Craigslist car hunting under $2000

I went browsing Craigslist to see what kind of project car I could flip for under $2000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The listings were full of mechanic specials: a PT Cruiser for $900 that probably has a blown head gasket, a Civic Hybrid with a bad battery, and countless cars needing engine or transmission work. I found a 2002 Lincoln Town Car for $1200 with hydraulic transmission issues that could make a cool gangster cruiser if you’re into land yachts. The most interesting finds were a Saturn SC2 with nice rims and 90s styling, a supercharged Buick Riviera with transmission problems, and a Plymouth Duster that was completely gutted. There was also a 1979 RV that screamed “don’t do this to yourself.” Ultimately, nothing at this price point offered both decent condition and a reasonable path to getting it roadworthy without major headaches.