Getting Near Buying My First Car

[BlackTigers]

17 here, and I should be obtaining my first car by early summer some time. I kind of mosey around craigslist from time to time, but don't really know what I should be looking at/for.

Here's some basic info...

Under $5k is a must.
Under $4k would be even better - I know I'm going to crash it, lol.
Gas mileage is a good thing. At 17 with gas at $3.25 a gallon, less is more.

I like the look/feel of small, 2 door coupes. Think the 2dr Cavalier and Escort Zx2.
By no means does the car have to be domestic, that's just a silly preference I have.


What should I be looking for? I'm trying to find some imports, but damn are they expensive compared to their American counterparts. To get one in my range, the mileage is obscene!

Thanks.

 

[Pandaren]

1995 Honda Accord LX.

Edmunds.com estimates that it will cost you $2,552 from a private party, or $3,606 from a dealership. This type of vehicle is available in both 4-door and coupe configurations.

This vehicle has dual airbags and side impact beams. I think it is fairly safe for a car more than 10 yrs old. Handling is good and the engine has a decent amount of power and torque (130/139) for an old I4.

The major thing to check for is a timing belt change every 90,000 miles (every 60,000 if the vehicle has been driven continuously in harsh conditions like -20F or 100F).

 

[DeviousTrap]

Nothing wrong with a 1995 Honda Accord, but I'm not sure if I would call a ~15 year old car with first gen. airbags is safe (by todays standards).

Considering your interested in domestic cars, I'd look at a 01-02 Ford Focus. The '00 ones had a few issues, but once they're all sorted out the cars should be pretty much dead reliable. I'd even consider something like this: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/car/579091707.html. It's a salvage title, but resale value shouldn't be a big deal to you and you should be able to bargain him down a bit more; just make sure it's been repaired well.

 

[SirPorl]

I just picked up a zx2 off craigslist for $2500. Car is a stripped model but has AC and a cd player. Runs good, looks decent. I am happy with it. Driving a 5 speed daily is interesting but I am getting used to it. Some good deals are out there.

 

[BlackTigers]

Just a quick update, but I think I'm getting my options down now. Let me know what you think of these...

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/671450243.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/672305218.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/634212486.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/640654428.html

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers91
Just a quick update, but I think I'm getting my options down now. Let me know what you think of these...

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/671450243.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/672305218.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/634212486.html
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/car/640654428.html

Based on those, I'd go with the Civic. The accord is nice, but it has too many miles. The escort is unreliable (i've owned one), and the Cav is probably unreliable as well.

 

[Baked]

I like the Accord too. The Civic looks like it's been riced.

 

[Vetterin]

Bought my wife a new ZX2 back in 98. Gave it to my daughter in 02 and she still has it. It's got over 120K miles and still runs great. All I've changed so far were the brakes (3 times), the outer tie rods and (of course) tires. Very cheap car to maintain and fun to drive. I think it is a little more reliable than the Cavalier.

 

[Fenixgoon]

miata?

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
miata?

That's what I would have bought when I was your age. Hella fun. Chicks love to go for rides in little convertibles. I bought an MG Midget as a first car because Miatas hadn't been invented yet. You're in luck - I had to spend twice as much time working on my car as driving it, whereas the Miatas are reliable.

Just try not to crash too hard when you crash it. They're awfully small...

 

[daveymark]

another vote for the miata. reliable, very cheap to maintain, and easy to work on. $4k will get you a nice mid 90's with under 100k, which isn't even broken in for a miata. would be a plus if the timing belt was changed recently.

of course, make sure it's a manual. stay away from that slushbox listed in your area.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Another forum turning into a miata whore forum.



I love it.

 

[Black88GTA]

If I were in your situation, I'd probably end up with something similar to this. But I'm weird

The GM 3800 from that era is an excellent motor, and very reliable, even supercharged. The mileage is about average for the year. And, you can easily squeeze a lot more power out of that engine for not a lot of money if you were so inclined. No "used import tax" on this one either...

The only thing that would worry me is that based on the car's description (3 subwoofers, tinted windows), it is / was almost certainly owned by a teenager who probably beat on it.

Also, are there a lot of ricers in your area? I looked at maybe 8 listings, and 4 of them were riced out, partly primered, altezza wearing piles of shit...

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
If I were in your situation, I'd probably end up with something similar to this. But I'm weird

The GM 3800 from that era is an excellent motor, and very reliable, even supercharged. The mileage is about average for the year. And, you can easily squeeze a lot more power out of that engine for not a lot of money if you were so inclined. No "used import tax" on this one either...

The only thing that would worry me is that based on the car's description (3 subwoofers, tinted windows), it is / was almost certainly owned by a teenager who probably beat on it.

Also, are there a lot of ricers in your area? I looked at maybe 8 listings, and 4 of them were riced out, partly primered, altezza wearing piles of shit...

Yes, my city is pretty ricer-oriented, which is why finding an unmolested import is a PITA.

The Miata is nice, but two seats? That's a little too small, but it's still an option. I like the price they're coming in at.

And Black, I also looked at the GP. If nothing else, only for the fact that we have a Buick with that motor on it (non-SC though), and it gets the job done quite well.

Gah