Buying a USED car
 

My brother and I have decided to buy a car. Only thing is it will be a used car. I'm talking shit box used car. At the moment that's all we can afford at the moment. Basically it's to get us to school and work and around the city. We're looking to spend no more that $6000CDN on the car.
My problem is I don't know anything about cars, and where to start. I've looked at used cars on the web. But just reading an ad doesn't tell me much. I'm looking for some advice.
What make of car is more reliable as a used car? What kinds of things should a look for when I'm buying the car (I don't want to end up with a lemon)?

Thanks

See if you can find a reputable mechanic and find out how much he/she would charge to take a good look at the car you want to buy.

That doesn't guarantee something won't break, or that the mechanic will find every flaw, but he or she is more likely to find major problems than someone who, by your own admission, knows nothing about cars.

Don't buy a Ford! Or as my parents say "Fix Or Repair Daily!" My parents bought my brother a used Explorer a few years ago and it's been a continuous disaster the whole time. Coolant leaks all over the place, transmission quirks, broken power windows, leaky seals around the windows and sunroof, a/c is a mess, etc.

Actual cell phone conversation we had once when he was coming over to my apartment:

Me: "Hey, where are you?"
Bro: "Umm, just outside your apartment."
Me: "Well, why don't you come inside?"
Bro: "Umm, hang on a sec, I'm waiting to see if the smoke is going to stop coming out of the hood of my car."

At this point I ran out to the parking lot. Even though he had just paid $$$ to get a coolant leak fixed, now there was another coolant problem. The engine had overheated (in the less-than-2-mile trip from his apt. to my apt.) and coolant had EXPLODED all over the place under the hood.

My first two cars were both Oldsmobiles. Not the trendiest, but they were very reliable. Plus, they were a good value so I essentially had a luxury car, just a few years older. My first car had power everything, and an electronic display that showed the time, mileage, when you needed to get the oil changed, etc. Plus, with that kind of car, you know it was owned by some little old lady before you who probably took very good care of it.

Buy a HONDA! It will be cheap and will run FOREVER! Let me know if you have any questions.

That's what a few of my friends have suggested.

Any particular model? Year?

Get an accord or a civic! they're cute and they really will last!

I agree about Honda, they are the number one used car. Parts are easy to find and are cheap. As much as I love my Chevy Honda's do TEND to have a long life.

Try to get as new as possible. I say 1998 or newer and you should be find.

Hondas hold up well....Toyotas did hold up well (back in High School when I had one), don't know if the newer ones do as well or not....Saturns hold up well mechanically....exterior/interior does too if someone took care of it. I don't know what the Saturns are like in Canada, but don't buy an early model L Series. They were made in a different factory than their other cars and those first couple of year models had problems. Also, their S series (original series) cars between the years of about 95-97 have been reportedly having big problems as they get older, so you may want to avoid that year model also.

Of course, I'm basing this on talking to Saturn owners in/around Arkansas, so the ones up north may be different. I've had 2 Saturns (98 coupe and 2003 Vue) and I've had no problems with either. I did lots of interstate travelling with the coupe, too.

Good Luck! Let us know what you get! (And don't forget to have an outside mechanic check it out before you buy).

PsychTau

I was told that carfax.com is good to investigate used cars you are interested in purchasing. All you need is the VIN and it will give you the history of the vehicle.

Good Luck! :D

I probably won't be getting my for another few months at least. Still need to save up some more. Just, looking for some advice on buying used cars right now.

Thanks, everyone for the tips.

Is that site only for U.S registered cars?

I don't know. A friend of mine used the site when purchasing her car. She is here in the US.

:confused:

Hondas are great cars.

Your money will go a little farther if you stay Japanese, but go to a lesser brand like Mazda. I got a nearly new Mazda 626 for a great price last June. They've discontinued hte 626 in favor of the 6, so you can get them fairly decked out for less than a stripped Accord or Civic.

I really hate to say this, but I have basically had bad luck with American built cars and very good luck with Mazdas. I've had particularly bad luck with Chrylser products -- although I have one now. Along with two Mazdas. And a Saturn. And a Ford.

I was very fortunate to get my 2001 Cavalier for $6000. My dad knew the owner so I knew we weren't getting ripped off.

My suggestion is to visit this website called Edmunds.com and type in the necessities you're looking for in a car and then find different makes and models/years. I dunno if you're paying cash, but they also have a payment calculator that can figure out payments with different terms and months.

I would have loved a Honda Civic and they really do hold up well. However for the price you're looking at, you'll probably have to go with a 1998 or older. I priced those (1998's) in 2001 and they were still above $10000 back then.

Best of luck!