should i buy a nice car or a POS?

[Gibson486]

I start coop next summer, and i want to get an early start on looking for a car. You guys think i should buy a $1,000 pos, or should i make a larger investment. The way I see it is that I will use it for work and back and maybe to make a few big trips (big = 1.5 hour drive) once in a while. Also, I will only be on coop for 6 month increments, thne back in school. While i am in school, i will take the T (Bostons subway), so the car stays home. I am thinking that a big investment is not really needed. My dad, however, says that if I am spending $1000, I should just spend more and get what I like since i amy have to spend more on repairs. I understand wher emy dad is coming from, but i am really trying to save cash since i am on my own in 2 months. What do you guys think?


edit: nice car for me = something that cost around $4000.

 

[spaceman]

do you want to pay a car payment or a mechanic?

 

[m2kewl]

well i was a sophmore when i got my first car, '87 sentra - $700. ended up putting in $1300 and countless hours in repairs. would i do it all over again? hell no.

 

[Ornery]

I would think $1,500 could buy something worthwhile. You could spend $4,000, $8,000 or $16,000 on a car and still end up paying big bucks for repairs. You'll always need tires, batteries, exhaust, oil & fluids, filters, alternators, starters... just count on it. Buy a car that these parts are cheap and easy to replace on. Ask your mechanic what he recommends. He may know of a customer or two with well cared for cars who want to sell. Buy a one owner car from a conservative driver, and cross your fingers.

 

[zCypher]

Do you want a nice car or a POS?

 

[Blieb]

Originally posted by: ncircle
do you want to pay a car payment or a mechanic?

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: Blieb

Originally posted by: ncircle
do you want to pay a car payment or a mechanic?

 

[Ornery]

What fvcktards we have here! You could end up paying BOTH a car payment AND a mechanic! Wouldn't THAT be swell?

 

[jlee]

The most expensive thing I've had to get for my car is tires...and it has over 126k on it.

Toyota == teh win.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If you buy the right $1k car you don't need to spend a fortune on repairs. Can you do your own mechanical work? I've had a lot of luck with my < $1k 2.2l and 2.5l chryslers. Haven't had very many problems with them and when I have parts are dirt cheap and they are easy to work on.

 

[Pastore]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
If you buy the right $1k car you don't need to spend a fortune on repairs. Can you do your own mechanical work? I've had a lot of luck with my < $1k 2.2l and 2.5l chryslers. Haven't had very many problems with them and when I have parts are dirt cheap and they are easy to work on.

Exactly. My girlfriend bought a 93 Pontiac Bonneville with 140k miles on it 6 months ago for $1,000 and she has done nothing except for an oil change and 2 new tires since.

 

[XZeroII]

I bought an 87 GrandAm for $800 5 years ago and it still runs. I put about $1200 (max) into it during that time. Would I do it again? You bet!

 

[Willoughbyva]

Try to get a decent POS.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
If you buy the right $1k car you don't need to spend a fortune on repairs.

That's right!

How to find the right one? Well, that I can't explain easily. That's something a person develops a sense for, but cleanliness maintenance, and the previous owner are most of it, along with avoiding certain very troublesome models (the CR "used cars to avoid" is a good list to pay some mind to).

It's best to set aside some money for a good mechanic's used car inspection or 3 if you really have no idea (before you buy, once you buy, a used car is yours and yours alone, there is no buyer protection on a $1000 car), and be prepared to walk away immediately if a car requires numerous expensive repairs (one or two maintenance type repairs required on an otherwise good car shouldn't kill a good deal though, unless the seller seems shady about it).

A well maintained GM sedan with the 3800 engine would be excellent for your purposes, IMHO. They make excellent highway cruisers (quiet, roomy, comfy), those engines last forever, and they're cheap to buy, thanks to that wonderfully low GM resale value.

 

[ElFenix]

cars are not an investment

 

[mee987]

i spent 600 on my car 4 years ago and ive done almost no repairs whatsoever... still runs great. 88 sentra