Affordable Car in west virginia (Charleston, Parkersburg: home, buying, utilities)

[skip2000]

Student looking for an affordable vehicle in West Virginia (Charleston Area).
Anyone selling his/hers?
thanks

[prairiestate]

I live in Chicago, and I need my car. So, no. Sorry.

[David Kennedy]

The current high prices for junkyard scrap has totally deciminated the supply of old cars...they were worth about $300 and most were shredded and send to China...

That market issue has driven the existing suppy price above $1000 to the delight of the auto dealers.
In the 1980's they switched over to more current, higher priced used models because of profit and reliability...

A niche market has emerged...buying an old car and refurbishing it...newer motor, transmission and overhaul..the rustproofing and quality of interiors has made this possible...

I would look for a good salvage yard..and see if they could help...many get repairable vehicles and eventhough they would carry an 'R' Title...It would not matter...or better yet, a source for cheap oarts to give 'Old Nelly-belle a re-birth...good luck...

[Ceezer]

Have you tried the appropriate utilities available? Pick up a local trader (in Parkersburg it's called the Bulletin Board; not sure about Chas) because that's going to be your best chance at finding something on the cheap. Then there are plenty of online alternatives like craigslist, ebay, autotrader.com, cars.com, etc.

If you don't mind divulging private information, what price range are you looking at? Any particular requirements that need met? Are you experienced at driving in the snow? Do you want a small econobox or something to accomodate a family?

If you provide some of that information then I'd be more than happy to give you a hand in the search.

[kookamus]

In chas get the Ad Bulletin. Plenty of jalopies in there.

[skip2000]

Thank y all
I am not experienced at driving in snow. Just looking for a small (big also ok) car in good condition. I can spend maxi 2000$ cash, more if with monthly payment or depending on the car (low mil, year, paint, motor etc...)
I m checking on craigslist, since this will be my first car, Im kinda confused.

[Sharedspirit]

Originally Posted by emscie

Thank y all
I am not experienced at driving in snow. Just looking for a small (big also ok) car in good condition. I can spend maxi 2000$ cash, more if with monthly payment or depending on the car (low mil, year, paint, motor etc...)
I m checking on craigslist, since this will be my first car, Im kinda confused.

Snow isn't so hard to drive in...it's the ice that is tricky. Do you have someone who can teach you the ropes about driving on bad roads?

I just stay home now unless I have to go out. And if it's icy, I refuse to go anywhere. To many cliffs to slide off of in my neck of the woods.

If I were you, I'd go for an big older model car that still has real metal in it.

[Hinton Bound]

Originally Posted by Sharedspirit

Snow isn't so hard to drive in...it's the ice that is tricky. Do you have someone who can teach you the ropes about driving on bad roads?

Growing up in NY, we went to the mall parking lot on snow days to learn to drive in the snow. Donuts, hard braking, sliding around...best confidence builders out there. Now the cops wait in the parking lots, and hand out reckless driving tickets for donuts. Too bad.

Look in the classifieds of any local paper, you'e bound to find something out there. An older 4WD toyota pick up would be a nice find...

[corgis]

Don't forget to check the Surplus Property in Dunbar for state vehicles that can be sold to the public.

[Ceezer]

Originally Posted by emscie

Thank y all
I am not experienced at driving in snow. Just looking for a small (big also ok) car in good condition. I can spend maxi 2000$ cash, more if with monthly payment or depending on the car (low mil, year, paint, motor etc...)
I m checking on craigslist, since this will be my first car, Im kinda confused.

I would look for a Subaru (Legacy, Outback, Forrester or Impreza). Their AWD system is one of the best on the markets and every Subaru model comes with it standard, so that will help in the snow. The AWD eats up a little efficiency, but most people still report 25-30+ MPG (I get 25-28 in my Outback Sport). If you get a wagon then it'll make things easy to toss all your gear (and dirty laundry) in the back when you head home to visit (I believe you said you're a student). Up there they are plentiful enough that $2000 will get you a semi-decent older model, or will make a nice down-payment on a newer model (if going with a 2.5 Outback, and looking to finance, I would go with an '04 or newer to avoid the spotty head gasket issues).

Don't be afraid of older models with high miles. My family has been driving Subarus for more than 20 years (there is only 1 member in my entire paternal family that drives something that's not a Subaru; our thanksgiving dinner thursday will look like a Subaru lot... ) and my old man has taken several of them to 250k miles, a couple to 300k miles, and even took 1 to 500k miles.

You could get something like a 97 Legacy with 150-175k miles for $2000 (don't be shocked, down here that same car would be more than twice that due to there rarity) and it would probably last you another 5 years with nothing more than routine maintenance.