Madman's Shed of the Week

[Madman]

29 June - 5 July 2008:

Silver Bavarian going for a song.


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Too good to be true?  You be the judge.  2000 BMW 323i sedan.  2.5 litre 24 valve inline six (170 Horsepower) and five speed "Selectronic" automatic with manual override.  Silver with light grey leather (or leatherette?) interior.  This car is so loaded down with kit it can barely hold it all in!  Alloys, air-con, power windows, locks and mirrors, sunroof, keyless entry, tilt/telescope steering wheel, wood trim package, stereo CD player, 4-wheel disc ABS brakes, daytime running lights, front, side and curtain airbags and electronic traction and stability control.

Miles are undisclosed but with a price of only $3,500 from a private seller, this looks like one sweet deal!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[CALL_911]

Too good to be true. It's definitely salvaged or something.

[Madman]

Too good to be true. It's definitely salvaged or something.

Seller claims it has a clean title.  Yeah, I know that doesn't mean it hasn't been involved in an accident.  Desperate seller, perhaps?  Who knows?  I'd have the local BMW dealer go over this rig with a fine-tooth comb, if I were actually looking to buy.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Vinsanity]

+1 on the scam. I'm surprised all your searching for these sheds hasn't led to to more of these cheesy scams. On any given day, there's nearly a dozen of them on the front page of the local craigslist.

[Madman]

+1 on the scam. I'm surprised all your searching for these sheds hasn't led to to more of these cheesy scams. On any given day, there's nearly a dozen of them on the front page of the local craigslist.

What's the point of a scam?  If the car isn't what it claims to be or the price suddenly changes, wouldn't most people just walk away?

I've only just recently started looking at cars on Craigslist.  That's where I found the BMW and the Saab from last week.  Maybe I need to avoid that site?

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[CALL_911]

BTW, Madman, it's Steptronic, not Selectronic.

[Vinsanity]

What's the point of a scam?  If the car isn't what it claims to be or the price suddenly changes, wouldn't most people just walk away?

I've only just recently started looking at cars on Craigslist.  That's where I found the BMW and the Saab from last week.  Maybe I need to avoid that site?

Cheers,
Madman of the People

It's more like one of those money-wiring scams where they purport to ship the car to you from some overseas country, and ask to split the shipping charges. Of course, they never ship the car out because you can't deliver something that's non-existent. Usually they throw several more complications to the transaction to confuse the would-be victim, but that's the gist of it.

Craigslist is an otherwise good place to look for a shed. I used to kill time/alleviate boredom by looking at the listings myself, and we sold my sister's old Civic for our full asking price by putting it on craigslist (although it was a low price to begin with).

[hotrodalex]

Damn, and I thought I got mine for cheap (12k)...

[Madman]

Here's an update on the 1992 Volkswagen Jetta GL from three weeks ago.  The car has been relisted with another price reduction.  The selling dealer is now asking $2,492.  The price is still much too high but I expect it will go down even further once the dealer finally gets tired of looking at the damn thing.

They've posted more pictures, too.  I have to admit it's impressively immaculate for a 16-year-old econobox.


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Cheers,
Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

Damn, and I thought I got mine for cheap (12k)...

How many years ago?

[Eye of the Tiger]

THat price is still ridiculous for a '92GL. My 1997 GLS piece of junk was only $900 + one Audi V8.

[hotrodalex]

How many years ago?

I bought it in November 2006. It was in almost perfect condition, since I got it from a lawyer that worked at home, so he rarely drove it and it was in a garage all the time.

[the Teuton]

I bought it in November 2006. It was in almost perfect condition, since I got it from a lawyer that worked at home, so he rarely drove it and it was in a garage all the time.

That sounds like an excellent price for the car at the time.

[Madman]

It's more like one of those money-wiring scams where they purport to ship the car to you from some overseas country, and ask to split the shipping charges. Of course, they never ship the car out because you can't deliver something that's non-existent. Usually they throw several more complications to the transaction to confuse the would-be victim, but that's the gist of it.

Craigslist is an otherwise good place to look for a shed. I used to kill time/alleviate boredom by looking at the listings myself, and we sold my sister's old Civic for our full asking price by putting it on craigslist (although it was a low price to begin with).

I don't think it's a scam.  I spoke to a very nice Nigerian man over the telephone and he assured me it was legitimate.  He said all I had to do was give him my bank account number and he would take care of everything.  I thought that was quite considerate of him!



Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Vinsanity]

I don't think it's a scam.  I spoke to a very nice Nigerian man over the telephone and he assured me it was legitimate.  He said all I had to do was give him my bank account number and he would take care of everything.  I thought that was quite considerate of him!



Cheers,
Madman of the People

wow, he must be a prince or something to be able to sell a car that cheap

[Madman]

6-12 July 2008:

Send in the troops for this Trooper.



Residual values of this 1996 Izuzu Trooper LS 4WD Auto have been hit hard by the double-whammy of skyrocketing fuel prices and a nearly non-existent dealer network.  In today's environment our current SOTW is a purchase to be made only by the very brave or the truly foolhardy.  But if you're the sort of person who is unfazed by catastrophic fuel consumption (15 MPG City, 18 MPG Highway) and the prospect of having to scrounge for spare parts at the local Pick-'N-Pull doesn't put you off, then this Super-Trooper may just be for you.  You get a big-ol' 3.2 litre 24 valve V6 engine (190 horsepower) which can at least run on (relatively) cheap regular unleaded.  You also get a four-speed slushie, four wheel drive, lockup torque converter with automatic locking hubs, air-con, alloys, cruise control, power widows, locks and mirrors, tilt steering wheel, cassette stereo, ABS brakes and a 5,000 pound towing capacity.  Red with grey cloth interior and undisclosed mileage.  This truck listed for $31,570 back in 1996.  What can I buy it for now, did I hear you ask?  Believe it or not, all this rough-and-ready off road goodness can be yours for the unbelievable low price of only $1,800 at a beater lot somewhere out in the sticks, judging by the photo.

Go on, make that drive out into the country and take this rig off Billy-Bob's hands!  I bet it would sure make his day.  Oh wait, I just noticed the sign said "Bonnie's Barnyard".  She must be Billy-Bob's wife.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Madman]

Another update on the 1992 VW Jetta GL.  There have been two further price reductions back-to-back.  Autotrader shows it has been reduced to $2,369 and Cars.com has it reduced even more.  It's now being listed for $2,199.

It looks like desperation, as well as the onset of reality, is continuing to force the price downwards.  It's still a very nice car, just priced WAY too high!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Madman]

13-19 July 2008:

Executive Express on an intern's budget.


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There's been a rash of bargain priced BMWs lately.  This one seems particularly nice.  It's a 1993 BMW 525i with 4-speed auto.  The 2.5 litre inline six is rated at 189 horsepower and runs on regular unleaded.  This one looks very classy in black with creamy beige leather and some lovely burled walnut bits glued to the dash.  Naturally, this BMW has all the mod-cons (by 1993 standards, anyway) that you could ever want: Power windows, locks, mirrors and seat adjustment, alloys, air-con, cruise control, tilt/telescope steering wheel, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, cassette stereo and foglights.  Miles are unlisted but this example looks to be a very sweet ride.  The E34 is best looking 5 Series generation ever, in my opinion.  Available from a private seller for $2,850.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

About that Isuzu and trucks in general being hit hard, I just saw an ad for a 2000 F-250 Super Duty with high mileage for $4,000 obo last night.  I would have thought they'd be a bit higher, but apparently not.

[Madman]

20-26 July 2007:

Seven seats, no waiting.


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On a tight budget?  Need to move lots of people and/or cargo?  Don't want a gas guzzling off-roader or a mommy-van?  Here's your answer.  It's a 1994 Volvo 850 wagon.  Power comes courtesy of a DOHC 20 valve 2.4 litre five-pot engine (168 horsepower) and is delivered to the front wheels via an Aisin-Warner four-speed auto.

What makes this wagon really special, however, is that it has the highly-coveted rear-facing third row seat.  Just think of all the fun the kids will have making faces at (or giving the finger to) the occupants of cars behind you!  In addition to the unlimited entertainment possibilities for the little sprogs in the back, you get all of this: power windows, doors, locks and mirrors, fuzzy fabric covered seats, alloy wheels, air conditioning with dual-zone controls, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, keyless entry with security alarm, four-wheel disc ABS brakes and cassette stereo.  Polar white with light grey interior.

Undisclosed miles but it looks to be a great deal at only $2,500 from a private seller.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[CJ]

You will go test drive it and then buy it.  Do you understand me?

[Cookie Monster]

You will go test drive it and then buy it.  Do you understand me?

Why? It could have a ton of miles and it's a POS.

He already has two  Volvos that are RWD!

[CJ]

Okay, well he should at least test drive it.

[Madman]

27 July - 2 August 2008:

I'm seeing red!



No, it's not my eyes, it's the car.  It's just so very......well,.....um....very red!
I'm just so used to seeing these stately old Mercs in typical stately old Merc colours.  You know: Executive Black, Accountant White, Banker's Silver, Jewish Racing Gold.  But I pretty sure I've never seen an old Merc that looked like it had mated with a tomato!  Oh well, at least you wont have any trouble finding your car in the local Costco car park.

My latest SOTW is a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.6 Sedan with 119,083 miles.  The ad doesn't mention which gearbox it has, but I'll assume it's an automatic since nearly all of these cars were.  A manual gearbox was theoretically available on this model but they're as rare as fresh dinosaur droppings.  In addition to that unique arrest-me-red hue, you get air-con, alloys, four wheel disc ABS brakes, heated power operated mirrors, cruise control, power windows, power adjustible driver's seat and cassette stereo.  I've actually been watching this car for quite a long time.  As you can see from the date on the photo, the selling dealer has been sitting on this car since last November.  They've been asking $4,000 for it, which was a bit too optimistic.  The price has just been lowered to $2,850 which is more in line with what I've been seeing for Merc 190Es of similar vintage.

Should anyone rock up wanting to take a test drive, they'll probably have to clear away the cobwebs before getting in!


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It actually looks good (I hate red sedans).

[Cookie Monster]

There's an MT 190E parked near my house.

[the Teuton]

There's an MT 190E parked near my house.

Most MB sticks are about as fun as a root canal and twice as expensive.

[Madman]

3-9 August 2008:

Surprise, it's a Volvo!



You know I just can't resist a nice, big, rear-drive Volvo.  And here's the last of the breed, a 1997.5 S90.  It's called a 1997-and-a-half because Volvo changed their alpha-numeric nomenclature halfway through the 1997 model year.  Early 1997 models were still badged 960.  Black with beige leather, these big rigs were filled with more luxurious amenities than the Ritz Carlton.  You get a 2.9 litre 24 valve inline six (181 horsepower) and a four-speed Aisin-Warner automatic.  Goodies include leather, sunroof, alloys, air-con with electronic climate control, power seats with three-position memory on the driver's seat, tilt steering wheel, real (not fake) wood inserts in the dash, cassette stereo, four-wheel ABS brakes, daytime running lights, keyless entry with alarm, power windows, locks and mirrors and, as expected for a Volvo, a full compliment of front and side airbags.

Mileage in undisclosed but looks to be in very nice condition.  A local beater merchant will sell you this fine example for only $3,200.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Vinsanity]

lol the last 4 SOTW's were cars I considered buying at one point or another. Those late-90's 960's were actually one of my first choices when I ended up with the Q45. They're supposed to be a vast improvement over the previous 940.

[Madman]

lol the last 4 SOTW's were cars I considered buying at one point or another. Those late-90's 960's were actually one of my first choices when I ended up with the Q45. They're supposed to be a vast improvement over the previous 940.

Even though 940s and 960 looked somewhat similar, they were in fact very different.  940s employed the trusty old "red block" motors.  But the 960/S90/V90 used the much more sophisticated (and more complicated) DOHC "white block" six cylinder engine.  Also, most 940s had a solid rear axle but all 960/S90 sedans (and all 960 wagons starting in 1995) had an independent rear suspension.  Interiors were completely different, too.

Beginning in 1993, Volvo started "de-contenting" the 940 to fill the void left when the 240 ceased production.  This also widened the gulf between the 940 and 960 in terms of spec and equipment.  Later 940 Turbos didn't even wear Turbo badges because Volvo was pushing the 850 Turbo as their performance model.  Volvo finally dropped the 940 in America after 1995 (it lived on in Europe until 1998) because the red block motor wasn't OBD II compliant, which became mandatory for the 1996 model year.  This left Volvo without an entry-level car in America until the arrival of the S40/V40 series in 2000.

I've driven plenty of 960s and they are incredibly smooth waft-mobiles.  The straight six pulls like a freight train and produces a mountain of torque.  If your looking for a comfortable, luxurious cruiser, I can highly recommend a Volvo 960/S90/V90.


Cheers,
Madman of the People