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You're first choice will be to buy it from a dealer or directly from the previous owner. The former choice will be more expensive but on a car only a few years old most dealerships will have warranty on it (especially if you buy, say, a used Toyota from a Toyota dealer etc). You can get more car for your money buying directly, but of course expose yourself to maintenence problems and no warranty to cover it.
Whatever you do, insist on taking the car to a mechanic of your choice and ask him to inspect the hell out of it. Even if this costs a bit of money to do, you'll regret it later in a big way if there's problems you could've known about.
I'd see what's available in your price range from checking ads in the newspaper or internet then buy a Consumer Digest (I think its called) for cars and see how cars from that model year do.
Not sure what to recommend for specific brands. I've had 3 cars and 1 truck in my life. a Honda, Ford, Toyota, and BMW. I had a ton of problems with the Honda and the least problems with the Ford. But obviously 1 car isn't much of a sample size 
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remember civics dont last a lot even though there good cars...sports car if you want to pay for more insurance..and etc.. and what kind of car would you like anyways maybe that will help us say brands :D
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If you have that money. Try to find an old Corvette. 1967-1973
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From Hovz : if you have 11k get the newest maxima se with low miles you can find. DONT buy a civic. if you know how to drive a stick get your maxima se with a manual because it is faster. the maximas are very good cars for the money. especially the se version. they will smoke your civic integra or any other cheap wannabe sports car. they are reliable, roomy and have a good ride. lots of low end torque for off the line power.
younghov17: also say this
younghov17: say dont buy a car with a salvaged title
younghov17: any used car you buy make sure you have a mechanic give ti a once over to make sure
younghov17: everything is as should be
younghov17: test drive it in a variety of situations
younghov17: highway, street driving etc.
younghov17: test every gear if its a manual
younghov17: check all power functions
younghov17: air conditioning
younghov17: inspect interior for any possible leaks
younghov17: check trunk and engine
younghov17: check fluid levels to see how well maintained the car is
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I'd definitely recommend sort sort of foreign car: Honda, Toyota, etc. They have the ability to literally run forever (200k+ miles) and have a nice resale value. Getting one that is 1-3 years old is probably out of your price range, but if you get one around 5-6 years, you won't be disappointed with the performance.
As for two or four doors: I'd go with 4. My first car was a 4 door and my second (current) is a 2 door with no backseat and from experience, I wish I would've gotten another 4 door. Sure my new car looks a lot sportier, but I can never drive people anywhere and can never fit anything in my car. Truthfully, it's not worth it to have a sporty car because of that. My next car purchase is going to be something with a back seat that can fit more than half a person in it.
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I'd say go with either a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan, I don't think you can really go wrong with those. I've hear LOTS of bad things about Fords/Chevys so I wouldn't recommend those. But yeah, like people said eariler Toyotas with last you a hella long time. 
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$1000 Car, $10,000 Sound System
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United States2398 Posts
Be like me Get a dodge viper 500 HorsePower SUPERSTAR for your first car...er...I mean...a 1991 volvo with a topspeed of 60 -_-...
Anyway, only real advice to give you is seriously dont get a ford if your buying used. Ford cars depricate faster than almost any other kind of car, and thus it may only have 80,000 miles on it, and be cheaper than many other cars, but you wont get as long out of it.
I would say stick with toyota or something along those lines. Yes they may give you the same but have mabe another 250-500$ price tag add, but they will last you MUCH longer.
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United States2398 Posts
w00t post 1000
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1-3 year old cars shouldnt have more than 10-30k miles on them, so that shouldnt exactly be a problem.
Get Toyota, or for some power, get something American!
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On July 27 2004 10:43 Pumpkin wrote:
From Hovz : if you have 11k get the newest maxima se with low miles you can find. DONT buy a civic. if you know how to drive a stick get your maxima se with a manual because it is faster. the maximas are very good cars for the money. especially the se version. they will smoke your civic integra or any other cheap wannabe sports car. they are reliable, roomy and have a good ride. lots of low end torque for off the line power.
younghov17: also say this
younghov17: say dont buy a car with a salvaged title
younghov17: any used car you buy make sure you have a mechanic give ti a once over to make sure
younghov17: everything is as should be
younghov17: test drive it in a variety of situations
younghov17: highway, street driving etc.
younghov17: test every gear if its a manual
younghov17: check all power functions
younghov17: air conditioning
younghov17: inspect interior for any possible leaks
younghov17: check trunk and engine
younghov17: check fluid levels to see how well maintained the car is
Yesterday the realtor came over and she was driving a Maxima, and in appearance it was exactly what I'd want. I don't know how to drive a stickshift. =( Great advice, thanks
Here's an interesting piece of privileged information for you all:
My dad works for Sherwin Williams, a major corporation that makes paint basically. They make most of their money selling paint in bulk to other big businesses around the world, and they were the paint supplier to Ford, so all of the paint that went onto new Fords was from Sherwin Williams.
Ford started complaining to Sherwin Williams that their paint was too high-quality, they were mad because the paint was so durable and lasted so long. They wanted a paint that would begin to show wear and tear much earlier, so that their customers would then feel more compelled to purchase a new vehicle. So they stopped getting paint from Sherwin Williams.
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just don't get an american car thats all i have to say. Those people dont know how to get any horspowers out of those big engine's
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Suggestion: Buy an old Cadillac for like $500, like a 74 or something. I did that, and its has outlasted my friends cars. They are really safe for a first time owner, and on highway gets good gas milage. Cadillacs are really comfortable too, lots of people will recognize this and want to ride with you.
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Toyota corolla, costs ~1000$ and then spend ~5000$ in tuning and another ~5000$ in sound devices (remember, the more bass, the better)
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how about a used Starcraft Van?
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Cadillacs Corvettes? what part of good gas/mileage part you didnt understand jeezus, your description of the car you want fits ANY car, you must say what is more important to you, power contradicts gas consumption so what is more important?
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if you want power as well as gas mileage that means a well tuned 4 banger. if you look hard enough you should be able to get a 2k celica gts for around 11500 (private party of course, any dealership will mark it up 15% or more), dont bother with gt or before 2000 (they have adequate power but certainly arent fast). another good alternative is a honda prelude si. depending on year you can get one from anywhere between 2k-12k. the ones with 4 wheel stearing have amazing handling if you can find one too.
edit: get a stick even if you have to have someone else drive it home for you, within a week youl have no problems driving it
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On July 27 2004 12:56 Levu wrote:
how about a used Starcraft Van?
Aren't they just trailers and RVs?
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Starcraft van thingys are so huge
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EPT
