I'm going to be buying a car in january. I want something slightly used that is very good on gas. I don't want anything more that 12 grand. I need a very reliable car that won't break down on me all the time- what's a good brand?
2006-12-03 14:26:20 · 7 answers · asked by FormatLife 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
Great Question when Looking for a Car.... But Most important is size VS what you do in your every day driving... Safety Fuel Mileage and Just incase it does have problems a Place near by that can work on it... Also remember servicing.... I have a little Time so I'll give you my Top 3 and why then give you a list of the rest from A to Z With 12K to spend you have over 120 Models to choose from...
1st is a tie Between 05/06 VW GTI and the 05 Toyota Solara
You can get a low mileage car in almost new codition coast to coast... Will have warranty left over both have great track records with their owners...
2nd Ford Focus 05/06/07 SVT or ZX3 ZXW Can get Low mileage or new car for the price and has great CSI scores from owners. ( I have a 02 Zetech and its great getting 35 MPG and still having the power band to get down the HWY fast...
3rd High end Car BMW 2001 2002 325i or 330i under 50K miles these have been popping up everywhere with there owners just trading them in for the new M cars... They are the best built cars out there for there for the money... Go 150k to 200k mileage with no major problems. Its been weird seeing them at auctions Looking brand new with 38k to 68k miles on them... Price is right.
Now for the List bit strange but I don't know what you like. Every car on the list is Price range Fuel mieage and Insurance friendly,,, mosly.
Cadillac,,, 2001 02 03 Older people sell these cheap with very little mileage some times trading in on just a new car... Seville STS, DTS and My fav is 03 CTS (smaller Caddy)
Hyundai Tiburon V6 100K mileage warranty.. I'm not a fan of the maker but the car has been doing real well... You can get a 06 for you price...
Mazda's almost any 03/04/05 for the price 3's 6's even 01 RX8 that would be cool... 6's are great fopr the price I like that model as a wagon...
Mercedes-Benz.. High end... 02/03 C230 Coupe or C240 I was a C230Coupe go for 12600 at auction with only 29K miles on it... Great deal.
Nissan 04 Altima S or SL people seem to give it a good score
Scion XA 2004/2005 Only if you have a dealer near by... Fuel mieage car...for the size.
Toyota Newer model 05 06 Corolla S or XRS (would have been my 4th pick)
People seem to like the Eclipse GTS V6 also. Price VS year model 02 03 but you'll want to find one under 40,000 miles.
There are so many more out there but this and the other people recommend here the get you started...
When you decide on a Car, get a Car Fax before Buy... Some Dealers have been doing fake CarFaxes, So get your own on the car you have got it down to... Also the Price people Ask is the Asking price make an Offer 1000 to 1500 less if you have your own financing or cash in the bank... They might come back with a counter offer....
If car Looks good things you can look at before you take it to your Mechanic, Tires, under the hood, clean?, bent?, service records etc...
Almost forgot Check insurance rates for the car you choose... Thats why a Ford Mustang is not on this list... It cost more to insure a 04 Mustang 15,000 car than a 02 F350 Hauler...Thats bad ... But you need full coverage to protact your investment...
I like cars....
2006-12-03 15:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by Spinner...428 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For that price range I think your best buy would be a 2005 or newer used Ford Focus.. They changed the body style, upgraded the brakes, and all have the Mazda designed DOHC 2L engines that have now received a good rating from Consumer Reports... The reason they are a good buy in a late model used car is that you can get one for thousands less than a new one..as opposed to the excellent Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla..That will cost you as much used as a new one.. New 2007 2 door hatch back Focus SE, with automatic and air can be bought for $15,000 out the door and they drive great. Also the engines here in Californina ar PZEV rated the same as an electric hybrid... so you can go fast and still be green.
2006-12-03 22:29:48 · answer #2 · answered by the_buccaru 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to Consumer Reports, not GM, Ford or Chrysler.
For that kind of money, stick with Honda, Nissan, Mazda or Toyota.
2006-12-03 22:34:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Honda
2013-11-17 14:45:08 · answer #4 · answered by Tony 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy directly from a private owner a used toyota corollla with an inspection from a certified machanic of your choosing,
2006-12-03 22:53:26 · answer #5 · answered by jgold49 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just my opinion, but I swear by Toyota's. They are tough. I always buy one with low miles so not to pay full freight.
2006-12-03 23:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by medelectric2002 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try toyota there pretty good
2006-12-03 22:32:01 · answer #7 · answered by jimmy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋