KevinL Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 As many of you know I have a part-time job delivering pizzas. This is 4 nights / week, averaging 240 miles per week of stop and go driving. I also drive 20 miles each way (highway miles) to my day job, 5 days per week. I drive a 1998 Ford Escort with 212,000 miles. It currently has numerous issues, mainly clutch slipping, brakes scaping, and brake light on (parking brake is broken). Because the brake light is on I can't get an emmissions test here in Ohio so I am driving with 30-day tags. Rather than put more money into the Escort, I'd like to buy a car for less than $1000 that will get decent mileage and last me a few months to a year. The car just has to run, looks and prestige are irrelevant to me. I'm looking on ebay and I see a 1992 Hyundai Excel for $500 (Buy It Now $1000) with 113,000 miles. This car is less than 20 miles from me so there's no transportation costs and I can even see / test drive it. Does anybody have an experience with this / advice for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 As many of you know I have a part-time job delivering pizzas. This is 4 nights / week, averaging 240 miles per week of stop and go driving. I also drive 20 miles each way (highway miles) to my day job, 5 days per week. I drive a 1998 Ford Escort with 212,000 miles. It currently has numerous issues, mainly clutch slipping, brakes scaping, and brake light on (parking brake is broken). Because the brake light is on I can't get an emmissions test here in Ohio so I am driving with 30-day tags. Rather than put more money into the Escort, I'd like to buy a car for less than $1000 that will get decent mileage and last me a few months to a year. The car just has to run, looks and prestige are irrelevant to me. I'm looking on ebay and I see a 1992 Hyundai Excel for $500 (Buy It Now $1000) with 113,000 miles. This car is less than 20 miles from me so there's no transportation costs and I can even see / test drive it. Does anybody have an experience with this / advice for me? Just what i've heard from people who have done it. You get what you pay for. There is a reason that Hyundai is for $1000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 first thing that comes to mind is that commercial where the car is totally engulfed in flames and it says something like "mild smoke and fire damage". i'd be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junebugz Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 go check out the car first ... in case you hadn't planned on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted December 14, 2006 Author Share Posted December 14, 2006 Just what i've heard from people who have done it. You get what you pay for. There is a reason that Hyundai is for $1000. There's also a reason I'm shopping for cars in that price range. Obviously you get what you pay for. I don't have the $ to buy a newer more reliable car. So I'll buy something that runs and expect to get a few months out of it. If I do this 3-4 times, maybe once I get lucky and find something that will last me 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junebugz Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 here is a list of cars for sale by Autotrader.com to look through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 I love $2-3K cars. I'm not sure what you get for $1K. At that price, I'd go lower. $500 can get you a car for a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 If the car is only 20 miles from you, what does the fact it is on ebay have to do with anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 just get over there and take it for a spin. I don't have any experience buying a car off ebay but if I can see it up close, that's gotta be done. Buying a car online is something I wouldn't do but that's not to say you shouldn't. I sold my car online and I got much more than I thought I would've... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunysteelfly76 Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Since it's so close I suggest you contact the owner and see if you can check out the car. If the seller refuses you most likely have you answer about the condition of the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Bought my motorcycle on ebay, sight unseen. It was exactly as-described though, and no worries other than having to drive from Atlanta to Orlando to get it. You can usually tell by the pictures. If there are a number of good quality pictures from all sides, angles, etc., then you're probably dealing with an OK person. But I'm with H8tank here - if it's that close go check it out and you take most of the uncertainty out of the equation. Offer the guy a price fair for both of you and go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hot Ride, Yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Hot Ride, Yo. that looks to be it. Definitely get over there since only two photos are posted. From what they say is new, that car should last for the quid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 "The Glove box is also missing." I love $500 cars. I really do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 (edited) You could probably get a good deal on this car Edited December 15, 2006 by untateve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted December 16, 2006 Author Share Posted December 16, 2006 that looks to be it. Definitely get over there since only two photos are posted. From what they say is new, that car should last for the quid... That's it. I drove it this afternoon. Purrs kind of loud at highway speeds (common complaint for this model, thanks to some links from junebugz) but runs fine, starts right away, and appears to be in decent shape. Owner is a kid (early 20's) in some automotive school. Had the car for 1 1/2 years, did most of the repairs himself. His mom just gave him her old Windstar and he's working on that. Pretty sure I'll be putting in a bid, probably wait until close to the end of the auction. He said he hadn't had much other interest, it's only got 1 1/2 days to go until it ends. Ironic thing, from his apartment you can see the dealership where I bought my first new car (1990 Acura Integra). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted December 16, 2006 Author Share Posted December 16, 2006 "The Glove box is also missing." I love $500 cars. I really do. The latch was broken and he got tired of it popping open, so he just removed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 (edited) The latch was broken and he got tired of it popping open, so he just removed it. pay no attention. do whatcha gotta do. I've found from frequenting many forums, the folks here are by far the most educated and wealthy ( and snobbish). We are not all at their level and I don't care ( and neither should you). What matters is you doing good for your family. Edited December 16, 2006 by loaf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 (edited) pay no attention. do whatcha gotta do. I've found from frequenting many forums, the folks here are by far the most educated and wealthy ( and snobbish). We are not all at their level and I don't care ( and neither should you). What matters is you doing good for your family. Werd. I drive a 98 taurus with an electrical problem I can't wait till I run into the dude that sold me that thing Edited December 16, 2006 by ChuckB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 (edited) pay no attention. do whatcha gotta do. I've found from frequenting many forums, the folks here are by far the most educated and wealthy ( and snobbish). We are not all at their level and I don't care ( and neither should you). What matters is you doing good for your family. Up until I was in my 40s, I'd never bought a new car and was ALWAYS the last driver of every car I had before it went to the great scrapheap in the sky. I hate buying new cars and I especially hate monthly car payments. ETA - you're right, we're a bunch of elitist toads. Edited December 16, 2006 by Ursa Majoris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted December 16, 2006 Author Share Posted December 16, 2006 pay no attention. do whatcha gotta do. I've found from frequenting many forums, the folks here are by far the most educated and wealthy ( and snobbish). We are not all at their level and I don't care ( and neither should you). What matters is you doing good for your family. Thanks, but don't worry. I'm well beyond treating my car as any kind of status symbol. Basic and reliable is what I'm looking for, and only time will tell but I hope and pray that I found it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Thanks, but don't worry. I'm well beyond treating my car as any kind of status symbol. Basic and reliable is what I'm looking for, and only time will tell but I hope and pray that I found it. Exactly the point. Sitting in a traffic jam or just regular driving in the city, your car will proceed along at exactly the same pace as that giant Escalade next to you - and you won't be forking over hugh sums of money every month either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 I drive a corolla. but I'm a frugal individual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 pay no attention. do whatcha gotta do. I've found from frequenting many forums, the folks here are by far the most educated and wealthy ( and snobbish). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Werd. I drive a 98 taurus with an electrical problem I can't wait till I run into the dude that sold me that thing Call your brother.....I mean the mechnanic, not Puddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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