UPDATE!!! I got the CAR!!! I need to get a new/used car for 10-15K ASAP.

[Piano Man]

Hey guys, I'm in a real pickle. My trusty 1990 Chevy Lumina is toast. Brakes are shot and would cost more than the car is worth to replace. So I need a new or used car. But here is the deal. I have no clue about anything dealing with cars. I am completely ignorant. What I do know is that I will have $10,000-$15,000 in cash when I go out looking. Please give me some hints. I don't need sporty, and I don't want a truck or SUV. I need a 4 door and good gas mileage is a plus. This will be my car for when I start to teach. Thank you so much for you help because I'm really in the dark here.



UPDATE:

I am the proud owner of a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Its Obsidian Black and I got the option package 4 which includes 15" wheels, power moonroof, cruise, keyless entry/alarm, CD player with 6 speakers. I got it for $13,475 at my door. No taxes or anything. Plus I get an extra years license and registration ($144). We bargained for over 3 hours. It was grueling, but I stuck firm and talked him down about $3250. I'm going to go drive now!!!!

 

[Piano Man]

I'm going to make this a bit easier to read. Here's the low down:


I have $10,000 to $15,000 in cash to use.

My old car probably isn't worth anything.

Used or new doesn't matter, I just want to be happy.

I want a car. Not a truck or SUV.

4 door is a must and automatic would be nice.

Sporty is not necessary. I'm going for reliability.

Good gas mileage is also a good thing here.

I'm going to be using this when I teach, so keep that in mind, I guess.

 

Nissan Sentra GXE - new for about 14,000. Nice car.

 

[Gungnir]

I'd recommend a Chevy Prism(discontinued 2002) or the Toyota Corolla (nearly identical). Mine has 200,000 miles, 9 years old, only had to do tires and brakes and a starter in 9 years. I manage a fleet of 30 of them too, and we have only had one car with problems. Decently sporty, 35 mpg, reliable, in your price range

 

[Piano Man]

All of those cars look good. Any other ideas OT?

 

[Kerouactivist]

Save some money and get a used Buick century, they get pretty good gas mileage, are very roomy, are quite reliable and insurance is reallly really cheap.

You can get one for a fairly good price even with all the bells and whistles.

I got a 1997 Buick Century limited with 42000 miles, it has leather, automatic climate control and power everything a month ago for $7500.

I think it would be a good thing to go from the Lumina to the century, you would like it test drive one.

my 2 cents

 

[PsychoAndy]

For your needs, a used/new Civic or Accord would work.

 

[Grasshopper27]

You can buy a really nice 2 to 3 year old car for that price.

Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camery are all hard to go wrong with.

If you want to save some cash, you can go with the lower level car from each company, Civic, Altima, and Corolla and get a bit newer for a bit less money.

If you want something nice for less cash, consider a Ford Taurus. True, they are a bit less reliable than Jap cars, but they cost less used too.

Check out this web site when searching for used cars:

GetAuto

Lots of very well priced cars on that site.

2001 Ford Taurus SE - 24,000 miles (in warranty) - $10,974
V6 engine, seating for 6, roomy inside, reasonably reliable (consumer reports recommends them), and the price is right.

I've owned one of these in the past, never had any problems with it.

Hopper

 

[Ornery]

There's a couple good "bang for the buck" buggies to be had:

• Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002
• Value is the story here, as well.
• Who Needs a Minivan when Lincoln Offers a Trunk this Big?
• ...the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria rank highly with Consumer Reports as far as reliability is concerned
• CR Recommended: 2002 Ford Crown Victoria
• What's with kids these days? I guess there are some things they'll just never understand.

I'm in the market for another '94 or '95 Town Car. $7,000 should do the trick. It wouldn't hurt a thing to go and test drive one. The ride will sell itself.

I'm signing up for another CarFAX 30 day membership. I will NOT buy a car that's been used as a rental, corporate fleet vehicle or been in a collision.

 

[BurnItDwn]

How about a Volvo??? Those things last forever .. you should be able to find one in excellent condition for 10 to 15K.
They generally dont get great milage though.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
For your needs, a used/new Civic or Accord would work.

My sentiments exactly!

I have plenty of used Accords on the lot where I'll be working full-time next week

 

[StageLeft]

If you want new get a sentra/corolla/protege/civic.

If you want used get a late model accord/camry.

All of those cars are fairly soulless and will also cost you little in maintenance as they are reliable and cheap on gas.

 

[Ornery]

Would you like a Lincoln Town Car ride at a Ford price? The Grand Marquis is what 4 doors are all about, IMO:

• Excellent crash tests
• Low domestic car repair costs
• Gobs of ROOM!
• 17MPG City / 25MPG Highway
• Safety!
• Owners LOVE 'em!
• Glowing Reviews
• Did I mention SAFETY?

Nothing like having your cake and eating it too. This car rides like a dream, handles very well and is sturdy enough for pot hole filled city streets and back country roads. There's a reason these things are used as fleet vehicles by police departments and cab companies... they can take a beating!

 

[KMurphy]

A complete new brake system for the Lumina would be cheaper than any other alternative, unless every component in the drive train is also toast. Parts for new rotors, drums, bearings, caliper rebuild kits and other miscellaneous parts for all four wheels wouldn't be more than $500.

Be wary of an exceptional deal from a dealer. The car may have been a rental in another state so use carfax to check out the VIN for history. I would buy from a friend or through an individual in the classifieds. Find a car that has been well maintained and have a mechanic check it out before you buy. Start out with your local friends and family.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Nissan Sentra GXE - new for about 14,000. Nice car.

sentras are tiny as hell, get a late model, slightly used car if you're taller than say....3 and a half feet

id prolly go for a toyota or honda if you wanna keep this one til it drops, like a camry or accord

oh, you could get a cadillac eldorado thats a few years old...not great on gas but...its a caddy and sweet looking too

 

[HokieESM]

I would highly suggest a Civic.... I've had one for five years now, and I've been VERY happy with it. But they retain value well, so used ones go for a "premium".... but I still think you could find one in that price range. They get GOOD gas mileage (my '96 gets about 32 in town and 38 on the road) and insurance is relatively cheap (which is QUITE important if you live in an urban area).

Another car to consider is a recently manufactured Mazda Protege... they're quite nice, reliable, and get reasonably good gas mileage.

Definitely go look around and see what meets your tastes/requirements best. If you're planning on using it for awhile, I would move "down" a model and get a more recent one, as opposed to a higher mileage "higher-level" car (a low mileage Civic as opposed to a high-mileage Accord).

Best of luck to you!

 

[Analog]

Saturn sedan

 

[bolido2000]

Civic/Corolla/Sentras are cheaper but you might want something bigger in a couple of years.

I would say Camry, Accord , Maxima, Millenia. They are very reliable cars and you shouldn't have a problem finding a used one in good condition.