Car search

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 7:44 am Post subject: Car search

I was doing some searching on the interweb for a car, and I was wondering:

Is there a way to search the local want ads all over the country? Like if you were looking for a diamond in the rough type thing. If a car is advertised on one of the common internet sites, it will either be snatched up quick, or they will be very expensive as the owner knows the actual value and is looking to get high dollar.

So, any of you know a way to search the personal sales ads on local newspapers etc?

intotheflats · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 7:46 am Post subject:

Are you getting rid of the RSX?

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 7:49 am Post subject:

I got rid of that a while back. I have a diesel beetle now.

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 7:51 am Post subject:

Are you going to let us in on what you're looking for, or are you keeping it a big secret Rolling Eyes

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Still looking to roll Magnum PI style? Very Happy

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 8:05 am Post subject:

well, the post was for gathering info on search methods. Im looking for someone to let go of a 1986 Ford compact that might be collecting dust in their barn. My dad got his car at a steal just by finding it in a guys barn and making an offer. So rather than poking my head in every barn in America, I was wondering if I could search want ads which is how the less computer savy might advertise.

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 8:10 am Post subject:

Wakebrad, Yep got it on lay-away til I get my crib settled. Still gotta find a place to build. It is actually for my brother. He was asking me what car he should get to fix up and match his style, so I recommended this one. they didnt make many so the rare factor is jacking the price WAY up. There HAS to be some dust bunnies out there.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

jason_ssr, I know the dallasmorningnews advertises all of their cars in autotrader. I don't know of a way to search local listings online. Most papers will charge people to read them online so I doubt what you are looking for exists.

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:

You would probably have to go to the web site for the newspaper for major metro areas, or you could go to Barnes and noble and see if they have any of the last week papers from other areas available.

The only ones that I can think of now are.

The Oregonian, Portland OR http://www.oregonlive.com/autos/
The Star Ledger, Newark NJ http://www.nj.com/autos/
The Morning Call, Allentown PA http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp?aff=mcall

thats about all I know sice I dont read the paper too often.

You could also to find sites for local classifieds
The Nickle Ads, Portland OR ?????
Penny Pincher, Pennsylvania http://www.carcast.com/cc/automarketplace/partners/200/

Annybody else want to add their local classifieds and papers?

EDIT: Added links followed from sites listed

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

jason_ssr, nice, where are you guys looking? We looked to build for a couple months but decided not to sacrifice the drive to work.

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 8:43 am Post subject:

Same issue we are having. if its within 45 min of downtown, its just a shade over a bajillion dollars.

Thanks Joe! Checkin em out.

joedirt00 · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

I don't know how "fruitful" those links will be, but you get the idea. Just need to find out what some other local publications are called.

I think the local classifieds are where its at, and not neccessarily the newspapers. The two I listed are free ones that you pick up on the way out of the grocery stores and stuff.

Hockeyplayer · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

Have you tried craigslist?

BR_WB · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 2850

jason_ssr,

I've always been lucky with Auto/Truck Trader, but you have to be on a constant prowl. I have been lucky though. I got my '00 Yukon Denali for $17,500 with 40 k on it. I found it the first day the ad was posted by a couple who were country stars in Branson, MO and wanted to get rid of it a.s.a.p. All the other ones were around $25,000 with 80 k on them.

jason_ssr · Posted: Sep 27, 2005 9:27 am Post subject:

Joe, exactly! So, this got me kicking around this idea. What do you think about a website that allows you to search raw data from the want ads of the small free want ad papers. They all use a computer to generate the layouts so it has to be a file. What if a site offered free advertisement for these small papers, all they have to do is upload the file. Then a search engine would search the data for keywords. I just have a feeling that there is some great stuff out there being sold cheap in these rags because the owners have no idea the value of the item.