I need a car, but have no money. My only choice is to buy used, economy. I'm searching the net for Chevy Cavaliers, Ford Focus, etc. etc. What would be a good economical used car? It has to be less than $2,000. I realize this isn't ideal, but you have to do what you have to do. Can you recommend anything other than eBay Motors for this car search? Thanks in advance.
2007-12-27 15:01:48 · 11 answers · asked by Margaret H 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
You people are the greatest!! Thanks for all the good advice. You're the BEST !!
2007-12-27 15:32:22 · update #1
Try a Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord or Civic. You can get a good old one and they run forever. Test drive a bunch of the same car to get a feel for it. Some will sound and feel better than others. Car dealers rip you off, try a private party from the newpaper. Or look at your local city's Craigslist, and then go test drive it. Used Japanese cars last much longer than US made, unfortunately.
Don't buy from ebay, you won't be able to test drive. If you find one you think is good, get the owner to let you take it to a mechanic to make sure. The mechanic will also tell you what is wrong with the car, and the cost to fix. You can use this info to bargain down the cost of the car.
Look on kbb.com and edmunds.com for used car values so you know what a car with the features you are looking at is worth. You might also find a car on one of those websites.
I buy all my cars (used) this way. Good luck!
2007-12-27 15:16:04 · answer #1 · answered by " " 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to anyone who says you can't find a good car for $2000. Over the years, the public has set the Accord/Camry on a really high pedestal (not for any especially good reason), and so they cost alot more to buy used than they should. My 1996 Olds Cutlass Ciera cost $1000 a little more than a year ago. I've put a lot of miles on that car, even driven it 9 hours to Jacksonville, FL. I know it will last me many more years. I would suggest a 1995-1996 Cutlass Ciera or a 1995-2000 Buick Century (which was the same as the Olds in '95 and '96).
Pros:
Very Reliable
Comfortable
Good gas mileage(I got 29 mpg on the Jacksonville trip, with the AC on and going 85 mph)
Cost thousands less than Accord/Camry w/ same mileage and year
Safe
REALLY cheap insurance(mine is only $400/yr. and I am 16)
Just about the easiest cars to work on, with the cheapest and easiest to find parts.
Cons
They aren't exciting. They aren't slow, but many would find them boring
But I'm happy with mine. Great car.
My advice as to where you can find such a car: Craigslist, if it's big in your area.
And as they will always tell you, get a mechanic you trust to look at it. That is the most important part of the whole process.
2007-12-28 02:13:51 · answer #2 · answered by Jack B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live?
I would suggest looking in your local paper. There are a lot of people selling cars.
Call local dealerships. People trade cars in and the dealers usually send those cars to the auction. You might catch one before it goes.
Try Carmax. Sometimes they have very cheap cars- again, something someone traded on a new vehicle.
Take someone that knows vehicles with you. Have the car thoroughly inspected. Ask if you can have the car sent to a shop that does free inspections (if you or your parents have AAA, there are many shops that do free inspections, just take your card with you)
Watch out for cars that have fresh paint, recently serviced transmissions- they could be potently hiding burnt fluids/ clutch material in the pan, cars that look like a 16 y/o guy was driving- No Offense to anyone.
I work in a shop and there are cars out there reasonably for 2K. Just do not get in a rush and buy the first one! Shop smart.
My gram just sold her Taurus for 1K and all it needed was a tie rod and alignment. It was in immaculate shape.
2007-12-27 15:11:18 · answer #3 · answered by stayc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cheap used cars are available mostly on each dealer's car store and now a days, you can buy used car online. but while buying you can have one car for sale by owner. That car would be the best possible choice. Good Luck!
2014-03-30 07:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get informed and shop, there is no substitution for saving money than preparation and the consumers ability to invest time and effort into searching out the deal that best suits their needs.
2007-12-27 15:34:27 · answer #5 · answered by cessna0518 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Autotrader is nice otherwise if you are not in a hurry check out auctions i bought a 73 lincoln continental for 200 fixed it a little sold for 2k
2007-12-27 15:05:24 · answer #6 · answered by henrysol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chryslers are the cheapest. I bet you could find a Dodge Neon for $2000 with less than 50,000 miles on it.
2007-12-27 15:08:46 · answer #7 · answered by Firebird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Car auctions are great. Find someone who knows a little something about cars and get them to go to one with you.
2007-12-27 15:08:01 · answer #8 · answered by envi23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i found my pt cruiser at a used car auction for well under price and i bought a warranty online from preferred warranties, and they have cars their starting at 800 dollers. it was a police auction,i found the auction dates in my local news paper.....hope that helps!
2007-12-27 15:11:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1986-1989 Honda Accord-VERY RELIABLE
2007-12-27 16:10:24 · answer #10 · answered by Drive PZEV! 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋