This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes: For a first car or daily beater, this one is hard to beat.... unless you're over 6 ft. tall. I agree on the daily driver or kids first car, and the ad is good...but my only question is -- who would put synthetic oil in a Yaris!?!? That's like feeding duck liver pate to the pet pig. Find this 2009 Toyota Yaris offered for $3495 in Houston, TX via craigslist.
The story seen quite often here on DT is one where a malaise era econo-box that has managed to escape the depreciation curve generates a big interest from the readership, until we scroll down to the interior pictures and find a slushbox. Then the inevitable comment about the auto killing interest. Our next example survivor is a fine brown example with a shift-it-yourself transmission. Are you ready to put your money where your keyboard is? Find this 1977 Datsun B210 for sale in Olympia, WA for $4,000 via craigslist. 
The Lexus SC430 was introduced in 2001 with all of the ingredients to be a resounding success -- a reliable small displacement V8, a double wishbone suspension, rear wheel drive, a folding hardtop and room for two...unfortunately it had all the character of a box of kraft mac & cheese. However, now on the used market, it isn't a bad car for the cash if you aren't someone who wants to tear up apexes or live your life one quarter mile at a time. Find this 2003 Lexus SC430 offered for $6,500 in New York via craigslist. From Cory.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The only low mile & reasonably priced examples of any cars are always going to be equipped with the most undesirable of engine /transmission /trim /options. I think if the car had been remotely fun or interesting to drive, the owner would have found some time to cruise around...but not today. . Find this 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Base with 8,000 miles on the odometer offered for $6,500 in Cape Coral, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.
The recipe for a the ultimate good times with a craigslist advertisement goes a little something like this: First, find a inexpensive car in extraordinary condition. Then, make unsubstantiated (and unverifiable) claims like owned by a former duke of Albania or used in the independent film " Marco Polo's day off". Finally, write your test in ALLCAPS. That, my friend, is how you do it. Like this 1993 TOYOTA CAMRY, 94,250 MILES, GRANDMA'S CAR (FOR REAL) - $3200 (TRUMBULL, CT.) via craigslist. 
The 2nd generation Acura Legend was released in 1991 and likely ignored by the clueless US based auto manufacturers (I can't imagine any of the bean counter driven big 3 would have looked twice at this car and seen a threat). However, there were likely a few German horseless carriage builders who did a collective freak out (and you should see German engineers freak out...it ain't pretty) when they discovered the fit-finish-and-finesse of the Acura Legend. Find this 1993 Acura Legend offered for $3,350 in Forest Grove, OR via GroveAutoCenter. Tip from Kendall.
Mazda's new ad U.S.campaign "Driving Matters" is an extension of their "Be A Driver" campaign in its home country of Japan. The tagline speaks to the focus the company has on being involved in the act of driving vs. a mere passenger in an appliance. Mazda also claims that there is a little Miata DNA in all of its current lineup. But 30 years ago, the opposite was true. Find this 1988 Mazda 929 for sale in Ocean Park, WA for $2,495 via craigslist.
I can't see how you could go wrong with an Acura Legend coupe offered for less than the going rate of a timing belt service on the average car. It might not get you front row parking at the valet, but neither will your "Final 500 Edition" Oldsmobile Alero, and this thing will start every time you turn the key. Find this 1995 Acura Legend offered for $2,000 in Grand Rapids, MI via craigslist.
The 1980s and '90s were a tumultuous time for the passenger car market. Dodge, the giant of the minivan realm, was quickly seeing its three-row, long-wheelbase formula become standard operating procedure for the segment. Outliers like the Honda Civic Wagon and this Axxess didn't play ball with that formula, and, lacking that all-important third row (in the U.S., at least), never realized great sales success. Case in point: 1990 was the only year it was available. Find this 1990 Nissan Axxess AWD for sale in Reno, NV for $2,700 via craigslist.
If you are looking for a small fuel-efficient car van in the USA, your options are really limited. It seems that the automotive product planners feel that Americans want some giant overpriced diesel pickup if they own a small delivery service or need a junk hauler. The fact that Europe, Asia, Africa and the rest of the Americas are filled with compact delivery vans is completely ignored by major OEMs, with the exception of Ford who was recently introduced the Transit Connect into the US market. However if the splash screen on the Ford Transit website that reads "Impressive Horsepower and Torque*" is any indicator, they still don't get that these vehicles are about usability and not driveability. So, if you want a miserable driver that is wonderful as a compact junk hauler, find this 2007 Renault Kangoo offered for $5,500 in Oxnard, CA via craigslist.
The showroom pictures in this ad surely must document a fairy tale story. Some penny pincher put up with an old three-door Japanese appliance for years, slavishly scrimping to save enough money for the 3 Series they had always dreamed of. But you would be in error to heap praise on the owner while neglecting the true hero of that story: the loyal four-pot Civic that faithfully reported for duty every day for the past 29 years. Find this 1986 Honda Civic hatchback for sale in Portland, OR for $1,999 via craigslist.
DT Editor Vince -- This next tip comes to us from Andy L who included a complete story, here it is: I put about 200K on a 95 LS400, so I would like to offer you my anecdotal take on this particular example. Lexus
sedans are not everyone's cup of tea. They are heavier than a whale,
always a tick behind the competition in acceleration and handling,
thirsty for gas and often thought of as a retiree's car. Their
unremarkable styling seems to mimic Benzes of the same era and won't be
turning any heads. One could argue, however, that early models just
might be the best kept secret in luxury bargains. Find this 1995 Lexus LS400 1-owner example here on eBay
offered for $8,675 buy-it-now with 2 days to go, located in Pompano Beach, FL.
Just the thought of a white slushbox equipped Toyota Camry will cause many seasoned gearheads to instinctively flinch, but what if the Camry was almost 25 years old and a long-roof version? Can the wagon gods bring some excitement to the life of drudgery associated with the ultimate driven machine? Find this 1991 Toyota Camry Wagon V20
offered for $8,950 buy-it-now or make offer on eBay, located in Feasterville-Trevose, PA with 11 days to go.
How do you make the world's most boring dull-machines a bit more exciting? Carbon fiber wings, fart can exhaust and neon underglow? Nope, not even close. Try leaving them 100% stock, but make sure they are low optioned, manual transmission as original as possible...then, and only then will the buyers come running. It just so happens that two discount specials from appliance city just fell into our tips inbox...time for a comparison! If you had 3 large burning a hole in your pocket, would you pick the 1988 Camry or the 1983 Accord?
The Toyota Corolla was introduced in 1966 with the E10 generation available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe and 2-door wagon. It might not have been apparent back in the 1960s that Toyota would eventually become the world's largest automaker, but the little frugal, reliable and fun Corolla certainly should have been a wake up call to the big players in the market. Today the E10 Corolla is affordable classic and the wagon version is the one to get. Find this 1969 Toyota Corolla Wagon offered for $4,500 in Payson, AZ via craigslist.
Words and tip by Kaibeezy. My mom bought a Maytag washer in the 60's that lasted for 40 years. When the repairman could no longer get parts, she had to get a new one. Which lasted 5 years, as did its replacement. Cheap profit engineered crap. I'd guess this Camry, or better yet a Mercedes or BMW of the same vintage, would last longer than a new one bought today, driven the same. And that's not even mentioning all the electronic crap guaranteed to fail. Now get off my lawn and buy this 1991 Toyota Camry 5spd for $3,900 in Milpitas, CA via craigslist.