Im looking to buy a car for around $3000. I really want it for around 3yrs. Dont know much about cars and would like one to to get across these 3-4yrs without needing much done on it. Could use some suggestions.
Wat make shud i get, wat yr, aprrox how many miles, how much will it cost me etc
Where shud i look for one, how do u know if a car is good, how do i start my search etc
ANy help will be greatly appreciated.

Some preferred specs, i came up with, dint know much though.

Mileage <110K
Make = Toyota,Honda,Nissan,Mitsubishi,Saturn
year >92
Clean exteriors and interiors
Free of oil leaks(**), good engine
transmission = manual
Std options= power windows,locks,steering etc,airbags,ac,heat,cd...


thanks

3/17/2006 1:13:18 PM

HELP PLZZ

3/19/2006 9:30:32 PM

First step:

Learn how to spell.

3/19/2006 9:32:25 PM

HELP PLEASE
Lesson : learnt
Still looking for help.

3/19/2006 9:33:41 PM

Sounds like you already have an idea of what you want. If you just want a sedan you should be able to find a good one in that price range.

Toyota/Honda are probably the best imports. Nissan/Mitsubishi/Saturn/Hyundai/American Makes are all a step down in my experience, but still will do the job just fine if you can find one with around 100,000 miles.

Here's the N&O classifieds:
http://www.triangle.com/autos

If you find a car you're interested in, post back here and we might can tell you specific things to look out for on that model.

Here's a 1993 Buick with 114,000miles for $3000:

My family's wrecked three of them. Tough cars. But basically, if you're not picky you should be able to find something.

I personally try to stay away from dealers. If they're charging $3000, then they probably paid $2000 or much less for the car at auction.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 9:46 PM. Reason : .]

3/19/2006 9:35:14 PM

Thanks a lot
Have been through this before, found a couple of good ones.

Need to know what to look at atleast initially, when I go and check the car.
ie leaks, tires, etc, what else and how

Where else do I find listing like these?
Does it help to buy cars from dealers, or does it make it too expensive? Dont have much of a budget to work with here.

3/19/2006 9:45:26 PM

Check the tires, if they're almost worn out(if the treads aren't deep anymore) then go ahead and add $450 to the price.

Have the owner crank the car while you watch the tailpipe. If you see smoke then the valves are leaking oil into the engine(or worse). You can even put a white hankerchief down there to help spot it. Anyway, avoid the car if you see any.

Check the dash for "Check Engine" lights. They could be caused by something simple or a $500 oxygen sensor.

Open the hood and listen for ticking, etc.

Take it for a good drive. If it's a manual transmission, get it in high gear and then floor it. If the engine revs but the car doesn't move(ie, if the engine feels slightly disconnected) then you're looking at a slipping clutch. Avoid. Also listen for pops as you turn and make sure the steering feels tight. Be aware of hard shifts if it's an automatic. Oh, make sure the air conditioning blows cold air.

Crawl under the car an look for rust. Check the frame and check the exaust pipes/muffler. Check the big hydraulic cylinder that turns the front wheels...if the rubber boots on the end are broken avoid the car. Same thing with the rubber boots on shocks. Also look for leaks in general while you're down there.

That's basically what I look at anytime I walk up to a used car. It's by no means an all-inclusive checklist. Many of those problems aren't terrible to fix, but if two or three of them pop up you'll spend more than the car's worth fixing them.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:02 PM. Reason : .]

3/19/2006 9:56:40 PM

Quote :

"Have the owner crank the car while you watch the tailpipe. If you see smoke then the valves are leaking oil into the engine(or worse). You can even put a white hankerchief down there to help spot it. Anyway, avoid the car if you see any."

huh? ever heard of condensation?

3/19/2006 10:01:48 PM

I'm talking like black smoke here, not the typical greyish variety. Black stains around the pipes are another dead giveaway.

3/19/2006 10:05:04 PM

Great, i did find a few cars and could use some help on them.

the first one is a 95 Toyota Corolla asking $2300, condition good, NEW MOTOR, 87K on the new motor
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/142701977.html

The second one is a 96 Mazda 626,excellent condition,118K miles,manual T, asking $3200
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/141781944.html

The third is a 95 Honda Accord LX,161K miles,good condition,asking $2450
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/142097353.html

3/19/2006 10:06:12 PM

The toyota looks decent, but who know how many miles are on the car. (I'd guess 200,000+, but you'd want to ask)

Mazda's are the japanese equivalent of Fords, but I've driven a couple 626's and liked them fine.

The honda's been wrecked and sounds like it has a few issues. Which reminds me, never buy a car on a rainy day. You want to see the paint in the sunshine.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:15 PM. Reason : out of those three, I'd pick the mazda, but that's just me.]

3/19/2006 10:13:33 PM

http://www.cars.com is a good place to look. Lots of local people sell on there and some dealers.

Celicas are my personal favorite. Every one I've had has lasted well and repairs were easy enough for me to do myself. There's nothing in the models I've worked with that are hard to get to or make mechanics grunt.

Civics are nice too, they don't like to die which is good for your price range. Most of the used ones I ran into were driven really hard and you could tell.

My previous celica was a 1994 ST model, sunroof spoiler etc. great condition. Paid around $3500 for it and never had a single repair for the life that I had it. Kept it maintained well though. Gas mileage was around 28-32mpg depending where I was driving.

Unfortunately they are HARD to find because they are such good cars.

3/19/2006 10:15:15 PM

Pyro, thanks a lot
That is exactly wat I wanted to know.
An initial check before I go ahead with taking it to an experienced guy is essential and I had no idea of wat to look for.
Now i know wat to look for.

One more thing, can someone please gimme an approximate lifespan/milespan for the following makes
Assume manufacturing yr = between 92 and 95, condition = good(decently maintained, not by a dude who runs a garage, but more like by someone who drives it to work n back everyday):
Honda,Toyota,Nissan,Mazda,Mitsubishi,Saturn

3/19/2006 10:15:49 PM

You ranked them pretty well. Any car is going to start having a few problems at 150,000. And it depends on lots of things, like maintenance and just whether the owner took care of it. My mom's 2002 Toyota blew an engine at 100,000 and my 1991 Nissan is going strong at 220,000, so there's no clear formula.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:22 PM. Reason : records of oil changes/maintenance are always good if they've got them]

3/19/2006 10:21:34 PM

^^ That's an incredibly variable thing, and depends solely on how the vehicle was maintained.

For instance, my dad has an '83 FIAT spyder (known only for shitty quality/reliability) that runs fine after 23 years and 130k kilometers, and he just fixes it in his garage, he's not a mechanic.

In your case I'd look for a Nissan Sentra/Altima or a Mazda 626 with about 120k miles. With proper maintenance they'll run to 200k miles without missing a beat.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:30 PM. Reason : asdf]

3/19/2006 10:27:32 PM

Quote :

"I'm talking like black smoke here, not the typical greyish variety. Black stains around the pipes are another dead giveaway."

black smoke is fuel smoke. oil is blueish. water/coolant is white. all tailpipes are going to have some carbon buildup around them, nothing abnormal.

you're frequently going to get smoke at startup due to condensation, especially on cooler days. from the questions posted, this person doesn't have the experience/knowledge to discern between the different types of smoke. i would just be concerned with checking for any visible smoke after the vehicle is at operating temperature, under hard acceleration, etc.

3/19/2006 10:28:05 PM

To be dangerously specific, it's a pretty safe bet that any halfway maintained car (import or domestic) made after 1990 will make it to 150,000 miles with only relatively minor problems.

Oh, ask if the timing belt has been replaced yet. I think they typically should be somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. It's not a cheap service($500+), but if that breaks the engine tears itself apart in most models. That is not a 'relatively minor problem'.

3/19/2006 10:32:47 PM

Raige, looked for the celica but as u said tough to find. Will have to look harder.
Yeah I guess there really is no such formula is there.

some more cars, if u got the time

92 Honda Accord,auto T,condition = excellent,166K,$3250
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType
=21&paId=173888200&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

95 Honda Accord LX,manual T,149K,$3350
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType
=21&paId=132650395&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

96 Nissan 200SX SE,manual T,115K,$3995(little expensive, hopefully price is negotiable)
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType
=21&paId=132482859&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

98 Saturn SL,manual T,102K miles,$3000,condition = excellent
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType
=21&paId=192916076&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

Difference between a coupe and a sedan please.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:40 PM. Reason : -]

3/19/2006 10:33:02 PM

coupe= 2 door
sedan= 4 door

you can't go wrong with an accord.

3/19/2006 10:35:10 PM

2 doors vs. 4 doors basically

And yea, I didn't want to get into smoke colors, but you're absolutely right.

[Edited on March 19, 2006 at 10:36 PM. Reason : .]

3/19/2006 10:35:47 PM

picky, i know... but i wouldn't want him to go out and start disqualifying cars over something normal though.

3/19/2006 10:40:49 PM

Differentiate between the color of the smoke, I doubt Id be able to do that. But now since I know about it, will definately try.

I like the look of the Mazda 626. It looks like its been well maintained, 118K miles, hence shud be able to put in 100K more(hopefully), I can maintain a vehicle
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/141781944.html

When someone says they got the Motor replaced, r they talking bout the engine or am I missing something. If the car has only 87K on the new motor, is it as good as having 87K on the car itself.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/142701977.html

Saturn's are relatively cheaper and also the ones that fit my budget arent too old. Is it worth ie will it last for 100K more without any major glitches.
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=
usedcc&searchType=21&paId=192916076&pageNumber=
0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=
0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&
certifiedOnly=false&recnum=6&leadExists=true&criteria=
K-%7CE-%7CM-_43_%7CB-4000%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI
-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ
-27606&aff=national

I know an accord is always reliable, but is one that has already been through 160K, for another 100K

[Edited on March 20, 2006 at 9:05 AM. Reason : -]

3/19/2006 10:47:36 PM

How is a car auction run and where are they held?
Does anyone have access to these auctions?
How relaible is it to buy from there?

Can someone tell me a little more about these auctions

3/19/2006 11:04:06 PM

Yes, they simply replaced the engine. The car may have lots more miles on it, and the rust, wear and tear that goes along with it.

I wouldn't recommend a saturn. I don't think they hold up too well in the long run, at least not well enough for me to give a blanket blessing. But you're right, they're cheap, and for the right price I'll drive anything.

Most auto auctions are dealer-only. The ones that aren't charge a hefty buyer's fee(think 10%) or are overrun by people that pay too much(like the NC Drug Seizure Auction out by the fairgrounds). For what you're looking for, just stick with local sellers.

3/19/2006 11:28:29 PM

Saturns hold up well. The downside is after about 100k they all seem to start slowly burning oil. Switching to Mobil1 and a good filter has stopped that in its tracks on mine.

I've yet to meet a single saturn owner who didn't like their car, especially for the money. Very few known problems (weak starter is about the only universal one I know of), VERY cheap to work on/ have fixed if something does go wrong, great mileage.

Had mine for about 4 years now, I've put almost 75k on it, and so far I've spent 3000 for the car (97 SL2 manual, bought with ~75k on it), and just over 1000 bucks in 3 years for repairs, tires and regular maintenance. Had to drop 650 to replace the entire electrical system on it during a road trip in 2003, they had me in and out at the dealership in 2 hours. Amazing service. Was caused by, you guessed it, faulty starter.

3/20/2006 12:07:17 AM

Between the two of these?

98 Saturn SL,manual T,102K miles,$3000,condition = excellent
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType
=21&paId=192916076&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

The second one is a 96 Mazda 626,excellent condition,118K miles,manual T, asking $3000
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/141781944.html

3/20/2006 1:05:37 AM

Between the two of these?

98 Saturn SL,manual T,102K miles,$3000,condition = excellent
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=
usedcc&searchType=21&paId=192916076&pageNumber=
0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNum

The second one is a 96 Mazda 626,excellent condition,118K miles,manual T, asking $3000
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/141781944.html

[Edited on March 20, 2006 at 9:06 AM. Reason : -]

3/20/2006 1:06:09 AM

about buying a used car.. stay away from mazda they suck ass from my experiences. my mom has a 2001 and the tranny is weak as shit. when some kinda shifter cable broke, my dad researched these trannies to find they all break. my roomate has a v6 95 626 auto similiar to what you're looking at, 120k and just replaced the tranny.

one of my other friends had a 95 626 5speed 4 cylinder, tranny went at 90k.

about saturns, i would get one they are pretty cheap and about burnin oil, eh just put thicker shit in.

i have a 90 celica, and for how much i beat on it in the past it runs flawlessly. the only problem that I'm having with it right now is some shitty rebuilt cv joints that i got from advanced.. need to replace those next weekend. i've owned the car 4 years, put 50k on it (at 150k now) and replaced the clutch, starter, that's about it.

also if the timing belt breaks on any 5sfe engine the valves will not float so you wont mess up the engine, since it's a non interference engine. so ill replace my timing belt when it breaks.. was replaced at 90k

cant go wrong with a toyota. look into camry's the 5sfe's are good engines.

also that roll might still be on the original tranny, that's a no no.

i went and saw a 86 celica gt for 600 bux today had 220k and ran perfect lol.

[Edited on March 20, 2006 at 1:32 AM. Reason : asfd]

3/20/2006 1:31:33 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/143321738.html

if i needed a car i would get that in a jiffy..40k.

3/20/2006 8:41:02 AM

Thanks, just emailed the seller. The price is a little high for me, doubt he will bring it down to 3K,lets see.

3/20/2006 10:57:11 AM

I've had bad experience with GMC, Mazda, and Mitsubishi.

Toyota and Honda are your best bets

3/20/2006 11:29:01 AM

Stay away from the 626.. my ex girlfriend has had some problems with hers, and it's only at 115k. Stick to Honda or Toyota like mentioned above; at 115k they're just being broken in...

With that said, look for any year Honda Accord (94-97 preferably, looks better) or Civic (92-95, 96-00 are the two generations) as they are all very reliable cars and easy to work on if something were to go wrong. I dont know much about Toyotas, besides they are very reliable. I would say look for any year Camry or Corolla and you should be fine.

3/20/2006 11:38:44 AM

My 626 was a great car, until the tranny died at 114k. I've heard lots and lots of stories like mine and toyotafj40s' about the transmissions going out around 100k. Sucks cause the rest of the car is built like a damn tank and they are cheap as hell too.

3/20/2006 11:40:07 AM

Yea man, jump on that Saturn SC2. That's as close to a new car as you're going to find in this price range.

If you need help with prices, check out http://kbb.com.

3/20/2006 12:21:51 PM

I personally think that 626's are great cars, though they do have known transmission failure issues if you get an automatic.

However, if you maintain the transmission properly (as in change the fluid every 30k miles or so; 20k if you're anal) they'll do fine. My mom has one, and I use Mercon V in it, as it's a synthetic blend. The next change, it'll get Amsoil synthetic fluid.

Yeah, this tranny will burn fluid, so using the best fluid you can find will go a long way toward it lasting a long time.

Any Honda 4cyl or Toyta is a good car to snag. I also really like Nissan, though the older ones are not really in the same league as Toyota. Close, though.

3/20/2006 12:28:47 PM

actually I had a 5spd manual. Somehow ended up with a hole in the housing, and rocks and twigs got in the damn thing. Locked er up good one day.

Funny thing was, a rebuilt replacement cost more than the damn car, because they're so in demand.

3/20/2006 12:43:48 PM

OK, then Mazda is out I guess.
Although if nething I only want a Manual T, how much does it cost to get the tranny replaced? Will it be worth it if the Mazda already has its tranny replaced?

I got 2 saturn's in the pipeline, have emailed the seller's, waiting for replies. Any well known problems with the Saturn?

Is it then OK, to buy a Accord with around 150K miles in it. WIll it give me another 100K

3/20/2006 3:24:42 PM

Someone please tell about the Nissan, have found a few good ones. How is the car, wat r the better models? Well known problems etc.

Ideally, would a Nissan that has done 130K, decently maintained last for around 80K more?

thanks

3/20/2006 3:52:30 PM

Hold off for a Honda or Toyota... those are really your two best bets.

3/20/2006 9:16:13 PM

I may be selling my saturn coupe sometime around June if you might be interested. I may be willing to part with it sooner if I can find a junker before then.

3/20/2006 9:22:10 PM

Quote :

"NEW MOTOR, 87K on the new motor"

anyone else notice how stupid that description is?

3/20/2006 9:28:47 PM

^^ year and miles on the saturn please?

3/21/2006 1:26:16 AM

^^well it is new in the sense that it is new to that car

3/21/2006 9:48:51 AM

NEW as in replaced, as in not the one it originally came with. And 87K miles done on this one
hope that clears it up.

3/21/2006 11:33:20 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/143852184.html

buy this, shut the fuck up, and go away

3/21/2006 12:00:05 PM

Wats ur fk up, im looking for help, if u dont want to help then u shut the fk up.

Not looking for a Jeep, need it to last and miles/gallon is important too. Thanks

3/21/2006 12:54:25 PM

ok then, go overpay for a basket POS mazda or toyota then.

3/21/2006 7:27:23 PM

Would really have liked to get myself a Jeep, but just wouldn't be able to afford the gas for her everytime, they do drink a lot dont they?

Here's a good Jeep i found
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/143592967.html

Do Jeeps run upto 200K?How many miles do they give on a gallon(on an average)

3/21/2006 8:38:08 PM

alias

3/21/2006 8:40:24 PM

alias??

3/21/2006 9:19:37 PM