How to buy a car?
 

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice that can point me in the right direction.

I've finally decided to break down and buy a car. I'm 22, and have never owned one. But I've been living in the city for the past 4 or 5 years, and the bus comes often and near to my apt. so it hasn't been TOO much of a problem- getting to school and such. But with winter coming and trips to the store a pain b/c I have to borrow my roommates car and not knowing where i'll be working next summer, I've decided to take the plunge. So I have some questions:

1) Buy something newer that I'll have to make payments on, or get something older that I can pay for all at once? I don't have a ton of money, but I don't want to drive a k-car either.

2) Any recommendations on specific makes and models that are reliable for used cars? I want something smallish (not metro small, but not SUV or Towncar big) because I have to parellel park the sucker. And good on gas, especially city mileage.

3) Recommendations for websites that I can educate myself with? I don't have a whole lot of time to go out and look, so i'd like to know as much as possible before heading out.

4) Once I get the car, should I start my own insurance policy, or stay on my parents? I'm on my parents right now b/c I don't have a car and just driver theirs very very rarely. PA law requires all drivers to have insurance. Any recommendations on best companies for young people with perfect driving records?

And any other general advice would be much appreciated!

I just purchased my first car that I have to make payments on myself. Luckily, my step-father used to be in the car leasing business and his friend still is.. and lives down the street from my parents. So I got a good deal on a good car. :D (http://www.firstmedina.com)

If you know anyone, use that to your advantage! I would say go with something that you might have to make payments on, but not necessarily a new or expensive car. That should last you a few years, and you'll still be able to trade it in when you're ready to upgrade. I've had good experiences with Ford Escorts (a '93 and my mom loves her '99) and I'm on my second Buick Regal ('96). The Buick might be a bit big for you, though. And I've had a few friends who had fathers that were mechanics... every one of them drove Pontiac Grand Ams, so I'd assume those are pretty reliable.

A friend of mine bought a Toyota from a rental company. The advantage from buying from them is that you know the car has had regular maintenance.

Good luck! Let us know what you get!

Congrats on your decision!

1) Since you're going to buy this on your own (little/no parental donation?) and you're in school, you should seriously consider a used car. I don't know if there are places like carmax.com up there, but these places are great! My friend's husband got a 2000 BMW for half of its cost, still under warranty. No haggling either.


2) You want something that can get repaired cheaply & quick. This was one of my mistakes when I bought a Saab in 1995. When I broke down in Kissimmee, FL, there was only one Saab place miles away in Orlando. So, go for something like Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Acura. VW might be good, but the repairs might be slightly more, so I'd stick with a Japanese car for your first. (You'll probably get a new one when you start working & that's only 2 or so years!)

3) www.vehix.com

How much Car Can You Afford?

4) this would be a question to ask your parents' insurance agent. Just call them - this is part of what they do. . And actually, if you're going to purchase a used car, get the VIN & your agent could look up its history.

Good luck! And remember: http://ilovedeniro.homestead.com/fil...durdensays.gif

Congrats on the decision to purchase your own car! I bought mine in January 2002, so here's my advice. Definately take a male with you. I know it sounds sexist, but I did a lot of research on my particular choice of car, and the salepeople still threw lots of crap at me that I had no idea what they were talking about. My dad went with me, and he sat there shaking his head no to the things that were just commission makers to the salespeople. I also suggest getting a car that will be worth the money paid for it. An Acura, Honda, Toyota, or a VW might be in your best interest, just as kdonline suggests. You can probably get a good deal on a used car from www.Carmax.com (if they have those in your area). As far as the insurance thing goes, I stayed on my parents, just to make the payments cheaper. But, all insurance agencies have different policies, so call yours and check to see what would be more beneficial. Good luck in your search, and keep us updated on what you decide on :)

I will give you the same three words of advice that I give everyone else who asks this question:

Read Consumer Reports

Everyone's car needs are different, so I can't go around saying "Buy this or that car." Consumer Reports doesn't take advertising, and they make no bones about recommending certain cars, or saying that other cars are pieces of junk. You'll want the April issue, which you can find at the public library. It's got some good articles on financing and choosing a car as well as the very important list of "Used cars to avoid."

Just get your mama to buy it!

That's how I got my new accord :)

P.S. For all the insults coming about my mama...I don't care! I am spoiled and a mama's boy and I love it...:) :) :) :)

If only my parents had that kind of money..........
The only things my parents pay for are my health insurance and my car insurance (since i don't have a car, it's not much).
I actually prefer it that way. Paying for things myself I certainly appreciate them more.

KD, Buy a Honda or a Toyota!

I am on my 4 th Honda and will be my last car as am getrting old and the car while 4 years old is still young!!!!!:)

Import my ass, built in Ohio!:D

Go Girl, nice to have a ride of your own!:cool:

Only problem is taxes! Sorry did not mean to bring that up!:eek:

My best advice is to stay as far away from american cars as possible. If you look at the way that cars lose value as they age, American cars drop in value a lot more in comparison to Japanese cars. Plus, I've found the reliability to be really low.

We've had a Mitsubishi, a Toyota, I currently drive a Mazda 626 and my mom drives an Accord. My boyfriend has always driven Nissans. We have very little complaints with any of those cars. They can usually go 200K miles with little more than routine maintenence.

Good luck!

Oh God, NEVER BUY A HONDA OR TOYOTA!!!! id recommend a ford focus or maybe a dodge stratus? those might be some good options for ya, or you could get an older, 5 liter mustang :P

Ford Focus?? Tell me you're kidding...

better than a honda civic

I'd rather walk or take the bus rather then drive a focus or a neon...

And yeah...a civic is pretty horrible too.

Hey the Focus is a good car I had a 2001 ford focus 4 door. I had no problem with it until I crashed it. But it wasn't my fault. THe focus is resonably priced......

Yeah that's why I won't ever drive one...