Funnily enough I've been reading your LJ forever and I'm not sure where exactly you are located (geographically), but in my neck of the woods you can buy volvo station wagons all day long at the SF County Vehicle auctions. My neighbor regularly picks them up in good running shape for 600-1000 bucks and then resells them on craigslist for a tidy profit. So, my advice would be to cut out the middle man and start looking at vehicle auctions in your area. There are even mechanics on craigslist who will go with you to the auction for a small fee and look over vehicles with you so you don't end up bidding on a lemon.
(no subject)