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I need to get a used car. What should I get?

C

coolred

Diamond Member
My Topaz has a a few problems so I need a new car. I am not looking to spend more then 2000.00, but would prefer to spend between 1000.00 and 1500.00. What would be a good car/truck/SUV/whatever to look for. Basically my only requirements are that it has either 4 doors or easy access to the backseat if it is a 2 door, since I have a 6 month old that has to ride in the back. I found a 1994 Pontiac Grand AM SE with 71000 miles for 3995.00( I know thats quite a bit more then 2000.00, but it is advertised at under 100.00 a month, so i can afford that. So I guess as long as it's under 150.00 a month or so then I guess it can exceed 2000.00 in price. Is that a good car, what other cars are good to look for? How about neons, they seem to be found pretty cheaply?
 
I'd definitely get a japanese car for reliability and low maintenance...

look for a Toyota Corolla or Nissan Sentra in your price range would be my best advice..

maybe even a Civic.. most Japanese cars are built to last at least engine wise, and don't need much maintenance... i have seen this from experience of my family's and friends' cars. some domestics are definitely good too, but not overall as good as a Japanese car.
 


<< I'd definitely get a japanese car for reliability and low maintenance... >>




I agree. Especially those that's assembled in Japan. Look for VIN starting with J. Nothing agianst Americans, but I think it's proven that as a whole, their workmanship is better.

They are expensive compared to a comparable car, but interior is definitely nicer and you'll see that controls are easy to use. You'll save it on repairs though..

Hyundai is also a good alternative even though it sucks as a status symbol. You can't complain about their 100,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
 
Ask your mechanic what he thinks of these old cruisers? They're rugged as a tank, safe and sound, quiet and roomy, easy and cheap to fix... made for pot hole riddled, American roads. The exact same vehicle your local police, taxi and rental companys used.
 
Yeah, we used to own a Toyota Camry from 88 and it was still running quite well despite abuse from my mom.
You'd probably have a hard time finding a Honda since there's generally a "popularity tax" on post-90 EG Civics.
Neons are tough to find in good shape for less than 3K but if you find one with a new metal head gasket, it's probably a good deal.
 
Older Toyotas are tough and pretty reliable (for being old cars). They're high quality so you should be able to find one in pretty good condition.

Try to find one with less than 135,000 miles, unless it's hwy miles and it's otherwise in very good condition.

Geo Prizms (but not Metros, Trackers, etc.) are actually Toyota Corollas, and they can go for pretty cheap.

EDIT: oops, wasn't finished 😱
 
Another vote for a Japanese made vehicle. Early 90's Nissan Sentas are great used cars and cheaper than comparable Honda's and Toyota's.
 
I agree. An early 90s Sentra or Tercel would be a good choice. My '92 Sentra has 160,000 miles. My roommates Tercel has 220,000 on it. No major problems with either car.

Geo Prizm, too. Most people don't know it's actually a Toyota.
 
The only bad thing about 88-90 Camry's is it's on the among the highest stolen vehicle list. There is alot of demand for parts for that car, consequently cars get taken from the street.
 
Careful with the Toyota's tho, they seem to have problems with the water pumps and the Alternators.

I would still buy a Tercel tho. That was my first car. I paid $500 for a '85 toyota Tercel Station wagon. That thing ran like a champ. And I drove it into the ground. I finaly blew the trans while showing off doing a neutral drop. I did get $50 from the junkyard tho 🙂

If you can find one that is 4x4 I would get that one.
 


<< Careful with the Toyota's tho, they seem to have problems with the water pumps and the Alternators. >>


Those parts wear out on any and every car. Luckily, they're relatively simple and cheap.

Hey, I had an 86 Toyota Tercel wagon. $220, rusty as hell, but I don't think it need any repair for months. I spray painted it flat and satin black, and it's looks were vastly improved. Then I decorated the back windows for Halloween with some orange hanging Christmas lights from Walgreen?s, a blacklight, and some plastic ghosts and skulls that would glow under the black light. I got a ticket for it though (showed pictures and was let off by judge/arbitrator the next day.

It was a good car.

Then a hit and run driver ruined it one night.

Oh well. $220.

PS, DO NOT buy a $1000 Hyundai, unless, by some fluke, it's been well maintained. Most people treat these as disposable cars.
 
2.2l-2.5l dodges. They were available in several different 4 doors and the engines are about unstopable. The nice thing about them is the cars have no resale vallue so you can get a lot newer and nicer one for the money when compared to a toyota or most other imports.

Shadow
Spirit
Lancer
Omni
Sundance
Caravan(If you don't mind a mini-van)
I know there are more I just can't think of them.


Most are also available with a 3.0l v6 but avoid the ones with the 4 speed auto trans. Its a POS but I think the 5 speed is alright. Also most came in a 4 banger turbo version and should be avoided if you want absolute reliablity and no fun 🙂.
 
Buy my 87 VW Scirocco 8V, I'd let it go for $1500. Thats a good deal for you. It runs strong and has a few mods.
 
My mechanic's general rule is that if the engine starts, the car is worth $1,000, so be very careful with any car between $1,000 and $2,000. You would need to spend about $4,000 to get a car that will not have issues.

I don't mean to say that a $1,500 car won't keep running for a long time, but there are likely to be other problems with it.

ZV
 
an old Honda Accord... the one I use when I'm at home has 300,000 miles on it and still hasn't had any major problems with it.. that thing was $800 a few years ago
 
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