First car- the big decsion?

Question

so i don't have THAT much money saved up but really need a car my choices are...

2001 Mitsubishi Galant- 124,000 miles, $4900

2002 Nissan Sentra- 89,000 miles, mid to high $4500

1999 Saturn SC SDN- 115,000 miles, $38000

those are pretty much my main choices. i've been leaning towards the Saturn but then again i don't know much about cars. i'm going off to college in a year as well so it would only be driven for about the next 10 months and then left in the driveway for a bit.

any advice or car knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I had a 1984 Nissan Sentra that was as old as I was when I purchaced it. *15 years!*

I put a rear bumber on it, patched the exhaust system, put ducktape on the seats, worked on the idler, and washed it.

3 years later, the car NEVER ONCE Left me stranded, even with 129,000 miles on it.  It blew the radiator cap of once, but it still got me home!  Not even my then new 2000 Dodge was as reliable...

I have nothing but fond thoughts for my first car, and that Nissan was a trooper.

Answer 2

I've had a Nissan with 287000 miles. it is all in how well maintenance and care.

Check insure prices, if posible have someone check them out with you, one that knows cars. How far you drive also matters. if you drive a couple miles here and there no big deal. If you drive 60 miles a day to school or work it can be a big deal.

jimmer

Answer 3

Get the Nissan. The Saturn is a rip-off. Think about it, a car that originally cost around $11,000 at most, 9 Years and 115,000 Miles Later, it is only around 1/4 of the price.

Mitsubishi just doesn't make good cars in general. They tend to have really bad paint which fades quickly, and just bad build quality and fit and finish in general.

The Sentra is a very good car still. It has easy to find parts that are somewhat cheap. It has plenty of standard features that the Galant and SC do not have. Plus, it is in the middle of your price range.

Go for the Nissan

Good Luck

Answer 4

I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES.  $4900 is wayyyyyyy too much for an asking price for that car.  124,000 miles and I'm guessing they probably haven't preformed all the required maitenence (Expensive labor stuff like water pump, timing belt, balance shaft, balance shaft belt etc.)

Mitsubishi Galant is a good car.....not at that price though.

I'd keep searching because all three selections seem unusually high.

Answer 5

out of those three,

the nissan.

definitely do not get the saturn!!!

if it already has 115,000 miles,

it wont last for much longer.

and no way its worth 3800.

so go with the nissan.

Answer 6

I would expect the Nissan to be a little more expensive compared to the other two cars.  I would go for the Nissan first since it's the lowest mileage and Nissan has the best reputation, but have it looked over by a mechanic before you buy it so there are no surprises.

Answer 7

Out of your choices, I will pick Nissan. They are more reliable than the other 2 cars.