Gimme your car buying wisdom!

[rback33]

I am in the Toyota and Honda boat.... A corolla would serve you VERY well. The most I can add it what others have said... Saturns are known for Cartridge oil filters that are a TOTAL pain in the ass... I would never have a vehicle that did not have a spin on filter...

 

[satinbutterfly]

First of all, good for you for buying used. After this one I'll never buy a new one again. I basically ate $5000 and I'm paying interest on it to boot. Bleh.

Have a mechanic you trust look over the vehicle before you buy it, regardless if you buy from a private buyer or dealer lot. Do your own inspection as well on the lot. Here's the link to what you need to look for:

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=buy&subject=how_buy&story=usedChklst

Toyota and Civic are good bets if you want a car to last forever. Don't forget about Nissan as well. Altimas and Sentras are very nice cars. Parts are pretty much just the same as domestic models so not to worry about that.

Make sure you research the car's value before you buy. Make sure to get a spec sheet of all of the options included so you can get an accurate value.

And definitely do a CarFax report.

Good luck!

 

[darkcgi]

never buy a new car unless you are just freaking rich and and want to waste money

 

[Panacea]

I really appreciate all of the help!!!!

 

[darkcgi]

I dont make tons of money but I own both of my vehicles
I'd say after paying them off I get a 1000 dollar or more raise for not having to pay the notes or full coverage insurance

 

[Aeval]

I'll toss in my 2 cents-worth:

#1 be careful of the model, sportier types are more to insure, I got nailed on that one, I know it's obvious, but sometimes not the first thing that comes to mind when you find a car you really like.

Aside from that...I had a Grand Am once upon a time that had some weird set-up and the oil changes were a bitch, it cost twice what a normal car would, so I know what you're saying..I don't know the details, I just know it cost me and I was pissed.

Mileage: it's all about how the previous owner cared for the car, if it had regular oil changes and wasn't beat to geezuz, you should be ok with a higher odometer #. The Grand Am I just mentioned was closing in on 500k and still worked great, I had the oil changed regularly. My Honda was the same...it was over 400k when I got rid of it and it worked like a charm.

Maintenance: me, personally, I'd go domestic, it's just a cost thing...in my area I know the parts for a Honda/Toyota/Mazda are far more expensive than a Ford or a Chev.

My last car was a Ford Focus..it was ugly as sin, but the bastard never let me down. It was good on gas, drove well and hardly had any maintenace issues, outside of the regular stuff...I gave it to a friend that was in a bind when I started working the way I am now, she needed a car and I didn't need the cash or the aggrevation of selling it, so I just signed it over - she just had to license it and it was good to go, she hasn't had an issue with it and it's going constantly. (I did some body work to it last year, but our roads are poluted with salt in the winter, so that's expected, I don't think it had anything to do with the car).

I love car shopping - I will never give anyone a hard time over price on anything else, but when it comes to vehicles, I'm a total bitch. Don't be afraid to walk away, know what you want to spend, do your research on what's typical for the type of car and make them an offer, if it's realistic, they will give in, eventually.

That's what I've learned from my limited experience...good luck and post a pic of your sweet new ride when you find it!

 

[Panacea]

Very good points! thank you
I'm definitely going to be cognizant of the insurance costs, as well as tire size.

It's a bummer because I'd love a Liberty. I don't like how they look but I drove my ex's and it was a very nice car. I just can't swing the maintenance costs on a 4WD nor the giant tires lol.

 

[NoDak]

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.

Your parents were used to the older type of engines when, at 80K, they were ready for an overhaul. Electronics, better designs, etc, make the newer engines and drivelines last a lot longer. The pickup in my avatar was bought with 166,000 on the clock and it's solid. I had to have one of the front axle shafts replaced as the CV joint went out, about a month ago, but, it's a normal wear item that can go at any time, or last forever. It's the luck of the draw on them. I'm happy with the way it runs and drives, though it's got 169,000 on it.

BTW, the pickup I sold, after i bought this one was a 1994 GMC full sized. Sold it at 212,000 miles on it. I replaced one clutch and an alternator. It was using some oil, but was respectable about that too.

Hondas and Toyotas are bulletproof cars! You can't go wrong with a Corolla, or similar Honda.

 

[Panacea]

Thanks I will definitely look at those
I've done thousands in repairs on my Escort, it's really shameful, but that's also why my dad doesn't want me to sell it lol.
The body's taken a beating thanks to Michigan Department of Transportation lol but it has all new stuff.

I actually had to put in two new alternators in less than a week :eek
Ex put one in and some wiring was bad so it shorted the thing out...had to get another one.

 

[Weebs]

I owned an escort.. the worst thing I had to change was the heater core. What a PITA! after that, I was ready to sell it. I have never owned a foreign car. But if I were to choose one, It would be a Honda.

They just seem to be built to a higher standard than most rice. Also, there are many dealers around for service. The same can be said for Toyota however, be prepared to pay a bit more for quality..

 

[Panacea]

I was lucky to always have at least some heat in it. The AC is gone, though, I tried some DIY stuff but it seems to be a serious issue and not worth fixing.

Sweating balls at 100 degrees in gridlock traffic for 60 minutes lol. Won't miss that.

 

[Natasha]

I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla and it has been a GREAT car. I'm creeping up on 100K miles, which would worry me if I still had my Cavalier...it doesn't worry me at all w/ my Corolla. I did have one random issue when the computer chip in my engine fried for no apparent reason. 4 hours and $0 later I had a new chip AND a ride back to the dealership to pick up my car.

 

[Natasha]

Oh...and I also get about 35 mpg on the interstate.

 

[Joe the meek]

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.

Buying a car with any mileage on doesn't really worry as long as I consider A. How many owners it has had B. History (and demographics) with those owners C. Asking price considering how many miles it has on it D. Place of purchase (type of car dealership or private owner)

Buying a car with 80k on it isn't that much different that buying one with 110k on it as long as you know the mechanical service that has been performed on the vehicle.

Cars are nothing more than a mechanical piece of equipment. Personally, you just need to be able to cut through what I call the "perceived quality" vs the "actual quality". I don't buy vehicles for status or resale value, I drive them to drive them into the ground or at least until they don't fit my lifestyle anymore.

I have no doubt that there are horror stories with Hondas and Toyotas. However, playing the percentages, you're probably going to be in the minority as being pissed off and swearing never to buy another one (Honda or Toyota) as compared to say a Ford or Chevy (compact/sedan vehicle).

Any used vehicle you plan on purchasing you should always have something in writing (if you put down a payment of some sort) that you are allowed to take the vehicle that day to have it inspected by a person of your choosing.

Our Toyota Avalon had 72k on it when we bought it, for under 10k. Long story short, I covered my ass before paying for it and two days later I took it back to the dealership. The dealership gave me a rental car and 5 days later I had a Avalon with a BRAND new engine put in place. That would never of happened if I wouldn't of gone to a reputable Toyota dealer, and they paid the price for screwing up. But...I'd go back there again because I know they will stand behind what they sell (I told them I thought there was a problem when I drove the car off the lot but they didn't believe me).

Had a 98 VW Golf I bought in 2001 I paid 12k for that had 22k miles on it (had to, no AC in my car when I moved to NC LOL). 8 years later, the car finally died with 365k miles on it. I did replace the transmission after 280k, but that tranny only cost me $500

Had a Toyota pick up that I traded in NC for another truck. Toyota was about 7 years old and had about 145k on it, but it spent a couple of winters in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Guys in NC thought it had 300k on it considering the rust on it. Since living in the south, a locally own southern car holds up WAY better than a northern car.

Way I see it, get the BEST buy you can with miles on it. If you can save 2 or 3k with an extra 30k miles on the vehicle, and you know that vehicles history and what has been done to it, you can save yourself some money. That avalon cost us about 9k and in 5 years or so, it has cost us about $1,500 for work other than oil changes. If I bought something new at $300 a month, that would of been 18k out of my pocket for the same time frame.

I picked up my company car (Honda CRV) with 102k on it. 27 months later and I'm pushing 210,000 on the odometer and nothing major per service bills other than a $500 one that was needed due to the abuse. Heck, after driving that CRV around seeing how well it has handled, we're thinking about buying a used Honda Pilot as the next family car.

Hmmm...Ever eat at that wonderful truck stop off of Sugar Hill road in Marion? Fine truck stop dining at it's best. I only go in for coffee now with some guys LOL

If you look at NC, start off in Hickory and work East. I bought my other used Toyota Truck in Hickory and it has held up well after 100k miles of use. Spruce Pine reminds me too much of W.V and would be leery of "local" vehicles.

 

[Panacea]

That's one cheap tranny...pun half intended

It's all good to know, I'm open about this situation because I've only owned one car. I've driven that escort for 10 years and it's all I know of cars really.
Seems like it's all about finding models with good ratings, getting it checked out, and shopping around. It's tough for me to get out shopping in person right now because I'm so busy but I hope to have one before May or so.

Haha I know exactly the place. Never been in there, but I've seen it many times!

 

[Joe the meek]

That's one cheap tranny...pun half intended

It's all good to know, I'm open about this situation because I've only owned one car. I've driven that escort for 10 years and it's all I know of cars really.
Seems like it's all about finding models with good ratings, getting it checked out, and shopping around. It's tough for me to get out shopping in person right now because I'm so busy but I hope to have one before May or so.

Haha I know exactly the place. Never been in there, but I've seen it many times!

Tranny cost me $250, buddy/mechanic put it in for another $250 (cheap I know). That was a VW. I use to be big into V.W's, but moving around and finding a decent mechanic who can work on them is a pain in the butt and VW dealerships seem to think you have an Audi pocketbook when you go to them for service.

ANYTHING you buy used, make sure you know the cars history. Carfax for a starter. You should be able to go cheaper going with a private party sale, BUT be careful. I paid a little more going to a car dealership, but they stood behind their goof up. If I wouldn't of taken that Avalon to two guys I know who pointed some things out to me, I would of been driving that Avalon for a couple of months before I would of had a problem that would of cost me at least 3 grand out of my own pocket on top of the purchase price. The dealership missed it (I believe it was an honest mistake on their end), but I would of missed it as well.


Having a CRV for a company car and the miles put on it, after a quick look, if I was looking for myself, a car (with over 120k miles) as example below wouldn't scare me if they let me have someone check it out. One owner, seems to be a company car, and only has been registered in North Carolina. Might be nice to have something other than 2 wheel drive up where you now live LOL