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YACT: What sub-$5,000 used car for a 20 year old?

S

stonecold3169

Platinum Member
Alright, so my '95 3.4L Cutlass Supreme is finally at that mileage where little things keep going in it (142,000 miles on it, I've put 60,000 on myself), so while it's been an excellent car, it's time to move on.

Because of the feature package on my car, I literally have every option known to man on it. The car is in excellent shape other then a small quarter size spot on the trunk, so I've been told by dealers that if I sell to an individual I can likely get $3,000 for it. I really don't want to take out a loan at this time in my life because when university starts I cut my working hours way back. I worked my ass off since I was 16 to save enough money to pay for and go to college without working, I value my gardes more then a nicer car.

Anyways, what I'm looking for is another car in the $5,000 range. I could go a bit higher if needed, or if I could find a good deal. I'm looking at "needing" AC and cruise control, because I do a lot of highway travel.

I'd like to stay with another V-6 if possible. I was thinking maybe a Dodge Intrepid, in the '98-'99 area. Decent amount of power, decent looks, and right around my range. I was also thinking a late '90s VW passat, I've driven in them and they're comfy and meet my needs. A bit outside of my range though.

I'm by no means a car expert, but if someone can make some recommendatiosn within my price area (roughly) I would appreciate it. Or, if they want to tell me not to buy the couple of models I listed, thats fair too.

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: Ladies Man
mustang... v8.... zoom zoom
under 5k, has cruise, ac, power windows and locks,.... did i mention zoom zoom?
Click to expand...

Where are you going to get a mustang GT for that money? Unless you mean on old Fox 5.0 or maybe a beat to hell pre 99 4.6 that made only around 200HP? Add the insurance to that while you're at it.
 
Get a used Caprice with the police package. It can be found for under $5k, it's BIG, and it has a nice, powerful V-8.
 
A mid-90s Accord EX should fit the bill.... The redesigns were in 1993 and 1998, I believe. Post-1993 would be great--I would look for the EX (which has the options you're looking for) with the 4-cylinder (plenty of power for just a general car... good gas mileage).

I know how it feels to be a college student with straightened finances.... I'm in graduate school and I currently drive a Civic... I'd love "more"... but I can't complain about 100K miles of trouble-free driving at 35+ MPG. 🙂
 
Under 5K: Find the best car that suits you that has been well taken care of. Again, that's been taken care of. Not necessarily from a dealer (generally a higher price for used cars, plus no idea what the background of the car might be.) Oh, and make sure you take it to get it inspected BEFORE you purchase it.... they'll find any problems (earlier YACT's about someone getting stuck with a car that wouldn't pass an emissions test)
 
I dunno if prices are still down, but Ford Explorers are typically cheap, particularly the early models. V6 engines, AC, cruise control, 4x4 on most (yes, they actually made non-4x4 Explorers) and most insurance companies class them as Station Wagons, which means slightly lower insurance rates. They do tend to go through gas kinda quick though. We picked up an Explorer last year for $4,500 with only a few issues, mostly something with the back left window and an interesting electrical system. And the previous owner never changed the oil when she owned it. But it runs fine and hasn't ever let me down.
 
If you like the cutluss get another W-Body, like Regal, Grand Prix, Lumina, Cutlass. The 3.4L motos does cost a good deal to work on so look for a 3.8L or 3.1L V6.

Also like someone else said look for a late 90's Caprice. Good cars.


But no matter what you get make sure it has been taken care of and is in good working order. Go to autozone.com or partsamerica.com and look up the price of brake pads, alternator, starter, water pump, etc... so you can get a idea of what it will cost to keep it up depending on how long you own it.
 
Originally posted by: BatmanNate
Originally posted by: Ladies Man
mustang... v8.... zoom zoom
under 5k, has cruise, ac, power windows and locks,.... did i mention zoom zoom?
Click to expand...

Where are you going to get a mustang GT for that money? Unless you mean on old Fox 5.0 or maybe a beat to hell pre 99 4.6 that made only around 200HP? Add the insurance to that while you're at it.
Click to expand...



225hp,300tq
 
Alright, driving around today I found a friend of mine who I've done extensive computer work for (never charging) is selling his '95 Maxima GLE with a "$5,000 or best offer" tag on it. I've known this guy forever, and they vehichle looks like brand new, and has likely been treated the same (he's anal about those things).

The car has 80,000 miles on it, and being the GLE has full leather interior, 17" alloy wheels, cd player/am/fm/cassette (I eblieve that nissan uses bose sound?), cruise, climate control, power sun roof, power doors, locks, windows, mirrors. Also, I don't like them but I know he had had ground fx installed on it too (on a maxima, of all things).

I could likely talk him down to $4,500 on it, if not a tad less... should I go for it? It seems like a steal, just weird sinking that kinda money into an 8 year old car. I know being a nissan I should be able to reach 140-150,000 no prob on it, and I really only need it for 2 years... should I do it?
 
I've got an '88 Mustang LX-5.0. I like it, but some people don't. And oh yea, it was only 2k, but I've had to sink a few in to make it purty...and the fact I crashed it a few months ago(I'm only 17, had my lisence for about 11 months now)
 
i'm sure the max will hit 200k 😀

onza

Cliff Notes- Go for the max, its at a nice price, and i'm sure you can haggle him in the price
 
That Maxima sounds like an awesome deal. I would at least take a look into and test drive. I would avoid an Intrepid and the Passat, neither would be very reliable. Well I guess a 99 would be ok but a couple years older and I'd stay away.
 
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