i'm going to be looking into getting a used car soon, and i'm looking at something that the sticker price will be around 8k or less and will be relatively new. any suggestions on what would be worth a look?
i'm giving a look to pretty much any ford or chevy, and will browse around to see if i can get an acceptable honda or toyota since those are supposed to be the most reliable, but does anyone have suggestions beyond that? i'm thinking either a pickup or a car, i don't like SUVs in that price range
I've had a Chevy Caprice since like early 2002. I got it with 80k miles, Now it has 210k. It had a 350 engine it, and I loved it. Got a little over 21 mpg. Cheap to work on it, and I love it. Not what you are looking for....but just sad to let that girl go.
I personally buy all my cars off ebay, and craigslist.
I think Toyota makes an awesome Camry, or Corolla. I love Toyota trucks, they are strong.
Honda makes a nice vehicle, but the price is a bit up there sometimes, even for a car with high mileage on it.
I also love Jeeps. Jeep Cherokee's are a personal favorite, and you can usually snag them for less than 5k with about 80k miles on them.
I never buy new, but I also know how to work on cars. So you situation may differ.
Get something fuel efficient that's not gonna cost you an arm or a leg. A truck is going to cost you an arm and a leg depending on where you live, how far you have to drive, and how much you like to drive. I would suggest a Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla or Yaris, or basically any small jdm car. I would stay away from American designed cars, but if you get a truck then get an American made truck. Hope this helps.
I haven't bought a new vehicle since 1990. I've had the best luck with Chevy's and Buicks. Most of mine have been lease turn-ins 1 1/2 to 2 years old with 6,000 to 30,000 miles on them. Getting a low mileage vehicle for $8,000 will take some hunting. You're probably looking at an '01 to '03 in that range. My '95 Buick had 155K on it so I just went out and bought another '05 of the same model LeSabre Custom with 41K on it. Watch for estate sales, my son got a 1 year old Pont Grand Am with 5500 miles on it for $11,000.
Well the 94-96 Caprices get almost 30 mpg...they are giant cars with v8 engines. Working on them is super cheap. You could get a nice one for less than 4k.
Personaly I would buy the car book from consumer report and make a list of the most prefered cars or trucks and then shop every source available and remember cash is still king when buying a vehicle.
actually AH i was planning to go around and see what is available then hit consumer reports to see if there are any problem cars on the list and what is the best deal
Not sure where you are in life, but here's my $0.02.
Used cars aren't the bargains that they used to be, because financing and original owner warantees on new cars are making new cars more cost competitive.
HOWEVER if you are considering an SUV, they depreciate in price faster than they depreciate in value, especially Chevys, and some share parts with many other vehicles.
My opinion is that in this day and age, used cars are only an economical choice if you are choosing to pay for (or do yourself) repairs instead of financing. This is looking at the total cost over the time you will probably own it. And if this is the case, I'd suggest getting something with good performance whose price drops faster than its value. Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, all of them have such good reputations for reliability that used models cost far too much to really be cost effective. Chevies, on the other hand, practically have to be given away. Which you can make work to your advantage, IF you are prepared to upgrade to superior parts and do labor yourself. If your recourse for auto repair is a less than absolutely stellar and economical mechanic or a dealership, BUY NEW, period.
If you're willing to get under it youself, I'd suggest picking a common platform that isn't too big. Late model Chevy Blazers for example. My Bronco II shared a platform with the Ranger, which was excellent for aftermarket parts that were as good as the factory. If I got an Explorer that wouldn't be the case.
Now with all that in mind, I'd sure love a V8 that gets 30 MPG. The suggestion of a late model Caprice doesn't sound bad. The classic frame-on-body (which I think it has) is in many cases easier to work on, and much easier to repair corroded parts on. You shoudl be able to get one far within your price range. But make sure you save some $$$$ for repairs, and do them as soon as you see they need to be done.
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I had a Bronco II as well G3, and I beat the crap out of that..great runner but many lemons out there.
I have a Ford Exploder and it has 203,000+ miles on it..not too many problems..but many lemons out there.
The Caprice Classic is our cities retiring police car, so there are many white cars w/ side lights and big bumpers driving around Tucson..I wish I owned one..people gettin out of my way..
I totally agree with G3, as soon as a a problem arises deal with it, that is why my 1997 Ford Exploder is still running today...yes it has been costly over the course of 10 years but that thing has never stopped running..it's always been little things, electrical, fuel, accident (not my fault) new child..etc..
But I always chose a truck or 4WD, because roads are cool, but getting out and being able to go anywhere was always my thing.
Sure your insurance rates will be a little higher, but man..you'll never get stuck and you'll have your friends buying you things for helping them move.
If you can find a toyota truck or car for that matter in your price range and it is in good condition I would say buy it. The parts are a little more expensive but they are better built and will last alot longer than most cars out there on the road. You do need to do the routine maintaince on any car to make it last but Toyota and Honda are #1 for a reason. The Japanese take pride in what they build and it shows.
I agree with you guys on Toyota and Honda, but make sure there is a service shop in your area that will work on it or anything else you buy same applies.
My son bought a Volkswagon Jetta against dads advice, had a problem, electrical, had to haul his car for him 90 miles to someone who would work on it. Domestic car dealership in town couldnt help as well as 4 private mechanics as nobody had a computer to diagnos his foreign car. Young man is learning the hard way. Got to tease him about a Ford hauling his Volkswagon to another town. LOL
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