I'm on the market for a second car. My husband says that you can't get a decent used car for $4,000 or less. I think you can if you look hard enough. Am I being unrealistic?
2006-10-31 05:36:46 · 16 answers · asked by GBG 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
It all depends were you live. Yes you can, but you have to do your homework. Make sure you have access to a mechanic you can trust, so he can look over the car and tell you if its any good to buy or not. Don't let high mileage deter you. It all depends on the maintenance of the car and the reputation of the manufacturer. Honda Civics or Toyota Corollas are good if they were taken care off. They are reliable and dependable. Also consider Subaru Legacy. Make sure when you go look at used cars, not to let sales people talk you in to buying something you don't need. Check out the private sales, that would be good because these folks have been low-balled on their trade in value at dealerships and just want a bit more for the car they are selling.
When looking at used cars check these items.:
Check for service records, and the way it feels when you sit in it.
Check the body for holes or rust. and for collision damage.
Check all lights and electrical functions.
Check under the hood for belts and hoses being worn and cracked and loose. Check all fluids, if the engine is too clean wonder why?
Check the under carriage for holes and the exhaust for leaks and noise.
Check tires and brakes for wear.
On the test drive:
Check the transmission see how it shifts (drive, park, reverse if auto).
2006-10-31 06:00:59 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess alot depends on what you call decent, with any used car you never know when it may need a battery, starter, alternator or some level of repair.
The main thing is to have a good mechanic check the car, check the compression and other things to be sure it is a good car.
Also milage is an issue often more than age, some models and brands will get more life, I dove several Chevy Citations to over 300,000 miles, back in the day. And my current truck, I put a rebuilt engine into it two years ago and I am about at that 300,000 mark on it also.
Now are you wanting to travel cross county every week, or is it around town car, is it going to tow a trailer, all these things makes issues.
2006-10-31 05:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you call decent.
If decent means, automatic, 1999 and above, pw, four door, less than 100000 miles, a/c and everything works, capable of getting you from point A to point B in a reliable manner, then there are lots of decent cars at pricce.
You can, on the other hand have a $15,000 that 'decent' but will cost you an arm and leg with problems.
2006-10-31 05:43:56 · answer #3 · answered by Wil T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I just sold a car for that price on eBay and it was one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.
I've also purchased a 15 year old Honda Accord for $900 at a new car dealership couple of years ago. Not only was it reliable, also got 40mpg. I mean I would drive 500 miles non-stop (about 40 times in the year I had it before selling it) and it never left me stranded.
2006-10-31 05:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can find a great car for under $4000. And the trick is simple.. find someone to take you to a dealer auction... you would be absolutely AMAZED at what 4k can buy. I sell cars for a living and sometimes it still amazes me at what auction prices can be... but remeber, I'm not talking about thos "buy police seized vehicles for $99" things you see in the paper. Make friends with a local car guy and find what you want.
2006-10-31 06:47:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not you can find a good car at a dealership if your patient. http://carmax.com has good used cars known as "super value" cars. they are high mileage or older vehicles. The good thing is Carmax Guarantees their cars for 30 days - bumper to bumper. If you have a problem they WILL fix it. I bought an older truck and they REPLACED the transmission - not just repaired the older one. They have several locations in the US and you can even have a car transferred from another location. They'll perform carfax inquiries for a vehicle you are interested in.
2006-10-31 05:55:31 · answer #6 · answered by ratdog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you are not unrealistic
you might have to do some repairs or change fluids but that is normal with buying a used car
research cars on
usedcars.com
2006-10-31 05:39:36 · answer #7 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can find a nice used car for 4,000 dollars hell, I wish I had 4,000 dollars to buy me another car.
2006-10-31 06:34:32 · answer #8 · answered by Tammi R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, maybe. The thing about buying used cars is you will be spending big bucks on repairs... I think it is better to spend that money now and just get a newer car
2006-10-31 05:41:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can if you know where to look! I bought a 1995 Intrepid for 550 bucks and have driven it for a year and a half with no probs! Just find someone who knows cars when you look!
2006-10-31 05:45:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋