Im a first time buyer looking for a sport/sporty looking car, and i was originally looking into getting a grand am until i heard about their reliablilty, and i was wondering if anyone would have any reccomendations for a used car (1995+). I have a low budget, so i was planning on spending 5k at the most. What would you reccomend? Any help would be fantastic, im looking for ideas.
2007-09-23 05:45:37 · 6 answers · asked by jk_09877 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
Two of the best are the Toyota Carolla and the Toyota Camry. Very dependable, and fuel efficient.
2007-09-23 05:49:04 · answer #1 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your being smart in buy used. I applaud you in doing this!
Go to http://consumerreports.org and pay the $5 or $10 for the membership. Awesome resource for investigating buying a car. I always use them and NEVER go wrong after I buy a vehicle. ALWAYS!
2000 or 2001 Honda Civic may be good. Check with Consumer Reports though. A Honda can go over 200,000 miles if its taken good care of.
Before you buy a car, take it to a mechanic to have him look it over first. A decent mechanic should charge you $25 to $50 to do that. Don't hold back on doing this.
Paying cash for a good used car.
3 reasons to pay cash for a used car.
1) A car depreciates like crazy. 5 to 7 years seems to be the sweet spot where the depreciation doesn't break your purse.
2) After 5 years, you can find out what the lemons are and what to stay away from.
3) Instead of making a car payment. Put that money into a mutual fund or a 401K or Roth IRA or something.
Use kbb.com to find the market price.
Use craigslist or autotrader to find the car. See all links below.
btw I'm not retired yet but, I'm 35 years old and have no debt whatsoever. My house is paid for and my car is paid for. Part of this reason is because I have not had a car payment in over 6 years.
2007-09-23 07:47:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Toyota has always been exceptional cars with a long legevity if properly cared for. Buying a used car means buying someone else's headache! I would strong recommend you use a dealer who guarantees the car like Car Max.
If you buy from the used car guy around the corner, you may find it was a reject car from a new car dealer as a trade-in. Also, it could be one from Orleans and the flood.
Make sure you check the record to see if it has ever been in an accident, another minor cost to save you money in the long run.
Regardless of where you decide to buy, take the time and spend the money to have an independent mechanic give it a basic once-over.
I would recommend you buy a new car with warrantees, such as Hundai which can be purchased new around $6,000. And, NO I am not in the trade!
2007-09-23 05:56:23 · answer #3 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The honda CRX was a decent compant sports car around 1995+
It handles very well looks sporty, reasonable insurance and its pretty fast and has very good acceleration.
The ride is low and there is not much in the way of rear seating. But its a really good car. The Prelude was even better but insurance will be higher too.
I would steer clear of MR2's they have generally taken a hammering. I guess you could go for an Imprezza if you like that style it depends n your age with regard to insurance i guess.
2007-09-23 05:52:13 · answer #4 · answered by Wayne Kerr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one of the best looking cars and very sporty is a the Nissan sentra or the altima,and you easily find one well below 5k,and they are cheaper to insure because their not considered to be a sports car,if you get a chance to drive a few of these try one,you,ll like the way they drive and handle,and they have that sporty feel to them also,good luck with it.
2007-09-23 05:54:05 · answer #5 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HONDA ACCORD OR CIVIC.
2007-09-24 10:13:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋