halik
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2000
- 25,696
- 1
- 81
I buy and sell about 4 or 5 cars annualy and here's my thoughts:
1) Utter crap. Salvage title can mean a lot of things, but it's definitely not a "kiss of death". Insurances can write cars off for stuff like flesh flood, so lot of times you can score amazing deals on salvage titled cars. The depreciation rate on a salvage car isn't any more than a regular car - if you initially pay 25% less for a salage titled car, you can expect to get 25% less than clear titled car when you're selling it. I currently drive an audi a4 quattro that i picked up for 3400 bucks...
2) I wouldn't rely on carfax entirely, especially if you're talking about accident history. More often than not accident will not show up on the report. For stuff like that, use your eyes. If body panels don't line up or you notice overspray underneath the car or odd looking welds, changes are the car has been wrecked and fixed.
4) Most likely won't happen. Last year i was selling a turbo awd talon and one of the prospective buyer said they will bring a mechanic with 'em. Well as it turns out, unless you actually know one, mechanics dont seem to wanna do stuff like that. You're much better off just taking the car to a shop and have them check it out rather than trying to find a guy that will come with you.
(Hopefully) 1991 Mazda RX-7. I know, the rotary is expensive as hell to fix, but those cars are SOOOOOOOO sexy.
Another question... Do you recommend me buying from a dealer or look in the classifieds/internet?
First Car: Freebie 1990 Chevy Lumina @ 115K. Thing is a tank when it comes to accidents haha, and easily repairable if you do. But broke down quite a bit. problems with the battery, starter, transmission were rampant.
Current Car: $3500 1995 Nissan Maxima @116K. I'm a nissan fanboy, so there's not a lot of bad stuff I can say about this car. Maximas are incredibly relaible. I lub this car!
If you're looking for a cheap car, dealership auto auction is the only way to go.
Current Car: $3500 1995 Nissan Maxima @116K. I'm a nissan fanboy, so there's not a lot of bad stuff I can say about this car. Maximas are incredibly relaible. I lub this car!
If you're looking for a cheap car, dealership auto auction is the only way to go.
$5k? i'd get a ford focus if i want a compact or an altima/galant if i want a car.
the ford focus rides much better, has more room, is cheap to fix, has great fuel economy.... IMO the best american compact available now.
the recent sentra is getting worse, as is the new jetta (they are both made in mexico), so i wouldn't consider any of those.
also look for a hyundai elentra that's newer than 2001.
as for the galant/altima, they are just regular, reliable japanese mid-size's. nothing special about them but they'll get the job done.
the ford focus rides much better, has more room, is cheap to fix, has great fuel economy.... IMO the best american compact available now.
the recent sentra is getting worse, as is the new jetta (they are both made in mexico), so i wouldn't consider any of those.
also look for a hyundai elentra that's newer than 2001.
as for the galant/altima, they are just regular, reliable japanese mid-size's. nothing special about them but they'll get the job done.
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