Recommend a used car for around $8k?

[screw3d]

I'm fresh out of college, and my commute is going to be about 8-9 miles each way in Los Angeles. It will be my first car (woot!). I can swing $4k (or grudgingly, $5k) if it's worth it..

So far, I'm scouring craigslist, autotrader and recycler for either a Honda, Toyota or Nissan in Greater Los Angeles area. I'm mostly looking at Civics and Corollas now and not sure what else is out there

Any other suggestions or considerations? Does auto insurance rates differ a lot between coupes and sedans?

Ok.. let's bump the budget up to $8k because I can't find a car that I like in the old range. I'll take a small auto loan.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Hmmm
I think you could easily swing a 89-92 gsxr 1100 for that price

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
Hmmm
I think you could easily swing a 89-92 gsxr 1100 for that price

lol wth.. i don't want a crotch rocket.. yet

 

[Vette73]

For that price don;t look for a specific car, look for a car that has been taken care of.

You could geta Buick with a 3.8L V6 that has been taken care of. Also Saturns etc...
Look at everything and post the for sale ad here.

 

[compuwiz1]

For that budget, buy a yuppie pyle.

Want some reliability?

Pay special attention to this list:

1989-1996 Toyota Camry
1989-1996 Toyota Corolla

1990-2002 Nissan Maxima

 

[screw3d]

How about something like this: http://tinyurl.com/2k3elk

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
For that budget, buy a yuppie pyle.

Want some reliability?

Pay special attention to this list:

1989-1996 Toyota Camry
1989-1996 Toyota Corolla

1990-2002 Nissan Maxima

Thanks! That's actually kinda what I'm looking for!

 

[compuwiz1]

Don't buy aged Hondas. Most of them will be shaken down, if you know what I mean.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Don't buy aged Hondas. Most of them will be shaken down, if you know what I mean.

Actually, I don't

What's "aged" to you?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: screw3d
How about something like this: http://tinyurl.com/2k3elk

SLVG? That might be a car with a salvage title.

Or I could be wrong and it might mean Silver/Grey.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: screw3d
How about something like this: http://tinyurl.com/2k3elk

SLVG? That might be a car with a salvage title.

Or I could be wrong and it might mean Silver/Grey.

Ack I missed that.. yeah I believe that's salvaged. Reading car ads like they are typed by a 3 year old does that to you :frown:

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: screw3d

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: screw3d
How about something like this: http://tinyurl.com/2k3elk

SLVG? That might be a car with a salvage title.

Or I could be wrong and it might mean Silver/Grey.

Ack I missed that.. yeah I believe that's salvaged. Reading car ads like they are typed by a 3 year old does that to you :frown:

With places like that, do they charge by the letter for the ads? Otherwise I don't see what's so hard about typing things out.

Anyway, best of luck finding a car.

 

[compuwiz1]

SLVG=Salvaged Car.

Car Fax anything with a title brand, such as that.

I'm a car guy, I know these things.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
SLVG=Salvaged Car.

Car Fax anything with a title brand, such as that.

I'm a car guy, I know these things.

You work on a lot don't you?

Hook screw3d up. ::nudge nudge wink wink::

 

[compuwiz1]

Guys, I'm a 25 year veteran in that business. No, I don't try and sell anything here. I can give advice. But if you bug me too much, I'll refer you to Sally, and she don't take no crap. She'll slap you with her bewbies. She's my sexatary.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Guys, I'm a 25 year veteran in that business. No, I don't try and sell anything here. I can give advice. But if you bug me too much, I'll refer you to Sally, and she don't take no crap. She'll slap you with her bewbies. She's my sexatary.

And your office would be located...?

 

[krunchykrome]

For $4K-$5K, Id look at used Saturn or Hyundai. Both are reliable automobiles, and newer models with lower miles can be had for lower prices.

I'd also search on eBAY.

 

[screw3d]

bump!

 

[imported_Ifrit]

my 1993 camry with 250k+ miles is still running like a champ. My dad gave me this car and I'll probably still drive it after I graduate college in 4 years.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: screw3d
I'm fresh out of college, and my commute is going to be about 7 miles each way in Los Angeles. It will be my first car (woot!). I can swing $4k (or grudgingly, $5k) if it's worth it..

So far, I'm scouring craigslist, autotrader and recycler for either a Honda, Toyota or Nissan in Greater Los Angeles area. I'm mostly looking at Civics and Corollas now and not sure what else is out there

Any other suggestions or considerations? Does auto insurance rates differ a lot between coupes and sedans?

buy a $1000 civic. spend $1000 to fix it up. drive it for x yrs till u can afford a better car. sell civic for $1000.

 

[thedarkwolf]

00+ Ford taurus
Yes they are extremely boring but so is everything else in the thread sofar. Aslong as you get one with the older 3.0l vulcun engine, not the OHC engine, you won't have any problems with it. I'd rather drive a taurus or one of the many 3.8l GM products then a buzzy little civic.

 

[Tsaico]

You know, I have a couple of friends who drive the Suzuki Samurai/Sidekick also built by Geo called the Tracker and eventually the platform was picked up by Chevy under the same name. It is all the same car, just different companies made it. One friend has the Samurai and the other has a Geo Tracker... both are over 100k in miles and were treated moderately well (both acknowledge some maintance was neglected) but they both run great.

But I would agree with the statement of not look for specific model/year, but more of one that was taken well care of. And as for salvage, don't be completly scared off by that. A thrid friend of mine has had very good luck with salvage vehicles (all he can afford). He makes sure that they are not salvage because of flood and tried to find our what made it go into salvage. Salvage if something happens and the insurance doesn't want to repair it.

Take my pals current car, it was stolen and was stripped. The owner at the time bought the car back from insurance with salvage title, put new engine and stock wheels on it. The he re-upholstered it himself. So the car is actually better off now then it was before, since it has new interior and new engine (albiet it does look a little shabby in some places), but has a salvage title. Not common but it does happen. Just make sure you find the history on it and do your homework.

 

[newmachineoverlord]

On a twenty year old car even a minor fender bender, break in, or hail damage can total it due to the low blue book value. Therefore a salvage title on an older car isn't so bad, as long as it passes a state safety inspection before you buy it. On a vehicle less than seven years old however, a salvage title most likely means a major accident.

 

[chrisms]

Toyota or Nissan truck. With the right care those things are unstoppable.

 

[raildogg]

I would buy a used 1995-1999 or so Honda Civic for a fun, agile and fuel efficient ride.