$5K USD Challenge. Find and Share the Most Interesting or Obscure Vehicles in Your Area.
Posted by mpgomatic@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 35 comments
When you're looking in this price range (these days), some assembly may be required. It's kinda like shopping for furniture at Wayfair.
Get ready to bust a knuckle, fill a tool chest, and empty your wallet.
EZKTurbo@reddit
Goddamn, a $5000 car is considered a piece of shit? I knew inflation was bad, but damn!
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
A $5000 car can be an opportunity for someone with the ability to fix what might be broken.
I’m not a mechanic, but I’ve always lost money on the stuff I bought new and made it on the stuff that needed to be fixed.
EZKTurbo@reddit
At $5k on Craigslist you generally expect an older model that needs few if any repairs. At $2500 you expect a solid runner that's cosmetically rough. Sub $2500 is where it gets interesting.
marcx_@reddit
glad you still live in 10 years ago :)
Lord_Seacow@reddit
bingagain24@reddit
Denver
1973 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40, no engine
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/castle-rock-1973-toyota-land-cruiser/7926026740.html
2004 Infiniti G35
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/broomfield-2004-infiniti-g35-door/7927146268.html
1984 Chevy S10
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/denver-1984-chevy-s10-topper/7927129384.html
1966 Pontiac GTO, no engine but looks promising
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/denver-1966-pontiac-gto-rare-post-model/7927010553.html
1993 Chevy dually diesel, cost of filling the tanks may total the car
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/englewood-1993-chevy-dually-74-diesel/7926995530.html
1973 Lincoln Continental, dobermans not included
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/louisville-1973-lincoln-continental/7926660112.html
MakesYourMise@reddit
the s10 has a chance
Mysterious-Glove-179@reddit
Running and driving for $800 is pretty good
count_nuggula@reddit
That GTO is not worth it
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Excellent list. Thank you!
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
CNJ (and nearby):
count_nuggula@reddit
That second vette looks to be in pretty good shape
MakesYourMise@reddit
that crv deserves a good home
mackmoney3000@reddit
If that Pontiac is a truly a driver that seems like a really good deal. Thanks as always for posting these
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Thx!
Gotta wonder what it would be like to daily the Chieftan in a small town.
dirtisgood@reddit
That fit and mg are awesome. If my wife drove a clutch, I'd be buying the fit today.
RememberTooSmile@reddit
No description, cash only, and odometer rolled over, for the RX8. Sounds like a phenomenal buy
Street_Algae_7475@reddit
I like that you’ve made these posts for years and still have those classic jalopnik esque car blurbs
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the kind words!
Street_Algae_7475@reddit
I really enjoy reading these, though I will say with inflation and everything, maybe a new limit could be set?
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
This suggestion has come up many times over the years. Inflation has cranked up costs, but wages have lagged pathetically. Folks are squeezed.
By keeping the $5000 target, we’ve established documentation on how the market has changed.
In the vehicle market (as with real estate), the asking price is rarely the sales price. When I search, I set the target at $6500.
LONGVolSilver@reddit
1979 Citroen CX Prestige - 5 speed
This car has the hydro pneumatic suspension.
Citroen CX Prestige
Lower_Kick268@reddit
I had a 1974 AMC Gremlin saved for $4500 in my area, but that sold.
PretendLength1710@reddit
some solid finds here tbh
GadgetChachajii@reddit
A $5k car challenge in 2026 is basically a “how brave are you with a wrench?” challenge.
Prize-Mail-6769@reddit
Mines pretty boring but…
Ford pair. https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/d/castroville-1973-crown-victoria-p71/7927203166.html
Hot rod in waiting https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/d/watsonville-35-ford-truck-project/7927185982.html
A wagon with a stick who needs windows or cats https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/san-mateo-2001-vw-jetta-wagon/7927180467.html
I mean, it’s a teg…. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/d/san-jose-1998-acura-integra-rs/7927177840.html
And an old BMW wagon what could go wrong https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/d/santa-cruz-2007-bmw-530xi-wagon-awd/7927168251.html
Baronhousen@reddit
From the NW of the PNW
1986 Volvo 240, 5-speed manual, does not matter how many miles, $2500
1999 Honda Accord, 200k miles, $3200, try finding that in NJ
1962 Ford 1 ton dumper, 74k miles, $700, becoming one with nature
1977 Ford F250, 106k miles, Camper Special, big V8, rough running project, $2300
Linton_M@reddit
1987 Dodge D100 - Not Running
1965 Ford Mustang - Needs Everything
1993 Geo Tracker
offroadadv@reddit
1968 Mercedes Unimog Swiss Troop Carrier. In my backyard and ready to sell to another enthusiast.
1971 Porsche Targa 911T, powered by 3.2 Motronic engine mated with 915 transmission. The car is presently hiding in my basement and is soon to be sold because I live on a gravel road that doesn't like underbody oil coolers.
LakeEffect_CarHunter@reddit
In Jan I bought an 08 rav4 awd limited. It was single owner with no accidents. Mechanic was selling it on behalf of little old lady who owned the car and got jobbed on trade in value- so mechanic offered to sell for her.
I paid $4700. Spend $180 on used winter tires Bought black rust converter paint for $30 Spent $30 on harness and such for my old apple carplay that I threw in it. $20 for floor mats $30 in black bed liner $3 in sand paper $10 wheel paint
So I'm about $5k all in.
Been driving this car as my daily/work car. I've already put over 7k miles on it since early January.
Sanded the fading blue paint and hit it with bed liner in all spots.
Wire brushed the scaling rust off the bottom of car and hit it with rust converter
Installed that apple carplay
Painted the alloy rims in silver-awesome restore.
This car is already paying for itself.. it kicks so much ass.. Was a tank in my western NY Winter. Surprisingly fun to drive.
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Well done! I’m wondering if the bedliner/trim trick might be the ideal solution for hopelessly faded 4x4 fender flares.
LakeEffect_CarHunter@reddit
Are the fender flares painted plastic like I described? Sanding and blacking out worked great. Looks awesome. Gives it a.. battlewagon/sportier than stock kinda vibe
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
These flares are textured. I thought about Plastidip as a longer-term non-destructive lipstick on a pig solution.
LakeEffect_CarHunter@reddit
I like the roll-on Plasti dip option for a job like that. Way easier than trying not to spray all over the qp/fenders.
As long as you sand first.. Plastidip will work fine too. Ive done that in the past. It's pretty easy to spot repair too.
mpgomatic@reddit (OP)
Thx!