My sister's going through a divorce, and needs a car for herself. I should mention that the vehicle she is currently driving is jointly financed, but her soon-ex-husband doesn't want it and she can't afford the payment ... she's looking to get a vehicle as a preemptive strike to losing the one she has now. She's going to finance, but obviously it'll be through the bank not through the seller (unless you want to be generous ).

MUST:
- 4 door
- not in need of any major repairs
- well maintained (ie, you haven't run it 20000 miles without fresh oil)
- brakes not more than half worn
- tires not more than half worn
- no moderate to major accidents

NEGOTIABLE:
- transmission type - she can drive a manual
- make/model/mileage - depending on what it is, higher miles might not be such a big deal; benchmark stay under 90K
- age - prefer something newer (2001+) that either has a warranty through the dealer and/or can be renewed - she doesn't need to get hit with major repair bills; will consider older cars, but condition is a big deal
- size - I don't think she wants a micromachine or a gas hog, but other than that ...

STUFF WE DON'T CARE ABOUT:
- aftermarket stuff (we're looking for a deal, not a pimp-mobile -- yeah, you like that rhyme )
- leather (in fact, I think she would prefer cloth)


Preferred price range: $6000 or less


I'm leaving to go to her area Tuesday night, so if we don't make a deal before then, it's too late - she insists she finds a car before I come back here Sunday (she wants me to help her look)

[Edited on July 17, 2006 at 9:37 AM. Reason : FYI]

7/17/2006 9:36:24 AM

bttt; out-of-area OK ... we'll be searching a radius around zip 27926 (Richmond and Hampton Roads, for example)

some of what I'm looking at ...

99 Mercury Mystique - $3300
01 Hyundai Elantra - $4000
99 Olds Alero GL - $5500
00 Pontiac Grand Prix SE - $4500

c'mon, anybody?

7/18/2006 10:55:13 AM

Does she care about fuel economy a whole whole lot? I got my Crown Vic from the NCSHP for $4000, it was a 2000 and the miles were way below what you want. Even their 2003's are near your price range. People kep saying they were peices of shit but mine's in great shape. Mileage is the only problem, ~18-23 mpg depending on the road and driving style.

7/18/2006 11:10:27 AM

I don't think she wants a car that big -- the vehicle she's driving now is slightly worse than the CV's - she's looking for something mid-size. I think the Grand Prix on my list might even be too big for her. Thanks though

7/18/2006 11:38:25 AM