Any advice on buying a used car?

[connerhenry43]

hey guys, my wife and i have to buy a used car. to put it mildly, i know nothing about cars. we need something safe for my wife and two year old, 4 doors, good in bad weather, good on gas. we are not broke, but like everyone, would like to get a good deal. i am terrible at bartering, but would hate to think that i am going to pay more than others buying the identical product would have. any advice? i am open and appreciative to all advice because i know basically nothing.

[JSD]

hey guys, my wife and i have to buy a used car. to put it mildly, i know nothing about cars. we need something safe for my wife and two year old, 4 doors, good in bad weather, good on gas. we are not broke, but like everyone, would like to get a good deal. i am terrible at bartering, but would hate to think that i am going to pay more than others buying the identical product would have. any advice? i am open and appreciative to all advice because i know basically nothing.

WBZ reported 3 days ago that as a result of the "cash for clunkers" rebate program, used cars have gone up in value. Have you thought about buying a newer car? Do you have a trade in? If so, What are you trading in and what kind of gas mileage does it get?

[Rondo2287]

I would go certified pre-owned corolla.  Safe, solid on mileage and reliable. 

[connerhenry43]

hey guys, my wife and i have to buy a used car. to put it mildly, i know nothing about cars. we need something safe for my wife and two year old, 4 doors, good in bad weather, good on gas. we are not broke, but like everyone, would like to get a good deal. i am terrible at bartering, but would hate to think that i am going to pay more than others buying the identical product would have. any advice? i am open and appreciative to all advice because i know basically nothing.

WBZ reported 3 days ago that as a result of the "cash for clunkers" rebate program, used cars have gone up in value. Have you thought about buying a newer car? Do you have a trade in? If so, What are you trading in and what kind of gas mileage does it get?

we have a trade in, though it does not qualify for CFC program. the trade in value of the car (1997 ford escort, 230,000 miles) is very low. the car was a hand me down from my mother in law, and it has done us fine for 6 years or so, but the trade in value of it is roughly $150, barely enough to buy me an authentic rondo jersey. 

[JSD]

hey guys, my wife and i have to buy a used car. to put it mildly, i know nothing about cars. we need something safe for my wife and two year old, 4 doors, good in bad weather, good on gas. we are not broke, but like everyone, would like to get a good deal. i am terrible at bartering, but would hate to think that i am going to pay more than others buying the identical product would have. any advice? i am open and appreciative to all advice because i know basically nothing.

WBZ reported 3 days ago that as a result of the "cash for clunkers" rebate program, used cars have gone up in value. Have you thought about buying a newer car? Do you have a trade in? If so, What are you trading in and what kind of gas mileage does it get?

we have a trade in, though it does not qualify for CFC program. the trade in value of the car (1997 ford escort, 230,000 miles) is very low. the car was a hand me down from my mother in law, and it has done us fine for 6 years or so, but the trade in value of it is roughly $150, barely enough to buy me an authentic rondo jersey. 

I'd suggest a Corolla or Civic. Both are inexpensive, dependable and economical cars.

[connerhenry43]

really appreciate the help....again,. i know next to nothing.

found this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262284798&dealer_id=76750&car_year=2006&dealership_view_name=www.southeastonms.com&start_year=2003&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&result_car_id=null&fuel=&search_type=both&suppressStyle=null&first_record=26&make=&color=&keywords_display=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=0

mileage looked low, affordable for us, dealership people seemed very easy to work with. any thought on this car? i promise i will not post daily updates and lean on everyone here for help, this will be my last solitation.

[Rondo2287]

I would tell you but my internet at work blocks it unfortunately

[JSD]

really appreciate the help....again,. i know next to nothing.

found this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262284798&dealer_id=76750&car_year=2006&dealership_view_name=www.southeastonms.com&start_year=2003&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&result_car_id=null&fuel=&search_type=both&suppressStyle=null&first_record=26&make=&color=&keywords_display=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=0

mileage looked low, affordable for us, dealership people seemed very easy to work with. any thought on this car? i promise i will not post daily updates and lean on everyone here for help, this will be my last solitation.

Actually, I'm interested in any and all updates.

Do you have an American made preference? Personally, I didn't have a good experience with the Dodge I owned. My Toyota (older Lexus) is the best car I've ever owned.

[connerhenry43]

really appreciate the help....again,. i know next to nothing.

found this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262284798&dealer_id=76750&car_year=2006&dealership_view_name=www.southeastonms.com&start_year=2003&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&result_car_id=null&fuel=&search_type=both&suppressStyle=null&first_record=26&make=&color=&keywords_display=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=0

mileage looked low, affordable for us, dealership people seemed very easy to work with. any thought on this car? i promise i will not post daily updates and lean on everyone here for help, this will be my last solitation.

Actually, I'm interested in any and all updates.

Do you have an American made preference? Personally, I didn't have a good experience with the Dodge I owned. My Toyota (older Lexus) is the best car I've ever owned.

thank you so much for help. if you ever need help with golf clubs, i am your man! cars? clueless.

ideally, i would own american, but bottom line, we want a good safe car, good on mileage, safe. we wanted new, but just cannot afford it at this time, so something used with low mileage.
it seemed off that a 2006 car with relatively low mileage was $8000, but i do not mind if it was unpopular, just if it is not a good deal.

[Brickowski]

Toyota , Honda or Subaru. 

Stay away from American cars (too junky) and German cars (too expensive).

[JSD]

really appreciate the help....again,. i know next to nothing.

found this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262284798&dealer_id=76750&car_year=2006&dealership_view_name=www.southeastonms.com&start_year=2003&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&result_car_id=null&fuel=&search_type=both&suppressStyle=null&first_record=26&make=&color=&keywords_display=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=0

mileage looked low, affordable for us, dealership people seemed very easy to work with. any thought on this car? i promise i will not post daily updates and lean on everyone here for help, this will be my last solitation.

Actually, I'm interested in any and all updates.

Do you have an American made preference? Personally, I didn't have a good experience with the Dodge I owned. My Toyota (older Lexus) is the best car I've ever owned.

thank you so much for help. if you ever need help with golf clubs, i am your man! cars? clueless.

ideally, i would own american, but bottom line, we want a good safe car, good on mileage, safe. we wanted new, but just cannot afford it at this time, so something used with low mileage.
it seemed off that a 2006 car with relatively low mileage was $8000, but i do not mind if it was unpopular, just if it is not a good deal.

I find it's a good rule of thumb in buying mid-class to anticipate the purchase lasting one year for every $1000 spent. How far away are you from being in position to buy new? Is that your preference? Also, it's many people's opinion that too much attention is paid toward low mileage. Most car's built since the year 2000 will last to well over 300,000 miles if properly maintained.

[connerhenry43]

thank you, we have really been looking at low mileage, but if that is overrated, we will definitely keep that in mind. great to know.

i have tp'd you....appreciate the advice.

[FatKidsDad]

really appreciate the help....again,. i know next to nothing.

found this car:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&car_id=262284798&dealer_id=76750&car_year=2006&dealership_view_name=www.southeastonms.com&start_year=2003&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&result_car_id=null&fuel=&search_type=both&suppressStyle=null&first_record=26&make=&color=&keywords_display=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceDESC&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=0

mileage looked low, affordable for us, dealership people seemed very easy to work with. any thought on this car? i promise i will not post daily updates and lean on everyone here for help, this will be my last solitation.

I'd be very careful here.  The Chrysler products of that vintage have a reputation for very poor transmissions and air conditioners.  Both are very expensive repairs.  I myself had a Caravan which, if I am not mistaken, uses the same transmission as this model.  The original transmission failed, the warranty replacement failed and I put in a third at my own expense of $2500.  Just drive by any Aamco shop, and you'll notice the lot full of Dodges.

If your budget is around $8000, do a little math.  A three year used car loan at 5.5% will cost you $241.57 a month.  If you buy a 4 year old car, the car will be 7 years old when you pay it off, and you are likely to spend money on repairs every year.

If you buy a brand new car, with a 5 year loan at 4.75%, you will pay $281.35 per month and it will be five years old with residual value when paid off.  It will be under warranty from day one. Repair and upkeep will be minimal.

Some new cars in the price range .. Hyundai with 10 year warranty..Ford Focus..Mazda3...

With a little shopping, you can find more.

Sometimes, if you can pay cash, you can find a better deal on a used car from a private party, but if you don't know what you are looking at, and you don't know the history, it's risky.

If you buy used from a dealer, you have some security, but the price goes up accordingly.

If you need to take a loan, sometimes the new car makes more sense.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Potapenko Boxout]

buy American

[dark_lord]

carfax