Car you should buy: 1996 Toyota RAV4 2 Door
I bet you didn’t even know these existed! During the early years of the first generation Toyota RAV4’s existence, you could get one in a 2 door! The 2 door was especially strange as it has a much shorter wheelbase and overall length than the much more common 4 door. This particular one is extra special as it has a manual transmission and all-wheel-drive. The craigslist ad boasts that it has never seen snow, but doesn’t bother to elaborate why. Was it recently purchased down south and brought up to Western New York? Was the owner a snowbird who fled to Florida every winter?
Here’s the craigslist ad:
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5743674544.html
1998 RAV4 1st gen. Never seen snow. 5 speed manual transmission. 118-k. New clutch, pressure plate and brakes. On the road and ready to go. $3,700.00
I think the price is a bit high, but if you are looking for a rust free, two door manual transmission all-wheel-drive RAV4, you may have to suck it up and drop the coin for such a rare bird.
I actually have a slight bias towards these things as my mother had a front-wheel-drive 4 door version. It was a really reliable and efficient little SUV. Even though it was car-based, it still felt a little like a truck. The current versions of RAV4s and its competitors just don’t feel nearly as rugged.
Here’s the rest of the pictures for after the ad goes down.
Not sure why the seller included a close-up of the “Saved by the Bell” seat fabric, but they did for your viewing pleasure.
Car you should buy: Toyota Tundra 4×4 Manual
Here’s a really cool, fairly rare, medium/full-size pickup. This was Toyota’s second step to making a full-size pickup. The first attempt was called the T-100, was available with a V6 only and wasn’t quite as big as the American full-size trucks. When the first generation Tundra hit the scene, a 4.7 liter V8 was offered it was a little bigger, and it arguably stole some styling cues from the best selling 1997-2003 F-150. The interior became a very nice place to be, almost Camry like.
This one in particular has the 3.4 liter V6, coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission, is a well optioned SR5 trim level, and the ad claims it is well maintained. The fact that it needs tires is almost a blessing. Personally, I’d prefer to research what is the best all-terrain tire for the money for the size the truck requires. There are a lot of good choices out there. This truck has an extended cab, and the seller stated he has a painted fiberglass tonneau cover.
One thing to lookout for is that these had a frame rust issue that actually lead to a recall for full frame replacement if there was enough rust. According to anything I could find in print, Toyota ended the recall campaign in April of 2012, however, according to internet legend, Toyota is still replacing frames in some cases.
Here’s the ad:
2003 Toyota Tundra SR5 4X4 – $6000 (Rochester)
http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/5429620984.html
Car you should buy: Mazda RX-8
At last! A vehicle that is not a 4×4! I stumbled upon this during a general manual transmission search I like to do on my local Craigslist.
I’ve always wanted a rotary powered Mazda. It’s one of the truly unique engine configurations available in a modern car. I think generally it agreed upon that the 3rd generation RX-7 is probably the most coveted Rotary car out there because of its beautiful simple good looks, the RX-8 and it quirks make it one of the best bargains out there. It has the most modern and likely most efficient and reliable production rotary engine ever made. But saying that is like saying, “the most substance-free Rolling Stone,” or “least cheating New England Patriot.”
The RX-8s wonderfully smooth engine, and fantastic chassis have their two main faults. The first is a bit subjective, but the styling is a bit busy and over-complicated. going from the amazingly elegant 3rd Generation RX-7 to this kind of 2+2 touring coupe with every styling cue Mazda could come up with. Some people like it, a lot of people don’t. I don’t mind its quirks as it matches it’s weird drivetrain. The second and much bigger issue is the rotary engine. Even though this is a relatively reliable rotary engine, it still has a number of issues that are particularly daunting if you are not prepared for them. This engine is a bit prone to failure. Less than its predecessors, but more than what you are probably used to. They also fail more if you don’t take proper precautions. If you start your RX-8 when it is cold, you must take it to operating temperature. If you don’t, the engine floods with fuel and damage can occur. Another issue is that these engines are designed to burn oil. It’s advised that you should check the oil overtime you gas up. Some also like to add 2-stoke premix oil to the fuel as an extra precaution. Also, despite their free-reving nature, they don’t produce a lot of horsepower. They just like to stay high in the RPM range and stay incredibly smooth while doing it. Finally, they are terrible on fuel. Like full-size three quarter ton truck terrible. Just be prepared for that.
Despite all of the bad, I still want one. This one seems like an exceptional deal. It appears to be well taken care of, and nice low miles. Someone go get this car and make me jealous.
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5347546517.html
2004 Mazda RX8 – $5300 (East Amherst)
Silver 2004 in excellent condition needs a new driver. 73,000 miles. New tires. Sunroof. Custom cover optional for winter storage.
Car you should buy: 2005 Nissan Frontier 4×4 Manual transmission
I’ve noticed that all of my cars that you should buy posts have been tall 4WD vehicles. I think its similar to our appetites as winter approaches. As the temperature outside starts to drop, I tend to crave warm foods high in carbohydrates. I don’t know why, but I do. My surfing around the internet seems to take a similar parallel change with the seasons. Suddenly I’m not looking at as many MR2s and M3s, and more old weird trucks.
Anyway, this could be a screaming deal It’s listed in three different craigslist ads that I had to visit to compile the photos here. Here’s the ad:
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5343092692.html
2005nissan frontier – $6500 (eden)
2005 nisssan frontier 93k 4×4 v6,transmission 6 speed overdrive,drives well,maintained well, good rubber,new brakes& rotors fresh inspection,reason for selling 84 yr. old man health reasons.dent on right rear fender,every thing works as it should
Considering a used Toyota Tacoma similar spec and miles would probably fetch more than twice this Frontiers asking price, this seems like a good deal to me. I realize that the Frontier doesn’t have the sterling reputation that the Tacoma enjoys, but a Nissan can’t be that much worse. Especially one that was owned by an 84 year old man. Brown outside, Brown inside, this baby’s ready for a painted-to-match hightop cap to really old man it up!
I did notice that the seller is no Ansel Adams behind the camera, taking some oddly framed shots that cropped out large portions of the vehicle and strangely enough, must have forgotten to take a photo of the mentioned dent on the passenger side of the truck.
This thing is in a nice little farm town not far from my home. I’d love to let it take up space in my driveway. Someone go get it!
Car you should buy: 1984 Dodge D-50 Power Ram
Welcome to my new category! When I stumble upon interesting cars while surfing, I’m going to share them! As much as I’d love to fill my driveway and yard with these gems, doing so would likely lead to a costly divorce as my wife doesn’t seem to appreciate the finer oddball vehicles in life.
How awesome is this? Dodge, struggling to get into the fast growing mini-pickup market, used their relationship with Mitsubishi to badge engineer a Mitsubishi Pickup, and call it the D-50. 4WD models gained the iconic name “Power Ram.”
You win in two ways with this truck. One: you get an awesome mid-eighties Japanese Pickup, amber bubble side windows on the cap and all, and two: you have a truck with an american name to appease the truck nut contingent you may encounter, weather it be tailgating at a sporting event, or going out and towing your power sport equipment.
Don’t forget to get some sort of rustproofing treatment if you are going to drive it around here in the rust belt! Japanese trucks from the eighties rusted away long before their drivetrains wore out up here.
Anyway Check out this Power Ram D-50!
Here’s the post from Craigslist: http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5262095254.html
And in case the ad has been deleted:
1984 Dodge D-50 “Power Ram” 4 cylinder 4×4 with factory optional A.C., sunroof, power steering, etc. 5-speed manual transmission, automatic locking front hubs, 4 wheel drive works, 165,700 miles. Runs and drives great! Body is very straight but has some rust damage. Long bed with bedliner and locking shell. New battery. Purchased from the an elderly gentleman in Utah and driven to Buffalo with no problems whatsoever. I bought the truck specifically for the purpose of towing my motorcycle on a trailer from UT to NY. I already have a pickup here otherwise the truck would not be for sale. Clean UT title in my name. Asking $1650. My name is Ed and I can be reached at