porsche0nut

Coming back to civilization soon and won't have my company vehicle... so I need something cheap to drive until the spring comes!

My criteria:

<$3k
Manual preferred
German preferred (old jetta/passat/a4)

That's about it... let me know what you've got sitting around!

AM993

How about an '86 911 coupe, white with snow tires

porsche0nut

Hehe... I would... except I have a couple projects planned for her (engine drop, clutch, exhaust, upgrade fuel lines, other "while i'm in there" items) and am hoping to do them before spring, and drive something else while they're getting done!

Maybe work will forget I have their vehicle....

Imo000

$3K certified and e-tested?

porsche0nut

I'll make an exception for the 996 you rebuilt

For the sake of seeing what's out there, let's say yes.... otherwise my 3k could easily become 5k...

Imo000

Nice try!! -)

Look for a 4gen (99.5-2006) Jetta/Golf with a 2.0L. They are very cheap now days.

porsche0nut

Great suggestion! That's what I had before my 3.2! Got rid of it at 320k after it died on me and I didn't want to spend the money to fix it.

It was a great little car! I'd definitely buy another

Benny771

Try looking for a BMW 5-series 97-2003. Its a e39 model. 530's are going cheap and an amazing car (best of BMW, rated).
540's are 300hp but have some issues. Got one this year..... great car.

porsche0nut

Thanks Benny! Will keep my eyes peeled... didn't realize you could find those for 3-5 grand! High kms though - what's maintenance like? Needs to be reliable, I drive 100km/day minimum.

Granger968

I suspect the price for parts for a 5-series vs. a Jetta is not in the same range at all. Buy-in price is one thing, repair costs can sink you later.

A friend with a 200k+ Audi A4 had to replace timing belt over the holidays. Dealer quoted $8k...

Benny771

It will do just fine. And yes the price is in your range. I got my 540,2001 130,000 km for $6,000.
530's are cheaper because its a 6cyl. I sorta wish i would have gone this route.
The work i have done is reg maintaince (most).
A friend has a 530, 2003 m model, and has done none, it has 140,000 and it was $4000.00

porsche0nut

Granger nailed it... come fall I may be in a better position for a more "permanent" daily driver but right now the main thing is that it's cheap, reliable, and gets me to/from work!

porsche0nut

Would be a fun car to consider down the road a bit... I think I have to be humble this time

AM993

If I were to buy a winter beater today, this is what I would get (no affiliation): http://www.autotrader.ca/result/AdDe...&frnID=6562063

porsche0nut

Oh wow that would be fun! Wonder if I could stretch the budget......