ID:185830
 
I am shopping for a car right now, it will definately be a used car, I won't be able to afford anything over used.

I need some tips on how not to get screwed over and such. All I want to do is get a car that doesn't look like it's been through a coal mine and beaten on by natives, and it will be dependable. I am also wondering at what price should be a minimum I spend on a car, or what minimum quality of a car I should I get? I am mainly looking for something in the 88-95 range, because that's around what I can afford.

Any help?
Kunark wrote:

All I want to do is get a car that doesn't look like it's been through a coal mine and beaten on by natives, and it will be dependable.

Like mine.

~Kujila
First off, go foiren, American cars, especialy older ones, where well known not to last. I personally like Toyota, but that is just a personal preference. Honda, if well treated, lasts a long time. Really, it is up to you, and your preference.
In response to Scoobert
Exactly, I agree. I've heard this a lot from friends and family.

~Kujila
Yeah, I'm going to be looking into cars shortly(when I have some extra cash to spend). I'll be looking through used cars as well....we're not all made of cash, right?

So, yeah:

- Used
- Dependable
- Decent-looking
- Not a truck, van, minivan, etc. (I want a car)
- Probably 88-95 like Kunark
- No exterior damage(dents, etc.)
- It works

That's pretty much all I am looking at. I'll be watching this thread closely, I will.

Hiead
In response to Hiead
Like mentioned before, Toyotas and Hondas are probably your best bet considering it is probably your first car, for the both of you. My first car was a honda accord, and it had 240k miles on it. They last forever as long as they were not hot rodded or anything crazy like.

-S2k
In response to Stealth 2k
Any ideas on minimum pricing?

Hiead
In response to Hiead
I got a good beetle for $800. =)

Of course, I took it to the shop to get some things done to it (like a new paintjob.). Making the total ~$950.
In response to Hell Ramen
Heh, I'd rather like to only approach beetles if there's nothing better to find. =D

Hiead
In response to Scoobert
Scoobert wrote:
... I personally like Toyota, ...

I definitely agree. My 88 Toyota Tercel is much better on gas than any of my friends' cars (I haven't filled up in two and a half weeks or so, and I drive pretty much every day) and has yet to cause me any trouble mechanically. All this for ~$1000 CDN!

I've got a nice $700 stereo in it and you have a happy Vortezz.

In response to Hell Ramen
A paintjob is more than just $150 if I'm not mistaken, right?

~Kujila
In response to Kujila
Not if you have a friend do it. >_>
In response to Kujila
well the price range can vary form what kinda care you get and if your gonna pay in payments id say arounf 200$-400$ a month my mom jsut got a pre used ponatic(idk how you spell that)for 26,000 it only had 1200 miles no it thats nott hat bad but shes gonna be paying on it for 4 years or so cause her payments arent but 250$ a month or for more saveings look for a use hybird thoose are realy good if you leave in the south were gas prices are geting sky high
In response to National Guardsmen
Are either of you guys planning on buying it straight out with cash, or planning on payments? If your looking for a used vehicle for like 1-2k, you can't expect it to be beautiful and to expect to really impress your friends. You might get lucky and find a steal though.
In response to Hell Ramen
Ah, good idea... now I just need to find paint ^^

~Kujila
In response to Kujila
Kujila wrote:
Ah, good idea... now I just need to find paint ^^


Are you saying that to my "it won't be beautiful"? Because you probably will need more then paint. Most cars you buy for that price do need some work, or will need in the future. If you have a mechanic you trust, ask for a test drive and take it to your mechanic and see if he'll look it over.

-S2k
In response to Stealth 2k
I have...

* Defective paint and clear coat that peels off, leaving rust and ugly grey splotches.

* No muffler

* A broken steering column (Wheel does not adjust, locked at bottom)

* An accelerator that sticks (We attached a spring to fix that) (This is a horrifying experience, btw =P)

* Windshield wipers that don't squirt fluid. (One squirts but sideways, so we fastened the tube down to the wiper itself.

* Knocking Engine

* 183,000 miles

* Bright red interior (lol - it's not that bad!)

* Oil that hadn't been changed in two years - black as night (Fix'd when we got it!)

* Crumbled brake pads that randomly lock (Fix'd when we got it!)

* Three burnt out external lights (Fix'd when we got it!)

~Kujila
In response to Scoobert
Scoobert wrote:
First off, go foiren, American cars, especialy older ones, where well known not to last.

That's an opinion, not a fact. I have a car that was made before Honda, Toyota, or Nissan existed & it drives & runs perfectly. Now, that's craftsmanship for ya.

Anyhow. If you're really looking for a good car - that's also good on gas, AND one that can actually accelerate & move easily into traffic, I'd suggest getting nothing less than a 6 cylinder vehicle. Something like a 80s-90s Pontiac Sunfire/Sunbird, or Chevy Cavalier would suit you good. Or even a For Escort, or maybe even a Dodge/Plymouth Neon. Just a bit of advice - don't always judge a car by how it looks. Also, ask for their maintenance records, also check tire wear, oil leaks, coolant leaks, brakes, etc...
In response to Teh Governator
Teh Governator wrote:

That's an opinion, not a fact. I have a car that was made before Honda, Toyota, or Nissan existed & it drives & runs perfectly. Now, that's craftsmanship for ya.


Honda. Founded September 24, 1948

Toyota. Founded 1933

Nissan. Founded 1932

How old is your car? Like a Model-A?

~Kujila
Kunark wrote:
I am shopping for a car right now, it will definately be a used car, I won't be able to afford anything over used.


Wouldn't that make it cheaper if it was 'over used'?


I need some tips on how not to get screwed over and such. All I want to do is get a car that doesn't look like it's been through a coal mine and beaten on by natives, and it will be dependable. I am also wondering at what price should be a minimum I spend on a car, or what minimum quality of a car I should I get? I am mainly looking for something in the 88-95 range, because that's around what I can afford.

Any help?


I can tell you one thing, I've went threw way to many vehicles lately due to them being crap. Honestly, you cannot get peoples opinions off of a forum cause you know... It just don't work that way, read threw papers, buy a BUY, SELL & TRADE flyer or something and look threw that. Car prices vary, car coditions vary, and the reliability of that car varies as well. It could look good on the outside but the inside (machinary) could be all buggered up. Just take somebody that has some common-sense with vehicles (your dad) when you are looking at a car. You might come accross an awesome deal. My cousin just bought a 1981, Z28 Camaro, all stock mint condition for $1500! An old guy babied it, had it in storage, and wanted a young man to have it. But man, I've had many of those $100 beaters, they don't last long at all (a day or two).

But hey, when you do get your car, change the cap, rodar, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. That's the first thing you do when you buy an older car, and if the engine sounds choppy check the timing, if it's the slightest bit off it could make the engine sound like it's pinging when you step on it, and not have much power.


RaeKwon
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