$5000 Car: Columbus racing craisglist challenge

[accel_is_my_drug]

I have 5K to spend on a new beat up daily driver. I do need it to drive across country to start a new job on the west coast..What is the most fun, yet remain somewhat reliable vehicle you can find for 5000 dollars.

 

 

Original bugeye wrx? LT-1 F body? Integra GSR?

 

I have zero brand loyalty, don't even care for FWD or RWD, fun can be lateral acceleration or linear acceleration..

 

Anything else I should be looking for??

[Jackson1647545504]

BMW 3 Series Manual ?

 

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4188035633.html

[zeitgeist57]

BMW 3 Series Manual ?

 

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/4188035633.html

 

+10.

 

I've been smitten with my E36 318. It's the tiny-engined Bimmer... but lowered and with strong tires this thing is totally tossable and I'm getting an easy 30+mpg. It's definitely slow getting up an on-ramp, but above 60mph it squirts in-and-out of highway traffic.

 

I paid $5k for mine, but:

1) I knew the PO

2) It's been modded the way I'd want to do it for no more money out of my pocket

3) It's a convertible

4) No rust, interior is crack-free for plastics/leather. Everything works.

5) It's now got 114k miles and feels more solid (even as a 'vert) than my Passat, Corvette (C4, not saying much there).

 

Not sure what you'll find AWD-wise for $5k, and I cannot buy another FWD car until my Passat dies. The BMW is perfect for what I need.

[PRD2BDF]

Any Saab. They're awesome and responds well to tunes.

[Robochan]

Any Saab. They're awesome and responds well to tunes.

 

9000 aero 5 speed/ black on black. Enough said.

 

What about a Red 90 Miata with 205k and some rust for less than half your budget?

[coltboostin]

E46 5 speed.

[Mr. Jones]

E46 5 speed.

 

+1

[Not Brian]

fast cheap reliable

 

pick two

[Not Brian]

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4213417614.html

 

Buy this fucking truck and pick up hippie california whores and show them your confederate flag ceiling. When they start talking about how rednecks don't hug trees fill their mouth with a fistful of cock.

[FourString]

I gotta admit, my Civic Si has been my favorite car I have ever owned out of the 30+ I have had over the years. They can be had for that price range too.

 

Other considerations:

 

- The 3 series recommendation is dead on

- A clean fox body

- Miata

- A well-maintained DSM (LOL...good luck)

[BrendanB]

Higher mileage LS1 F-Body's can be found for 5k and below, if you can find one it's quite a bit better than an LT1 being more modern and considerably quicker

[2 Sweet]

GTP or any other L67 car for 3-4k.

 

Or any of the others already mentioned in this thread

[SHIEF]

Any Saab. They're awesome and responds well to tunes.

 

You just went 0-3. You're out.

[STEVE-O]

I say gtp or 3 series I loves my gtp and currently daily a standard trans e46 can't go wrong

[El Karacho1647545492]

Someone on CR was selling a Toyota Previa for $500.

 

 

BECAUSE MID ENGINE RWD DRIFT VAN.

[turbospec29]

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4202626189.html

[El Karacho1647545492]

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4202626189.html

 

LMFAO I love how he's got 2 different non-negotiable prices (one at the top of the ad, higher prices at the bottom of the ad), both of which are way above book value.

 

Also, I've seen that guy driving around. He drives the fuck outta that thing.

[Buckeye1647545503]

Buy a 1000 dollar civic and spend your $ once you get to Cali on a rust free car

[SICKNESS22]

Higher mileage LS1 F-Body's can be found for 5k and below, if you can find one it's quite a bit better than an LT1 being more modern and considerably quicker

 

+1 and get 25 mpg's plus!

[Stretch]

Dayum some nice cars can be had for under $5k.

[LS_Sonoma]

I'd also verify if smog check will be required in the area that you're moving to. Mods may end biting you.

 

Oh and you should buy my Buell for 4k to ride on hwy 1 in Cali. then sell it. profit.

[RC K9]

- A well-maintained DSM (LOL...good luck)

 

Hey now! They exist...somewhere. I know of 3 aaaannnnddd thats about all in my 10yrs in DSM's

[Crossle]

How about a 1979 Lotus Eclat?

 

 

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4129855397.html

[accel_is_my_drug]

I never thought of the 3 series BMW, that is a good find. might call them tonight..

 

I had a 90 DSM once. big 16G, exhaust and S-AFC. I miss it terribly. it was the most unreliable car I have ever owned. I would love one, but wouldn't trust it to make it all the way to the Pacific with out serious electrical gremlins leaving me stranded in Wyoming.

[greg1647545532]

fast cheap reliable

 

pick two

 

Fun, cheap, reliable, and you can have all 3!

 

Something like an SVT Focus.