behold and be amazed mini van man:
an unmolested original california black plate car. V8, AT, PS, AC, manual brakes. well
under your 22K threshold.
i don't know what you're looking at, or where or whatever but you sure as **** can't say that they aren't out there. i bought this two weeks ago.
did i have to wake up at 5am on a sunday and drive 4hrs one way on some pictures and the seller's word? yes.
did i have much of back up plan if i couldn't drive the car home? no, not really.
but i took some fluids and some tools and the idea that i could probably, maybe get a uhaul trailer or worst case limp the car into friendly territory and stash it with a return trip with either parts or a trailer.
but if you want the deal, or you want the car those are the risks you take.
oh, and money. you gots to have that cash. no pussyfooting around, hemming and hawing, cashier's check, here's a paltry deposit and i'll pay you tuesday bullshittery. cash on the barrelhead gets the job done.