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Need to buy a used car for college

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bigguy123

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I'll be a senior and I can't go another year without a car. I'd like to buy something reliable and fun to drive but I only have about 9,000 in savings. This leaves me something like 6-7,000 for the car and the rest for maintenance, registration, gas, etc (not insurance). I'd like some kind of hatchback to fit a lot of stuff, but civics are so boooring to drive...

It would be nice if I could have rwd car. I really like the idea of the 240sx, but they need repairs and while I have helpful friends who are mechanically inclined, I am not. Also, I've read they are one of the less safe cars to buy. I've been in an accident and safety is always in the back of my mind. I know I can't have a fast, fun, safe, reliable car for only 7 grand, but I'd like to get as close as I can. What are some options I can look at?

the mazda3 hatch is on the top of my list now, but it's a tad out of my price range. (and it's sloow 🙁 )
 
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Don't get something fast and flashy. Your comment about the Mazda 3 being slow is why I bring that up.

Focus on reliability, lower miles, no rust, etc. If you can drive a stick, I'd suggest it as I find too many autos are beat on by previous owners (especially kids). Speaking of which, a Ford Focus would probably be a good bet, and they're available in a hatchback. IIRC, look for 2003 and up.
 
I assume you're planning on having the car last all the way through college? My sister had an older legacy GT that she loved. It ran great until the radiator plugged and she overheated it. It would have been fine if she had just pulled over when it started running hot, but she said she didn't because she was running late to work. She warped the heads and roasted the engine because she didn't realize that hot = bad. 🙄

It was a nice car, sporty, decent room inside, good sized trunk and great in the snow. Besides the radiator it was incredibly reliable and needing a radiator on an 8 year old car isn't really a sign of any problems. It would have been a great car for a college student that wanted a fun car.
 
Also, I wouldn't mind a big car with a big engine. I'm just avoiding something tiny that's no fun to drive. I also have a crown vic and an accord v6 on my possible list.
 
Ford focus.
Toyota corolla. (In one of the years that wasnt shit.)
Little Mazda 3 or maybe 5.
You could get a Chevy Cavalier but I promise it will cost more to fix than its worth.
 
Since you do plan on keeping it for a few years, why not go for that crown vic? Comfy, durable, and reliable as hell. I'd still be driving mine if I hadn't been hit by someone going through a light a few years back.
 
bigguy123 said:
the mazda3 hatch is on the top of my list now, but it's a tad out of my price range. (and it's sloow 🙁 )
Click to expand...

If you get it with a manual transmission and the largest engine available (2.3-2.5L depending on year) the Mazda 3 can be really entertaining to drive.
 
id spend less money then you are planning

you can get a early 90s Volvo 240/ 240 wagon for like a grand in perfect working order
 
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