EBay cars under $10,000 that beat the pants off a Nissan Versa

Nissan’s announcement last week that it would offer a stripped-down version of its Versa model for under $10,000 -– a Sub-Versa, if you will -– occasioned a lot of media attention and interest, as if there was something to celebrate. To me it sounds like 1.6 liters of boredom, a mouthful of sand to thirsty car-buyers. Please. Ten grand? I can put you in automotive paradise for $10,000. Walk this way.

Go to www.motors.ebay.com and follow the link to “Cars & Trucks.” Don’t specify a make or model but simply order the 50,000 or so listings by price, and use the advanced search function to specify items with a “Buy It Now” price. What you’ll discover is an Elysian field of depreciation as the awesome rides of yesteryear -– in some cases cars that dominated automotive buff book covers just a couple of years ago –- are dispensed with for a fraction of their original sticker. With the recent spike in gas prices and the downturn in the economy, people are eating their cars -– “literally!” as Joe Biden would say.

Yes, these cars are a little older, but if you were to compare, wheel-to-wheel, the new Versa with, say, a 1991 BMW 850i –- a 12-cylinder supercoupe on 18-inch Hamann wheels and with only 47,120 miles on the clock –- well, your head would explode. The Bimmer has more technology in its ashtray.

So before you submit to lowered automotive expectations, consider these choices, all on EBay for $10,000 or less (after the jump):

2003 Jaguar XJ Vanden Plas (EBay listing number 180304087377)
A stunning and regal British limousine with a lusty 4.0-liter V8 and five-speed automatic, inlaid wood and creamy leather, all liveried in British Racing Green. Luxurious? It has picnic tables in the back, for heaven’s sake. And by 2003, Jaguar quality was exceptional, way better than a lot of German cars. Loaded with every option then known to man, this XJ VP is a gorgeous slab of a car -– fast, refined, audacious.

2003 Mercury Marauder (EBay listing number 150307313854)
If Ingmar Bergman’s chess-playing figure of death drove a car, this would be his. Behold the fearsomely black, unmarked glory of the Marauder, a low-volume, high-performance version of the Ford’s rear-drive Crown Vic/Mercury Marquis cop car with a Cobra-like 4.6-liter, 335-horsepower V8 under the hood. You can’t buy more menace per dollar than the Marauder. Sneak up behind somebody in the left lane and watch him swallow his cellphone.

2001 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon (EBay listing number 320315342496)
Now this, this is a proper Mercedes –- built like the rudder of the USS Missouri, big, heavy and indestructible. With 112,900 miles on this green-and-cream beauty, it’s just getting broken in. An all-wheel-drive station wagon, the E320 4Matic wagon is what SUV-driving soccer moms would have bought in 2001 if they had an inkling of automotive worth. Note also the rear-facing third-row seating and the cargo cage for the kiddies. A little slice of the Hamptons wherever you are.

1965 Chevrolet El Camino hot rod (EBay listing number 360103981845)
Words cannot express the total, unmitigated cherry-ness of this gorgeous ’65 El Camino gasser. The El Camino is a legend in its own right, a pickup/sports coupe widely favored by country boys, cholos and a certain Democratic president who put Astroturf in the back. This example has been re-skinned inside but retains original rally gauges. De rigueur rodding includes a 350 small-block V8, Crane fireball cam, 750 cfm Double Pumper Holly carburetor on an Edelbrock manifold, and white Heddman headers. What’s that smell? My soul is on fire.

2003 Mini Cooper S (EBay listing number 250317559056)
This well-used example of the history-making Mini reminds us that, in the used car market, 10 grand is still a bunch of money. Let’s say this thing lasts five years. That’s $2,000 per year plus whatever fix-its you throw in –- a timing belt, maybe rings and head gasket, certainly brakes and other wear items. So what? Meanwhile, you’re driving a car that makes you feel like the bubbles in champagne. A Versa? More like the trapped gas in non-alcoholic beer.

2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4 (EBay listing number 230305397190)
A sport-compact grenade that’s lost its pin, this rat racer was designed to go upside the head of the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX STi. Let’s unpack “SRT-4.” It stands for Dodge’s “Street and Racing Technology” division and the “4” refers to the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, good for about 223 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. This car delivers very adequate fuel economy and, as a four-door with a trunk, reasonable day-to-day utility. So it’s like a Versa, only, um, fast, with Stage 1 mods like a cold-air induction, up-rated suspension and big brakes. Your chihuahua on meth.

1963 Volkswagen Bus/Vanagon (EBay listing number 180303123548)
Feel like owning a cult object? Consider this turquoise-and-white, split-window Vanagon, an E-Z “Camper of America” edition (apparently, E-Z was once a customizer in Littlerock, Calif.) The listing says it has 80,622 miles on it –- right, shaa, bro! –- but no matter. This is the real surfing safari van. A tiny bit rusty and maybe not totally watertight, and slow as Christmas, this is still a lot of nostalgia for the money. With a little time and TLC this could be a show-winner and a great family escape pod. Try sleeping in your Versa.

1964 Chevy Impala (EBay listing number 110306293315)
The key tenet of vintage-car shopping is opportunism. Never buy a car that needs restoration -– ignore the VW/Vanagon recommendation above -– but look for cars that have already been restored, at great cost to the owner, who is likely miserable about it. Everyone eventually gets upside-down on a restoration project. So check out da bomb, a low-rider’s dream car, in primo condition. Embroidered floor mats, fresh Jacquard upholstery, eat-off-it V8? Come on! This is grand theft auto.

1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Cabriolet (EBay listing number 130265825245)
I remember driving this car when it had just come out. With the top down and the sun beating down on me, I felt like I was starring in my own Renaissance annunciation painting. Basically, this car takes all the inherent awesomeness of a mid-1990s Mercedes sedan –- materially overbuilt and over-engineered at a time when Mercedes had no peer –- and then puts it alfresco. There are several examples of this car on EBay, and if you don’t like the wedding-cake white paint, you can find others in the low five digits. Still, a bargain.

2001 Audi TT convertible (EBay listing 250319741948)
It may be hard to appreciate how big a deal the first-generation Audi TT was. Revolutionary is not too strong a word. More good words: Bauhaus, haute minimal, downtown digital. And today, it’s still one of the most interesting and compelling cars on the road –- perhaps even more interesting, having shed value like a molting parrot sheds feathers. Consider this redder-than-Alabama example, with the 225-hp turbocharged engine, six-speed manual, power top, leather and all-wheel drive. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a lot of car for $10,000.

-- Dan Neil

Photo Credits: Nissan Versa /Nissan; Jaguar XJ/ crashautos via EBay; 2003 Mercury Marauder/ gocomstar via EBay; 1965 Chevrolet El Camino/ gtof100 via EBay; 2003 Mini Cooper S/ 954swright1966 via EBay; 2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4/ floridasfinestcars via EBay; 1964 Chevrolet Impala/holstein8780 via EBay; 2001 Audi TT/ hqconcepts via EBay

Comments

[The Flem]

SMART!!!

[Zeon]

Hello, the Versa is new and under warranty. The hulks you list aren't and many suck gas through a fire hose. At least compare apples to apples. What a waste of bandwidth.

[Adam]

First of all Zeon, lighten up.

Great article Dan! Those who are romanced by the automobile cannot help but agree. My uncle referred to all Versa-like vehicles as "appliances." Yeah, it gets the job done. Eh.

In the end, i went with fun AND a warranty (mazdaspeed3), but those who have time, ability, and inclination to tinker can get something really fun for a song.

[Average Joe]

What a horrible article. Comparing those hunks of junk to a new car? reliability? and how about the mpg? Pwned!

[John Mayberry]

You have to read the ads carefully. The Jaguar has "salvage history".

[Jack Meoph]

Great blog. I check out my local trade papers every week and see some excellent cars in there for way cheaper than buying a new econo box. I won't even go into the awesome cars that you can get for $15K, which is what most manufacturers are pricing their boxes for. Buying used not only saves you money, but saves resources as well, and keeps the planet on life support for just a wee bit longer.

[uy]

man, who's payed you to write this crap! People who contemplate a NEW versa want no mechanical headaches, no "grab bag" risk, and decent gas mileage. What will you checking account look like 40k miles from now and who will you be subservient to when mechanical problems arise or gas prices rise?

[James in SB]

The days of hyper-powered, gas-sucking highway behemoths (no matter how fun they are to drive or what sense of power and excitement they add to one's life) are ending. The downturn in gas prices is temporary, and people know this. The reality of climate change (does the author recall the link between the internal combustion engine and the greenhouse effect?) is here NOW.

[RB]

I thought I was going to see cars that were just as efficient
and had more performance or luxury. Or at least saved you money over buying a Versa while having just as much efficiency. Here's my top ten list of unknowns, or units that share platforms with different names. These all get 31-40+ mpg out of the box and can be found by the savvy buyer under $3500:
10)95-01 Toyota Corolla Stick, 09)87-up Toyota Tercel Stick, 08) 2001 Hyundai Accent, 07) Ford Fiesta (many years), 06)Isuzu Impulse Stick 05)Geo Storm Stick(same as impulse) 04)Nissan Sentra Stick(early 90's) 03)1990 Honda Civic or CRX 02)Geo Metro (any model), 01)Geo Metro XFI
Most of the choices were based on drive quality, comfort and features versus purchase price. The #1 ultimate spot was taken on shear gas mileage versus purchase price. Which at well over 40 mpg on average just takes the cake at less that $3500 purchase price. Come visit my webpage!

[Myles]

What an odd bunch of comments - while the Versa would be "new", it's hardly cost-neutral for the next 5 years - it'll still need tires and brakes and oil changes, as all cars would. Careful research of a used car hardly ends up in 'grab bag' buying. Moreover, there are many gas sipping used cars available too (even my 2000 Merc gets 30mpg on my commute..). The real question is what will happen in 100k miles - Versa Dead, Merc Just About Worn In.

[Jim]

Reading the comments makes me wonder if the days of the passionate car owner are nothing more than fantasy and memory. Nobody really chooses to buy a Versa - they have to get that car. The alternatives shown here, while not for everyone, are for people that believe driving is less about the destination and more about the experience. Great article Dan, though I for my own reasons wonder if you actually get paid as well?

[the_turk]

I bought a 1991 Saab from Indiana on Ebay Motors for $900. The car last me 3 years [until unfortunately totaled] and probably put $500 into it the entire time. Recommend having a mechanic do a complete evaluation first!!!

[GS]

Oh you were joking... now I get it. I'm sure anyone looking at a Versa would toss it quick for the chance to own a '65 El Camino.

[Ted]

Dan -

Rock on! I rented a Corrolla S the other day. What a POS!
I like many of your ideas but I'm a slut for the El Co or the Cooper S. For those whiners who wrote in my suggestion is to live closer to work. Why is it that everyone in LA seems to live 40 miles away from where they work.

Whine on SoCal. That's me in the '79 911 S that gets 30 MPG. Total put into the car in the last three years: zero + gas and oil.

Suckas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rockchick]

I live in NYC and do not drive, so cars are really wasted on me as a rule. But on eBay, once, doing research for a book, I saw the only car I have ever lusted after: a 1966 black Porsche convertible. For $8500. I cannot TELL you how much I wanted this car, even if I had to sleep in it. But...it was not to be. Still sad.

[Chris]

The Versa is a miserable little car in American standards but it's still a Nissan and a much much better car than its Korean (Hyundai and Kia) bastard-child neighbors.

I think like you though Dan, and would put my 10 g's toward much better use than a warranty a little measly mouse of a joke car and actually enjoy my time behind the wheel. Bravo Dan!

[A Scanner Darkly]

Sounds like some new car dealers are putting their 2 cents in here. That Audi TT is awesome.

[Gill Ludd]

In the education biz, in order to survive we have learned to think about "total cost of ownership." That gift of a classroom's worth of hand-me-down 3-year old computers? Free? Hmm, not so much, after software licensing, maintenance, memory limits, compatibility, etc. are considered.

Same with the stripped down Versa. If your budget is low, and that's all you can afford, go for it. At least you can keep it predictably within your budget. (Unless your brother-in-law is a skilled - and very generous - "Euro mechanic"!) Otherwise, I hope you have a BIG limit on your credit card when your "automotive paradise" includes a little stretch of unanticipated "repair purgatory."

[356man]

Geez, Dan--looks like you put a kink in some people's sphincters. Gas guzzling Coopers? Huh? I'll admit I'd say away from the Jag but that's probably an automotive Anglophobe thing. Keep up the excellent work--some people have a sense of humor and get you, some apparently don't. To Ted and rockchick: need more be said? You got the right idea...

[Benny Gunns]

I bought a 1998 Chevy Camaro V6 two years ago for $3,500 with 72,000 miles. I have spent $500 for a new clutch, and $100 for new brakes, plus regular oil changes (Mobil 1), and I average a reasonable 18/mpg. Engine is strong, and probably the best car I've bought in a long time. My car before the Camaro was a brand new, 2007 Chrysler 300 Touring, which was a complete waste of money. I'll let someone else pay for new - I'll keep buying at true value.

[Great Job Again]

Thanks Dan for this light-hearted look at what 10 grand can get you. For those depressing sorts posting here, if you want a brand new Versa or a rickety Geo, by all means go for it and we'll respect your choice but don't lecture us about Dan's observations (it is a blog entry, after all).

Besides, not all used cars are that much worse than a new Versa. One can buy a Mk IV (4-5 years old) VW Jetta or GTI for about $10k with the VR6 200 hp motor and still get nearly the same mpg as the 120 hp Versa. Plus, the Vdub is safer and more practical!

[deela]

I can't force myself to read the rest of this ignorant waste of broadband. I briefly scanned looking for any mention of miles per gallon.

Has anyone noted, here at the LATimes, that the rest of the world is trying to find ways to reduce gas use.

Global warming? Polar ice melts? Rising lung disease?

Versa, Echo, Corolla, Tersel. All fantastic cars that will last 20 years with care, and save the planet in the process.

I can't believe the ignorance.

[Mark]

That jag, mini, or audi will cost you 10 grand alone in the first year to cover all the repairs.

An el camino or impala? Not exactly your everyday driving cars.

Drive a mercury marauder, ever heard of the global warming?

At least the versa will last 10 years with no problem even though it may be a little boring. Comparing these vehicles is like apples and oranges. Maybe this is a promotion for ebay?

[tonyE]

Well.. at least things are better today that 20 years ago when I got the Alfa for like 5000 bucks... and then spent 5000 more to keep it running.

I do take some exception to those german cars because those were the Dark Ages for Das Elektroniks... I think the Brits outsourced Lukas Das Fuhrer of Darkness to the germans for a few years.

Then you got the Jag. Hmmm... When I had the Alfa my coworker had a Jag. We both had main rides for the many, MANY times our cool rides wouldn't start.

OTOH, La Bamba! Ay Caramba... Yo quiero ese carro. Forget Las Chihuahuas, just gimme El Chevy and I can cruise the 405.... Mileage? Who cares amigos? Gas is below 3.50 a gallon.

And El Camino.... Si! Si!! Si!!!... Where's my lizard cowboy boots and hat?

Of course, the Mini is the one for las chicas. A bit expensive to maintain, but at 10K it's likely The Buy. Specially as they seem to be reasonably reliable and they haven't changed much since the intro.

But Los Chevy son mis Batos Locos Preferidos. East LA en la OC. Scandalize the HOA in Irvine while we play some fine cuban music.

Ole.

[Paul]

Hey what about a motorcycle. 10k will put you in a used top of the line BMW with heated seats.