Used Cars?

[diaperedteenager]

HEy could someone give me an idea for what type of used car to search for? I need one that is around $2000-2400 or under that, that is fuel efficent. Any ideas???

 

[Pojo]

You could check cars.com. Keep in mind that some of those cars aren't always reliable. I'd look to see if they had a Carfax report so you can see if it had and problems. You probably won't find any recently made car for that price range.

 

[thedlguy]

I would go to someplace like CarSoup - Change Locations and do a search to see what you get for results. I know in that price range, its probably going to have higher milage and somewhat older, but you should find something Good Luck

 

[Darkfinn]

Check your local Craigslist. If you aren't picky you can snag an A-B ride for that much. I paid $2000 for my 90 Beretta GTZ.

 

[diaperedteenager]

hi miles and age is okay, as long as it runs ok and looks ok

 

[Darkfinn]

High mileage can be okay... just take a good test drive and really feel out the owner. Does the car look clean... too clean?

My Beretta has 125,xxx on the motor... but I am the second owner... and the first kept meticulous records of every service... so it's in pretty good shape, for a $2000 car.

 

[diaperedteenager]

wow nice, ya don't worry, I know how to read people and check for all that stuff, I just need some brands that I should search

 

[LittleMonster]

I've always been biased towards Geo Metros. They have the best gas mileage I've ever seen, but they stopped making them in 2001.

I've also heard that Toyota Echos are pretty nice.

 

[ballucanb]

Find yourself a decent honda, you should be able to get something in your price range, if you were here in the Northeast I would gladly help you.

I have spent the past 30+years buying and selling cars, craigslist has some decent bargins it is a good place to look

Buy something that is not so pretty but runs good, you can always get a better deal on a car if it needs paint work, don't go for pretty it costs more than it''s worth, go for drivablilty///

 

[h3g3l]

Whatever you get, take it to a mechanic and ask them to check the entire car over.

Think of it as the best $50-$100 you'll ever spend.

If you don't want to do that, AT LEST pull the spark plugs and look at them. Feel around the engine compartment for squishy hoses.

If you don't even want to do that, then you may as well hand your money over to me--I'll at least write you a nice story for $2,000.

 

[Calico]

Buying a used car is always risky so it's good to give it a test run before you buy it.
Nissan Maximas are great cars. I would also have a mechanic look it over to see what needs attention and what needs to be fixed.

 

[secretdl26]

For the $2000 to $4000 range I would recommend a 1990-1995 high mileage Toyota Corolla or Camry. They are extremely reliable, 200,000+ mile cars. Otherwise, go for any car that is mechanically sound (as others have said, get a mechanic to look over it: good to have a mechanic friend!) and that comes from an owner who has taken care of the car and has a maintenance record.

Good luck!

 

[Nam Repaid]

I've done well with Fords, my Explorer has 220K and still gets 18mpg.. My Econoline 350 has 212k but only 13mpg, but hey it's a tank! The tracers and Escorts I have had in the past gave way better milage and were easy to keep going. I miss my 84 BroncoII the most, my ex toasted the automatic toe tapping to the music. I still plan to convert it to a standard someday.

 

[ballucanb]

The best advice I can give you is don't fall in love with the first car you see, don't worry about the paint work or if it's clean, you can polish a bad looking car and make it look better and a little soap and water will go far to clean it up.

These few items can make the difference in buying a not so good looking car, that can be cleaned up, some of those not so great looking cars can be bought for a fraction of what there worth and are most likely well maintained mechanicly.

Be ready for disapointment when you have someone who knows cars look at what you want to buy, you may be looking at small things that don't mean anything, where the mechanic will be looking at the cars more important parts trying to find you a great used cheap car.

And if I can be any help just ask.

 

[Jeremiah]

My second car was a Ford Fairmont 2 dr coupe made the same year I was born. Before I owned it, I watched the odometer roll over twice. At pedal-to-the-floor interstate speeds (80-85 MPH), it still got over 20 mpg. It had a 3spd automatic with a 2.3L "Pinto" engine (4 cylinder). When I got it, the tires, paint, and interior were new. It was well maintained, had a rebuild engine installed, and never needed anything more than a tune-up while I owned it (over a year). It sold for $350 and I was sad to see it go.

HEy could someone give me an idea for what type of used car to search for? I need one that is around $2000-2400 or under that, that is fuel efficent. Any ideas???

Every single major brand made a fuel efficient car that can be found in that price range that can be reliable. Specific brands are personal preference. Look for a small car model with the base engine (preferably 3 or 4 cylinder). Your question is too vague to get a decent answer. My suggestion would be to check what is available in your location and price range. Once you know what is available, research which ones tend to be more reliable.