Where can I find a cheap but nice car?

Question

I'm 16 and I want to find a car that save on gas and all I have is a $1,000.

Answer 1

sorry but you wont find a decent car for $1,000.

a decent car is worth at least $3,500. anything lower and it is basically c**p. sorry.

Answer 2

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.

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When you look for a used car, you really have to expand your list of choices and get what ever you can get (at the time) - as long as the used car is mechanically sound.  Some people get focused on just getting a Civic, or Mustang, etc. and end up getting a crappy Civic or mustang because that's all they found at the time.

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 3

wonderland

Answer 4

Seeing as you're only 16 and it's probably your first car? With that in mind it doesn't really matter about what you get, you only need something that will get you from A to B. In which case you could easily pick up a car for $1000. Your best bet is to check out car auctions or check your local newspaper's classifieds for used cars. Maybe search ebay.com or autotrader.com to see what kind of car you could get with $1000. You never know you might find something pretty decent at that price. :)

Answer 5

try looking in your local newspaper's classified section or even better, go to craigslist.org- click your area and go to for sale> cars & trucks youl find lots of used cars and you can set a maximum of $1000. this site is popular good luck finding a car.

Answer 6

You might be able to find a decent car for that price at a car auction. They have great deals there. If you don't know where one is near you, you should get a list of car auction sites in your city. mycarauctionreview.com provides a review of the most popular ones.