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  • John Brown

    Aug. 4, 2011 10:38 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

    Since both of my reasonably priced vehicles decided they preferred to be boats I an flush with about $10 large and the need for TWO vehicles for Mrs. Mofo and myself.

    Here are the rules:

    No manual transmissions.

    She wants a similar or better vehicle than her (absofarkinglutely awesome) 2001 Dodge Grandma Caravan.

    He wants a similar or better vehicle than his (OMFG why is there no CEL?) 2005 Jetta GLI.

    No Loans if possible, Real examples in link form not hearsay. Split the costs any which way.

    ...

    GO!

  • John Brown

    Aug. 4, 2011 10:47 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

    I will start ;)

    For Him:

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2494824583.html

    For her:

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/ctd/2527577683.html

    The rest goes into a 5.3L swap for the Fyrchikkin?

  • donalson

    Aug. 4, 2011 11:32 p.m. donalson SuperDork

    the 1st looks perfect for kid rock acres ;-)

  • dean1484

    Aug. 5, 2011 6:54 a.m. dean1484 SuperDork

    John Brown wrote:

    She wants a similar or better vehicle than her (absofarkinglutely awesome) 2001 Dodge Grandma Caravan.

    He wants a similar or better vehicle than his (OMFG why is there no CEL?) 2005 Jetta GLI.

    I think you have just listed your vehicles.

    Did you consider buying back the cars you had for pennies on the dollar?

    I assume the cars were flood victims? How bad? Many flood cars I have dealt with are easily fixed / dried out. Yes there are horror stories about wiggy electronics after a flood but this is usually due to improperly resurrecting the car.

    If they have not been run / started after being flooded take the battery out. I then take the ECU out and as much of the dash as possible. I then rinse everything out with clean watter (floods usually mean silt and muck) and let them completely dry. Yes you may have to replace a part here and there and yes paying a professional detail to clean the vehicle will cost you but I bet you would be back in your vehicles for well under 4K leaving you a pile of $$$$ to play with.

  • jrw1621

    Aug. 5, 2011 8:33 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

    This '03 Kia Van w/ 102k might be a good deal if you like that brand.
    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2521479576.html

    This could be good for the man of the house and provides room for all the little brown spots.
    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2512485904.html
    The lack of a fun 3rd pedel made up for with a heavy right pedel. Still makes a good commuter and winter driver unlike the screaming chicken. Edit: you have to click his link to see the well hidden fact that the car has 242k miles - wow.

    Interesting simple commuter.
    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2446218389.html

    Toyota Sienna '00 with 113k $4.7k
    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2511313036.html

  • Giant Purple Snorklewacker

    Aug. 5, 2011 8:48 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

    No autos... even for him? Then just get a good strong pick-up truck or van so you can tow more interesting stuff home later.

    Get the mrs another caravan if she loved the last one.

  • FlightService

    Aug. 5, 2011 9:50 a.m. FlightService Dork

    Caravan=cheap so repeat previous mistake

    How about a early BMW, Contour, Saturn, etc. There are a ton in your remaining ~$5k budget

  • John Brown

    Aug. 5, 2011 11:22 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    donalson wrote:

    the 1st looks perfect for kid rock acres ;-)

    Doesn't it though?

    dean1484 said:

    Did you consider buying back the cars you had for pennies on the dollar?

    It was my intention to buy the Jetta back until the adjuster mentioned that "Only if the vehicles have been submerged less than 8 hours can they be totalled and not recieve a scrap designation." Apparently Allstate had gotten a little burned after a bunch of former Katrina cars were titled in different states without salvage titles and new buyers were not informed the vehicles were previous flood totals. I would have liked to have bought it and tossed a Northstar in the front and a set of 275/40r17s all around ;)

    The only issue that is barring me from going manual for my vehicle is the Brostrom Ankle Reconstruction that I will need to do on my left leg in the next twelve months. Even though it is not a weight bearing rebuild it removes the ability for me to pivot my foot for about six months.

    I am driving about 50 miles per day and anything 20mpg and up will be good. I don't really want a pickup unless I end up with something like a Frontier 4 door for the right money.

    I am looking at a Lincoln LS V8 that came into the UCD today.

    The white caravan is exactly like the Caravan we just lost... right down to the tires. I would buy it right now if I had the check in hand.

    I am actually thinking 1999-2004 Mustang for me. They are on the bottom of their valuations right now, lots of giggle factor and I would convince myself I could power through the ankle issue if I found one with a proper transmission.

  • Gearheadotaku

    Aug. 5, 2011 6:45 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

    if you manage to find both cars at the same lot, maybe they'll cut a better deal for buying two at once.

  • Aug. 5, 2011 9:45 p.m. dj06482 HalfDork

    The only thing I'd add is that I'd buy far away unless the flooding was very localized...

  • sanman

    Aug. 6, 2011 11:32 a.m. sanman Reader

    Caravan or any cheap minivan should do for up to 5k. Maybe slightly newer than the 2001. Instead of a Jetta, Mazda 3 or 6 may do the trick. The previous gen mazda 6 was fun and can be had fairly cheap.

  • John Brown

    Aug. 6, 2011 4:42 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

    The 6 does nothing for me, the 3 fits me like dominatrix leather... I ain't into that slap and tickle E36 M3 to be honest with you.

    I am considering a 2003 BMW 325xi Touring Manual that is for sale by owner. He has $8300 on it, I am considering lowballing him to see if I can roll it out for $7000-7500.

  • John Brown

    Aug. 7, 2011 8:46 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    The Missus is deciding between two Chevrolet Uplanders, I actually like the newer more expensive one because it has all the bells and whistles as well as new tires and a complete vehicle history from the owner.

    I on the other hand have narrowed it down to four, help me decide:

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/ctd/2520255833.html - hate the wheels but like the color...

    http://www.xceedspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198384 - needs a little work but I loves me some SN95 Muffstank

    http://jxn.craigslist.org/cto/2527303788.html - this thing is screaming at me to give it some 18" mesh wheels

    http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2529785064.html - I know it is a Jag S type underneath... Or is the Jag a Lincoln LS...

  • Grtechguy

    Aug. 7, 2011 8:59 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

    Well...I see three available choices now... I like the the LS

  • dean1484

    Aug. 7, 2011 9:50 a.m. dean1484 SuperDork

    John Brown wrote: http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2529785064.html - I know it is a Jag S type underneath... Or is the Jag a Lincoln LS...

    I have always wanted one of these. I don't know why. I have heard horror stories about the engine and the trans but still. I just want one. I have a feeling that this is probably the result of poor maintenance and not really the car being all that bad.

    The jag is a 6. If I remember those are bullet proof (compared to the 8's).

 
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