I need a used car pretty soon

[Jeff]

Okay, I have a 1995 Ford Taurus that's treated me well for 4 years. However, it's up to 146,000 miles, needs new tires soon, and I'm not confident the brakes and gas pedal areas have another year in them. I figure once I get one small thing taken care of, I don't want to put any more money into the rapidly-declining car, save for your run of the mill oil change.

What I'm looking at are used cars between $3,000 and $8,000, most of which will have to be paid for via auto loan. 40-80,000 miles is my target mileage range, but will take something higher if the right car's there and in good enough shape. I want to make a decision in the next 3-4 months before rates go back up. Now, I do a fair amount of driving on high-altitude roads (9000 feet and above), being a skier, in addition to the 15-20 mile commute to work starting Tuesday. This includes lots of driving on the infamous I-70. If I like a prospective car enough, I'd pay a few hundred extra for better all weather tires if it doesn't come with them already. I'd also need something where the alignment won't get out of whack after one mile on a dirt road. While I don't go "mudding: I definitely drive on dirt roads to reach trailheads.

I'd like to get my hands on a used Subaru, but that's not likely. Too much $$$. Jeeps are out due to poor mileage/gallon and $$$. I can get away with, and wouldn't object to another Taurus, but am wondering if I have better options that would last me 4-5 years. Are Saturns good or bad for what I need a car for? I found quite a few promising options for them here (http://cars.kbb.com/go/buyIndex.jsp). Any brands I should look at? Avoid? Should I have posted this in FFA instead?

[FearM9]

I'd like to get my hands on a used Subaru, but that's not likely. Too much $$$.

Not that I would know...but are Subies like say from the early 90s over $8000?

Have you considered a mid/late 80s Toyota 4Runner?

[melbrown]

Okay, I have a 1995 Ford Taurus that's treated me well for 4 years. However, it's up to 146,000 miles, needs new tires soon, and I'm not confident the brakes and gas pedal areas have another year in them. I figure once I get one small thing taken care of, I don't want to put any more money into the rapidly-declining car, save for your run of the mill oil change.

What I'm looking at are used cars between $3,000 and $8,000, most of which will have to be paid for via auto loan. 40-80,000 miles is my target mileage range, but will take something higher if the right car's there and in good enough shape. I want to make a decision in the next 3-4 months before rates go back up. Now, I do a fair amount of driving on high-altitude roads (9000 feet and above), being a skier, in addition to the 15-20 mile commute to work starting Tuesday. This includes lots of driving on the infamous I-70. If I like a prospective car enough, I'd pay a few hundred extra for better all weather tires if it doesn't come with them already. I'd also need something where the alignment won't get out of whack after one mile on a dirt road. While I don't go "mudding: I definitely drive on dirt roads to reach trailheads.

I'd like to get my hands on a used Subaru, but that's not likely. Too much $$$. Jeeps are out due to poor mileage/gallon and $$$. I can get away with, and wouldn't object to another Taurus, but am wondering if I have better options that would last me 4-5 years. Are Saturns good or bad for what I need a car for? I found quite a few promising options for them here (http://cars.kbb.com/go/buyIndex.jsp). Any brands I should look at? Avoid? Should I have posted this in FFA instead?

The car I owned before my present one was a 1992 Toyota Corolla SE that I got used at a Toyota dealer in 1996 or so. I paid $10,000 for it, which is above the price you're shooting for but I feel like I got a lot for my money. It had 60,000 miles on it when I got it, but it had 275,000 on it when I traded it in for the Corolla I'm currently driving. It was still mechanically sound when I got rid of it, too. It was just little things here and there that were driving me crazy that made me get rid of it. When I broke the inside door handle off one day I knew it was time to put it out to pasture. I still got almost $2,000 trade-in for it, too.

The best piece of advice that I could offer is to stick to reputable dealerships. Some of the big used car lots are probably safe (like Carmax, Auto Nation, etc) but steer clear of the small buy here pay here type places if you can.

[go_otrova]

Okay, I have a 1995 Ford Taurus that's treated me well for 4 years. However, it's up to 146,000 miles, needs new tires soon, and I'm not confident the brakes and gas pedal areas have another year in them. I figure once I get one small thing taken care of, I don't want to put any more money into the rapidly-declining car, save for your run of the mill oil change.

What I'm looking at are used cars between $3,000 and $8,000, most of which will have to be paid for via auto loan. 40-80,000 miles is my target mileage range, but will take something higher if the right car's there and in good enough shape. I want to make a decision in the next 3-4 months before rates go back up. Now, I do a fair amount of driving on high-altitude roads (9000 feet and above), being a skier, in addition to the 15-20 mile commute to work starting Tuesday. This includes lots of driving on the infamous I-70. If I like a prospective car enough, I'd pay a few hundred extra for better all weather tires if it doesn't come with them already. I'd also need something where the alignment won't get out of whack after one mile on a dirt road. While I don't go "mudding: I definitely drive on dirt roads to reach trailheads.

I'd like to get my hands on a used Subaru, but that's not likely. Too much $$$. Jeeps are out due to poor mileage/gallon and $$$. I can get away with, and wouldn't object to another Taurus, but am wondering if I have better options that would last me 4-5 years. Are Saturns good or bad for what I need a car for? I found quite a few promising options for them here (http://cars.kbb.com/go/buyIndex.jsp). Any brands I should look at? Avoid? Should I have posted this in FFA instead?

Ok! this is fun. I had to upgrade my family car to a Van due to a future addition in my family. The car is been sitting in the parking lot for almost two month now. It is a Nissan ,97, with 101k, 2.6 liter, it has antirust coating.
Here are some pictures, http://www.sasale.com/index.html.
Please let me know if you would like to think on this one.

[Alex_1]

Ever think about like a 98 Nissan Pathfinder, something like that? I haven't heard too many bad things about those... wasn't too sure if the mileage was bad or not. I was thinking of a used 2000 Exterra but those are still sort of high for a decent one - about 12k. And it depends on what you want for transmission.

I guess it really just depends on how far back you want to go. Check out the blue-book values fora rough figure of any car here.

http://autos.yahoo.com/kbb/one.html?buy

[verybdog]

Never, never, never go to a small used car dealership for you car.

Try big used car dealers. The ones that have at least two hundred car parking lots.

[Foosinho]

You want to buy a 1997 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro sedan? Under 75000 miles! Winter package (heated seats), power moonroof, ski sack, 5-speed manual.

(Note - control arms need replacing, but during the 60k mile service I had the timing belt and water pump replaced as preventive maintenance.)

[Papa Bouba Diop]

Sorry if I'm going off course here, but I'm buying a used car soon as well, I like Cavalier's and want a Z24 (1997-01) but I hear the engine is pretty fragile, can anyone confirm this? I know they don't build them like they used to (pre 1995) which is why I want opinions on the recent models.

[Blong]

I need to sell my car pretty soon. I'm leaving the country, must sell it cheap just to get rid of it.

96 Ford Contour GL 85,000 mi
5-speed manual
Pretty new tires
Good conditon-never really had a problem with it

Looking for around $3000

[Foosinho]

Not only can I not compete with Blong's price, he's much closer too. I'm at the top end of your price range, Jeff.

But... AWD, heated seats... mmmm, toasted ass. Like all turbos, it's going to be altitude sensitive, but I drive circles around the front-wheel-drive folks here in Ohio during the winter. I absolutely love fresh snowfall - that means it's time to get out there and do some drifting! This car would get along quite well in Denver.

[Kappa18]

I actually bought a new car this week :D

I currently drive a 1992 Dodge Sprirt with 200,000km and its in good condition. There is a lot of wear and tear, but overall the car is in okay position. The thing i don't like about keeping a car for more than a decade and keeping an american car, is that there is one problem after another on it and it just does not stop.

Last September i had to change the Transmission, cause that was out, than i had to change battery, than i had to change the alternator and also the radiator.

Right now i am having a few problems at once...
1st being the GAGE. It is telling me that i need to check the gage, at the same time the enginge heater is showing it is overly heating and then all of a sudden it goes back to regular....must be the sensors.

Now the brakes are another problem on it.....
and i also need to fix the Gear shifter, cause its difficult to turn from P to R and D!!!

Currently i am getting a 2003 Nissan Sentra GXE. It is only 23,000KM and its very nice. Roomy is not much, but i have studied this car very well, from the depreciation, to the exhaust and im really satisfied to get it.

I think you can find a good Honda or Mazda or Nissan at a good and fair price....

[Caesar]

You want to buy a 1997 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro sedan? Under 75000 miles! Winter package (heated seats), power moonroof, ski sack, 5-speed manual.

(Note - control arms need replacing, but during the 60k mile service I had the timing belt and water pump replaced as preventive maintenance.)
That's pretty much along the lines of what I was going to recommend you take a look at.

I'd really recommend checking out a Saab from around '96 or '97. People knock them, but they're cold-climate cars, and build like a Swedish car should be. You get good value from them.

[Foosinho]

Well, if you aren't going to buy my Audi, I'd suggest you stay away from 1997 model year. In fact, I believe up until 1999 the control arms have a history of failing. Get a Consumer Reports and check out the reliability of whatever make/model you decide on. Be sure you have a handle on total-cost-to-own; repairs can be expensive on some of these cars.

I love my Audi, but have to move to a cheaper-to-own car (gas, repair costs, etc) due to rising gas prices, rising property taxes, and my wife's penchant for spending all of my money.

[Footer Phooter]

I've got a 1998 Mercury Tracer. Had one small problem with it (less than $200). 63K mi. You can probably find one for about $3-4K

[MatadorCE]

just FYI, for people considering buying new or used, check out www.carbuyingtips.com the site has a boatload of useful info. I'm not related to the site or trying to do advertising to it, I'm just another person that's found it extremely helpful and informative.

now back on topic, a small used foreign car (i.e. civic, corolla, sentra, protege) would be reliable and could be had in you price range but wouldn't hold up too well going on mountain roads.

are you sure that Subarus are out of your price range? maybe an older Impreza model (early 90's Impreza L). I've seen late 90's 2.5 RS Imprezas go in the 10-12K range in good condition so I think chances are good to find an older model that's in your price range..

[Jeff]

I ended up getting a 1998 Plymouth Neon, $4000. Runs great, 63.5K miles when I got it, 65K or so now. I think I can keep this longer than the 3 years 10 months I had the Taurus.

[afgrijselijkheid]

for me a used car has to be a honda

[microbrew]

Honda's make good used cars, but the quality has suffered a bit- conincidentally, Honda has moved production to the US. But so has Toyota, and Toyota is the company all the other car manufacturers want to be when they grow up. Well, except for the boring part...

My brother has an industrial engineering degree from University of Michigan; the automotive case studies were Toyota.

Though for what the wish-list/needs, a "cute ute" might have worked like a Rav4, CRV or Tribute/Escape.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Sorry if I'm going off course here, but I'm buying a used car soon as well, I like Cavalier's and want a Z24 (1997-01) but I hear the engine is pretty fragile, can anyone confirm this? I know they don't build them like they used to (pre 1995) which is why I want opinions on the recent models.
The GM 4 cylinder engines are notoriously shaky. If you let them overheat even a smidgen you will warp the heads and be in a world of hurt. If you are looking for a 4 banger for gas mileage with a little bit of style, I'd say, for the price, you can get a much better deal by getting a Mazda Protege' (a '98 on up). Although Mazda is owned by Ford, these are 98% built in Japan at a factory that Mazda has originally planned for a luxury line (their answer to Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti) that never came to pass. Get a manual trans, as those are a bit more sturdy, plus you'll get better mileage. Hondas and Toyotas hold value extremely well and you usually end up paying more than the car is worth to get one.

Another option, albeit for a few more $$$ than Mazda is an Imprezza. Subaru's are absolutely bulletproof, plus the way the engine is designed (horizontally opposed "boxer") makes them cars that will run, on average, further without an overhaul than an I-4. Again, go for a manual tranny as they get better mileage plus, if somthing ever goes wrong they are much cheaper to fix.

(Could anyone tell I used to sell cars?)

[afgrijselijkheid]

Honda's make good used cars, but the quality has suffered a bit- conincidentally, Honda has moved production to the US. But so has Toyota, and Toyota is the company all the other car manufacturers want to be when they grow up. Well, except for the boring part...


well actually they make good new cars ;) both myself and those close to me want reliability in a used car more than anything... honda delivers - hell, anybody with out a family should run out and get a CRX to combat gas prices