I really need help, which car should I buy?

Question

I found two used cars that I really like, and I need a lot of help because I don't really know cars too well. I would really appreciate any advice at all on which car to buy. Thanks.

1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan: Power Everything including Sunroof and 6 CD Changer. It looks like a lot of work went into making this car look nice including white custom tail lights, a rear spoiler, and premium wheels. It's got 70,000 miles. The motor appears to have the very beginning of a little bit of oxidation, but it runs great. She's asking $7200.

2001 Saturn SC2: It's the 3 door coupe with 65,000 miles, and very clean, just like the first car. It has power windows, locks, etc., but nothing amazing like a sunroof. It's mostly stock. There appears to be some minor rust damage under the car along with a small oil leak. The engine started right up and ran pretty well. He's only asking $4300 though.

This will be my first car and I'm really confused. What do you guys think I should do?

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Sorry about that last post, thanks for your help guys. If it helps at all, I have a link for the Honda.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/car/189207790.html

Answer 1

Well, They are both going to be relatively reliable cars. I looked them both up on www.edmunds.com to check the values. The Honda is overpriced for a private party sale. It should sell for about 5700...not 7200. 7200 is dealer money. My guess is that she is trying to get some of the money she spent on aftermarket stuff. However, MOST people dont want aftermarket stuff bolted onto their cars...so they add zero to the value of the car...and actually make modified cars harder to sell.

The Saturn is priced about right and is less money. How long do you want to keep this car? Probably only a couple years till you are off to college. If these were my only 2 choices in the world, I would buy the Honda for 2 reasons. 1) when you sell it in a couple years it will have held its value better IF you only pay about 5500 for it. 2) A Sedan is alot more practical than a Coupe. Think about it! You want to go shopping with a few friends! You have to stuff 2 people in the back of a coupe...How do you climb into the back of a coupe wearing a skirt and heels?

If I was looking for a first car in the $5,000 market...I would go buy a good used Ford Focus Sedan. The Focus looks good, runs good, is reliable and has been on Car and Driver magazines 10 best list for small cars forever...They also get GREAT mileage...which is REALLY important with gas prices today. Whatever you decide to buy...Take it to a Mechanic of your choice BEFORE you buy it to get it inspected. That way you will know the TRUE condition of the car before you buy and you will avoid any surprises!

I bought a car once and the transmission died 3 days after I bought it! I wish now that I had taken it for an inspection before I bought!

Buying a first car is an Exciting and scary time... be careful about what you buy... but be sure to have some fun with it! You always remember your first!

Answer 2

Saturn because of the difference in the price. The 98 is old and just wear and tear, specially in the north can be hard in a car, even if it is good as a Civic.

You also have to be careful because some cars, specially imports have been raced by "week end warriors", then painted and sold as "grandma cars".

Take you mechanic, and save the difference for college if you take the Saturn.

Answer 3

I'd go for the Honda if you're confident in your driving skills. Rust Damage is something you don't want to mess with.

My brother's first car was a Saturn and it was perfect for him since he was a lousy driver. This particular one you're looking at sounds a bit pricey. He only paid a $1000 for his and it was only 7 years old at the time.

Answer 4

What you need to ask your self is; what is that this going to rate you sooner or later? You are watching at a $2400 fix for a good vehicle with simplest eighty,000 and relativly more moderen mannequin. after it's performed it'll often be best and pushed with out disorders for a whilst until you're discovering extra to be unsuitable. despite the fact that you offered it as is, you could get at such a lot $2000 for the vehicle. so if you're taking the 2400 and 2000 you have got 4400 to spend on a brand new used vehicle. A $4400 vehicle isn't the finest on this planet. you're watching at purchasing a older mannequin, ninety eight or older, with bigger mileage. as that stands, you're watching at disorders even faster once more along with your new used vehicle, and accordingly going to need to spend extra money solving that, on the grounds that you'll on no account purchase a used vehicle with no need to repair anything. So, i could say repair the vehicle to your 2400, and be performed with repayments. That is the high-quality factor, not more repayments. so, relying on what your per thirty days cost was once, you might nonetheless be saving extra money through repairing it. ask your self how a lot have you ever stored for the reason that the repayments have been completed, does it outweigh what the maintenance might be? simply what i feel will have to be performed.

Answer 5

As long as the rust is minor I would go with the Saturn. It's newer and cheaper. Any idea where the oil is leaking from?

Answer 6

Very tough to answer, which do you like the best?
$2,900 can fix an awful lot of things, including if not satisfied.
For very first car, I think I would save the huge difference,
towards alternative and inevitable opportunity to upgrade.

Answer 7

Go with the Honda. Saturn isn't even HALF as good.

Answer 8

first of all for a first car u want a honda (best choice) .....idk much about saturn but those carz are for old people man.....n-ewayzz...the honda sounds good the onlii thing is tha it comes tooooo hooked up it would of been better to get it stock and 7,200 its wayy to much i can send u emails on better carz from werever u live ....i can show u all types of hondas.....email me if u'd like ------ [e-mail] ....later

Answer 9

Hondas run strong...thats what I'd get.