What kind of Car would you buy? $2,000 for my budget. I drive 30miles/day?

Question

So, I am a student, and need to buy a car.

Right now, I am borrowing my friend's car which is Land Rover. It costs about 100dollor to fill Gas....(FYI: 4.39/gallon today), and I drive about 30miles everyday. Since Land Rover's MPG is really bad, it costs so much. I thought instead of spending Gas for Land Rover, I should buy some old car that has a better MPG.

My budget 1500-2,000 dollars.

Weekday: 30miles/day

What do you think? Any suggestions?

If you were my situation, what would you do?

What car would you think buying ?

Answer 1

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). 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.  On old (and low priced) cars the maintenance is MORE important than the mileage or the year.

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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.

good Luck...

Answer 2

My advice would be to buy a popular make car from a private sale.

I would avoid anything European (BMW etc) and look at a Japanese car.

I would advise you to buy a car that has proven reliability and MPG, as well as something that are cheap to repair, easy to find second hand parts for and still fairly desirable.

You should pay the extra money for a mechanic to inspect the car, so that you know what you are getting in for before you commit. Ask the mechanic about general repairs, as well as service costs, and just generally about the car.

I would advise either a Toyota or a Honda. A Corolla or Civic should suit you down to the ground.

Answer 3

you can probably get anything around the years 1996-1999 for that price range

toyota corolla

honda civic

nissan maxima

dodge neon

Answer 4

your almost half way keep saving

for $4,000

look for

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

I would look for a 1993-1999 VW Golf, Jetta, or Passat Diesel.  Decent reliability, excellent ergonomics, and unreal fuel economy.