Car for an HS student

[Anubis]

my 240 didnt have power windows but yea all that is standard including the heated seats.

new tires and new AC compressor are the only real things he has done

FWIW i sold my 1992 240 wagon for $1500 2 years ago with just over 200k on it

 

[kornphlake]

The reason it's $4100 (before negotiating) is apparently because the owner did quite a bit of work on it a couple months ago. And I guess it's in really good condition? It must be if it has been serviced by a good Volvo mechanic its entire life...

Just because it was owned by a mechanic doesn't necessarily mean it will be a reliable vehicle. It's more likely that the periodic maintenance has been done, but it's not likely parts were replaced for no reason. Nobody replaces their alternator or starter when it's still working that's not considered preventative maintenance. A vehicle 20 years old will have problems regardless of who the previous owner was, you might have fewer problems than if you bought a 20 year old vehicle with no service records, but you'll still have problems come up.

Personally I'd choose something newer, in your budget you should be able to find a 10 year old vehicle with ~100k miles, if you search hard enough you should be able to find something with service records as well. A 20 year old vehicle just seems like it's too old to be worth anything, unless you are buying the vehicle as a collectible or for sentimental reasons I'd keep looking.

 

[Throckmorton]

The reason it's $4100 (before negotiating) is apparently because the owner did quite a bit of work on it a couple months ago. And I guess it's in really good condition? It must be if it has been serviced by a good Volvo mechanic its entire life...



More pics:

Here's a tip. You can buy a much newer version of the Volvo wagon that's made in America, cheaper to fix/maintain, and can go almost anywhere. It's called a Jeep Cherokee and my 1999 only cost me $3500 a couple years ago.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Sorry if I seem like a moron asking this, but is the roof rack detachable? Or is it part of the vehicle's body itself?

And yeah, I've looked at newer vehicles and they seem like better deals. For example, on Autotrader at a price max of $4000, I've seen cars such as the 1999 Subaru Outback and the 1999 Volvo V70. The Outback was at around 150K miles, and the V70 was at around 130K miles. But, these cars are also from completely anonymous people that may have their unspoken reasons for getting rid of the car, and they're probably not owned by car-literate mechanics either. My dad actually knows the guy that he'd be purchasing from, which sort of provides some peace of mind to us.

Throckmorton: Thanks for the suggestion. We haven't looked at Cherokees at all.

 

[StageLeft]

The reason it's $4100 (before negotiating) is apparently because the owner did quite a bit of work on it a couple months ago. And I guess it's in really good condition? It must be if it has been serviced by a good Volvo mechanic its entire life...



More pics:

Nothing you listed is recent work. Rust free has merit to a car that age, though. I would not fall for the "volvo mechanic". I mean sure that's nice but really a car either works or it doesn't and it was maintained or it wasn't, which basically means were a few of the major fluids replaced at regular intervals, which anybody can do.

Personally I'd choose something newer, in your budget you should be able to find a 10 year old vehicle with ~100k miles, if you search hard enough you should be able to find something with service records as well.

I think so, too, and if you want extra capacity get a roof rack.

The problem with this 1991 is that even if its miles are low, say 100k (seems unlikely on a car that age) it's still 20 years old. I think $4100 is just asking too much unless it comes with a recently rebuilt and warranteed tranny or something.

 

[StageLeft]

I looked locally, cars at $3500-4200 on craigslist:

$4k 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Sedan with 103k Miles
$3850 2001 civic lx 160k miles (overpriced IMO, by a lot)
$4k 2000 rust-free 4wd blazer, 111k
$3500 2003 3wd ford escape 144k miles says tiny spots of rust
$3800 2002 focus, no rust 93k miles

 

[Shadow Conception]

I looked locally, cars at $3500-4200 on craigslist:

$4k 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Sedan with 103k Miles
$3850 2001 civic lx 160k miles (overpriced IMO, by a lot)
$4k 2000 rust-free 4wd blazer, 111k
$3500 2003 3wd ford escape 144k miles says tiny spots of rust
$3800 2002 focus, no rust 93k miles

Thanks man. I get where you're coming from, but my dad refuses to trust results from places like Autotrader and Craigslist. He says every dealer has an agenda and purchasing cars from them is very risky. Riskier than this guy he knows, anyway. I don't think I can sway him on that. It's his money and his decision.

Wouldn't the property tax/insurance on a more recent vehicle be higher?

 

[Throckmorton]

I looked locally, cars at $3500-4200 on craigslist:

$4k 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Sedan with 103k Miles
$3850 2001 civic lx 160k miles (overpriced IMO, by a lot)
$4k 2000 rust-free 4wd blazer, 111k
$3500 2003 3wd ford escape 144k miles says tiny spots of rust
$3800 2002 focus, no rust 93k miles

I'd steer clear of any "3WD" vehicles

 

[Throckmorton]

Try Craigslist. Go and look at the vehicles and talk to the people. I bought my last 3 vehicles from Craigslist sellers. The Cherokee I bought from a guy who was an oil reservoir engineer and did all his own maintenance, and of course kept up with everything.

Just stay away from bad parts of town and shady people.

 

[l0cke]

I looked locally, cars at $3500-4200 on craigslist:

$4k 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Sedan with 103k Miles

Rubbish unless it's got new headgaskets (ask for proof) or an engine swap (actually pretty common).

 

[kornphlake]

Thanks man. I get where you're coming from, but my dad refuses to trust results from places like Autotrader and Craigslist. He says every dealer has an agenda and purchasing cars from them is very risky. Riskier than this guy he knows, anyway. I don't think I can sway him on that. It's his money and his decision.

Wouldn't the property tax/insurance on a more recent vehicle be higher?

Buying a used car is tough right now, people aren't trading in their quality used vehicles just to drive something new. Most of the used vehicles on the market right now are a risk, but that has little to do with buying from a dealership or a private party it has more to do with the economy. A few hours of research to identify a model with few known problems and taking the vehicle to a good mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection can keep the risk to a minimum. Good negotiating skills have nothing to do with the quality of a used vehicle, a new car dealer will rip you off just as bad as a used car dealer if you let them.

If your dad has already made up his mind that he wants you to drive a 20 year old Volvo, then just get the car, it will be fine. It's not like he's trying to put you in a 1991 Ford Tempo. Obviously you've done some research and found a car that is as low risk as possible for a vehicle of it's age. I'd still try and negotiate a better price, If you could talk him down to maybe $2500 that would be a pretty solid deal.

 

[StageLeft]

Thanks man. I get where you're coming from, but my dad refuses to trust results from places like Autotrader and Craigslist. He says every dealer has an agenda and purchasing cars from them is very risky. Riskier than this guy he knows, anyway. I don't think I can sway him on that. It's his money and his decision.

Wouldn't the property tax/insurance on a more recent vehicle be higher?

Insurance and yearly registration is going to be really small on all of these things--even in NY state. They go mainly on value of vehicle.

Many cars on autotrader are private sale (maybe 1/3 or 1/2) and I'd say 3/4 are private on craigslist. There's little place to get screwed as long as you're using common sense and get it inspected beforehand by a mechanic or even just a friend who knows about cars decently. Or even just read a how-to online. I think it's very reasonable to inspect your own car if you have pointers on what to look out for.

It seems to me that from looking at cars recently the dealer markup on used cars is extremely huge. Like a private party $4k car could run you close to $6k on a lot. I guess they have to cover margins and risk but in your price point you can buy a lot if you go private. Some car dealerships do not gouge at all, though and to be honest I've run into some used car lots where the guys behind the desk seemed perfectly reasonable.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Buy something slow and try not to kill anyone with it.

 

[StageLeft]

Buy something slow and try not to kill anyone with it.

So, basically anything with VTEC?

 

[HarryLui]

Sorry if I seem like a moron asking this, but is the roof rack detachable? Or is it part of the vehicle's body itself?

And yeah, I've looked at newer vehicles and they seem like better deals. For example, on Autotrader at a price max of $4000, I've seen cars such as the 1999 Subaru Outback and the 1999 Volvo V70. The Outback was at around 150K miles, and the V70 was at around 130K miles. But, these cars are also from completely anonymous people that may have their unspoken reasons for getting rid of the car, and they're probably not owned by car-literate mechanics either. My dad actually knows the guy that he'd be purchasing from, which sort of provides some peace of mind to us.

Yes, roof rack is detachable. It'll leave 6 holes you have to plug and the roof rack most likely have damaged the paint on the roof.

Stay away from V70. Focus on only RWD volvo, 240, 740, or 940s. They share the same drivetrain and same low maintenance cost.

 

[StageLeft]

http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1894590981.html

98 taurus wagon 150k, tiny bits of rust, "needs nothing". $1600, you can def do better than $4100 for a volvo made two decades ago.

 

[Shadow Conception]

We're considering other options now (but the Volvo is not out of the question). I found a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE at a similar price, 123k miles: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ctd/1915396694.html

Good deal or no? How reliable are Nissans? Would the insurance be costly?

I've also found a 2001 Saab 9-3 SE sedan: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1912937840.html . Also 123k miles, similar price. Are Saabs reliable? And what about insurance on them? Also, this is a stick shift.

 

[Pulsar]

No, nissans are not terribly reliable.

You will pay out the ass for Saab repairs.

Make your father cry. Tell him you want this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...rdist=175&standard=false&LNX=ESTAFSRCHUSDTEXT

 

[StageLeft]

I think nissans are pretty reliable

 

[SearchMaster]

Those Sentras are pretty reliable though gutless - decent commuter cars. And to Pulsar - for some reason I've always liked those Focus SVTs. The interior is a bit funky and I've always been afraid they were abused but they have decent pep, good suspensions, etc.

 

[sdifox]

Saab 9-2x? Rebadged Subie Impreza but insurance is lower.

 

[Vette73]

Sentras and Altimas are ok if they have been taken care of.
I would pass on the saab, and most european cars.
Buicks are a good car to look at. Used price drops alot so you get a lot of car for the money.

2005 Impala for $4000 108kmiles
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/1914348393.html

2001 Altima for $4000 108kmiles
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/1914390030.html

2000 Altima for $4500 96kmiles
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/1912860189.html

2004 Buick LeSabre $4400 121kmiles
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/1915577354.html

2004 Buick Century $4000 (Did not list miles? maybe high?)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/1914233039.html

2002 Buick LeSabre $3500 113kmiles (Looks good)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/1910805175.html


and on and on....

I also live in N.VA so if you need soemone to check a car out you can drive by on the weekend and I can give it a one over if you like.

Marlin

 

[Vette73]

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/1914180278.html

2002 Saturn L200 with only 67k for $4500


http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/1911728567.html

2002 Saturn SL2 with 94k for $3300. Looks good and gets good milage. Should be able to get another 100k out of it. I would check this out.

 

[Pulsar]

Those Sentras are pretty reliable though gutless - decent commuter cars. And to Pulsar - for some reason I've always liked those Focus SVTs. The interior is a bit funky and I've always been afraid they were abused but they have decent pep, good suspensions, etc.

I've only driven the SVT focus and never owned them. They're quick enough to be fun. I am sick of small gutless cars. I had a 94 Z-28 that I loved that I got rid of for a Taurus when I got my family. Biggest mistake I ever made (the car, not the family).

 

[Shadow Conception]

Marlin1975, thanks so much! I'll definitely look into your suggestions, and thanks a lot for the offer. I'll definitely drop you a line if I need you.

I actually looked at CarSurveys for the 2002 Nissan Sentra. What I saw wasn't good at all... I saw stuff like "sticky gas pedal" and "warped rotors" and just kinda stopped there, lol: http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/nissan/sentra/2002/

What's a good way to consider all these cars, though? These cars are spread all around the area; should I narrow it down to 2 or 3 cars and simply check out those cars in person? Or do most people usually just run down a list of 10 good-looking cars..?