The DD challenge

late 626 is not a bad option. nice cars. and look up in charlotte. TONS of protégés, 3s, 6s, and 626s here.

millenias were evil from what I remember. and not the fun kind of evil.

tuna55 wrote:

mazdeuce wrote: Mod motor Mustang. You'd be in rough territory but then potential for massive fun is very high. Not only that, but these cars are pretty close to the bottom and keeping it clean and running would enable you to drive it for a couple years with zero depreciation. And gas is cheap.

Oddly enough my Mustang-guy-Tunachuckers friend avoids the early mod motors, and prefers the last 5.0. Why do you say mod motor?

I'm not against the 2v 4.6, but the ones from 96-98 suck. The 99-04's are better but still suck, IMO. If they have been even moderately taken care of, they last. Just look at all the other vehicles that share the same motor they don't have problems. And the aftermarket has solutions or modifications to make it yours.....

tuna55 wrote:

mazdeuce wrote: Mod motor Mustang. You'd be in rough territory but then potential for massive fun is very high. Not only that, but these cars are pretty close to the bottom and keeping it clean and running would enable you to drive it for a couple years with zero depreciation. And gas is cheap.

Oddly enough my Mustang-guy-Tunachuckers friend avoids the early mod motors, and prefers the last 5.0. Why do you say mod motor?

Because I'm seeing desire for the 5.0 cars and the mod motor cars are sort of cheaper and are way more plentiful. In reality I'd be looking for a 5.0 and if I had a week I could probably find one, but given 24 hours there's a 95% chance it would be a 4.6.

Dusterbd13 wrote: late 626 is not a bad option. nice cars. and look up in charlotte. TONS of protégés, 3s, 6s, and 626s here. millenias were evil from what I remember. and not the fun kind of evil.

I believe just the 2.3 miller cycle engine was hell on earth as far as Millenias go.

I answered this question (since 'Miata', 'Alfa' and 'ancient Accord' were all vetoed as viable infant & toddler transport) with a $2800 Impreza followed by a $2000 mazda3. However I had the luxury of browsing for a while to find those. If only 24 hours I'd probably have bought the very Accord we sold, or whatever 4-door 5-spd was in the best condition. 24 hrs is a tight window.

I'll be following along since these are the same search terms I've been punching into my local craigslist for some time; "manual transmission", "$2,500". I'm sure most GRMers have used those same search terms a time or two.

Once in a while I find something interesting, but nothing has panned out yet. I started off only looking for RWD cars but have the pickings were too slim, so now wrong wheel drive is on the table too.

Found some neat cars near me:

Not that I'm a fan of GM front drive cars but:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5461343252.html

Nice old Mercedes:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5461269387.html

'98 Mustang GT that's probably had the piss run out of it:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5460978197.html

2002-2003 Nissan Maxima with 6 speed VQ35DE in it. Seen them on CL a few times in your budget.

Edit: In your area they seem to be hovering in the $4k~$4.5k range. Little more than you wanted to spend.

But I think they are worth the money. Hell of a car that is comfortable, reliable, and pretty quick.

Another vote for a stickshift Maxima if you can find one. Good cars.

Duratec Focus is a rocket with lots of potential down the road.

That is a very good answer.

Mod motor Mustangs can be very reliable. The early Modulars ('96-98) are down on power and the cars are much older. My '01 5spd has 287k on the all-original drivetrain. You'd never know it by driving it.

I searched for these criteria and found literally nothing that I would choose. Closest would have been this:

http://stgeorge.craigslist.org/cto/5436286409.html

Complete with E21 bmw wheels.

Boost_Crazy wrote: In reply to tuna55: Not a stick, but looks like a hell of a deal if the ad is for real... Lexus GS430

No way that ad is for real. I would buy that in a heartbeat.

tuna55 wrote:

tr8todd wrote: Early Mazda 6 with a V6 and a manual, preferably a wagon.

Loving this idea. Very much.

That's what we did not too long ago; 2004 Mazda6 v6 manual wagon. Paid about $2700 for it. It's been great. It was running and driving well, but we did have to do some work on it right away - starter, valve cover gaskets, brakes. We knew about those problems going into it. It's been a great family car, and is fun to drive. The gas mileage is a bit disappointing. (25mpg highway)

SAAB 9-3 ticks all those boxes.

Turbo power, easy to tune, timing chain so no worries about that. Manual gearbox with plenty of room in the back, especially if you get a hatchback.

Here's one in Atlanta for you. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5456516375.html

Here's another on down near me for about $1000 less.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/5457442732.html

Here's a nice silver one in Jacksonville. http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5422874470.html

In reply to t25torx:

Came here to post that.

6th gen accord. Local friend here in md found a decent one that passed inspection for 2k, 4 banger, leather, and a stick shift. And 4 doors. 6th gen has more interior room than the 5th.

In reply to t25torx:

So if this hypothetical thing happens, I am calling you to buy that Saab for me.

Give it a try, search Infiniti and more importantly Infinity under $3k.
Might score a manual i30 (Maxima) or G20 (Sentra) but everything else will be auto, some with V8s.

Geez!
Rare Infiniti M45 ask $2k. Sure it needs an engine but I know where to source an entire '03 Q45 donor with the same 320 hp engine for less than $100. http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/5459445437.html

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5427927014.html

Set of KYB's and Koni's plus some real tires make this super fun, reliable and easy to work on.

Nicest ae101 corolla i can get. Spring for the 7afe. Swap with a 4agze from an aw11 at your leisure, enjoy supercharged corolla.

The_Jed wrote: I'll be following along since these are the same search terms I've been punching into my local craigslist for some time; "manual transmission", "$2,500". I'm sure most GRMers have used those same search terms a time or two. Once in a while I find something interesting, but nothing has panned out yet. I started off only looking for RWD cars but have the pickings were too slim, so now wrong wheel drive is on the table too.

That is my exact search in Craigslist.

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5439461186.html

Saab is an interesting answer.

For me, because I'm dumb, it would probably be $800-1000 Saturn Wagon + $1500 in mods.

or bash this back together in an all-nighter. Parts are surprisingly cheap and easy to find.

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/5448756788.html

Read: I have a parts car and can send you whatever you need.

Forester, Legacy, Accord or Saab gets my vote.