CA residents, craigslist masters; help me plan an adventure!

Okay,

Update!

So my sister plan to move back east now. Vacation time is already approved, plane ticket purchased, and cash in the bank.

So now the plan is to try to do PCH or part of it then head east, all the way east, to PA!

I just looked up some stuff for sale, requirements are now higher on reliability, and emissions stuff is more negotiable as I can sign the title for PA reg and leave CA.

I plan to try to document the trip on here if you guys and gals are interested, sortof a $3K fly and drive adventure with serious mileage.

Little list I came up with today, feel free to add your own findings! I limited craigslist, but if you know of vehicles for sale feel free to add!

Thanks, Mike

Neat: amigo!

Good for cross country drive: only auto

Amazing: oil burner

Might be a bit tiresome to drive cross country: little truck

3/4 ton, so good ride, heavy duty, reliable, and dad could use it tow a camper he hasn't bought yet: truck

captains chairs in the middle: burban

Awesome: white

Probably a wise choice: ranger rick 2

comfort and class: Its GOLD

Beauty and class: 'yota If can talk him down to 1500, add this to the bed! kiwi

Blue! benz

questionable mechanics: 190

Would be an adventure: red wheels

Safe choice: rangerrick

might not make it more than a few hundred miles: convertable

It's shiny! truck

Possibly the best, or possibly the worst choice ever: v8 stick

Would take a while to get home, worth it? 4speed

Will make me happy: Heap

Safe bet: Stick camry

.

The only one that says "Money" on the east coast, is the 3/4 ton truck. I bet there are plenty like it out west given time to look.

The Suburban was a close second only because I think it would have a smaller east coast market.

If the plan is to keep it now that she is moving home, fuel needs to be factored in.

In reply to daytonaer:

I don't see anything in there I'd actually spend money on and drive cross country.

How about this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4866777509.html

You can do much better than those. Pick something you want to drive cross- country. The SF Bay Area is a great place to find used cars...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4890487565.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4890500845.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4890510532.html

Probably not so great on the PCH http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4890297353.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4875528888.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4889980397.html

This should get you started.

Try keywords:
Infiniti ¦ Infinity
Amazing depreciation and generally forgotten name can bring real values.

G20 equals Super Sentra
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4853781258.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4869307414.html

I30/I35 equals Maxima
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4886782111.html

J30 equals 300zx disguised as a 4 door
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4886632855.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4885182760.html

Q45 equals Baller Style!
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4889154925.html
http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/4847305003.html

GAME ON!

Vehicle purchased!

I have to admit I am somewhat disappointed in the choice(lack of sportiness or luxury), but I think that is because of some of the great opportunities I missed out on! Ironically we ended up going with what I had originally planned: a toyota suv. Or maybe its nerves from realizing how risky this adventure is! This is crazy! I have to make it back in time for work!

I will honestly miss cruising sf craigslist in my spare time for vehicles <3k with a manual trans.

The alfa's and miata's avaliable to youguys! The aged luxury cars! The vintage steel! all within reach! ALL of that stuff is gone in the NE corridor! Appreciate what you have

On the subject of trucks, it seems like the ford ranger has hit a sweet spot. There are countless +,- 15 yo rangers in amazing (and poor) condition for less than 3k. They seem to be the last of the small truck. The compact 'yota pickups tend to be 10+ years older and in rougher shape (but still marty mcfly cool). Full size trucks don't seem to be any better bargan out west than here, except for the lack of rust. I did not see ONE s-10 for sale in the last few months of browsing adds...

Anyways, here she is!

It's GOLD!

v6, 5 speed.

As my sister has no car knowledge, and I cant inspect the vehicle before flying out, I asked my sister to "profile" the seller. Listen more to how he described the vehicle and how honest he appeared as opposed to what he was saying. She said he was a total "hippy," promised the vehicle would make it cross country, even said he would come pick us up if it broke down anywhere on the drive, and used the word "like" and "totally" more times than could be counted. That is the information I am going on to assure myself this truck doesn't need headgaskets at 275,000 miles

Oh, I still want a manual trans 'benz. I want someone to buy this alfa and give it a good home ( ALFA ) I had to pass over all the MR2's because my sister thinks she doesn't like them (I was unsuccessful in convincing her she is wrong). Passed on a high mile maintained bmw 540 6 speed due to schedule conflicts. I think this sweet 6'er is still up: Class, luxury There are countless rotaries sitting waiting to be freed from CA's emission laws. I didn't save one!

Lol, I'm convincing myself to make this a tradition, and I haven't even made the trip yet!

I will be sure to document the adventure!

Stay tuned!