ok Scotty, I have less than $1700 to spend and no time left, should I get this Toyota?

Scotty

I've been following your channel for years, wished I lived in the area. I'm a filmmaker, car enthusiast, etc

Here's the deal, I finally had to retire my 2001 Acura CL with 470,000 miles on it, it served me well but too many things were piling up and after the timing belt (and power steering pump) went simultaneously it was time. Sometimes I think I should have kept throwing parts at that car though because now the complications involved in getting something in the $1500 range (especially in Los Angeles) are pretty darn remote without a friend connection miracle. Which I've been blessed with in the past and ALMOST happened (twice) this time, but no go, I'm back to craigslist, which is a nightmare. The universe is taunting me. And anything in that price range is going to have MAJOR mechanical issues, shady sellers, lost titles, and/or un-smoggable emissions / massive DMV back fees, or located way the heck out in the middle of nowhere. Usually a combination of all those things.

So as of the time of this writing I'm thinking of getting a '94 Toyota Camry with 300,000 miles for $1700, (+ $340 in DMV back fees) seller claims it has a new timing chain, radiator, alternator and battery. AC is busted (i'll be dying in the heat but I don't care if this car is drive-able, even for a short term) The seller seems legit, even provided the VIN and plate #s so I could check on back fees. You did a video on this very year/make/model a few years ago and raved about it. Now this car might be gone by tomorrow so by the time you read this I may have already missed my chance.

My alternative choice is kind of a shady seller way out in Lomita (bit of a distance from me) who always has under 2k cars listed, I've talked with him before. He removes the plates from all his cars and I'm not even sure they are registered in his name, not what his deal is there if he's getting them from auctions and flipping them fast or what, but he always has cheap stuff listed.

He has a '96 Toyota Camry for $1150 that needs a new power steering pump and a 2005 Toyota Echo for $1550 both have over 200k miles and DMV back fees. He also has a '99 Nissan Maxima for $1250 over 200k miles with body damage and back fees. He says they drive but I have no idea what condition they really are (transmission, belts, etc) and I'm a little concerned about driving with no plates until I can get all that DMV registration stuff straightened out but I may have to. These are really desperate circumstances. I just don't have the money to do otherwise. And when I say desperate I really mean DESPERATE.

What do you think? I don't have many choices in that price range. Should I grab one of the above?

Thanks for taking the time

Damon Packard