Getting a vehicle for around $3,000?

[Matt Derrick]

just thought i'd chime in since im actually on my own hunt right now for a vehicle...

surprisingly, I'm finding a LOT more hits for vehicles I'm looking for on Facebook's marketplace than I am on craigslist. CL is really bombarded by dealerships using every trick in the book to get you to read their ads, most commonly using tactics like listing at 0 or $1, listing the price really low but whoops, turns out that's just the money down, etc. FB definitely has the same problem, but i'm still finding more independent sellers on there and better deals overall.

that said, i still have automatic searches going daily for CL and ebay, so i get emailed on any new listings that hit my search terms. searchtempest.com is an excellent search tool that will let you comb multiple CL sites and even ebay all in one interface, based on distance.

if your budget is 3k for a car, i would honestly only look at anything 2.5k and budget the rest for a mechanic to come with you and for transportation costs or registration/insurance. currently my budget is 4.5k but i'm looking at ads for as much as 6k because i know i'm having some money come in soon.

still, don't skip the mechanic part if you want something that will last a while. it should only cost 100-150 bucks or so. i've skipped it before and both times it seriously bit me in the ass.

 

[Deleted member 27861]

Here are photos of a jeep I found for about $2,995. I'm sure I missed a lot, but I looked under the hood and inside the car, and cranked it, and it...Sounded like a jeep, and I mean, look for yourselves.

It would be cutting it close for my current budget range, and I'm going to look at other vehicles, but I've always wanted a Jeep.

But if there's anything that this year has proven to me, it's that most of the time, it doesn't matter what I want! It's all about what I need.

I also can't figure out how to add this mp4 video of me testing it out. Me and my dad are gonna do some used vehicle shopping and checking this weekend, hopefully. Since he knows more about vehicles than I do.

 

[Matt Derrick]

a jeep doesn't seem like a lot of space to live in?

 

[Deleted member 27861]

a jeep doesn't seem like a lot of space to live in?

Well, I mean I haven't found a bus yet, nor do I know how to drive one. If I DID know how to drive a bus, and COULD find one, and if I could fit it in my dad's yard I would absolutely get one.

I just kind of figured that with a jeep, I would just park someplace and hang up a hammock or something, but you have a point.

What do you recommend getting?

 

[Matt Derrick]

well... most people with your budget (3k) are going to shoot for a van of some kind. even with some mini vans you can make enough space to have a comfortable bed to sleep in.

tbh, you should really check out cheaprvliving on youtube. also just search for 'van camper conversions' and you'll get a bunch of stuff. ignore everything that's in a sprinter or other super expensive van, that shit has been taking over like a cancer because of instagram but anyways...

if my budget was 3 grand, i would look at getting a good mini van or a decent truck with a high top camper shell on it. that way you'll have a place to sleep at night out of the elements, and you'll have plenty of choices in that price range.

here's a good example of a low-budget truck camper shell conversion:


here's a truck setup that is a bit fancier:


there's a shitload of mini van camper conversions here:

https://www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEB&search_query=minivan+camper

 

[Matt Derrick]

on a side note, i HIGHLY recommend the mattress in my prius living video, it's reasonably priced and folds up and is super comfy:

 

[Deleted member 27861]

on a side note, i HIGHLY recommend the mattress in my prius living video, it's reasonably priced and folds up and is super comfy:

You know that's a pretty sweet setup there! Maybe I should be looking for a Toyota truck, or mini-van (or SUV since most SUVs are mini-vans now), or a Prius instead.

I guess I just kind of thought a pick-up truck would be expensive to drive, but yeah I'm down for a pick-up truck with a camper. Maybe I should consider that red truck I took a photo of.