NACT/YACT: < $7,000 auto

[BlueApple]

Looking for a reliable car, and want to spend between $3500 and $7000, and of course, the less the better.

It will be used for city/suburb commutes, so I will be going with automatic since it will be too bothersome to keep shifting in stop and start traffic (puts flame suit on) I'd also like A/C, as it can get hot here in the summer.

I'm not too picky on the type of car, but would prefer a sedan/coupe. I've been looking at late model Crown Vic's, Neon's and some other Chevy?s. I am not sure weather to go for a Toyota/Honda/Nissan as they don't devalue much and for what I would pay for a civic I could get a lot more in a domestic car. (Then again, it might not last as long...)

Suggestions?

 

[deftron]

Get what you like

 

[Thegonagle]

Just make sure it is in good condition for the mileage it has. The nicer ones stand out. They also sell more quickly, at close to bluebook prices.

Have a mechanic you can trust look the used car over and give a recommendation about needed repairs, and whether to buy it or not.

 

[vi edit]

Two most important things -

1. Just look at the car, inside and out. If the exterior and interior is in immaculate shape, chances are good the car has been very well taken care of. If it's trashed inside and out, then it's probably a safe assumption that general maintanence has been neglected as well.

2. Ask for record of service and ask to see receipts. A good owner can tell you exactly at what milage key services were performed (tranny fluid change, timing belt change, brakes, rotors, battery, ect).

After you look at a couple cars, it's pretty easy to tell which ones have been well looked after.

When you are in the price range you are in, it comes down to general upkeep of the car before you buy it than it does what nameplate is slapped on the back of the trunklid.

 

[N8Magic]

A 97-99 Toyota Corolla sounds like it would be a good car for you.

They're reliable as hell, get good gas mileage and last forever. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: N8Magic
A 97-99 Toyota Corolla sounds like it would be a good car for you.

They're reliable as hell, get good gas mileage and last forever. Can't ask for much more than that.

I'd personally use GM's craptastic resale to my advantage and nab a Chevy Prizm. It's just a rebadged Corolla. You can get 'em newer and with less miles, and for less money than an equivalent Corolla.

 

[RU482]

If you're looking for basic transportation, I'd say the Prizm would be a good choice.

If you want something more, you might try a late 70's Trans Am.






j/k

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: N8Magic
A 97-99 Toyota Corolla sounds like it would be a good car for you.

They're reliable as hell, get good gas mileage and last forever. Can't ask for much more than that.

I'd personally use GM's craptastic resale to my advantage and nab a Chevy Prizm. It's just a rebadged Corolla. You can get 'em newer and with less miles, and for less money than an equivalent Corolla.

I thought that was a good idea too when I bought my '95 Z24 back in the day. Yes, you can use the depreciation to your advantage, but when you go to sell the car, the resale value is also in the toilet.

I was left with very little equity when I traded that car in.

 

[vi edit]

I thought that was a good idea too when I bought my '95 Z24 back in the day. Yes, you can use the depreciation to your advantage, but when you go to sell the car, the resale value is also in the toilet.

I was left with very little equity when I traded that car in.

Gotta take into consideration the upfront savings. Buy a Corolla for $9,000. Buy the SAME exact car in the form of a Chevy for $7500. Use it for 3 years and the corolla is worth $5500 and the prizm is worth $4000. Evens itself out. You have to compare apples to apples here. The ability to negotiate a price is a very powerful thing as well. I got hosed on my first car purchase, and even my second one, until I really understood things. Live and learn. Just need to know what the car is really worth BOTH when you buy, AND when you sell.