I don't understand this economy...

Just something I have noticed, I have been scouring forums, eBay and CL for "super freaking awesome buy it to flip it cause the dude needs cash for Christmas" deals and I am not seeing E36 M3 out there.

Last year I saw a VERY NICE 1990 Camaro RS 5.0 (with a 5.7L truck engine swapped in) go for $1200.00, a 199? CiViC Si coupe in need of a fender for $995.00 and a second gen MR2 Turbo for $1400.00.

This year I am seeing nothing really nice at crack whore prices.

What is up with this?

I just bought my challenge car off of CL in a "Need money for Christmas" ad.

I've only seen one so far. It was for a pretty nice early 80's Suzuki GS550 for $500, posted yesterday, and said "must sell before 2pm today!" The ad didn't mention needing money for Christmas, but I'm assuming...

right now in chicago, there are no good automotive deals that I've seen,

Yeah, no kidding. The tranny just died in my beater 323. I can't find a 323 on craigslist or kijiji for under $1500!

Agreed. There seems to be more 'stuff' on there, but the prices sure aren't good yet. It's like people are realizing that they need money, but they haven't quite accepted how badly they need it yet.

Last month I was looking for a tow pig and found a lot of "Must sell for rent by XXX"

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/968808362.html

not for me but I see Mental rocking it ;)

You just aren't looking in the right place.

http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/25221904/Corporate-jets-market-goes-int.html

My theory is that as people become desperate, they become determined to squeeze more money out of the things they have available to sell. Therefore, places like CL will be packed with many listings with over inflated prices as desperation spreads.

Kinda yes, I settled on a 2001 Passat in need of a turbo for dirt. It is a clean highway mileage car so I just need to scrape up a KKK K03 turbo and repair some worn suspension components to make it "reliable"

The only thing I would be wary of are influx of flooded cars from last years storms. I know there were a couple of floods that insurance companies will roll back into the market. Make sure that car was no where near those areas.

John Brown wrote: http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/968808362.html not for me but I see Mental rocking it ;)

I think Ted Nugent would rock that in a heartbeat. Especially with that paint job.

I don't understand this economy either. I keep hearing how bad it is, but every time my wife and I go anywhere, the restaurants we pass are packed as are most of the stores. I'm talking every night of the week too, not just weekends.

It seems like when I look at any news regarding employment, etc. one day there will be a modest decrease (~2% or so) in unemployment for a given month that the article "can't explain". The following week I'll see an article talking about how dire the economy is because of the latest data shows a 0.0015% increase in unemployment.

I know that times are tougher than they have been in the recent past, but I wonder to what degree the situation is being overblown by the media so that come Jan. 21st everything will make a "miraculous turnaround".

be patient, you'll start seeing the ads when folks start getting their credit card bill for xmas.

The deals are out there and timing is everything. Most people will rely on their tax return to pull them through. I bet we still see good deals through Q1 '09.

Here's my take.

The economy is SO bad that the real current value on that POS project car probably just dropped by more than 50%. At that rate, people figure, "why waste my time?. I've got more than that in it, so I'll just wait for things to get better before I sell".

Of course, that assumes things will get better...

They're all over the place here....

1990 Celica GT coupe north of Indy for $600, minty in and out, blown bottom end. (I have a spare longblock.)

My new DD. 58K Escort for $600. Minty in and out.

Picking up a FREE 1990 Celica GTS on the 17th, needs a torque converter, fully loaded, decent shape.

There was a nice 88 Celica AllTrac in Indy last month for $1500, had a low mileage 90-93 JDM GT4 swap, nice car, saw it driving around a few times.

That escort needs 15" BBS wheels in blue ;)

theres a $500 mark VIII on the cleveland CL that needs a tranny - 300hp dohc 4.6, IRS, 4 wheel discs, and lincoln luxury for 500 bux and a trans rebuild kit? i was tempted for a few seconds.

i saw a bunch of deals on the tampa CL when i was down there - like $600 LT1 roadmonsters

There's a guy in the barter section of my local CL trying to trade a Rabbit Diesel for an RC car. The car looks solid too: http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bar/976522126.html

Wifey says no way LOL.