Gimme your car buying wisdom!

[Panacea]

I'm looking to buy a used car sometime before summer. This will be the first time I've ever bought a car, and I don't have a lot of car savvy people in my life. My dad's a blowhard about cars and I don't think he really knows as much as he says he does...sorry dad.

*I want a small car, with easy maintenance (no cartridge filters, big tires, hard to locate parts)
*I'm going to be paying cash (under $10,000)
*Maybe it's unrealistic, but I don't want a car with 70k+ miles on it, I mean mine has 144k...I'll be running into maintenance issues I JUST had with the Escort.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated, but I have two specific questions:

1. What are your thoughts on domestic versus foreign? (I suspect domestics are easier to fix?)
2. What are your thoughts on discontinued models? (I am under the impression these are not wise choices for a number of reasons- true?)

Thank you

 

[Panacea]

Also, my search is basically down to Focuses, Cobalts (discontinued), Aveos (I've rented these and they seem cheap), Kias?, Mazdas (see these everywhere and they're dirt cheap but they have cartridge filters right?)...

Frankly I cannot stand the look a Focus before 2012 but it's about value before appearance for me.

 

[Niamh]

Can't go wrong with a Honda or a Toyota, really reliable and cheap for parts (well, they are here anyhow)

 

[Panacea]

I've always heard good things about them (well aside from the Toyota's recalls before) but I'm not sure about maintenance costs here. I'll add them to my search though!

I drove a Corolla and it was really quite nice.

 

[Niamh]

I had a corolla a few years back, it was a great car. I drive a Honda Accord now for the last 2 years and haven't had a single problem with it so far and there's over 102k miles on the clock

 

[darkcgi]

absolutely toyota or honda
honda is number 1

crx (mini sport car pricy)
del sol (mini car targa top 2 seater sporty)
civic (basic car) (2dr or 4dr)
accord (luxury version of the civic)
prelude (rare sports sedan)
element (boxy suv)
I never liked the crv (suv)
odyssey (van)

the smaller the engine liter the better
4cyc (due to saving gas)

4 dr civic smallest liter is the best buy
or the FIT mini van/sedan My Favorite

They have more models but they are newer years if your are trying to get a good buy they probably will be more expensive

I had a civic and loved it
I also had a del sol (it was the best car I ever had)

 

[Panacea]

Thanks, dark! I definitely have to watch my prices. I don't currently have a high paying job, but I've saved some money for a "step above a beater car" lol. I want to pay cash so I'm not strapped to a monthly payment and can negotiate a bit.

I will search around at Hondas and Toyotas

 

[darkcgi]

I really like the scion models from toyota as well

 

[darkcgi]

I think 10 grand is more than enough
I would look around 8

this is what Im trying to get for 4 grand or less

 

[Weebs]

There are many choices in that price range.

I am curious as to why you hate a cartridge type filtering system.. There are many aftermarket intake filters on the market like K&N that are reusable after a cleaning/charging. In effect you pay about twice as much for the filter and charging/cleaning kit, and never buy another filter.

I do a lot of my car searches here... www.cars.com simple, local, and informative. Best of luck to you.

 

[Joe the meek]

Another vote for Toyota or Honda.

I have a Honda CRV for a company car, put about 50k a year on it, and other than some general service, vehicle has been great (one $500 dealer service bill, but to be expected after a couple of years and high mileage). Car is going strong after 200k. We have a couple of Toyotas, both with over 150k on them, and no major problems and very happy with them. Some of the other guys at work have brand new Ford Fusions for company cars (I get the AWD for going up into the mountains), and they've been in the shop more than I'd care for considering they're brand new.

If you want to bring the asking price down more, instead of trying to keep the mileage under 70k, look at something with under 110k on it, usually you can get a better deal when the car hits that magical 100k (just seemed that way to me). Just make sure if you look at something with higher mileage to see if the timing belt was changed. Timing belt is one of your more high dollar service upkeeps when the car hits around 90k, and if you don't have it done and you have a problem, you can be screwed.

I've bought 4 used cars above the Mason Dixon line (local one time owners) and 2 used local cars in NC. If there is any chance possible you getting back to NC, look for a local owner going from Hickory and East. I was AMAZED at how little salt on the road for winter can keep a car body looking. Not sure how much salt they use west of Asheville to Tenn.

Doing a local search on Auto trader, there are multiple Hondas and Toyotas under 80k on the odometer under 10k asking price.

 

[Alien Allen]

If you know any mechanics ask them what are reliable models

Not sure about prices now but years ago it would cost an arm and a leg to repair a foreign car

At 10k you might be able to get a certified used vehicle that has some warranty left.

 

[Kyle B]

Also, my search is basically down to Focuses, Cobalts (discontinued).........

I have a red 2005 Cobalt. It's a pretty sweet ride.

 

[Panacea]

There are many choices in that price range.

I am curious as to why you hate a cartridge type filtering system.. There are many aftermarket intake filters on the market like K&N that are reusable after a cleaning/charging. In effect you pay about twice as much for the filter and charging/cleaning kit, and never buy another filter.

I do a lot of my car searches here... www.cars.com simple, local, and informative. Best of luck to you.

Oh I don't hate anything lol, I talked with another member and there was confusion. My dad told me something about a friend having to spend and additional $80 per oil change because of a weird part his car had (he said like a Saturn or something?) and I read on a Mazda forum a similar thing...someone said cartridge filters? So I assumed it was the same thing. I really don't know what I'm talking about though with that regard though :24:

From fixing my Escort I do know a bit about parts, maybe more than your average young college girl but certainly not everything

Thanks, I've been checking a few sites.

 

[Panacea]

Another vote for Toyota or Honda.

I have a Honda CRV for a company car, put about 50k a year on it, and other than some general service, vehicle has been great (one $500 dealer service bill, but to be expected after a couple of years and high mileage). Car is going strong after 200k. We have a couple of Toyotas, both with over 150k on them, and no major problems and very happy with them. Some of the other guys at work have brand new Ford Fusions for company cars (I get the AWD for going up into the mountains), and they've been in the shop more than I'd care for considering they're brand new.

If you want to bring the asking price down more, instead of trying to keep the mileage under 70k, look at something with under 110k on it, usually you can get a better deal when the car hits that magical 100k (just seemed that way to me). Just make sure if you look at something with higher mileage to see if the timing belt was changed. Timing belt is one of your more high dollar service upkeeps when the car hits around 90k, and if you don't have it done and you have a problem, you can be screwed.

I've bought 4 used cars above the Mason Dixon line (local one time owners) and 2 used local cars in NC. If there is any chance possible you getting back to NC, look for a local owner going from Hickory and East. I was AMAZED at how little salt on the road for winter can keep a car body looking. Not sure how much salt they use west of Asheville to Tenn.

Doing a local search on Auto trader, there are multiple Hondas and Toyotas under 80k on the odometer under 10k asking price.

So you don't think buying a car with 110k on it is a bad idea? My parents raised me to believe cars die at 100k miles lol, they've been expecting mine to croak for years now.

I am under the impression Hondas and Toyotas have different standards though, 100lk+ isn't the same thing as on a Chrysler or something.

I plan to take the car to my regular mechanic if at all possible (he's often pretty busy) and the timing belt is definitely something I'd have him check because I paid through the nose for one on my Escort D:

My family is from Marion/Hickory/Sprucepine, scattered about...that's definitely something to consider. Michigan cars take a nearly unparalleled beating lol.

I will think seriously about Hondas and Toyotas, I really never considered them much.

 

[Panacea]

If you know any mechanics ask them what are reliable models

Not sure about prices now but years ago it would cost an arm and a leg to repair a foreign car

At 10k you might be able to get a certified used vehicle that has some warranty left.

Ya that's what I'd always heard, I'm thinking about calling my mechanic and having a chat with him. My family has single handedly kept that man in business, it's the least he owes me

 

[Panacea]

I have a red 2005 Cobalt. It's a pretty sweet ride.

I see a lot of those around, I think they look better that the old Focuses, but I guess I shouldn't be like that lol

 

[Alien Allen]

check out used car sites like cars.com

also do a carfax check on any vehicle. it is worth the money

back a few years ago my daughter got a deal on a certified used car from one of the dealers.

 

[AUFred]

Can't go wrong with a Honda or a Toyota, really reliable and cheap for parts (well, they are here anyhow)

I believe in Toyota. My wife's 2000 Avalon has 147,000 miles on it and still runs well. My 2005 Toyota Tundra has 75,000 miles on it. My son recently purchased a used Corolla mileage was a little higher than I wanted but the car checked out solid. My daughter bought a new Prius about 18 months ago her only complain is the size.

 

[darkcgi]

this 1971 Toyota Corolla
was my first car (not this actual one)
I bought it for a dollar in 1988 and it only had 15 miles on it