What Under-$3000 Beater Do You Have Your Sights Upon These Days And Why?

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If you read a lot of car news, you’re well aware that everything seems just a bit too expensive these days. Some new cars are so pricey you might as well take out a mortgage on them. Even used cars still seem just a bit inflated. However, if you dig deep enough, there are still some cheap gems to be found. Bottom-dollar cars are out there and they can be a ton of fun. What under-$3,000 car have you been drooling over? And why do you want it so much?

As many of you know, I am on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist every day looking for the next deal. Having drinks before Thanksgiving dinner? I’m taking a quick scroll through Facebook. Is it ten minutes before bed? I’m cuddling my wife … while looking through Facebook. It’s ok because she’s also looking for her favorite cars at the same time. I’m half sure (semi-sure) I look at Facebook listings in my dreams. I’d probably look for cars while having an intensive surgery, too.

Anyway, my unrelenting persistence to find cheap cars has scored me some good deals in the past, such as my free 2005 Smart Fortwo, another $1,400 Smart Fortwo, my $2,900 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, my $5,000 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI, and $8,500 Saturn Sky Red Line. Often, I’m one of the first people to message a seller, and I hit them with just one question: Will it make it home?

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Mercedes Streeter

If the seller is confident enough the answer is yes, I race over there as fast as I can. That’s what happened with the above Touareg V10 TDI. I purchased a plane ticket and flew 2,000 miles to Seattle based only on the promise that the brute could make it back home.

I’ve been on the prowl for a few cars lately. I’d love to bring home a Volkswagen Eos VR6, a Toyota Century, a BMW Z3, a Smart Fortwo Cabriolet, a BMW 750iL, or some Kei car. These cars do exist, but I’m a cheapskate and want to pay well under $5,000. A week ago, I thought I found just the car, a $3,000 BMW 750iL that is said to run and drive. After my wife does her usual negotiations, who knows how much cheaper it could get.

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Facebook Seller
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Facebook Seller

Why this car? The 750iL was BMW’s flagship product, pairing the best technology BMW could muster with a beautiful 5.4-liter V12 making 322 HP and 361 lb-ft of torque. It’s one of those legendary cars I could never afford new, but can now enjoy several years later. The power doesn’t really matter. I love cars with relatively uncommon engines, lots of weirdness, or a good story to tell. It’s part of why I cherish my V10 TDI. A buttery-smooth V12 would be dreamy. As the world electrifies, cars like these will eventually become relics of a different time.

I may be crazed, but I’m not crazy. I’ve been burned by two-decade-old luxury cars before. My Volkswagen Phaeton was a total cluster. So, when I look at this ad, I see terrible pictures and clear faults the seller didn’t mention in the description. I’ve been hesitant. I don’t want to drive to Michigan to repeat The Phaeton Disaster. Yet, I was preparing to do just that this weekend. Someone else had the gumption to give it a go as well because the listing just sold. Whew. Now, it’s time to look for another 750iL.

So, what sub-$3,000 cars have you been looking at? How long have you been studying them? Why do you want it?

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150 thoughts on “What Under-$3000 Beater Do You Have Your Sights Upon These Days And Why?”

  1. Looking at pickups for dump and home store runs. I still with 2wd single cab, I have a chance to not getting a pile o rust help together with paint.

  3. Dodge Rampage. Need a small, economical truck Had one forty years ago and liked a lot. Working up a suitable engine swap and all-wheel drive conversion.

  4. Mazda Rx-8 have really started to plummet in value at least locally. You can pick up a running, driving, sometimes hot starting one for around 3k. Which as long as you don’t need it to get you anywhere, seems interesting. Just to say you owned a rotary once, if nothing else. And if the odds are in your favor, and the god of apex seals smiles upon you. There might be some money to be made at a later unknown date.

  6. Chrysler Conquest TDI, ’66 Newport (likely without powertrain), a dead dakota plus a 5.9, just a 5.7L Hemi, better datsun roadster than mine, another Nissan 720 or two, a salvage only Porsche Cayenne and a beater Jeep Wagoneer, Any pontiac 1957 and older.

    1. “..better datsun roadster than mine, another Nissan 720 or two..”

      You are a person after my own heart. I’ve been wanting a Datsun roadster for a few decades now but well-sorted ones are all five figures.

    2. If you come across a dime wagon for under 3k let us know. I’ve been looking for one since my grandpa died and keep getting sniped whenever I find a prospect.

  7. If I could find a small truck (s-10, ranger, mazda b series etc.) that had a valid safety I’d probably go for it. I can always borrow a truck from work after hours but I also think I’d use it just enough to make it worthwhile. Just enough capacity to get the boat to and from winter storage every year is all I’m looking for.

    2. When I lived in the city, I tried to make it clear to my neighbours that my li’l pickup should be considered a neighborhood perk and was available to anyone I knew who could drive stick.

      [record scratch] drive stick?

  8. I have been looking for an air cooled Beetle for less than $4,000. I already own a ’76 Beetle, but it is nice enough that I am nervous to work on it myself (I am not mechanically inclined, but I like to work on vehicles). So I’m looking for a lousy Beetle to wrench on, but I need one that is a reasonable project for someone with limited mechanical ability.

    When I first started looking, I found an ugly but drivable ’74 for $4,000 and a solid, running ’72 that needed brake work for $2,500. I wanted to buy the ’74, but the seller sold it before I was able to get cash from my bank. I passed on the ’72 since I thought I could do better at the time (I should have bought that one). Since then I have looked at 3 cars, all of which have were barely useful as parts cars (haven’t run in decades, severe structural rust, various infestations [hornets, snakes], missing titles, etc.). These were frustrating experiences since all three ads stated the cars were in running condition and in need of minor repairs. It would be great if sellers were more honest in advertising the condition of their vehicles; if you car is a basket case in need of full restoration, be up front about it and find someone who is interested in a project like that.

    I might increase my budget to $6,000 to see if that helps, but I am not in a hurry to buy, so for now I’m still looking for something cheaper.

      1. Yikes. That sounds terrible. It is easy to buy a nice Beetle for less than $10,000 here, and it is relatively common to see solid daily drivers for $6,000 to $7,000. At the moment I’m considering a nice rust free ’74 Super with a new interior, rebuilt engine, and air conditioning for $8,000.

        1. Dang. I mean 7k is kinda still too much for a beetle, but yeah here basically anything that runs is 10k, not sure I’ve ever seen one on the Facebook that I’d consider a solid daily.

          People price these like rare desirable classic cars, seemingly without realizing that they’re not especially desirable and that they’re not rare at all.

  10. I have been looking for a 4th gen Toronado, preferably a Troféo with all the screens, the digital dash and the touch screen. drooled over these when I was in high school and saw one about 2 months ago in the monotone gray. I forgot how cool they looked. Have seen a couple of them at buy here pay here lots but nothing worth spending money on. Just keeping my eye out for one and will drop the hammer when one comes my way.

  12. Lincoln MarkVII. They crop up every now and then in that price range on marketplace. Always thought they were cool looking. As long as the 5.0 and drivetrain are good to go, I’d roadkill that thing to work everyday haha

  13. Probably an XJ or Pontiac Vibe. I’ve always liked XJ’s, it’d be fun to do an offroad build and take it to an offroad meet and embarrass the 50K Tacomas with 10k worth of mods, haha. Tough to find decent ones for under 3K though.

    The Vibe would be a great little commuter/dog/mountainbike hauler. I put a ton of miles on my 4Runner just commuting, costs me a fortune in fuel and it’s not really that comfortable as a DD. My mom had a first gen she bought new, great little car.

    For a few K more, I’m noticing Lexus IS250’s in the 5K range, albeit with close to 200K miles. Those look like a comfy commuter, 20mpg highway is good enough for me.

      1. Sorry, typo.The IS250 is rated at 30mpg highway. I can get 20 with my 4Runner.

        I did some research this weekend though, turns out the 2.5L is a bit of a nightmare due to the early version of direct injection on it. It’s one of the few Lexus models to stay away from.

    3. Don’t make an XJ off-road build. Non-built XJs are getting rare, as you obviously are aware. ZJs come with better suspension stock if you want to modify something.

      1. I used to have a ZJ, I liked it a lot. Mine was a 4.0 though, I’d never want another 6cyl ZJ. A 5.2 or 5.9 would be great, but then I’m stuck with the wierdo D44A rear end.

        I hardly ever see ZJ’s out there anymore, never mind clean ones. XJ’s are easier to find, and cheaper to build. Things like bumpers are SO much cheaper for the XJ.

        When I had my ZJ, I always kind of wished I had an XJ instead when looking at the cost of things.

        1. There are plenty of ZJs where I am. I wouldn’t want an unreliable Chrysler v8 in place of a legendarily unkillable and plenty powerful 4.0.

          I say don’t tear up XJs because a clean stock XJ is a very good car that just don’t get better with modifications, and clean stock XJs are becoming a commodity in short supply for those of us who appreciate them.

          1. I checked marketplace last night, there are only a handful of clapped out ZJ’s , while there are dozens of XJs.

            I’ve never heard anyone call the 318/360 V8 unreliable. Plenty of those with well over 200k miles too. I agree the 4.0 is bulletproof, though it’s also no big surprise if one needs a new exhaust manifold or head gasket. I just think it’s too light on power for a built up ZJ. Once I put 31’s on mine it felt gutless, even with 3.73 gears.

            I’m not looking to build a rock buggy, a mild lift for 33″ tires and a locker or two will let me conquer pretty much anything in New England.

            1. Maybe it’s because you had an autotragic, and I don’t know how much heavier ZJs are than XJs. My XJ on 31s with 5spd is definitely not gutless, in fact it’s one of my faster cars.

              I have heard of several different issues with the 360s especially they put in ZJs, and they’re known to mulch transmissions.

              1. Oh ya, I think the XJ is significantly lighter. I’m sure the 5 speed makes a huge difference too. I’m old enough to remember when these were new, people thought the 5speed/4.0 XJ’s were legitimately quick. At the time 190hp out of the HO was huge, it was years before any of its 6cyl competitors came close to that.

                Fair point on the ZJ trans. I sold mine with 165K and it still shifted like buttah, but I know others were not so lucky.

                This is actually another reason I want an XJ, the better trans.

                    1. Depends on what you’re doing, an auto is definitely superior for anything remotely approaching rock crawling.

  14. Corvairs. For 3 grand you can get a heavily patina’d but mostly solid one with a not hopeless drivetrain. The allure of the American Porsche is real, and I am obsessed with the idea of their unique layout and charming styling.

    Also a Renault Dauphine a state away with beautiful exterior and biohazard-level interior… someone clearly knew a thing or two about bodywork but gave up on the upholstery. I like quirky French cars though, and any non-rusty Dauphine seems fun. Just gotta find a good upholstery shop to make it drivable because I would not sit in it as-is.

    And really, any “unsavable” $3k basket case weirdness I come across, like the 1950s Buick Roadmaster crane truck conversion I saw a while back (and tried to send to you though I don’t know if you saw it) which was a classic example of farmers building what they needed out of whatever they had lying around to get the job done. It was really well-executed, with a complete back of the cab fabricated for it, just patina’d and neglected after it was no longer needed. Restoration guys would look at that and declare it a lost cause because half its original bodywork is gone, replaced with utilitarian truck stuff, but I think it’s awesome and would drive it as-is.

    After all, it’s the stuff that isn’t worth restoring that you have free reign to build whatever you want with. One man’s worthless classic that a tree fell on and destroyed the roof is another person’s crazy build donor car. No roof, no problem, saw it off and replace it with a homemade camper top. Or even the roof of a whole different car! Wagon conversion, anyone? These kinds of challenges are my favorite form of automotive recycling.

      1. And if you look for less-desirable four-doors, there are some really dirt cheap but great condition examples out there. Corvairs are definitely cool.

      2. Those have been something I have had my eye on for a while as well. They just seem like such a great deal for what they are going for. A really nice convertible went on BaT for just under $7k last week, so you are spot on with the pricing.

      1. I’ve been told the powerglides are surprisingly not bad. Just a little noisy on the highway, and a bit less efficient than the manual. And don’t park on a hill ever unless you have a block of wood to wedge under the wheel…

        But yeah the 60s car I have currently has a three-speed auto and that already feels like barely enough gears, so the idea of a two-speed auto is a little hard to swallow. I’d certainly prefer a manual Corvair over the automatic, but wouldn’t turn down a really nice auto example.

        1. For what they are, powerglides are rock solid, durable and reliable. They were used by 1/4 mile dragster which only needed one shift. In big highway cars they worked well for folks with no interest in brisk acceleration. In a light rear engine low powered small car, they were lumps.

  16. In that price range it would have to be a 90’s Lincoln with the air suspension. Either Mark VII LSC or a Town Car. . . but I don’t even buy motorcycles that cheap anymore. No time for wrenches these days.

  18. I am always looking at anything under 3k that is interesting, or a Buick, or both. I’d like to find a Park Ave Ultra in decent shape, because I love my LeSabre, but bigger with more power doesn’t sound bad. I would also take an Olds LSS. I like rolling around like a grandpa.

    I’d also take any GMT360, because they can do the truckish things I’d need. (obviously a Rainer or 9-7x is at the top of that list)

    I have a deal with my wife that I can get any beater as long as I can actually use it, on a regular basis. “Using it” right now means 2 car seats in the back and safe/modern enough to not be a problem with the kids. That sort of limits my choices at the moment to more modern 4 door stuff. When they are big enough to be in booster and buckle themselves in I’ll be on the look out for a late 90sThunderbird/Cougar or a Riviera.

    1. I’ve owned 2 of the 5.3L 9-7Xs. I’m a big fan of them. The only thing I didn’t care for compared to say a Trailblazer was the transfer case was full time auto AWD. My uses would have preferred the option to engage it manually, maybe even a High/Low option. For collector purposes, I would still love to find an Aero though.

      1. I missed out on an Aero probably 6 or so years ago. It was at a dealer that I stopped to look at after hours, under 10k and I think 96k miles. I made up my mind to buy it but the next day it was gone. Good chance it was sold already when I saw it the night before, I was there at like 8am.

  19. I think the universe was on your side with this one. If any indication, it’s the cross hanging from the rear view mirror that screams, “Jesus, take the wheel.”

    Now I’m going to look forward to reading all the comments, because a $3000 car is probably about all I’m willing and able to spend at the moment.

  21. I have been waiting patiently for a 5 speed manual Jeep Patriot to come through for about that money.

    As a brand new car competing with cr-vs and ravs, the Patriot was looked upon unfavorably.

    As a 2500 dollar work beater, though, the story changes. Good on gas, almost free to insure, parts are plentiful and cheap, and great in the snow.

    A quick search in my Dealership’s CRM shows me theres still 7 or 8 of them in my close area driven by our customers, and I’ve reached out trying to get one of them to come off of thier boxy little mediocritymobile, but they’re almost all still getting driven with no intentions of trading thanks to the Lifetime powertrain warranties they still carry.

    But I’ll find one!

      1. I’m going to make a completely un- (possibly anti-) scientific guess and say the Patriot would have the higher percentage of manuals. It is shaped sort of like a traditional Cherokee and is thus more Jeep-like than the Compass, and people who want something like that would be more likely to buy a manual.

        But you’re right: they’re both Dodge Calibers under the skin.

  22. You can still get a daily driver quality car for $3000 🙂

    I want a Matrix XRS or Vibe GT with the 2ZZ.

    Maybe a Mazda6 hatch, if I could find a decent 4-cylinder manual hatchback.

    If I was in Canada, I’d get a Mercedes B-Class or Nissan X-Trail. The cars themselves are under $3000, but the total cost including getting it down here may be a little more.

    1. TBH you’re not missing much with the B-class. Thoroughly underwhelmed when I had it as a loaner for two weeks while my smart was being repaired.

      1. Did you miss that BIG SUNROOF on it? 😀

        That huge sunroof alone is a good reason to get the B-Class! Basically a Matrix/Vibe with more features and at least as much practicality. Heated seats were never available on any first-gen Matrix/Vibe, and the Matrix’s sunroof is just a regular sunroof.

        1. ???? the heart wants what it wants, but the Matrix XRS is 100% a better car than the B-class. My biggest gripe was probably the terrible control layout but that’s a gripe I have with M-B products generally.

          1. Oh yeah no doubt Toyota is better than Mercedes 🙂

            And I love the Matrix/Vibe, don’t get me wrong. I really really wish I could get a green Vibe GT. They are VERY rare and were only made in 2003. Or a yellow Matrix XRS.

  23. I probably won’t actually buy anything in this range (one’s tolerance for driving beaters around decreases with both age and presence of children).

    But if I did, it would be a rolling chassis or blown-engine MR2 Spyder that I could install a 2ZZ in.

          1. I’ve got those needs covered with a minivan and a crew cab truck.

            Nothing that costs <$3000 is going to be something I want to put my kids into anyways.

    2. 2ZZ is such a great little engine. Had a buddy with a Matrix XRS, and while the shifter wasn’t great on the 6-speed, that little engine made that thing shockingly fun. All the joy of old school VTEC with an absurd cam change over at like 5500rpm and an 8600 RPM redline in a dumpy looking little hatch/wagon, absolute perfection.

  24. I have neither space nor, frankly, gumption for any more vehicles. But if circumstances allowed, I could see myself embarking on a quest for the right Fiero. Or Geo Storm. Or Dodge Daytona. Or an Iron Duke Camaro, just for laughs.

  25. Something I can make a dirt kart out of, similar to the Roadkill Vettekart. I’m more in the planning stages than actively looking for a vehicle, but I’m thinking it would be fun to build an off-road beater rather than simply buying a SxS to replace my sport quad. Something to enrich the experience, so to speak. I’ve got most of the tools and space, now I just need the money, vehicle, and time…

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