Kevin Fox is a community developer at Vidoop. His passions are cars and computers and anything that combines the two. Interested in one day getting paid to drive cars ala Jeremy Clarkson he is starting his career out by helping you buy a car for under $1,000.

1. How to buy a car for under $1,000
By:
@KevinFox

2. Now you can spend $1k on...

3. ... for today's purposes
“People often overlook some of the best features
that a vehicle has to offer merely because it
looks different than the most popular cars on
the road,”
- Mark Simmons, purchasing manager for
CarMax.

4. You may be thinking....
No way can I get something decent....

5. But you are wrong!
Of course decent is relative, we are talking $1,000
or less here...

6. A word on New Vs. Used
● Depreciation
● Costs
● Warranty
● Condition
● Insurance
● History
● Reliability
● At the end of the day...

7. Let's get to it
● Getting Started
– Craigslist.org (go local!)
● www.craigshelper.com (useful CL search site)
● portland.craigslist.org/car
● search by price (aim high, you can bargain!)
– Ebay is less helpful for cheaper cars but worth a look
sometimes

8. Sorting through it all
● What to look for
– Minivans (not just for soccer moms... for realz)
– Compacts (with gas prices these just make sense)
– Boxy Cars (cars do not have to look like jelly beans)
● What not to Look For
– Exotic Foreign Cars (especially with high mileage)
– Anything Broke down (the car has to run, no rollers)
– Stay away from dealerships (umm ya....)

9. Look for keywords...
● easy project car = completely disassembled,
bring many boxes
● minor rust = major rust you can't see.
● only 59,000 miles = actually 359,000 miles
● rare model = one of 500,000 made
● must sell = before law finds seller
● only driven Sundays = Sunday is race day
● trans. rebuilt = fine sawdust used to make it
quiet
● family owned = driven by 6 teenagers

10. Apply the Rules
● Search local, by price
– Check Mailing lists / Forums
● Do not ever pay over $1,000
– Good tags for a while a plus!
– Do not leave a deposit
● Car must run w/o need for maintenance
● Stay away from dealerships
● Always arrange a test drive and buy during day
– Loud knock from the engine is bad thing

11. I Did...
● 1989 Plymouth Voyager SE
– $700
– Good tags
– Runs Great
– 218k Miles

12. It has been great
● Road trip to Reno AND back
– Now has 232k
● Good gas mileage
– 25mpg on 4 cylinder Turbo
● Cheap Insurance
● 12 second quarter mile?
● People love a family man...

13. What is out there now
● Always lots to choose from on Portland
Craigslist
– 1991 Chevrolet Blazer S-10, 4.3L V-6, 4x4 - $550
– 1989 Chevy Astro Van - reduced price - $800
– 1988 LeBaron Coupe - $900
– 1991 VW Jetta - $850
● I even found a few gems when I visited Bend...
– 1984 BMW 733i – good reputation on forums - $900
– 1987 Chevy Astro Van AWD – good tags - $600

14. Example #1
● An example of a good boxy car
● The 4.3L V6 is a good, reliable motor (same as Astro Van)
● Some actual maintenance records are posted
● Easy to contact
● http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/715692649.html

15. Example #2
● The Vans...
– Voyager/Caravan
– Astro Van/Safari (AWD)
– Windstar
– Conversion Vans

16. Example #3
● True American luxury people
● $900 w/ new tires and turbo motor!!
● http://polybushings.com/pages/LeBaron1.html
● Found this on a list.... definite plus

17. Example #4
● $850 Jetta
● Tags good till 09
● Decent tires
● 35mpg+
● Would also suggest
– Volvo 240/740/850
– Early Mercedes Diesels
– Porsche 944 (do homework)
– BMW 733i (new purchase for me - $900)

18. What I like...
● The hunt
● Good People / Stories
– I look for people more than cars
● 4x4 or AWD for the mountain
● Lots of leg room
● Something different, no jelly bean cars
● Affordable Luxury
● A/C for the summer... or convertible
● Cop Car
● Possible Veggie Oil conversion

19. Resources out there...
● Mailing Lists
– NW-SDAC
● For enthusiasts of Dodge vehicles inspired by Carol
Shelby
– Check Google for your favorite brand/car
● Lots of on-line communities out there to help
● Web Sites
– www.carsurvey.org
● Forums
– Volvo
● IPD Website
● VolvoSpeed.com

20. The End...