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Auctions can work, but it's kind of a hit or miss, you can end up with complete scrap as well.
Very true. People talk about getting incredible vehicles at ridiculous prices at auctions, but those are the exception, not the rule. Pros who know auctions and vehicles don't often let those screaming deals get away.
Another option could be look into used police vehicles. They're high mileage, and at this price range, won't be the cleanest and prettiest of cars, but they're generally made to withstand a lot of abuse, cheap to fix (when I was looking into buying a Crown Vic, I found parts so cheap it was funny), easy to fix and they're generally well maintained, though that's not always the case.
Another option could be look into used police vehicles. They're high mileage, and at this price range, won't be the cleanest and prettiest of cars, but they're generally made to withstand a lot of abuse, cheap to fix (when I was looking into buying a Crown Vic, I found parts so cheap it was funny), easy to fix and they're generally well maintained, though that's not always the case.
Another great point. A client of mine is the NCSHP, and I've been through their auctions a couple times. Their cars are actually purchased by other police departments because they're generally in excellent condition.
I looked at buying a detective's car from the local PD. They don't get nearly the abuse that a patrol car does and usually start out nicer to begin with.
Look for a 2000ish Ford Taurus SES or SEL. There are a few on Craigslist hovering around $3000.
The taurus is a good choice. However its better to get one with the standard engine and not the one with duel overhead values..Those engine give more trouble than the standard 3.0 vulcan engine.
Assuming you are in non-rusting country, for example, you can get a very good aircooled VW Bug for $3000 or less, they are very simple and easy to work on. There is not anything wrong per se with a car with 100K on the clock. Other all time favorites are old pickup trucks, even if they need a clutch or transmission it's easy to do or relatively cheap to have done, 1980s Toyota, Honda, or even VW cars (VW only if you are up to taking care of or living with some electrical gremlins).
Assuming you are in non-rusting country, for example, you can get a very good aircooled VW Bug for $3000 or less, they are very simple and easy to work on. There is not anything wrong per se with a car with 100K on the clock. Other all time favorites are old pickup trucks, even if they need a clutch or transmission it's easy to do or relatively cheap to have done, 1980s Toyota, Honda, or even VW cars (VW only if you are up to taking care of or living with some electrical gremlins).
I doubt the OP's friend would want something as primitive as an air cooled VW. I certainly wouldn't.
I doubt the OP's friend would want something as primitive as an air cooled VW. I certainly wouldn't.
Primitive has it's advantages, if one is willing to take a rather Spartan approach to a cheap car, the $3000 budget would buy a very good Bug, there are more pleasant cars out there, but the same money will typically buy a worse example. Being in CA, a Bug would work a lot worse for you than somebody out in the boonies of a cooler climate. In CA, yeah, a car with no A/C and struggles to reach 80 MPH would not work well at all.
If you don't mind saying, which one of your cars did you buy the cheapest? Any of your cars would work well for someone wanting a car that they wont' have to spend a mint to buy, nor lose any money on depreciation.
All cars are old used cars sooner or later with lots of miles. Unless you wreck it first.
Dealing with used cars you just have to look for the best you can find for what you can afford.
Usually they need tires,a battery or something.
If a car was taken care not a lot goes wrong most of the time. Most cars with 100000 to 150000 will go another 100000 if taken care of.
What most lots are asking 3000 for you can usually buy for 1500 to 2000 private sale.
I'd watch craigs list,newspapers, look for $2000 cars pay $1500 for it,and plan on putting new tire on or other little things.
Don't buy the first thing you see unless you know theres nothing better out there. It takes a while to find the right car in the lower price ranges but it is totally posiably.
I used to buy new all the time, or 3 year old lease returns but they dont do anything a 3000 dollar car does, and I like having more money in the bank.
Primitive has it's advantages, if one is willing to take a rather Spartan approach to a cheap car, the $3000 budget would buy a very good Bug, there are more pleasant cars out there, but the same money will typically buy a worse example. Being in CA, a Bug would work a lot worse for you than somebody out in the boonies of a cooler climate. In CA, yeah, a car with no A/C and struggles to reach 80 MPH would not work well at all.
No need to sacrifice that much, though. One could buy a '90s car for $3,000 and be much more comfortable than in an air-cooled VW, which lacks things which are common on newer cars like power door locks, power windows, remote-control mirrors, etc.
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If you don't mind saying, which one of your cars did you buy the cheapest? Any of your cars would work well for someone wanting a car that they wont' have to spend a mint to buy, nor lose any money on depreciation.
Let's see, I paid $2,200 for a '71 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (sold it when I bought my '76 limo).
Most of my cars probably would not be practical as an only car since they don't have good fuel economy. My '95 Lincoln does, but it cost $4,000.
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