hey guys, in a month or so i'll be buying my first car and i'd really like it to be a 3rd gen, problem is they're just a little out of my price range (highest i can go is $1500, though i really want to keep it around $1000) only cars i see in that range have problems (or a v6 but from reading the forums i see a lot of you got your cars for awesome prices: $1200, $1000, even $700! i never see those gems in the papers or online, do you guys have car meets around here where i could find something good? any suggestions are welcome

-a guy who doesn't want to drive around in a **** beater

 

I have purchased most of my cars from either the Auto Trader Online or eBay

 

i'd have to be a freakin idiot not to know about those sites ya i checked there, and again the only cars in my price range had probelms or way too many miles (i'm looking for under 120,000) oh well, looks like i'll have to get something else

 

I bought my '82 for $100 and my '83 for $450. Deals are out there and they both run fine. '83 passed smog on the first try.

 

For $1000 you won't find a clean 3rd gen. It will definitely need some kind of work.

Body work gets real expensive, real fast, so you might consider finding one with a clean body and interior, but shot motor or trans. You could pick up a basic replacement long-block engine fairly cheap. Say $600 to $700.

 

I would definitely agree with Bret. You might be able to find a 'decent running' v6 in your price range but it will probably be high mileage. I would decide what is the most important factor to you, less mechanical problems (which can never be promised), less mileage, or body condition.

 

Pretty much your going to get what you pay for.Deals are most certainly out there to be had,but your going to have to spend the time looking for them.Look for cars that are parked on the street or in a driveway and have not been moved in a long time.I personally know of an 86camaro that was sold for $100.00 because it had become an"extra car"and really had nothing wrong with it.

 

:werd: Thats exactly what you have to do. The deals are out there, you just have to find them. We got my 84 Z for $300! It was just sittin on some guys driveway collecting dust and cobwebs. One day we decided to ask him if it was for sale, and he said yup I want it gone. The only thing that was wrong with it was it needed a new front nose & hood and the tranny was slipping. The paint had a lot of watermarks and stuff but I just waxed and buffed that thing till it shined. Interior was in great condition.

 

Usually getting a really good deal requires taking some risk. Like getting a car that is not running correctly, and hoping it will not be super expensive to fix. Most cars that need help do so because they have been neglected, and will need constant help because of it.

Yes, the best deals are to be had from cars that are not being driven. Don't forget, just because someone is asking a certain price doesn't mean that is what it will sell for. If it has been for sale for a long time, they will be more negotiable.

Troy
So Cal

 

Good luck. If you don't find what your looking for sitting in an alley or driveway, you could probably do better with a v6 car. It may have high mileage, but if the body is straight, and the interior is good, that is what you are looking for. Get a good v6 driver, then as you save some money look for a damaged v8 car to use for a conversion.