Im 18 and about to buy my first car. recommendations please? (im thinking about buying a good used car)?

Question

and can you elaborate on why you think this is good for me? remember, this is going to be my first car!

Answer 1

Dont buy anything expensive because u are a new driver and you dont have much experience. Go with a reliable car like a toyota or honda, plus they give good gas mileage

Answer 2

everything lover not a fighter said..

and I know an 18 year old doesn't want a garbage prius or something similar i can recommend a honda accord has more power and still gets you ok gas mileage

an acura also very good and long lasting

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct...

if you like a trans ams or fast cars don't get the weak V6 version .  

But Honda Acuras Toyotas are very good used cars and will save you money on repairs.  Because you will far less than American Made cars

Answer 3

If you want high resale value, reliability, quality, and great gas mileage, get a Honda Civic.

It's always a good first car.

Answer 4

98 Acura CL

98 Ford Mustang V6

98 Honda Accord or Civic

98 Nissan Frontier or Pathfinder

98 Subaru Impreza or Legacy

98-00 Toyota Corolla or Echo 00

Answer 5

Check with Consumer Reports, to get an idea on reliability, and cost to operate.  You should also check with insurance company, and see what the insurance rating is for cars.  For example, some are safer in crash test, some have higher theft rate, etc.

Answer 6

If you don't care about impressing your friends, then a Toyota or a Honda is a great idea. Both get great gas mileage and are pretty cheap. Downside to Honda though: everybody and their mom has a Civic (which is good I guess because parts are easy to find).

If you do want something a little nicer, I would suggest a Chrysler or a Nissan.

Or, if you're looking for something try the Impreza.

I guess it all depends... what are you looking for exactly? Do you want something to last a long time, or do you want a badass vehicle to race in?

Answer 7

MSNBC had a news story on where is the best places to buy used cars. The used car dealers were on the BOTTOM of the list. They are pros at negotiations (and you and I are rank amateurs), they are pros at hiding problems on their cars, etc.

The private sales (newspaper, etc.) were the best places. The seller will not tell you all the problems, but they don't know how to hide them.

And a private seller are at MOST they are equal in negotiation skills to you and me.

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My 94 Civic can get 41 MPG (and I was doing 72 for the mileage test - so I can do even better at 55). The engine + tranny + suspension runs like new. It ain't no beauty but it is rock solid. If I had to sell it, I would not get more than few thousand dollars. This is the kind of car you want to look for.

Just take your time, as good old used cars are cheap but hard to come by.

Good Luck...

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Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car

(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.

(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.

(3) test every button, k**b, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can).  Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc.  then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc.  Test the high beam, low beam, etc.  Test (flip) the visor.  Test the alarm.  Test all 4 doors.  Test the rear defogger.

  *****   TEST EVERYTHING.

(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up.  Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).

(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.

(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc.  It is normal to see some oil and grease.  But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.

(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something.  If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).

(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection.  He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious.  Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer.  They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com.  Just more expensive.

good Luck...

1) Safety Ratings:

http://www.safercar.gov/

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

2) Reliability:

http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ra...

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/ratings/rati...

3) Fuel Economy:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/f*g/sbs.htm