WTB - Mechanic special car or crossover

[PurplePackage]

WTB something for 16yo niece that will need a reliable vehicle in the next 6 months to begin driving. Something Lexus/Toyota/Subaru/Ford or anything with little to no rust that needs basic work. LS swapped turbo civics will only be considered if they include a beater RAV4.

The budget for this is going to be $1500
Old EV or hybrid with dead battery maybe $2k

[OneCheekRider]

is Busa off the table?

[RandyO]

is Busa off the table?

busa engine in an original mini

[boosten lebaron]

I just went through this today. That's a tough number to deal with. Almost certainly looking at rusted to death or over 200k. Bump up to 2k and you can possibly haggle down some people. Honda insights are bottoming out at around $2500 but maybe some wiggle room. Great cars and the batteries aren't terrible to replace. We looked at several Prius models but once they get below 3k they are rusted to death. Entire rockers just gone. Most don't have cats left either.
Lexus? Almost no chance unless your looking at 300k miles. I've seen several old LS models for a bit more than $2k needing minor work on Facebook.
BMWs and mercs end up in your price range but those will be money pits, hence the cheap price.
We ended up getting a 10 year old Chevy spark with 110k miles. Good starter car. Had to go way over budget but it was the only thing we found that was decent enough to be a safe and reliable car that can last a couple years.

[boosten lebaron]

busa engine in an original mini

Currently sitting in my harbor freight shelter waiting for the motor

[butcher bergs]

Safe to assume automatic transmission?

2012 Nissan Altima

2007 Hyundai Elantra

There are a few others on Marketplace but slim pickings for anything decent without a couple/ few hundred thousand miles on them

[PurplePackage]

Safe to assume automatic transmission?

2012 Nissan Altima

2007 Hyundai Elantra

There are a few others on Marketplace but slim pickings for anything decent without a couple/ few hundred thousand miles on them

not great not terrible, thanks

[PurplePackage]

Update:

Snagged a 100% free subaru legacy 2.5 that needs the typical boxer headgasket overhaul. Does anyone know a good and cheap shop that still does these? I really don't want to DIY if someone is already doing them on the side for under $2k.

[boosten lebaron]

A bit of a distance from you but subaguru in ware ma is good. Might be cheap enough to tow it to them.

[PurplePackage]

A bit of a distance from you but subaguru in ware ma is good. Might be cheap enough to tow it to them.

They said $2800 out the door with new belt, plugs, pulleys, and resurface. A little high for the budget but that is still a great deal, thanks.

[PurplePackage]

Long shot: has anyone heard of this guy?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...75173305660344

[MattR302]

Have you considered this guy?
No bueno!! Subaru Specialties (Scott Dana Boyd)

[PurplePackage]

Have you considered this guy?
No bueno!! Subaru Specialties (Scott Dana Boyd)

That's a classic

[Philkinson]

I have an orange 2004 Element, AWD auto. 204k. Might be a prime candidate. Drove it about 15 miles yesterday, it's been sitting since May 2023. Exhaust is a little loud, tires are good. Rotors have seen better days, to be expected after sitting.

Meet in the middle? $1750

[PurplePackage]

I have an orange 2004 Element, AWD auto. 204k. Might be a prime candidate. Drove it about 15 miles yesterday, it's been sitting since May 2023. Exhaust is a little loud, tires are good. Rotors have seen better days, to be expected after sitting.

Meet in the middle? $1750

I already got this subaru, thanks. I would have looked at that a week ago.

[petro]

I hadn’t seen this thread and I know this comment is too late, but I’m only adding because I recently found out that my wife’s ‘07 FX35, which has been dead reliable and has enough modern features to still not feel antiquated, has a value of about $1,200.

We bought a new (used) car and I was stunned at the floor of the FX’s value when deciding whether or trade in or sell it.

[PurplePackage]

I hadn’t seen this thread and I know this comment is too late, but I’m only adding because I recently found out that my wife’s ‘07 FX35, which has been dead reliable and has enough modern features to still not feel antiquated, has a value of about $1,200.

We bought a new (used) car and I was stunned at the floor of the FX’s value when deciding whether or trade in or sell it.

wow that's a horrible tradein value

You could sell it online and get 4x