Portland CL: '81 Chevette 5-speed Diesel for DIRT CHEAP

[asavage]

The same pair of Chevettes that started this thread are advertised again for $300. I can't believe, with fuel the price it is, that there are no takers on these.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/336468623.html

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Chevy Chevette diesel 2 - $300
Reply to: sale-336468623@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-05-22, 8:13PM PDT

I have 2 Chevy Chevette Diesels for sale, both cars will need to be towed. The 82 white 4 door is an auto trans., it needs brake work to be road worthy, the 83 blue 2 door is a manuel trans., it's just a parts car and isn't for the road. The motors and trans on both are runners.

* This item has been posted by-owner.
* Location: Tacoma

[redmondjp]

The same pair of Chevettes that started this thread are advertised again for $300. I can't believe, with fuel the price it is, that there are no takers on these.

X2!

Back in college, my friend had a new T1000 (Pontiac-rebadged Chevette) with the 4-cylinder gas engine and a 5-spd. We took it on a road trip and got 40 mpg, with the A/C on!

The diesel version is going to be in the 45-50 mpg range easily. Probably over 50mpg if driven right.

[redmondjp]

Not Chevettes, but the Ford equivalent:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/349335624.html

Diesel Ford Escort wagon - $100

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Reply to: sale-349335624@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-06-10, 8:36PM PDT

FOR SALE: 1984 Ford Escort Diesel wagon, Car was running when parked in 92. Had blowen head gasket. Also have 84 Ford lynx diesel. Good glass all around in Lynx. Escort have damaged rear hatch. Escort has rare wing windows in doors. Both cars have center arm rests.
Contact Steve jj4051@aol.com or 360 793-0912

This item has been posted by-owner.
Location: Monroe

OK, here's a newer ad which reveals more info (thanks to Al for pointing it out below):

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/349762096.html

Ford Mazda 2L deisel engine Escort Lynx Topaz - $150

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Reply to: sale-349762096@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-06-11, 11:22AM PDT

This is a complete engine, was going to rebuild, NO knocks , was just tired and loosing compression. Includes a resurfaced and tested head ( Cost $700)
$150 for all. 360-793-0912 jj4051@aol.com PS also have 3 diesel cars complete with good trans. and rebuildable engins, $100 per car. One car has wing windors. I think all have center arm rests, (ALL have good injectors,m injectors pumps, starters, etc.

[asavage]

You've missed the later post where he has three of them plus a spare, worn engine. Keep looking . . .

[redmondjp]

I have a feeling that the first live person to show up with a trailer and more than $50 will take these home . . .

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/356033467.html

Diesel chevettes - $300

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Reply to: sale-356033467@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-06-19, 9:44PM PDT

2 diesel chevettes,a white 82 4 door, auto, needs a water pump, and brake work.
The blue 83, stick, is a parts car, it's not road worthy but the power train works and all intact.

bring a trailer and get them out of here.

[asavage]

Again, at $300.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/car/370381017.html

Diesel Chevettes - $300
Reply to: sale-370381017@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-07-09, 7:33PM PDT

I have 2 diesel chevettes, the white one is in need of water pump and brake work. I'm not exactly sure whats wrong with the brakes. The blue one is just a parts car and is not road worthy due to damage to the chassis. Both powertrains are in good condition. The blue is only a parts car. The white 82 4-door is an auto and the blue 83 is a manual. Both will need to be hauled.

* This item has been posted by-owner.
* Location: Tacoma

[redmondjp]

Well, this one isn't exactly dirt cheap, but it looks like it's been taken care of:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/390143387.html

1981 Chevrolet Chevette 4dr hatchback - $1450

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Reply to: sale-390143387@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-08-05, 6:17PM PDT

Orginal diesel chevette, 5spd buckets and folding rear seat. Good ecomony, blue in and out. Always maintained has new all season radials.Runs good 40 mpg could go bio too. Send inquires OBO

This item has been posted by-owner.
Location: Seattle

[odie]

something is not right here....why are these not being grabbed up considering gas prices? even if the car is kinda rough it's still a good commuter/beater for work. You will make your money back quick too on fuel savings if you are doing WVO.

[asavage]

There seems to be a diminishing zone of people willing to save a buck by driving an old econobox. I drove through Seattle day before yesterday, and I felt like I was driving the oldest car within miles ('82 Wagon). You can drive for miles and never see anything but painted plastic.

[redmondjp]

You're 100% correct on that, Al! I live in Redmond and driving anything older than 10 years old here will get you profiled by the cops (where they tailgate you, drive in your blind spot, and wait for you to so much as drift over and touch the white line so they can pull you over).

Plus, nobody around here actually works on their own cars anyways--the slow death of good auto parts stores shows this (probably down by 40% in the past 10 years).

But in Seattle proper, you can still find plenty of neighborhoods where there are a good percentage of 15-20 year old cars (volvos, VW vans, toyotas & hondas) that are still on the road. So I guess it depends on what part of town you are driving through.

Personally, I don't think that very many people care very much about fuel economy--we haven't really hit the threshold of pain yet (which is probably around $4+/gal). People have mentally adjusted to $3/gal fuel and continue to drive what they want, although I have noticed a higher percentage of econoboxes (Aveos, Fits, Scion XAs, Versas, etc) on the road in the past year or so.

[asavage]

Since this is the thread that collects all the diesel Chevette ads . . .

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/391328961.html

1981 Chevy Chevette Diesel - Low miles - $800
Reply to: sale-391328961@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-08-07, 8:29AM PDT

'81 Chevy Chevette, 62K miles, Diesel engine and 5 speed transmission, this is a parts car because it was hit in back passenger side corner and it bent the axle, Car starts and runs great, and will drive, but it has issues with the rear axle. Good donor car, was going to drop the drivetrain into a different vehicle but lost interest in project. Clear title on car. $800

* Location: Wilsonville

[fud2468]

Being able to use WVO is great, but otherwise getting 40 mpg with a Chevette diesel is not. My sister bought an'84 Chevette gasser new and we got 40 mpg on a 600 mile trip. I once owned a 1972 Datsun 1200 sedan that ran like a scared cat and consistently gave me 41-43 mpg on trips. I think the 1200 coupe would have done even better. And with an air dam and electric cooling fan, who knows?
Ray Mac.

[redmondjp]

OK, another one, not posted here before:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/409501084.html

1983 chevy chevette DIESEL 5 speed RWD - $1500

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Reply to: sale-409501084@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-08-29, 8:08PM PDT

up for sale is my 1983 chevy chevette diesel.im the 2nd owner.i have all paper work.it has a clean and clear title.its in realy good condition for its age.no rips in the seats,carpet.never been smoked in.it shows 30,000 plus miles,but its rolled over twice.the car runs and drives great.it has a dent in both left and right front fenders.the 1st owner said it got 40 to 55 MPG.it has a new winsheld,head liner,water pump,timing belt,front tires.it also can be behing a motorhome,that what he did.it will need new tabs ill try to get them.well let me know if you want to come look at it.360-874-6764 or 360-440-8114.

This item has been posted by-owner.
Location: port orchard

[RAVC1]

Yes, the Chevette diesel is well worth owning. I met my wife while she owned one several years ago. Hers featured the Isuzu 5-speed manual so I routinely observed 53 mpg on the freeway. I commuted between Lansing & Detroit to complete graduate school using this machine. This forced oil changes every other week.

The floorpan decay brings many Chevettes to their demise before the mechanicals are ready to head to pasture.

Rick

[redmondjp]

It's been a long, dry spell on Craigslist for diesel 'vettes , but here's one that looks like it's really been taken care of:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/590328367.html

chevy chevette diesel 5 speed make offer - $1

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Reply to: sale-590328367@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-02-28, 3:19PM PST


i bought my 1982 chevy chevette diesel from the first owner who was an older man,the car runs and drive good,its been towed behind a motorhome,i dont know how many miles it was towed.i have all recipts of work done by the chevy dealer.i have the window sticker from 1982.work done in the last 30,000 miles,new windshield in 7/26/2006 $253.40,at 198,000 miles replaced timing belt,camshaft stud replaced,set valves replace by pass hose $432.40.at 201,483 miles all new brakes,2 front brake calipers 2 front grease seals 2 front brake rotors 2 rear brake drums 1 rear brake hardwear 2 rear brake wheel cyl.rear brake reline,bleed and flush brake system $805.24.at 205,971 miles new battery cable and alternator $418.11.at 224,019 miles replaced sop lower control arm bushings,replaced water pump and gasket and coolant $722.70.also has a new head liner.its never been smoked in.but thay did have dogs that went for rides in the car.there is a rust spot on back hatch window.dent in left and right front fender.a buss backed in to the passenger front door was replaced with a new door by chevy dealer that why its missing the pinstrip.also has a cusome built base plate,tow bar,safty chain with hooks $493.39.the chevette comes with a 12.5 gallon fuel tank.the gas guage does not work.iv ownd it for about 7 months.iv put only 1,500 miles on it.it also comes with oil and oil filter.new front tires,it has a block heater,missing passenger sunvisor.may need new glow plug there cheap.when it sits for a week it take about 2 starts to start it.but other than that it runs like a champ,does not burn any oil or leak any oil.strong runner.good cluch and tranny.no rips inside the car.well taken care of car.

make me an offer.i have an offer at $1,200.00. 360-440-8114 shaun