look for ones with mechanical issues. body work is more expensive than mechanical work. good body work atleast. plus a car that looks good is easier to sell
Eighth gen civic si sedan. Saw one at a dealer for $6k. Next month that car was being flipped on CL for $8k. Desirable car cause its aged well and one of the last of the high revving naturally aspirated hondas. Of course the coupe is the same but the sedan i see gettin higher prices. Its uncommon to see one under $5k though but i seen it a few times. Usually on CL with bad paint and a dent or slammed with rolled fenders and ugly aftermarket wheels.
Honda Fit, Subaru wrx and forester; toyota suv/truck, mr2, celica, xrs-variant matrix; ford focus svt maybe, some mustang maybe, not really into these cars; thats all i got off top of my head.