mechanic by any stretch, but I am interested in learning more. Reliability is nice, but I’m not looking for a Corolla. I know I’m planning way ahead, but I’d like to do model-specific research before buying. My budget is low, say up to $6,000. I’ll probably be buying through Craigslist. I’d like to sell it at the end of the 8 months, or if I fall in love with the car, drive it back to Halifax.

Criteria:

- Must be manual

- RWD is preferred

- Cheap, up to $6,000 CDN

- Somewhat reliable or cheap to maintain

- Something older, probably pre-2000

- Weekend driving only.

- I’m a slim 6'3", so I need to fit.

I’ve been considering E30s (either four or six cylinders), NA Miatas, and a few unreliable Brits (MGB GTs and Triumph Spitfires). My dad has a clean Volvo 244, so I’d probably lean to something different. Tell me your suggestions! Also if you have any tips on car buying in this situation, I’m all ears.

TLDR: I need suggestions on a <$6k manual RWD weekend driver.

Thanks!

Nibby > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:16

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I hear Canucks tickets are cheap... but no one wants to see them

S65 > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:21

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S13! Foxbody Mustang! Third gen Camero! Miaaata! C4 Poorvette! Volvo 240! Porsche 944! Fiero! Firebird! Crown Victoria! Chevy Caprice! Buick Roadmaster! G-body!

InfinityAero > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:23

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At that price point I’d eliminate 4cyl E30s from my search-- but that’d be a good match. 325i or 325iX. If I were moving to somewhere up North like Vancouver I’d probably look to get an AWD E30 or a ST185 Celica All-trac...

Stapleface > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:26

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What size shoe do you wear? I know it seems like a silly question, but that was the reason I had to get rid of my E30 when I had it. The footwell was just too narrow when I was wearing my size 14 work boots. I could easily hit all three pedals at the same time if I wasn’t careful.

I don’t know how plentiful they are in Canada, but what about an LS1 powered 4th gen Fbody? I would think you’d be able to find one for roughly what you’re looking to spend.

FromCanadaWithLove > InfinityAero 10/13/2016 at 09:27

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Out of curiosity, why would you leave the 4cyls out? I’ve found more cheap 318i’s than 325i’s.

FromCanadaWithLove > Nibby 10/13/2016 at 09:28

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Maybe if the Sens are playing them 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:29

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Vancouver is the land of many, many Japanese imports....have you considered buying one of those for the duration of your stay? :)

FromCanadaWithLove > S65 10/13/2016 at 09:29

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Yes! Yes! Yes! Are Fieros maintenance nightmares? I don’t know the first thing mid-engine American cars. But I think a second-gen MR2 is in the price range, so I’ll add that to the list too! Thanks!

FromCanadaWithLove > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 10/13/2016 at 09:31

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I have! I don’t know any of the good dealers to look for in this price range. I’ve considered a Honda Beat, but I think it might be difficult to resell (I could be wrong) and I wouldn’t want to drive it back to Halifax.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:35

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I’m a Master of Architecture student

Saab.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:35

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MR2s are generally unkillable.

FromCanadaWithLove > Stapleface 10/13/2016 at 09:38

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Size 11! Good to know, though.

F bodies are pretty easy to come across, especially the early 4th gen Camaros. Cheap power always sounds fun. Good call.

FromCanadaWithLove > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/13/2016 at 09:39

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Let me dig out my tactical turtleneck.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/13/2016 at 09:39

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Mine threw a rod out the bottom =p Now its in heaven, some dude v6 swapped it and uses it for chumpcar

InfinityAero > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:41

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I’d think you should be able to find a good 6 cylinder for under $6K. There’s a nice looking 1990 325i Coupe on my area craigslist for $2500, for instance.... why go with a 318 when there are still lots of good straight sixes out there in your range?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > itranthelasttimeiparkedit 10/13/2016 at 09:41

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At what mileage?

LongbowMkII > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:47

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Drop it off in Kentucky and I’ll pay for a plane ticket to Halifax. Win win.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:56

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You could always get in contact with a reliable and well-regarded importer and have them arrange to get something to you for when you get there (Brave Auto and Pacific Coast Auto come to mind - I used to active on the Import Era forums). $6K should be plenty to get something different imported for yourself I’d think. There was a guy who found a slightly worn Beat on TradeCarView and had it shipped back to HALIFAX for $2300 or so including shipping!

I know RHD is hard to get insured for cheap (or at all as a lot of companies will not insure them) here in Nova Scotia - not sure what the story is in BC, but you could always import a LHD car from Japan as well...?

Noah - Now with more boost. > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:56

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6K is a nice sweet spot.

BMW - E28 535i & 528i + E24 633 or 635csi. E34s are an option too if you can find a nice V8. The 530i of that generation is actually a tiny V8, which is super cool IMO. E21s are also an option, as are E12s. Those are the first 3 & 5 series cars, which are hard to come by but still around.

Chevrolet - C4 Corvette, 4th gen Camaro

Dodge - you can find old mopar sedans for very reasonable prices, maybe a dart or a coronet with a big block and a 4 speed

Ford - Fox mustang.

Fiat - spider.  

Mazda - FB or FC RX7

Nissan - 280ZX, 240, etc.

Saab - 9000CSE, the most fun FWD I’ve driven (because it was scary lol)

Toyota - MK2 or 3 supra, MR2

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 09:57

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How hard could it possibly be to sell a Beat? Hell, if it’s over the 25 year limit, you can make a stop in New York on the way back and sell it to me!

FromCanadaWithLove > Noah - Now with more boost. 10/13/2016 at 10:14

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I like your suggestions 

Noah - Now with more boost. > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 10:33

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thx :) I’ve spent wayyyy too much time thinking about entertaining stuff in this price range. The best thing to do though IMO is to get a good search going on craigs (kiji for you?) and check it regularly, there are so many cool oddball things around that you’d never consider. For ex I just checked Boston craigs and remembered that old trans ams and 3rd gen camaros are a thing, as well as N/A 944s.

gmctavish needs more space > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 11:16

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This one

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/5825158391.html

There was a $2400 E30 325is last night, but it sold in an hour

vicali > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 11:30

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How are you planning to handle registration/insurance?

You could either do the student route and register it to your home address there and keep your Halifax-crazy-eastern-private-however-it-works insurance.

Or you are looking at registering it in BC paying your taxes on it, and then insuring it through ICBC.

Nice that Aircare is over and done with, otherwise you would be playing that game.

If it were me I would be scanning Kijij and usedvancouver.ca for jdm already landed and registered treasures.. Look throughout BC as it wouldn’t be hard to buy something in the okanagan or southern BC either. Or contact Brave Auto and see if they have anything interesting coming in.

Look there’s a Beat;

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/delta-surrey-langley/1993-honda-other-beat-convertible-kei-car-jdm-low-km-white/1201937451?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Justin Hughes > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 11:57

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I’m also thinking E30 or E36. 240SX if you can find one that hasn’t been trashed. Don’t know if the “drift tax” would push a nice one out of your price range. There should be plenty of American muscle available for that price too. Those would be my choices. Older Supra, maybe?

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > FromCanadaWithLove 10/13/2016 at 12:56

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Noah’s list is pretty extensive but I’ll throw a few more into the mix BMW Z3, Porsche 944, and Volvo v70r.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 10/18/2016 at 23:18

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~210k mi. 5sfe. I think it was more shit luck than anything, it was a great find - paint was faded as shit (91 toyota red becomes pink in 2014) but was original owner, 80 year old lady. So great shape otherwise.