Yeah, another "what car thread" but with a twist? Co-worker needs a vehicle to last 2 years and it needs to fit 6 people (2 adults, 4 children, no car seats) all for a max price of $2k. It doesn't have to be pretty, reliable is key. I know some of y'all do the copart thing (looking at you John!) and have better access.
Prefer something close to central indiana. Can travel if need be. They currentyl have to take 2 cars to go anywhere with the whole family and one of those has gotten to be unreliable.
Any and all help appreciated because this place rocks.
More than anything, make sure you convince them to have someone knowledgeable inspect the vehicle...preferably a mechanic on a lift. It may cost +$100, but it's pretty easy for that $2k car to wind up costing $4k car to drive it safely. At $2k, I'd focus more on the condition of that vehicle more than the reputation. Obviously, unless they're eager to DIY avoid the Germans.
An older Caravan/Voyager is probably the obvious choice. 2WD Tahoe, Explorer, Trailblazers are possible, but probably pretty beat up at that price range. When buying super-cheap vehicles it's sometimes worth considering the oddballs or orphan brands.
Mazda5 - There's been a few bought/sold here. I'm sure those w/more experience can chime in.
MazdaMPV - forgotten & generic. They're pretty basic.
Mitsubishi Montero was also available in 7 seats.
https://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/d/wilmore-2002-dodge-van/7066567752.html
Just a bit of negotiation needed but I live 10 miles away and could look at it. This should run forever or so.
STM317
UltraDork
2/5/20 11:57 a.m.
These stood out to me in a quick CL search:
1 owner minivan for $1500? It's a GM from the early 00s, so it will run poorly forever, or until it rusts in half
Nice Odyssey, but over budget a bit. Maybe negotiate it down?
Conversion van?
Chrysler for $1800
Ha, just yesterday I resisted the urge to bid on a super clean looking, 2002 Caravan with only 85k miles. It had a dented tailgate (just a dent) and a wrinkle/dent in the plastic bumper cover. The reason I resisted was because I could not actually make it to see the van in-person before bidding.
With that said, I too recommend the Caravans before 2008. That older body. Simple and cheap.
If you really want to do her a favor, help her buy as far south as possible. The vans of that era rust like crazy.
Word of caution...It's tax time and every single parent is hoping to put a $3k tax return toward a car. Everything sub-$5k will be jacked up in price. And, a lot of what's offered will be crap.
I'm disappointed that no one including the OP suggested a Kia Sedona.
I agree to look at the fringe offerings. I found this on a quick look on Indy CL
Saturn minivan. No one goes looking for a Saturn, certainly not their minivan. Typical GM parts bin and all the good/bad that comes with it. Dent up front could be reformed with a heat gun and a little effort. I like it if it is really a one-owner car and is actually being sold by that owner who knows the history. Drive the price down lower because this is a $1k vehicle unless things about it are great like new tires or proof of struts being new.
2001 Sequoia at $3k is a deal. I wonder if this is 2wd.
Stampie said:
I'm disappointed that no one including the OP suggested a Kia Sedona.
You just got to the thread before I did. That's what I came in here to suggest. I've had two (still have the second one). We put 135k miles on the first one and have put 110k on the second one so far. Neither ever left us stranded once. The 2006 to 2013 generation, which is what we have, will fall into that price range.
Stampie said:
I'm disappointed that no one including the OP suggested a Kia Sedona.
In all fairness I didn't think the second gen sedona were cheap enough yet and the first gen, although a tank, was a pile of poo.
This ad for a Chevy Venture reads like a genuine owner is selling it.
In reply to John Welsh :
That's where I grew up. I know where that house is. lol
Most of my cars were under or close to $2k. I have had good results from a few ground rules:
Clearly define "needs" (in this case, seats for 6 adults)
Set the money aside and wait. Each of my last 3 cars took 3-6 months of waiting, from the time I started shopping to bringing the car home. Those cars were all reliable for 2+ years.
Search EVERYTHING that fits the "needs". A Grand Marquis will seat 6.
Buy the cleanest possible car.
A trip to harbor freight and a willingness to get your hands dirty is ultimately what makes a cheap car reliable.
Good luck, and hopefully your coworker can land a nice minivan.
mtn
MegaDork
2/5/20 3:21 p.m.
Stampie said:
I'm disappointed that no one including the OP suggested a Kia Sedona.
Literally 2 posts above yours, pal.
mtn
MegaDork
2/5/20 3:22 p.m.
A Crown-Town-Marquis with a front bench seat (so not a P71).
Otherwise, I agree with several above suggestions of Grand Caravan. I rarely see the short wheelbase Caravans for sale anymore, but it seems like when I do, they are even cheaper.
In reply to bobzilla :
I know it would be easier to find something local, but help them do themselves a favor & find something from south of the rust belt. The extra cost of retrieving or shipping it will be more than saved in the lack of rusty brake/fuel lines, subframes, brakes, etc.
In reply to Pete Gossett :
A year ago, I rented a car, and drove 12 hrs, to get a truck that had never been in snow (read: salt). I paid essentially the same as what comparable truck would have been in my neck of the woods, but crusty. I'll never buy a vehicle up here in the salt belt again!
I've never owned one but always seems like Ford explorers offer a lot of vehicle for this price point. I know the 4.0L has some timing chain issues and they get teribad MPG but a V8 3 row seems gravity reliable and there are about 30 of them on Clist near Indiana for <2500 and several listed for $1500.
Again no first hand experience just noticed they are dirt cheap for the utility.
I'm a big fan of a fly-and-drive for a chrylser minivan product... I've done it twice in the past few years. For the same price as up north, I've been able to do a brake job in <30 minutes and actually reuse swaybar endlinks... Did you know they were reusable!? Hah!
nocones said:
I've never owned one but always seems like Ford explorers offer a lot of vehicle for this price point. I know the 4.0L has some timing chain issues and they get teribad MPG but a V8 3 row seems gravity reliable and there are about 30 of them on Clist near Indiana for <2500 and several listed for $1500.
Again no first hand experience just noticed they are dirt cheap for the utility.
This might be the hot ticket right here.
STM317
UltraDork
2/6/20 7:24 a.m.
In reply to clutchsmoke :
Just for clarification, most of the cheap Explorers are 5 passengers max as they don't have a 3rd row. 2002 was the first year for the third row and it was optional. Those trucks had irs in the rear and the V8 option changed from the OHV 5.0 to the OHC 4.6. Anyway, those trucks are a fairly small percentage of the cheap Explorer market.
There's only one that's in budget and has the third row on Indy craigslist/surrounding areas. No mention of which engine it has.
Any of the import minivans will do. Avoid Honda from about 98-03. The 3-shaft BMXA (I think that's the one) trans isn't the best, and expensive to rebuild/replace. The Nissan 5RE55ER555RER or whatever that trans was (5 speed auto from late 90s/early 00s) was equally trashy. Solenoids would fail and cause damage quick.
Of the domestic vans, I would go Caravan. GM and Ford FWD stuff in the price range you'll be looking at are clapped out and tired. They seem to be the most disposable of the big three. It's rare that I recommend a Mopar thing, but in this case, I think it's the way to go. I would consider a dustbuster (Lumina APV) as it was a more bulletproof drivetrain with the 3.1L/4T40E. Still a bit disposable, and good luck finding one that isn't completely wasted.
If they want something that is overbuilt and easy to fix, Suburban. An LS-powered burb is a small tank with engines that last very well. Parts are cheap and easy to replace, so A) better chance they can DIY repairs or B) less expensive if a shop does it.
Another option is the Chevy/GMC Trailblazer in the XL size with a third row. Bulletproof Atlas engine with an overkill 4L65E trans.
How about a good old fashioned 80s Caprice/LTD/T&C station wagon with a third row? Find out which kids get carsick in a hurry.
One other consideration... old conversion vans can be had for pennies. Old-school RWD, cushy interior, often available with a V6 for a little better mileage. There was a 93 Chevy conversion van around here on FBM for $1200 with 130k, no rust, and in very good condition. I'd link to it, but it's sold and the link is dead. With the wheezy 305 TBI it wouldn't pass many gas stations, but it would likely run until 300k with nothing but oil changes.
You can get an awful lot of low mileage Buick for not a lot of dough. They are popular with the blue hair crowd, but that is not a group looking to buy, they are looking to sell.
