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View Full Version : My son needs a car....max $3000



tbone
09-06-2011, 11:31 PM
My 16 year old needs a car and has roughly $2500 to an absolute max of $3000 to spend. He has come to me with a couple of cars he wants to buy and they were total beaters. He is in a huge hurry.....typical for a young man. We went shopping locally and the results were not good. If anyone has a nice used car in this price range, I would be willing to travel to make the deal go down. Sportier the better of course. Manual trannys are a plus.

Chayton
09-07-2011, 12:00 AM
p71 crown vic? haha i kid :D

guspech750
09-07-2011, 03:50 AM
My brother inlaw who's in college just bought a 1990 something 4 dr Volvo. Turbo 4cly, 5 spd manual, all leather, heated seats, power moonroof, 100,000+ miles in mint condition for $3,500.


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jerrym3
09-07-2011, 05:12 AM
Just keep in mind that most $3,000 cars will probably require a slush fund for repairs.

Vortex
09-07-2011, 06:08 AM
My brother in law has bought two PT Cruisers over the past year or so for around that price for my nephews. He said they are relatively safe, very reliable, not hotrods and get decent mileage.

yjmud
09-07-2011, 06:33 AM
I might have a line on a couple

DOOM
09-07-2011, 07:03 AM
p71 crown vic? haha i kid :D

He would be safe!

And they dont require much maitence at all.

Good luck in your search bro. :beer:

Ozark Marauder
09-07-2011, 07:37 AM
My brother inlaw who's in college just bought a 1990 something 4 dr Volvo. Turbo 4cly, 5 spd manual, all leather, heated seats, power moonroof, 100,000+ miles in mint condition for $3,500.


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Eaton Swap = Wreeeeeeeeeedom!!

Gave my 16 year old son my mint 88 Volvo turbo last year, 286,000, was bought new and the maintenance was done when needed, he's put another 18,000 on and still going strong ...........

Pros: parts available, easy to work on, one of the safest car on the road, low insurance rates, honest combined 20 mpg. All his friends, who drive rice burners and BMW 3 series, always want him to drive because of the seating comfort, and they (4) can all fit in it without having their knees up to their chins.

Cons: kinda boxy for the new generation, not whiplash acceleration, but the Turbo keeps it respectable...and just enough to keep him out of trouble...

They refer to them as "BRICKS"..........Just my opinion....Good luck on your search

tbone
09-07-2011, 10:12 AM
I might have a line on a couple


Let me know asap, ok?

RF Overlord
09-07-2011, 10:25 AM
He has come to me with a couple of cars he wants to buy and they were total beaters. He is in a huge hurry.....typical for a young man. Please take this the way I mean it: with the utmost respect for you and your son...

A "total beater" is EXACTLY what he needs. Kids today want a whip that all their friends will think is cool and end up buying either WAY too much car for their driving experience or something that is impossible to fix without a degree in engineering and a million dollars worth of special tools. What kids SHOULD have for a first car is something safe and reliable, that they can learn to fix without having to ask Obama for a bailout, and that they can bash into trees and ditches and snow-banks and no one will care.
p71 crown vic? haha i kid :DActually, that would be the ideal first car: safe, reliable, relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain, and if he dents it up, who cares? ;)

Motorhead350
09-07-2011, 11:19 AM
Bob, for the first time ever I take slight offense in a post of yours. My family was well enough off at the time to buy me a brand new Marauder when I was barely 16. I was 5 weeks shy of my 17th birthday. I would like to think I took care of it and didn't take it for grant. I had big plans for it and everything came true of it.

Now I did start off with a 12 year old Chevy truck for a year, but I was having so many problems so often my dad probably figured it would be cheaper to finance a brand new car than keep poring money into that truck. Plus he wanted me to be in something big, safe and dependable. There was no car better fitting than the Marauder. The truck was in the shop every other week, plus I was driving 500 miles a week during high school. Even then, the truck was given to me and I still have it to this day.

Maybe you didn't get a brand new car as a teenager and I will admit I agree with you that they don't deserve it, BUT it depends on the kid. More often than not I hear of 16 year olds getting a brand new car and crashing it for good within a month. Yeah not cool. There are a select few that will actually take care of their cars at that age, but I think you have to like cars before hand to actually know how to handle one and I will admit it's a small number.

So not all teenagers deserve beaters Bob, especially if the parents can afford to buy them something newer. I know when I have a kid or two I'll buy them something new and keep them safe. No kid of mine is going in a "beater". Plus why do you have to bring up Obama? He has nothing to do with Tommy's purchase. :shake:

Still love ya though.

tbone
09-07-2011, 11:31 AM
When I say they were beaters, I mean they were BEATERS! My life would be made miserable by the constant breakdowns. Plus, I don't want to look at a piece of crap in my driveway.

My first car was a 1972 Cutlass, purchased in 1979. It was mint, and I kept it that way. I believe that is why everything I buy to this day I take meticulous care of.

Motorhead350
09-07-2011, 11:40 AM
The difference is used cars were cool back then. Either way I think it's great you are helping your son search for his car.

SID210SA
09-07-2011, 12:10 PM
I have an 03 Impala that we were planning on giving our 16 y.o. son when he got his DL but he hasnt kept up his grades, so he is either has to walk or ride the city bus where ever he wants to go.

Sent you a PM

Mike

tbone
09-07-2011, 12:27 PM
I have an 03 Impala that we were planning on giving our 16 y.o. son when he got his DL but he hasnt kept up his grades, so he is either has to walk or ride the city bus where ever he wants to go.

Sent you a PM

Mike


Sounds great. Any pics?

Motorhead350
09-07-2011, 12:31 PM
No Tommy No! Keep FWD outta the family. LOL

J/K

ShadyLurker
09-07-2011, 01:16 PM
I've got a 2000 dakota extra cab. Paint and body look like **** but it runs like a champ. I had to drive it to work so right now it's in NY. (Staten Island) Come get it. 2250. Got a killer sound system in it too. 150K. miles New trans at 122K.

MrBluGruv
09-07-2011, 02:25 PM
For most newer vehicles, you gotta drop between 5K and 7K before you can get something you can buy and drive without a hassle for a long time.

For 3K, you're definitely gonna have to hunt for vehicles that people actually cared about and are letting go for small cash.

Da Dark Jedi
09-07-2011, 02:32 PM
Ask at church, there is alot of estate sales for people that crossed over. Should be able to get a deal there.

Kodimar
09-07-2011, 02:33 PM
You can get a decent Focus for that. I've had good luck with mine, makes a good daily beater.

Got_1
09-07-2011, 02:46 PM
ford escort zx2. i recommend this car to anyone looking for a cheap dd. i picked this up for 750.00. i have put almost 40k on it in 2 years and haven't had to put more than a tie rod on it. these cars are everywhere. the zetech engine runs forever.

or a 1992-1996 f150 with an I6 or 5.0. theyre not that bad on gas and you can smash them into anything and keep going.

Motorhead350
09-07-2011, 04:56 PM
I would still get a CV for 3K.

capt512
09-07-2011, 05:01 PM
I'd go CV as well.

guspech750
09-07-2011, 05:40 PM
Municipal auctions. Lake County has a good one regularly. I've been to quite a few all around the areas. Some REALLY good deals on CV.


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Spectragod
09-07-2011, 05:48 PM
Just keep in mind that most $3,000 cars will probably require a slush fund for repairs.

No lie there, just bought an 03' vic, 88k on the clock, so far........$1500 in parts to make it right.

SID210SA
09-07-2011, 06:54 PM
Sounds great. Any pics?

I will take some tomorrow in daylight.....never had a reason to take pics of the Impy before....

Chayton
09-07-2011, 07:42 PM
Bob, for the first time ever I take slight offense in a post of yours. My family was well enough off at the time to buy me a brand new Marauder when I was barely 16. I was 5 weeks shy of my 17th birthday. I would like to think I took care of it and didn't take it for grant. I had big plans for it and everything came true of it.

Now I did start off with a 12 year old Chevy truck for a year, but I was having so many problems so often my dad probably figured it would be cheaper to finance a brand new car than keep poring money into that truck. Plus he wanted me to be in something big, safe and dependable. There was no car better fitting than the Marauder. The truck was in the shop every other week, plus I was driving 500 miles a week during high school. Even then, the truck was given to me and I still have it to this day.

Maybe you didn't get a brand new car as a teenager and I will admit I agree with you that they don't deserve it, BUT it depends on the kid. More often than not I hear of 16 year olds getting a brand new car and crashing it for good within a month. Yeah not cool. There are a select few that will actually take care of their cars at that age, but I think you have to like cars before hand to actually know how to handle one and I will admit it's a small number.

So not all teenagers deserve beaters Bob, especially if the parents can afford to buy them something newer. I know when I have a kid or two I'll buy them something new and keep them safe. No kid of mine is going in a "beater". Plus why do you have to bring up Obama? He has nothing to do with Tommy's purchase. :shake:

Still love ya though.

amen. amen. And I still get crap for wanting to get a used marauder from members. I know I would take care of it. I want a used one, let alone a brand new one. edit: you dont know how grateful, blessed, and excited I would be if my parents went out and got me a marauder for me, brand new. I really envy you.

Vortex
09-08-2011, 06:18 AM
Bob, for the first time ever I take slight offense in a post of yours. My family was well enough off at the time to buy me a brand new Marauder when I was barely 16. I was 5 weeks shy of my 17th birthday. I would like to think I took care of it and didn't take it for grant. I had big plans for it and everything came true of it.

Now I did start off with a 12 year old Chevy truck for a year, but I was having so many problems so often my dad probably figured it would be cheaper to finance a brand new car than keep poring money into that truck. Plus he wanted me to be in something big, safe and dependable. There was no car better fitting than the Marauder. The truck was in the shop every other week, plus I was driving 500 miles a week during high school. Even then, the truck was given to me and I still have it to this day.

Maybe you didn't get a brand new car as a teenager and I will admit I agree with you that they don't deserve it, BUT it depends on the kid. More often than not I hear of 16 year olds getting a brand new car and crashing it for good within a month. Yeah not cool. There are a select few that will actually take care of their cars at that age, but I think you have to like cars before hand to actually know how to handle one and I will admit it's a small number.

So not all teenagers deserve beaters Bob, especially if the parents can afford to buy them something newer. I know when I have a kid or two I'll buy them something new and keep them safe. No kid of mine is going in a "beater". Plus why do you have to bring up Obama? He has nothing to do with Tommy's purchase. :shake:

Still love ya though.

Glad you posted this, it explains quite a bit.

Motorhead350
09-08-2011, 12:47 PM
amen. amen. And I still get crap for wanting to get a used marauder from members. I know I would take care of it. I want a used one, let alone a brand new one. edit: you dont know how grateful, blessed, and excited I would be if my parents went out and got me a marauder for me, brand new. I really envy you.

Well there is nothing, but used Marauders out there now. Be sure you pick a goodie.


Glad you posted this, it explains quite a bit.

Super. Let's play Dominos.

71cyclone
09-08-2011, 04:56 PM
4door sedans are best for kids along with no passengers insight [distractors].
Check with the Illlinois state car auction and go for a crown vic before a cabbie picks it up and puts it in service

tbone
09-08-2011, 06:32 PM
He loves my car of course but will NOT get a GM or CV. I already tried and got :flamer:.

bigmerc281
09-08-2011, 07:15 PM
Didn't someone put up a post for a marauder with a load of miles on it for around 3k?

btvollmuth
09-08-2011, 08:58 PM
http://www.wickstromford.com/used-cars/for-sale/ford/police_interceptor/2004-ford-police-interceptor-barrington-illinois-9932415

Why wouldn't he want a CV? There's a lot of potential with one.
This one is by where I live. I wanted to buy it to bring to school instead of the MM.
I've driven it a couple of times and it's a good solid car. I got them down to 3k out the door the first time we sat down. They'll go lower if you push.

Edit: I know it's not pretty, it obviously needs paint, but it's a clean body. Tinted windows. And glasspacks to side pipes for the exhaust, sounds pretty good.

SID210SA
09-09-2011, 05:13 AM
Tbone....sorry, I was unable to take any pics.....my daughter had a vollyball game yesterday and I didnt know about it till I got home from work yesterday...I will get them to you by Saturday for sure....since I will be off and there are no school functions.

Mike