• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What used car for $3-4k and where to buy?

N

NewSc2

Diamond Member
I just found out that my old car that broke down before I went to college this year is going to cost about $1000-1500 to fix, so I had a talk with my parents and they agreed to chip in to buy a good used car. I only have about $3-4k to work with, so I was looking somewhere along the lines of a 5-6 year old Corolla, Civic, or something of the like.

I've never really looked into buying used, so where should I go to look for a good used car (classifieds? car dealer?) and what should I be looking for to make sure it's not a lemon (warranty, car history report?)? Also, how many miles is too many? I plan to use this car for at least the next 3-4 years, but I don't drive that much, maybe 10k miles a year.

Any recommendations on a good used car to look at? I kinda just want a regular compact car, and the budget hopefully can be stretched to maybe $5-7k if I do some good planning.
 
Go to edmunds.com. The price they have (TMV) is pretty good starting points.
Also check out kbb.com, that is the price that 90% of the dealer will ask for.
It will be much more than what edmunds will give you.
Go to cars.com and local classified to see what type of car that you can get within your budget.
Since you are pretty tight with funds, reliability is priority.
That will narrow down the cars choices.
Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: NewSc2
I just found out that my old car that broke down before I went to college this year is going to cost about $1000-1500 to fix, so I had a talk with my parents and they agreed to chip in to buy a good used car. I only have about $3-4k to work with, so I was looking somewhere along the lines of a 5-6 year old Corolla, Civic, or something of the like.

I've never really looked into buying used, so where should I go to look for a good used car (classifieds? car dealer?) and what should I be looking for to make sure it's not a lemon (warranty, car history report?)? Also, how many miles is too many? I plan to use this car for at least the next 3-4 years, but I don't drive that much, maybe 10k miles a year.

Any recommendations on a good used car to look at? I kinda just want a regular compact car, and the budget hopefully can be stretched to maybe $5-7k if I do some good planning.
Click to expand...


What is wrong with the other car, as 3-4K might get you another car and have the same problem a month from now.

Also what is its overall condition?

But for 3-4K a cheap good car is like a Buick Regal, pontiac Grand Prix, Olds Cultlass, nissian sentra, something along those lines. For a cheap car don't get one wioth a timing belt as it will proabable need it very soon and add at least $500 to the car price.

 
hehe i'm in the same bout as you! i have about 5-7 grand to spend. at that price range you only get somethin in the early to mid 90's. i'm looking into a honda, any honda right now, like an honda accord or a honda civic. the life on those things are amazing. I'm currently driving my gf's 93 accord, it has about 150k miles on it and still running strong.

i need a car to finish my post bach, so something to last me 2 or 3 more years. i haven't even considered buying another brand. something about honda's and life expectancy. they get good gas mileage and are fairly cheap to maintain.
 
Most important: the car has been taken care of!! Find someone very knowledgeable about cars.... someone who can tell that the oil was just changed, but hadn't been changed prior to that for a long time... someone who sniffs the transmission fluid (why?? I don't know. It means something to the person who helps me). Also, probably second to reliability, is the cost of replacement parts. Some makes are much more expensive to repair than other makes. (I think mazda, saab, vw, and a few other foreign makes are expensive for parts)
 
Originally posted by: ncircle
private sale.
get yourself a toyota.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up.

Question is FINDING a good reliable car at a FAIR PRICE.

Here are some cars I found on http://www.latimes.com/cars/

Searched for Toyota Corolla, $3,000 - $4,000, within 100 miles from 90053

Year Vehicle Price Mileage Photo Seller Body Color Distance Compare
1996 Toyota Corolla $4,000 149,000 Classified Ad 50 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla DX $3,995 119,000 Exclusive Online Classified Sedan White 11 mi.
1997 Toyota Corolla CE $3,950 -- Classified Ad 99 mi.
1991 Toyota Corolla $3,800 108,000 Classified Ad Sedan BEIGE 99 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla $3,800 -- Classified Ad 99 mi.
1993 Toyota Corolla $3,500 -- Classified Ad 59 mi.
1993 Toyota Corolla $3,450 98,000 Classified Ad Sedan 109 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla $3,250 -- Classified Ad 109 mi.
1998 Toyota Corolla $3,000 99,465 American Pro Corp Sedan Burgundy 31 mi.
1994 Toyota Corolla DX $3,000 151,000 Classified Ad 114 mi.

My sister's first 1990 Toyota Corolla which has around 98,000 miles is still running strong, just perform routine maintenance and regular oil changes ... runs great.
 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Most important: the car has been taken care of!! Find someone very knowledgeable about cars.... someone who can tell that the oil was just changed, but hadn't been changed prior to that for a long time... someone who sniffs the transmission fluid (why?? I don't know. It means something to the person who helps me). Also, probably second to reliability, is the cost of replacement parts. Some makes are much more expensive to repair than other makes. (I think mazda, saab, vw, and a few other foreign makes are expensive for parts)
Click to expand...

Exactly what you need. If you don't know much, and can't find a person who does, you'll need to get it checked out by a good mechanic before you seal the deal.

BTW, private sellers are where you need to look for cars in that price range. Dealerships generally have very few good cars for that price range.
 
look at the 90-93 integras
they look better than the 94+, ultra reliable, fun car to drive, handle extremely well, got some boot(LS,RS, and GS) (a GSR in great condition and low clicks could be found for 6,000-7,000US), the GSR has 170 horses, redlines high and is a beautiful engine. You can find ones with leather too and power everything.
lastly your buyin an Acura which I personally would take over a toyota anyday (integras are giant steps ahead of those older corollas in terms of how nice they are)
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: ncircle
private sale.
get yourself a toyota.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up.

Question is FINDING a good reliable car at a FAIR PRICE.

Here are some cars I found on http://www.latimes.com/cars/

Searched for Toyota Corolla, $3,000 - $4,000, within 100 miles from 90053

Year Vehicle Price Mileage Photo Seller Body Color Distance Compare
1996 Toyota Corolla $4,000 149,000 Classified Ad 50 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla DX $3,995 119,000 Exclusive Online Classified Sedan White 11 mi.
1997 Toyota Corolla CE $3,950 -- Classified Ad 99 mi.
1991 Toyota Corolla $3,800 108,000 Classified Ad Sedan BEIGE 99 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla $3,800 -- Classified Ad 99 mi.
1993 Toyota Corolla $3,500 -- Classified Ad 59 mi.
1993 Toyota Corolla $3,450 98,000 Classified Ad Sedan 109 mi.
1995 Toyota Corolla $3,250 -- Classified Ad 109 mi.
1998 Toyota Corolla $3,000 99,465 American Pro Corp Sedan Burgundy 31 mi.
1994 Toyota Corolla DX $3,000 151,000 Classified Ad 114 mi.

My sister's first 1990 Toyota Corolla which has around 98,000 miles is still running strong, just perform routine maintenance and regular oil changes ... runs great.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I saw those, but most of the ones near me were part of car auctions and just the starting bid~ 🙁
 
I'm selling a '97 Mercury Tracer for around $2k. In the D.C. Metro area.

Nevermind, I just saw you're from Cali. Too far away.
 
Originally posted by: chin311
Originally posted by: ncircle
private sale.
get yourself a toyota.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Get yourself a Geo Prizm. Exact same car as the Corolla, but with domestic rather than foreign resale value. When I bought my '95 prizm two years ago (85k miles then) there was a 95 corolla sitting opposite it on the lot. Same year, color, options, engine, everything, except it had about 10k more miles. They wanted $1500 more for it solely because of the name.

So far the only things to go out on my prizm are the starter (probably because of a job I had where I started and stopped several times a day) and the clutch master cylinder. The clutch itself is pretty heavy duty for a car this light and is still as strong as when I bought it. I've replaced the timing belt and fuel filter, but those are normal maintenance. It's a good little car, decent power with a manual and good gas mileage.

BTW, I paid $4k for the Prizm.
 
You can buy my 1989 Toyota Cressida ~125,000 miles for $800. 😉

It has everything a new car has (and sometimes more), except that they don't work very well. 😀

V6 engine w/ like ~190 hp (doesn't run like one though 😉), power windows and locks (never mind that the passenger door doesn't power lock anymore), moonroof, 6 speakers, leather (a few tears here and there 😛).
 
go to used car auctions in your state you might be surprised you will score 99 domestic ford or similar for 3400 plus auction fees and taxes!


friend of mine scored 99 contour

other scored 1999 Grand Am for $3400in PA used car dealer lot, so far 0 in repairs runs great
 
Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
go to used car auctions in your state you might be surprised you will score 99 domestic ford or similar for 3400 plus auction fees and taxes!


friend of mine scored 99 contour

other scored 1999 Grand Am for $3400in PA used car dealer lot, so far 0 in repairs runs great
Click to expand...

Yea, saw a few of those around~ Has anybody been to those? How do they work? What are the condition of the cars?
 
it all depends from luck since you cant have mechanic inspect it, dont be afraid to buy car that has scratches or dents to certain conditions cause other buys will be turned off but you can find cheap bodyshop and for few hundred dollars fix it and cars mechanical stage might excellent
 
Originally posted by: Wduaqnug
it all depends from luck since you cant have mechanic inspect it, dont be afraid to buy car that has scratches or dents to certain conditions cause other buys will be turned off but you can find cheap bodyshop and for few hundred dollars fix it and cars mechanical stage might excellent
Click to expand...

why the hell not?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top