Show Me Your Cheap Wheels

[Awidmer1]

I'm currently working on a book about the beauty of cheap, used cars and I'm looking for people (and vehicles) to interview.

I am the proud owner of the 1988 V6 Ranger pictured below, which I bought for $860 over a year ago, and I love it. Just like I've loved all of the cheap vehicles I've owned in the last ten years. This Ranger, Two Subarus, an 87 Toyota 4Runner, and not to mention, the first, a 94 Thunderbird.

This summer I'd like to travel around getting to know some of the cheap vehicles on the road (and their owners). I'm hoping some of you on the forum are willing to help out.

There are a few constraints I'm hoping to hit:

1. The vehicle must have been originally purchased for $3000 or less (ideally much less than $3000, anything after the original purchase i.e. aftermarket parts, repairs, modifications, etc. does not matter.)
2. I'd like to visit you and interview you, and I MUST be allowed to test drive the car. (I am an immensely careful driver with an excellent track record driving all sorts of vehicles.)
3. Ideally these vehicles will be located somewhere in the west, as I presently reside in southern California and can't afford the time off for a road trip to New England.

So let me know! Even if you can't hit the constraints above, I'm still interested in your vehicle and its story. Why do you love it? What makes it special? Why don't you own a new car?

Please feel free to PM me or email me at adam@widmerwrites.com with submissions, questions, comments, or digital bags of flaming dog crap.

Thanks.

 

[chvlfrk]

Well..........

I fall into your criteria, but have owned 100+ vehicles in my 42+ yrs of driving/owning of which 95% of them were bought on the cheap or given to me for just removing them from the property.

My list would be to LONG.....I can tell you that I've taken pics of most of them and keep a photo album of them, most from when I got them, and when I sold/scrapped them.

Am gonna subscribe to your thread just for curiousity to see kinda responses you get and the pics.

GL!
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Edit 3*4*17
Readin post below, thought I'd give lil' more info, as in my 1st & last vehicles.........

My 1st vehicle I bought @ 15y/o was a 65 VW Bug for $135 and the last vehicle I bought in Oct 16 was a 98 Explorer 5.0L AWD for parts $334.

 

[adsm08]

Well I just scrapped most of my first 87, which I paid about $500 for. I rebuilt my other 87 which I paid $850 for, I have my BII that I paid $600, I have the 05 Explorer that we paid $3k for as a runs and drives. Currently I am looking at buying a pair of full size Broncos for $1400.

Pics are all in my build threads.

 

[Angie]

This is going to get interesting....

I can't stomach the thought of paying over 800 for a vehicle. It is only an item that gets you from point A to B.... Learn how to turn a wrench and keep your ride going.

Only exception is the frame off 83 that I am 3 years into building. However did only pay 700 for the truck.

wife and I have had 5 rangers and 2 explorers that all were under 600.00 Best deal was the 94 loaded explorer that when we bought it, old owner said transmission was shot... we looked at it, ran smooth, wife placed it in gear and it wanted to go... we bought it right there, added 3 quarts of trans fluid and have been driving it ever since. trouble free.

or my current ranger.. last owner said it over heats when i bought it for 500. he replaced the whole cooling system and 4 brand new winter tires. I put a mechanical temp gauge in it and replaced the clutch fan... never over heated yet.... Some people should just stick to the bus...

cheers

I also have 2 great buys that aren't rangers if you want.

 

[Mark_88]

My first Ranger cost me $800...second one was $500...third one was $400...fourth one was $600 but that was a 96...

I was able to take parts from all four and sell it for $500 and got another $500 from extra parts.

After 14 years total driving...not a bad investment at all.

Adding just one photo since PB is having issues again...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x399/akwarian8/Truck Build/New front end2_zpsyed75c8r.jpg

 

[Doofy]

Gee, I normally buy High and sell Low. Hate to dicker (no pun intended). Your efforts will be an interesting read.