What the he!! Why not a twofer what car thread!

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!

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?

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

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.

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

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.

Caravan=cheap so repeat previous mistake

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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

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).