Craigslist Crapshoot

The World’s Worst Car Is For Sale On Craigslist
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer. 
Okay, I’m now ready to get my fall on. That’s because you all provided a marvelous mix of convertibles that I, and a close cadre of friends, can potentially take to view the trees changing color, take in the smells of roadside pie stand offerings, and generally cause one to wonder if life could get any better. We’ll start that road trip in just a sec, but first I know you’re itching to once again dive into the classifieds so we need this week’s quest.
Do you remember High School? And I extend that question especially to those of you who are presently in High School as it’s probably something you block out come 3:30 each weekday. One thing’s for sure, and that is that High School is a microcosm of real life, with all the interactions and intersections you would expect, only with people who have raging hormones and only the threat of Juvie to keep them from doing extraordinarily terrible things.
It’s also a world of status and cliques and one of the most important status symbols is the car you drive, and that’s why this week we want to find the coolest cars under $2,000 a High Schooler could buy. What’s going to impress, and what’s going to not get giant penises spray painted on it after every football game?
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve changed commenting systems, you may need to update your commenter account. Make sure you have a Disqus account – they’re free and easy to get – and then comment away.

Got that? Good, now drop our tops.


I first started thinking about last week’s quest when Pink Moon by dead folk-you singer Nick Drake rolled around on my iPhone’s playlist. That was the song used in Volkswagen’s moody ad for the Golf Cabriolet a decade or so back, and that made me think about taking a fall trip in a top down car. Add to that having watched A Few Good Pie Places on PBS and I’m lacing up my driving gloves and slipping into my Pilotis.
You all provided a cornucopia of great options for a sun-dappled drive, and while a few were fright pigs, the Swedes came through with a couple of top-notch options that while perhaps in need of a little lovin,’ were priced right for an impromptu purchase. Both this Saab, found by PotbellyJoe, and this Volvo, uncovered by 1977ChevyTruck are a pittance, and potentially could be sold for the same asking come next spring.
Even cheaper, and even closer to that VW ad in actual metal and a musical connection, is thisGermany-located 1997 Rolling Stone Edition VW Golf Cabrio, discovered by ManicKing. At only 550€ and sporting what look to be an extra set of BBS wheels, this is what I think I’d like to drive to watch the leaves turn, see the sun set, or just discover some new place to get some good pie.
Congrats to ManicKing, and thank you all for the excellent offerings. Now, let’s go back to school.
http---suchen.mobile.de-fahrzeuge-details.html?id=207945989

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74 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    BCAS approved 1968 Le Sabre
    http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5179185667.html

    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      And it’s pre-beaten.

      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        This is important as the student parking lot of my school often looked more like county fair bumper cars and not so much the semi-coordinated chaos of most parking lots.

    2. I_Borgward Avatar
      I_Borgward

      Easy to fix, room for all of your friends and cool in only the way an old gunboat Buick can be. An excellent choice.

    3.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Ah…memories. I rode on my Grandma’s lap in the front seat of one of these for years….we didn’t believe in seat belts or car seats back then…..

    4. longrooffan Avatar
      longrooffan

      Excellent find. My high school beater was Grampa’s ’68 Belair 4 door post. Roughly the same size and condition. Sadly instead of this beautiful hue, mine was cream with rust colored accents.

    5. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
      Cool_Cadillac_Cat

      Actually, the schnoz on this one isn’t beat in at the prow, which is very unusual, so while it fully qualifies for hooptie status, damn, that’s a good find.

    1. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      Interesting marketing. The first engine lasted 70K, this one has nearly twice that.

      1. Age_of_Aerostar Avatar
        Age_of_Aerostar

        I like your comment… but playing devil’s advocate, was it a “brand new” engine, or did the car just get “another” engine? Perhaps the first lasted 150,000, and was replaced with one that had 80,000 on it already.

        1. neight428 Avatar
          neight428

          Didn’t think of that. Not sure if that makes it more or less risky.

      2. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        Maybe it was pushed for 70K miles.

    2. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      This may be the winner.

  2. salguod Avatar

    $800 ’89 CRX Si! Yeah, you’re going to need that extra $1200 to make this into an actual car again.
    http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5212953374.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00H0H_aSe3umlFqbz_600x450.jpg

  3. salguod Avatar

    Every HS kid needs a Jag. 230K miles, what could go wrong? Seller says “High miles but it a Jaguar they run forever.”
    http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5187186427.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/01010_1obVaxSQKX8_600x450.jpg

    1. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      I admire the chutzpah.

  4. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5212886562.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00R0R_i9bJGM44fwX_600x450.jpg
    1998 Jeep Cherokee – $1700 (Bound Brook)
    1998 Jeep Cherokee , white, gray interior, 6 cyl engine, auto trans. It has the police package, certified speedometer,ext idle switch,rubber matting, HD skid plates, 3inch lift kit,31 inch tires, recent brakes, remote starter, new battery. The jeep has 126,000 miles and 2016 inspection. It will need a neutral safety switch, possibly a starter,A/C compressor and has a minor power steering leak. The jeep runs ok. Ideal for jeep lover…… Well worth $1700.00
    So it has what it needs and it has a few projects for your kid to start working on right away. It is a vehicle that gives them something worth driving now and gets them comfortable with working on their own car.
    It’s basically a HS Internship as a mechanic.

    1. smalleyxb122 Avatar
      smalleyxb122

      The XJ Cherokee is also a classless vehicle, meaning it would be a suitable high school ride regardless of your clique.
      This one by me looks pretty nice but has “a problem in the bottom” of the engine. Think someone could drop in a junkyard 4 liter for the $500 remaining budget?
      http://images.craigslist.org/00g0g_isTRP4B24K0_600x450.jpg
      http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/5179090571.html

      1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
        PotbellyJoe★★★★★

        Why stop there? Just find a 318 and call it a day.
        Then make a month out of getting everything to work. No different than regular XJ ownership.

  5. salguod Avatar

    OK, not sure this is a cool kid car, but it strikes me as a deal, even at 256K miles.
    2000 Insight 5 speed, $1000
    http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5212662174.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00L0L_i7mWUQjfABt_600x450.jpg

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Geeky cool is cool nowadays. Needs Star Trek decals.

  6. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1984 Toyota 4×4 for $1500 , with a cowcatcher bonus http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5209314703.html

    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      Even for CL, the lack of actual information in that ad is impressive.

  7. smalleyxb122 Avatar
    smalleyxb122

    It’ll make your girlfriend’s dad nervous, but a shaggin’ wagon is the way to go.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00l0l_90tRVpB0h4n_600x450.jpg
    http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/5190426485.html

    1. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
      Cool_Cadillac_Cat

      Trust me, as a male who had a long-wheelbase FC ’67 Dodge passenger van in ’85-’86, my junior & senior HS years, this makes parents more nervous than you think.

  8. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1985 Porsche 944 for $2000 http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5192498130.html ( bonus includes an extra 1984 Porsche 944 !! )

  9. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    Also, what kind of High School is this? I mean I went to a few schools that a $2000 car is nice compared to the parking lot and then i graduated from a place where new $25k cars were the norm for the school lot.
    If you’re the poor kid at the catholic school thanks to an athletics scholarship and you need a car… Consider this:
    http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5211352708.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00e0e_6Ix6pgcJM5Y_600x450.jpg
    Maybe then people will just think it’s you grandparents who have money.

    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Some sensible kid jumped on it right away – ad deleted.

      1. CruisinTime Avatar
        CruisinTime

        Wish folks would put the price on the Hooniverse post,ad deleted and going back and forth is a pain.

  10. acarr260 Avatar
    acarr260

    Caddy STS for $2k. He has some pretty confusing verbiage in the ad:
    come let’s deal!! but price is firm thank you!! otherwise buy a scooter and frezze ur ass off tbis winter. thanks!!
    http://images.craigslist.org/00B0B_h4uAYl4g0gD_600x450.jpg
    Ad link: http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/cto/5208247656.html

    1. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
      Cool_Cadillac_Cat

      Headgasket replacement training included!

  11. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    2005 BMW ragtop for $2k … http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5203019205.html

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      How? Flood repair? These cars are usually 2 to 3 times more.

      1. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        Not sure PBJoe, kinda tempted to go down the road and spy this one ….

      2. smalleyxb122 Avatar
        smalleyxb122

        It’s a fake ad. Reverse image search turns up nothing, but a Google search on the listed VIN reveals the same ad verbatim on San Diego craigslist [flagged for removal] and a completed ebay auction from Virginia that ended 2 weeks ago for $6410.

        1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
          PotbellyJoe★★★★★

          There you go. Oh well.

          1. Jeepster Avatar
            Jeepster

            CARP – OK moderators – Kill this submission please ….

  12. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    If your high school is Hoon-Tech, than this Alfa fits the bill at only $1900
    http://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_gQSPxDQF5ng_600x450.jpg
    http://bemidji.craigslist.org/cto/5190698263.html

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      I’d buy it just to stare at the engine.

    2. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      That’s dangerously close to me…probably a good thing I don’t have the room for that.

    3. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      A (admittedly very nice) Milano sold for more than 10x this on eBay in the past week. 164s are at the bottom of the curve. This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a very solid investment.

  13. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1948 Chevy coupe, runs and drives, asking $1800. http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5177756818.html 5 cans of flat black Krylon and what kid wouldn’t want to drive this …

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      I “fixed it a bit “

  14. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    When I was in that situation, I came so close to buying a six cylindre Datsun build with unobtainium parts. Bought the Volvos I liked since I was a kid, and they were very kind to me. Today, I’d probably be a tad more wrench-willing, with the internet available as an all-knowing encyclopedia. Therefore:
    1989 Ssangyong Koriando, 1570$:
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/6/vertical-3/21/3/608/470/13_1417894328.jpg
    1982 Lada 1200, 1200$:
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODk5WDE2MDA=/z/ALcAAOSw3ydV5zAU/$_1.JPG
    2007 Lada 1118, 892$ (imagine the wings the rest of the money could buy!):
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/ZJYAAOSwDNdV7VFv/$_1.JPG
    1969 GAZ 21, 733$ (which is actually a great deal; car comes with a lot of spare parts):
    http://img7.autonavigator.ru/picscarsnew/0991/4785/695194_1440.jpg?max=1600
    http://img7.autonavigator.ru/picscarsnew/0991/4785/695196_1440.jpg?max=1600

  15. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    If I was cool 20+ years ago (at least in my mind I was) with a ’65, a ’66 would be just as cool. Bonus that you could “teach” the girls how to drive a 4 speed.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00g0g_85N6hB0GWeV_600x450.jpg
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/5181033488.html

  16. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    Murdered-out 5.0/5-speed Fox Body convertible for $1,595. Are kids these days making Vanilla Ice related wisecracks?
    http://images.craigslist.org/00606_oVOnQJk2Iy_600x450.jpg
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/5210147715.html

    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      Do today’s kids even know who Vanilla Ice is? I mean, a kid looking for their first car right now was born after The Slim Shady EP came out, and long after Mr. Van Winkle’s 15 minutes were up.

    2. neight428 Avatar
      neight428

      The girlies will be on standby, guaranteed.

  17. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    A special for only $1450! You provide the free candy.
    https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/5208816576.html

  18. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    http://azr.cdnmedia.autotrader.ca/1/photos/201509/0817/0652/802dedc0-ad02-4f1d-94ab-20e6a4308a9a.jpg?w=800&h=600
    With only 71k and an $1800 asking price, I’d actually want this for myself, if I had anywhere to put it. And, I’m sure the kid that wants a Benz this old for their first car probably wants a diesel, but I mean, it’s still sort of cool, right?
    http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/300/NORTH+YORK/Ontario/19_8968765_/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=15_15_22

    1. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
      Cool_Cadillac_Cat

      Only problem, I think 1993 was part of the biodegradable wiring years. I had a ’95 E320…excellent car, had to rename myself Baby Beater Benz, and while reverse still doesn’t work, this is not an impediment to my 30 year old stepson.
      In fact, the house we bought in 2010 was influenced by whether or not I could get in/out of the garage with no reverse.

  19. mrh1965 Avatar
    mrh1965

    I have never known what’s cool but a kid could have fun with this, I think.
    http://nacogdoches.craigslist.org/cto/5185665731.html

    1. JayP Avatar
      JayP

      Someone should be beaten for this.

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        I’m just surprised that it has the stock hubcaps.

  20. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    Nothing repels bullying quite like the implicit “my whole family likes fist fights” a muddied up lifted truck communicates. Bonus – it is a diesel and a “manuel”, but you can call it manny, I’m sure.
    https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5213818125.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_gTVlaqFqqvm_600x450.jpg

  21. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    As a current high schooler, I bought a 1990 Ford Taurus SHO for $1600 a year ago.

    Of course it cost another $1500 to get it to past inspection…

  22. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Want to pick up chicks? Drive a BMW.

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/JokAAOSwQPlV8Kfp/$_27.JPG

    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/1987-bmw-325is-e30-coupe/1101481065?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    It’s $2500, but the exchange rate from CAD to USD saves me, and leaves a slim margin to figure out that “tapping”.

    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      Yeah, but you’ll get the status-fixated ones, and you can get a lot more of them in the van that smalleyxb122 posted above:
      http://hooniverse.info/2015/09/09/craigslist-crapshoot-137/#comment-2244668175

  23. Jeepster Avatar
    Jeepster

    1982 GS650E ( $600 why not ) It is model and year I drove to high school from 1984-1986 ! ( I had the go fast red one) http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/5183221194.html

    1. Jeepster Avatar
      Jeepster

      1984 sophomore year of highschool ….. neener neener

      1. Guest Avatar
        Guest

        It is freakish how much you looked like Steve Dallas. Maybe just the shades, but the “attitude” in the photo is what really does it.

        https://img1.etsystatic.com/065/0/5155531/il_570xN.801035753_cqq5.jpg

        1. Jeepster Avatar
          Jeepster

          HA HA thanks 1977ChevyTruck – very close indeed.
          I used to smoke cigs also ( why not, we grew 3 acres of tobacco back then )

      2. Jeepster Avatar
        Jeepster

        I tried to find a 1973 R60/5 toaster BMW for sale ( since I drove it to school as well )
        but there are none of those no where under 2K anymore.

  24. sporty88 Avatar
  25. AnamDuine Avatar
    AnamDuine

    http://up.craigslist.org/cto/5190789770.html
    What kid wouldn’t want an old cop car to pull pranks with?

  26. Jakellwood Avatar
    Jakellwood

    Stick station wagon. Probably could get the seller down a couple hundred bucks. If my kid had $2k, I’d make up the difference.
    http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/5216256107.html

  27. Cool_Cadillac_Cat Avatar
    Cool_Cadillac_Cat

    Here ya go.
    Land-yacht Panther, it’s tough to kill these, and the rear suspension is either still fully-functional air, or it’s been converted, ’cause that’s the near-correct height.
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5178501068.html
    This is a dangerous CL CS…I’m finding vehicles I want to save…and I know better.