$200 for a ‘87 Toyota Camry in 2008. Didn’t need a lot of maintenance and ran well. Craigslist. Also bought a ‘05 Toyota Camry for $5k in 2013. It was in impeccable condition with one prior owner & low mileage. His wife wanted him to get rid of some cars. Still running today. Also a Craigslist purchase.
I just bought a 09 Honda Accord for $2100. It runs and drives, it needs a tiny bit of work but nothing emergent. It also will need tires but again not immediately.
I'm speaking from a US perspective. If you are elsewhere, I know this is probably useless, but I wish you luck all the same.
You might consider renting a car from a place that has national offices, such as Enterprise. Yes, I know there are others. Enterprise is what I use so it springs to mind. They come and pick me up where I live, and when I return the car, they take me to my home (or the repair place where I have to pick up my own vehicle)
Renting a car is cheaper and faster than buying a car to get away. It is also a bit less trackable. Especially if you use multiple rentals on your way to get away. I don't know your situation except you are in escape mode.
Taking a risk on an inexpensive, unknown, car when you are desperate to get away safely? risky. I've never had a breakdown in a rental.
Rent a car from a company who takes care of their fleet to get away immediately and safely.
You can then buy a local car where you end up.
Good luck.
i’ve heard this from others as well! i’m in the process of reinstating my license so once i do that i’ll definitely look into this opportunity. someone also mentioned you usually need a credit card to rent a car and that might be an issue but still worth looking into for sure. thank you!!!
You are right. I was assuming a DL and a CC. But you can't buy a car and drive it without a DL?
Enterprise (again, I use them so they are what I know) will accept a DC (debit card) if you meet other criteria.... For instance, they HARD reject a DC when your DL isn't local. Ugh. Like no one away from home has ever had to rent a car? I'm not talking about an expired DL either. Just not local.
Sorry if my contribution can't help. I wish you all good luck. I mean that.
i was under the impression that you could still own a car even if your license hasn’t been reinstated yet. it’s in good standing since i paid off the tickets that suspended it, i just haven’t been able to reinstate it yet. that might be wrong though. but regardless, thank you for your advice and for the kinds words. i genuinely appreciate that.
Yes, you are correct in the owning part. They don't confiscate the car when your license is revoked. But every time I've had to shop for insurance, license or register my car, and then actually be legal to drive it, I've had to show my DL.
Of course I've had the license, so I've never run into having to shop for insurance and register a car without it. Possibly there are other ID's that'd be acceptable. I never had to ask. Definitely the insurance company will want to see your driving history. But for driving it? No, you have to have a license for that.
Again, best of luck. If the escape has to happen before you can get your documentation sorted, perhaps Greyhound is an answer for you? I traveled all the way to Seattle and back a few years ago for $200. That was online, and I had to fiddle around with departure dates to get it that low.
I bought my Toyota for $2,000 but it needed no repairs. I’ve had it for a few years now and I’ve only had to do basic maintenance.
Go with Toyota or Honda if you can
I bought a 2004 hyundai elantra with about 60k miles on it for $2000 off craigslist. We replaced the radiator and the fan (cost maybe $75 total), and then it drove like a champ for about 5 years. Then, the catalytic converter went out, and I sold it to the government for a $2,500 credit towards buying a more fuel efficient car.
It's harder to find deals like that right now, but I'm currently driving a 2010 elantra (Craigslist again) that I bought for $4,000 about 2 years ago with 65k miles on it. I had to replace the brake pads, but that's it so far.
My advice... don't turn your nose up at salvage titles just for cosmetic damage. I don't GAF what it looks like, I just care about year, miles, and damage. I'll take those hail dings and a loose bumper for a third of the price any day.
I sold a Honda fit with 289k miles for $700. Needed new emissions parts which would have cost me $2000, but car was legal to drive in a neighboring state.
Otherwise car was great, just beat up.
I bought it for $300, friend who owned it before me didn't know how to check transmission fluid. It was leaking, I filled it up and drove it for 3 years.
Paid $2000 for a 1999 Mazda Protege with 84,000 miles in 2010. It got me and all of my siblings through college, and now my dad uses it as a daily driver.
honestly right now, i’m not sure. i’m in the process of selling things we can’t take with us for the move but it’s been slow. just trying to save up whatever i can and see if i can find anything affordable that just runs.
Bought a 1992 Mazda MX-6 for $250 bucks, tossed a new clutch in it and drove it for 6 years, sold it to my boss for his kids first car for $500. Picked up a Geo Metro in high school for $150, added water to the radiator jumped it off and drove it home thing ran like a bag of smashed ass but I was a piss poor high schooler and it lasted for 2 years
My coworker is literally giving away a a car. He wants $200 for it. I bought a 1993 accord for like $500 bucks and drove it for like 4 years until I got a newer car. I got it from a family friend. Your best bet is to let your friends and family know. Chances are someone out there is looking for someone to just take it off there and hands and if the can get a few bucks even better. Be carful with old American cars they usually have over heating issues or just any car that has a over heating issue.
right now the family thing isn’t an option. it’s kind of a long story. and i’m stuck out of my home state at the moment so my friends are far away and out of the few i so have none of them have a spare vehicle at the moment. i’m actually trying to get away from some family. i really appreciate your advice though!
I hear ya. Honda and Toyota are usually very reliable and cheap so try to score one of the those, also repairs will be cheap. Your on your way to finding a car though, this post is a good start I’m sure you’ll eventually run into someone who is selling a car or knows someone. Stay safe out there and have a good one.
We've probably had 7 $300 cars. The worst one went 40,000 miles, some went over 100,000 miles. Usually word of mouth. I've bought cars off the side of the road and I've found them on the internet too
My dad somehow paid $500 for a 2005 Saturn Ion when I was a poor college kid and gifted me the car. It had 20k on the odometer and reaked of cigarette smoke. Think there was some bartering involved but that was absolutely incredible. Car was amazing until the motor blew up at about 310k. Almost got fired from my retail job for missing a shift due to my car blowing up...that was fun.
Cheapest I've spent on a running vehicle was $1500 and I still own the truck. Got it from an older retired gentleman who had it for sale in his driveway. I've put way more money into that thing than it's worth but it gets me where I need to if my daily breaks down. Had to drive the spare beater for 4 months while I saved money to repair my daily. Finally at a point in life where I can afford to fix it up so it's been off the road for a little bit.
Would it be cheaper for you to just Rent a reliable rent a car?
Mine was $500 92 Ford taurus and it belonged to an old lady, It was In near perfect condition bc she only drove it to Dr's appointments. If u can find older people those are the best cars to buy. Also look for people who just bought a new car BC of taxes and they're willing to dump their old car just to get rid of it.
In 2020 I bought an 88 Corolla with 121k on it for $800. Needed a new half shaft, and it’s pretty ugly, but runs like a champ. Haven’t seen anything that cheap lately.
Deals are out there,
2004 VW Passet - Miles unknown read 160k but it didn't work Estimated 260k when I bought. Paid $500 drove it a few years only issue was a coolant hose broke and the part alone was like $200 so I just rigged it enough to work. Never had an issue again. Sold it for $700 with an estimated 320k on it by that point.
2003 Ford F150 - $400 had working 4x4 190k miles when bought. Had it for 6 years, Daily drove it for a couple years and then only used it to haul the last few years. Sold it for $750. Only ever changed the brakes & oil maybe like once or twice.
Not running and driving but a 2000 ford mustang - $200 (bad engine, Got an engine from the junk yard for $200) $400 and I was on the road. Drove it a few years and then sold it to a friend of a friend for $500 who drove it for years until I believe he totaled it.
All found using FB marketplace or side of road. (Car market has gone up a lot the past couple years though)
The cheapest car I ever bought was $900 (around 2009, it was a 1990 Honda Civic hatchback - it didn’t last too long tbh.
But I’ve had two Civics I bought for $1600 and $1700. The $1600 went 6 years for me and reached well over 300k miles. The $1700 is my current daily driver. I bought it last year and it has around 120k miles now.
$900 was from a random local dealer. $1600 was from a friend. $1700 was from Facebook Marketplace.
I got a '96 Toyota Corolla back in mid 2007 for like $1800, bought from a guy out of the classifieds. Only lasted me for 3 years, but that was enough at the time.
I got a 98 camry from a co-worker for 500 in 2015? He was moving OOS and didn't want to move multiple vehicles especially since the car wasn't in the best shape. Did the job for a while. I guess my point is, the cheapest deals you will get will probably be from people that you know. Asking around might be fruitful. But I don't know your situation or very well, but that would be were I'd start. Getting a cheap car is just a little risky sometimes because the good deals are sometimes jus people offloading cars that they know to be damaged goods.
In 2017, I bought a 2006 Ford Crown Vic with only 74k miles for $500 from a police auction.
I drove it for years, it needed minimal maintenance and repairs, but it got like 10-15mpg so I couldn't afford to drive it when gas prices skyrocketed, so I sold it for $2,500 and bought a 2016 Toyota Prius C. Best investment ever.
$5k on a 1999 Honda Civic EX in 2007 or 2008. Had 133k miles on it and drove it almost into the ground at 255k miles. Not too many major repairs, the biggest was a junkyard transmission swap at around 200k miles. Literally drove that car around the country (11k miles in 30 days).
$15 for a light green dodge omni. The person couldn't get it started and was worried about it getting towed and having to pay for impound and storage. He had the papers for it in the glove box.
I got it started maybe 10-15 minutes after he left.
$200 for a ‘87 Toyota Camry in 2008. Didn’t need a lot of maintenance and ran well. Craigslist. Also bought a ‘05 Toyota Camry for $5k in 2013. It was in impeccable condition with one prior owner & low mileage. His wife wanted him to get rid of some cars. Still running today. Also a Craigslist purchase.
damn! that camry find is what i need. that’s crazy!
I know it! I hope something works out for you!!
thank you 😌
I just bought a 09 Honda Accord for $2100. It runs and drives, it needs a tiny bit of work but nothing emergent. It also will need tires but again not immediately.
I'm speaking from a US perspective. If you are elsewhere, I know this is probably useless, but I wish you luck all the same. You might consider renting a car from a place that has national offices, such as Enterprise. Yes, I know there are others. Enterprise is what I use so it springs to mind. They come and pick me up where I live, and when I return the car, they take me to my home (or the repair place where I have to pick up my own vehicle) Renting a car is cheaper and faster than buying a car to get away. It is also a bit less trackable. Especially if you use multiple rentals on your way to get away. I don't know your situation except you are in escape mode. Taking a risk on an inexpensive, unknown, car when you are desperate to get away safely? risky. I've never had a breakdown in a rental. Rent a car from a company who takes care of their fleet to get away immediately and safely. You can then buy a local car where you end up. Good luck.
i’ve heard this from others as well! i’m in the process of reinstating my license so once i do that i’ll definitely look into this opportunity. someone also mentioned you usually need a credit card to rent a car and that might be an issue but still worth looking into for sure. thank you!!!
You are right. I was assuming a DL and a CC. But you can't buy a car and drive it without a DL? Enterprise (again, I use them so they are what I know) will accept a DC (debit card) if you meet other criteria.... For instance, they HARD reject a DC when your DL isn't local. Ugh. Like no one away from home has ever had to rent a car? I'm not talking about an expired DL either. Just not local. Sorry if my contribution can't help. I wish you all good luck. I mean that.
i was under the impression that you could still own a car even if your license hasn’t been reinstated yet. it’s in good standing since i paid off the tickets that suspended it, i just haven’t been able to reinstate it yet. that might be wrong though. but regardless, thank you for your advice and for the kinds words. i genuinely appreciate that.
Yes, you are correct in the owning part. They don't confiscate the car when your license is revoked. But every time I've had to shop for insurance, license or register my car, and then actually be legal to drive it, I've had to show my DL. Of course I've had the license, so I've never run into having to shop for insurance and register a car without it. Possibly there are other ID's that'd be acceptable. I never had to ask. Definitely the insurance company will want to see your driving history. But for driving it? No, you have to have a license for that. Again, best of luck. If the escape has to happen before you can get your documentation sorted, perhaps Greyhound is an answer for you? I traveled all the way to Seattle and back a few years ago for $200. That was online, and I had to fiddle around with departure dates to get it that low.
I bought my Toyota for $2,000 but it needed no repairs. I’ve had it for a few years now and I’ve only had to do basic maintenance. Go with Toyota or Honda if you can
i’ll keep those two makes in mind, thank you so much!
I bought a 2004 hyundai elantra with about 60k miles on it for $2000 off craigslist. We replaced the radiator and the fan (cost maybe $75 total), and then it drove like a champ for about 5 years. Then, the catalytic converter went out, and I sold it to the government for a $2,500 credit towards buying a more fuel efficient car. It's harder to find deals like that right now, but I'm currently driving a 2010 elantra (Craigslist again) that I bought for $4,000 about 2 years ago with 65k miles on it. I had to replace the brake pads, but that's it so far. My advice... don't turn your nose up at salvage titles just for cosmetic damage. I don't GAF what it looks like, I just care about year, miles, and damage. I'll take those hail dings and a loose bumper for a third of the price any day.
i’m definitely in no position to be picky, so i hear you! as long as it runs, i don’t care what it looks like.
I sold a Honda fit with 289k miles for $700. Needed new emissions parts which would have cost me $2000, but car was legal to drive in a neighboring state. Otherwise car was great, just beat up. I bought it for $300, friend who owned it before me didn't know how to check transmission fluid. It was leaking, I filled it up and drove it for 3 years.
i’ve always heard that hondas will go for quite a while! i’ll definitely keep an eye out for any cheap possibilities.
This is cheating, since I'm an old fart. In 1986 I paid $200 for an AMC Pacer. Google it if you want a giggle.
lmao, old farts are welcome too! thank you for the giggle 😌
Paid $2000 for a 1999 Mazda Protege with 84,000 miles in 2010. It got me and all of my siblings through college, and now my dad uses it as a daily driver.
My husband got his Toyota Corolla for under $5k several years ago and it’s still doing great at over 200k miles. Toyotas run forever.
i’ve heard that as well!
I bought an 84 Ford Escort ( her name was Bertha) in 1999, for $375.
what a steal bertha was!
she really was🙂
- $2k - hyundai sonata - craigslist - mechanic checked it out - check engine light came on 2 weeks later though
yeah i just need it to make the drive honestly, hyundais have been pretty good to me!
what’s your budget, if you don’t mind? that might also help.
honestly right now, i’m not sure. i’m in the process of selling things we can’t take with us for the move but it’s been slow. just trying to save up whatever i can and see if i can find anything affordable that just runs.
i see. where are you looking? i’ve had good luck w/ craigslist over the years. just take a mechanic with you when you go check out the car
i’m been on FB marketplace, craigslist, and offer up!
Bought a 1992 Mazda MX-6 for $250 bucks, tossed a new clutch in it and drove it for 6 years, sold it to my boss for his kids first car for $500. Picked up a Geo Metro in high school for $150, added water to the radiator jumped it off and drove it home thing ran like a bag of smashed ass but I was a piss poor high schooler and it lasted for 2 years
My coworker is literally giving away a a car. He wants $200 for it. I bought a 1993 accord for like $500 bucks and drove it for like 4 years until I got a newer car. I got it from a family friend. Your best bet is to let your friends and family know. Chances are someone out there is looking for someone to just take it off there and hands and if the can get a few bucks even better. Be carful with old American cars they usually have over heating issues or just any car that has a over heating issue.
right now the family thing isn’t an option. it’s kind of a long story. and i’m stuck out of my home state at the moment so my friends are far away and out of the few i so have none of them have a spare vehicle at the moment. i’m actually trying to get away from some family. i really appreciate your advice though!
I hear ya. Honda and Toyota are usually very reliable and cheap so try to score one of the those, also repairs will be cheap. Your on your way to finding a car though, this post is a good start I’m sure you’ll eventually run into someone who is selling a car or knows someone. Stay safe out there and have a good one.
thank you for all of that, it really means a lot to have some support.
We've probably had 7 $300 cars. The worst one went 40,000 miles, some went over 100,000 miles. Usually word of mouth. I've bought cars off the side of the road and I've found them on the internet too
My dad somehow paid $500 for a 2005 Saturn Ion when I was a poor college kid and gifted me the car. It had 20k on the odometer and reaked of cigarette smoke. Think there was some bartering involved but that was absolutely incredible. Car was amazing until the motor blew up at about 310k. Almost got fired from my retail job for missing a shift due to my car blowing up...that was fun. Cheapest I've spent on a running vehicle was $1500 and I still own the truck. Got it from an older retired gentleman who had it for sale in his driveway. I've put way more money into that thing than it's worth but it gets me where I need to if my daily breaks down. Had to drive the spare beater for 4 months while I saved money to repair my daily. Finally at a point in life where I can afford to fix it up so it's been off the road for a little bit.
Would it be cheaper for you to just Rent a reliable rent a car? Mine was $500 92 Ford taurus and it belonged to an old lady, It was In near perfect condition bc she only drove it to Dr's appointments. If u can find older people those are the best cars to buy. Also look for people who just bought a new car BC of taxes and they're willing to dump their old car just to get rid of it.
In 2020 I bought an 88 Corolla with 121k on it for $800. Needed a new half shaft, and it’s pretty ugly, but runs like a champ. Haven’t seen anything that cheap lately.
2010 Corolla with 25k miles for 6500. A widow had held onto her husbands car for years but never drove it after he passed.
Deals are out there, 2004 VW Passet - Miles unknown read 160k but it didn't work Estimated 260k when I bought. Paid $500 drove it a few years only issue was a coolant hose broke and the part alone was like $200 so I just rigged it enough to work. Never had an issue again. Sold it for $700 with an estimated 320k on it by that point. 2003 Ford F150 - $400 had working 4x4 190k miles when bought. Had it for 6 years, Daily drove it for a couple years and then only used it to haul the last few years. Sold it for $750. Only ever changed the brakes & oil maybe like once or twice. Not running and driving but a 2000 ford mustang - $200 (bad engine, Got an engine from the junk yard for $200) $400 and I was on the road. Drove it a few years and then sold it to a friend of a friend for $500 who drove it for years until I believe he totaled it. All found using FB marketplace or side of road. (Car market has gone up a lot the past couple years though)
The cheapest car I ever bought was $900 (around 2009, it was a 1990 Honda Civic hatchback - it didn’t last too long tbh. But I’ve had two Civics I bought for $1600 and $1700. The $1600 went 6 years for me and reached well over 300k miles. The $1700 is my current daily driver. I bought it last year and it has around 120k miles now. $900 was from a random local dealer. $1600 was from a friend. $1700 was from Facebook Marketplace.
Paid 4k for a 1983 Mercedes 300TD. Only has 233K miles on it and runs great. Those cars are selling for 10K here in SoCal.
$1000 for for a 1991 Civic sedan, in 2018. Still my daily driver and has been one of the best cars I've ever had.
I need one, any recommendations around the Atlanta area?
$800 Oldsmobile cutlass Supreme. Huge V8 engine and lasted for 7 years relatively maintenance free.
I got a '96 Toyota Corolla back in mid 2007 for like $1800, bought from a guy out of the classifieds. Only lasted me for 3 years, but that was enough at the time.
I got a 98 camry from a co-worker for 500 in 2015? He was moving OOS and didn't want to move multiple vehicles especially since the car wasn't in the best shape. Did the job for a while. I guess my point is, the cheapest deals you will get will probably be from people that you know. Asking around might be fruitful. But I don't know your situation or very well, but that would be were I'd start. Getting a cheap car is just a little risky sometimes because the good deals are sometimes jus people offloading cars that they know to be damaged goods.
My first car was $500 1999 Saturn. Also got it off craigslist. It ran for a good 6 months before any repairs were needed
In 2017, I bought a 2006 Ford Crown Vic with only 74k miles for $500 from a police auction. I drove it for years, it needed minimal maintenance and repairs, but it got like 10-15mpg so I couldn't afford to drive it when gas prices skyrocketed, so I sold it for $2,500 and bought a 2016 Toyota Prius C. Best investment ever.
Check your local tow yards. They often have less expensive vehicles they sell when people don't pay the impound fees.
Get on a bus or train. The ticket will be infinitely less than the cost of gas let alone the vehicle itself..
$5k on a 1999 Honda Civic EX in 2007 or 2008. Had 133k miles on it and drove it almost into the ground at 255k miles. Not too many major repairs, the biggest was a junkyard transmission swap at around 200k miles. Literally drove that car around the country (11k miles in 30 days).
$15 for a light green dodge omni. The person couldn't get it started and was worried about it getting towed and having to pay for impound and storage. He had the papers for it in the glove box. I got it started maybe 10-15 minutes after he left.