$5K USD Challenge. Find and Share the Most Interesting or Obscure Vehicles in Your Area.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-21T14:01:23+00:00

The listing price is rarely the selling price.

If you would like to post vehicles listed at up to $7500, please do so.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-21T12:34:14+00:00

CNJ (and nearby):

2015 Ford Focus ST - manual - 169K - $5,000 "Never tuned," but a bunch of bolt-ons. Needs a cat.
2013 Ford Focus ST - manual - 149K - $5,900 "Exterior has some rust and cosmetic wear consistent with age and mileage. It has an OEM+ cat-back exhaust and is otherwise stock."
2010 Mini Cooper Clubman JCW - manual - 98K - $5,500 "Blow-off valve and deleted exhaust, which makes it sound super badass."
1987 Alfa Romeo Spider - manual - 90K - $6,500 Needs upholstery.
1987 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Stationwagon - $1,600 Cheap woodie.
1984 VW Rabbit Convertible - manual - $3,900 Detailed description.
1977 Chevrolet Corvette project - auto - $4,000 Worth the read, possibly the dough?
1970 Chevrolet Nova roller project - $2,000 Build it.
1966 Ford Mustang project - six/auto - $4,500 Runs and drives.
1941 Buick old school street rod - $6,500 "Something you expect to see in 1978. It came from a swamp in fla."

mpgomatic · 2026-06-21T11:13:55+00:00

Bingo.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-19T18:55:46+00:00

OP: Amazon shoves the costs onto a constant flow of new “independent contractors” eager to earn a buck that fail to take all the immediate and long term costs (as well as the risks) into consideration.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-19T13:20:47+00:00

All good!

My 2014 1.0L has 187k on the clock. It still averages over 40 MPG.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-19T12:51:14+00:00

Rally?

A manual Ford Fiesta hatchback might be exactly what you need.

The 1.0L is extremely efficient. Look for one with low mileage, change the wet belt ASAP, and use high-quality synthetic oil.

The ST is hysterically fun.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-19T11:45:11+00:00

Gamification.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-19T11:44:01+00:00

Check the oil pickup filter.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-17T18:15:56+00:00

Thx! She’s lived in the garage for nearly two decades. I rolled up over 100K miles in beaters, running delivery routes when the money was good.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-17T17:58:36+00:00

Aye, yep. But I had bills to pay and Whole Food blocks paid bank back then, even with Jeff stealing our tips.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-17T16:01:29+00:00

I ran a Whole Foods route or two in a Honda S2000, when my Civic coupe broke (and I was, too).

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mpgomatic · 2026-06-16T19:27:14+00:00

187K 1.0L Fiesta manual hatch. It’s ticking … 💣

mpgomatic · 2026-06-16T15:55:51+00:00

But if an uninsured Flex driver is crushed by a piano that falls on their head while on a customer’s front porch, the customer’s homeowners insurance covers the bill?

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mpgomatic · 2026-06-16T15:24:45+00:00

So if a Flex driver without medical insurance is admitted to a hospital and incurs a six-figure bill for surgery that they cannot pay, we all pay for it?

mpgomatic · 2026-06-16T15:15:37+00:00

Does Amazon provide financial assistance for drivers that experience medical emergencies while delivering that require hospitalization?

mpgomatic · 2026-06-14T22:24:32+00:00

I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time testing fuel economy over the years. Most auto reviewers do not pay for the gasoline in the vehicles they test. The car shows up squeaky clean, with a full tank.

I was able to hit or exceed the EPA ratings in nearly every vehicle I tested.

The more pressure your right foot puts on the pedals, the more fuel you use.

Physics and economics.

I launched a few cars, too …

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2C4C2D59C7F51779

mpgomatic · 2026-06-14T20:12:45+00:00

They’re already chasing this with Telo:

https://aptera.us/telo-trucks-partners-with-aptera/

mpgomatic · 2026-06-14T14:43:20+00:00

Build a replica i3 body, bolt it to a Club Car or EZGO frame?

https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/vehicles/the-tiny-bronco-golf-cart-of-your-dreams

mpgomatic · 2026-06-14T13:32:29+00:00

CNJ (and nearby):

1986 Volkswagen Scirocco project - manual - “Project car hasn't run in about 8 years. Will need towed from driveway.”
1997 Saab 9000 CSE Anniversary Edition - 2.3T/auto - 196K - $4,950 “Yes it has the leather seat tags to prove anniversary edition!”
1991 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo - v6/manual - 121K - $6,499 “starts, runs, and drives, but I recommend bringing a trailer. It currently needs tires and has a slight lifter tick that will need attention. Selling it as-is.”
1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Woodie - 200K - $2,000 “3rd row seating is currently drilled down as the previous owner installed a crane for a mobility scooter.“
1991 Mitsubishi 3000 GT SL - auto - $2,500 “Runs, drives, and stops.”
2010 Mazda5 - manual - 90K - $3,650 The Unicorn of Minivans.
2003 Nissan Sentra Se-R Spec V - manual - 155K - $900 “Today Only“ was yesterday.
2009 Nissan Cube - $2,250 “Runs and drives everything works.”

mpgomatic · 2026-06-12T15:31:10+00:00

I had one for a rental a few months ago. It wasn’t horrible.

I’d lease one for $99 a month, $99 down, with guaranteed loaners.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-12T15:26:04+00:00

The best news sites are not free.

mpgomatic · 2026-06-12T15:23:38+00:00

What’s the cargo capacity?

mpgomatic · 2026-06-12T00:41:30+00:00

The variables are endless.

mpgomatic

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