Why do they tease me so? (Craigslist rant): Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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April 15, 2010 7:49 a.m. scardeal Reader

So I finally sold off my winter beater, a 98 Jetta.

After my "Does it exist?" thread, I've decided that a 90's 3-series sedan or 5-series sedan w/ a manual transmission is just about perfect for my needs and wants.

So, I've been trolling Craigslist. I use the following query to try and root out unmentionables:
BMW (spd | speed | stick | manual )
This should, theoretically, only yield BMWs with manual transmissions, right?!? Well, just about every single one is a bleeping automatic with "Autostick" or "manual mode"...

Grr.....
April 15, 2010 7:51 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Try SearchTempests advanced search - it was pretty good at eliminating all the super, club and access cabs when I was looking for a crew truck.
April 15, 2010 8:05 a.m. billy3esq SuperDork

You can add something like (-auto -automatic -slushbox) to adjust that. That has the potential to exclude legitimate hits if someone who mentioned automatic climate control, for example.
April 15, 2010 8:12 a.m. bludroptop SuperDork

scardeal wrote:

This should, theoretically, only yield BMWs with manual transmissions, right?!? Well, just about every single one is a bleeping automatic with "Autostick" or "manual mode"...

Grr.....

Unfortunately true. Conversely, I also find a number of cars listed as 'automatic' where the photos clearly show 3 pedals. Don't get me started on the number of "V-6" equipped e36 cars on Craigslist and Autotrader, including many with 318 badges on the rear decklid.

For extra frustration, try searching for Z4 Coupes and see how many have cloth tops - including listings by BMW dealers.

The right car will turn up eventually, but it requires a boatload of patience.
April 15, 2010 2:45 p.m. Duke SuperDork

Try looking for an (E36) M3 and see how many "M3 clone" or "M3 conversion" or "M3 bodykit" cars you have to wade through - not to mention the ones that outright lie and call it an M3 when clearly it is anything but.
April 15, 2010 4:10 p.m. cwh SuperDork

What grinds me are the ads with 100 key words added that have nothing to do with your search. I don't want a body kit for a Civic if I searching for a Volvo wagon!!
April 15, 2010 5:05 p.m. DrBoost Dork

search in the non-dealer sections. I find that the dealer will have no idea what a car has, hence the V6 3 series and Wranglers and the wranglers advertised as "4X4" as if there were any 2WD Wranglers. Plus my skin gets all itchy when I talk to a dealer.
April 15, 2010 10:32 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork

The new Wrangler is available in RWD...Jus' Sayin'
April 15, 2010 10:41 p.m. jrw1621 Dork

www.autotrader.com has advance search functions that will let you search only manual trans.
April 15, 2010 10:56 p.m. mtn SuperDork

jrw1621 wrote:

www.autotrader.com has advance search functions that will let you search only manual trans.

And yet when I look for a manual transmission minivan (don't judge me) I come up with Ford Windstars, late-model Dodge products, and Toyota Sienna's.
April 15, 2010 11:37 p.m. Streetwiseguy Reader

mtn wrote:

jrw1621 wrote:

www.autotrader.com has advance search functions that will let you search only manual trans.

And yet when I look for a manual transmission minivan (don't judge me) I come up with Ford Windstars, late-model Dodge products, and Toyota Sienna's.

I saw a stick shift Caravan once about 15 years ago.....
April 15, 2010 11:47 p.m. mtn SuperDork

Streetwiseguy wrote:

mtn wrote:

jrw1621 wrote:

www.autotrader.com has advance search functions that will let you search only manual trans.

And yet when I look for a manual transmission minivan (don't judge me) I come up with Ford Windstars, late-model Dodge products, and Toyota Sienna's.

I saw a stick shift Caravan once about 15 years ago.....

I'm assuming it was one of the originals though...