Buying a USED car

[ztabchbum]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Chrysler/Dodge vehicle. They aren't made anymore. There was a defect with its rear view mirror. This was in the early 90s. A few friends of mine in college had one. Other than all of this, I don't know much about it.

The Eagle Talon and the Mitsubishi Eclipse are ALMOST the same car. I had a Talon and it was FANTASTIC! But, I would not recommend it because the parts are harder to find since the vehicle is no longer made.

[adpialumcsuc]

Try and find a vehicle that the previous owners have the maintenance records. We bought a 94 Camry that the previous owners had all the records of maintenance and it has been great!

If you go for a Honda make sure that you ask about the timing belt. They need to be replaced every 90,000 miles and if they aren't and it goes bad it blows the engine. Also they are very expensive to change but have to be done. The same goes for a Toyota but if it goes you don't loose your engine.

Good Luck

[AlphaSigOU]

As one who currently drives a used car (used when I bought it) here are some pointers I use when shopping for one:

1. Get the VIN number of the car and run a CarFax report on it. (www.carfax.com) It's free to get the basic information, but if you need more detailed information it's $20 for the service. The CarFax report will tell you the vehicle's registration history; whether it was declared 'salvage' because it was totaled or had a previous use as a taxicab or a rental car. (Contrary to popular belief, not every former rental car is trashed out; some of the higher-end car makes used by rental companies are in pretty decent shape and have had regular periodic maintenance done on them.)

2. My personal preference - get a used car with less than 50,000 miles on the odometer. Some finance companies will not finance used cars unless they have less than 50,000 miles or are less than five years old. Most lease-return cars are well taken care of. Some of these will fall under the 'certified used car' program, where they have been inspected and still carry the remaining new vehicle warranty.

3. Try to get a car that has good availability of parts. Generally, most automakers will have a five-year supply of parts made for each make's model year in their system; more popular makes may have even more.

[Mz Destiny]

Originally posted by juniorgrrl
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.

The 626 is generally a good car. I just traded mine in for a 2000 Nissan Altima SE. The 626 has transmission issues all-around though. The are built by Ford. Be careful.

[Tom Earp]

Honda or Toyota, well unless they have over 100,000 miles!

[AOPIHottie]

I agree with Honda being the number one choice, being a car girl and all , also, Hyundai's are pretty good-I had an excel(ugly as hell) that took me for a looooooong time with much driving-over 200 thou miles. And I have an 01 accent right now that I have had for 6 months, and its doing great!! Just make sure you have it checked out before you get it. And if you can, you should get it from a dealer, and not a private seller-mine came from a dealer and as a bonus, they do free oil changes and tire rotations as long as I own the car!!

[Tom Earp]

Steve to true!

Honda: Maryville, Oh.

Toyota: Murfreesboro: Tn.

Well for two!

On my 4 th Honda! Only way to fly for me! Resale is execellent also on either a Honda or Toyota!

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Steve to true!

Honda: Maryville, Oh.

Toyota: Murfreesboro: Tn.

Well for two!

On my 4 th Honda! Only way to fly for me! Resale is execellent also on either a Honda or Toyota!

Actually, the Canadian Honda models are made in Alliston, Ontario.


My parents have been buying Hondas. They are on their 3rd Honda. They won't ever buy another GM vehicle...not after the passenger and drivers side doors fell off 5 times.

ETA: There is also a Ford plant in Oakville, Ontario and a GM plant in Oshawa, ON.

[Rudey]

I'd buy new if I were you and get the 40th anniversary 911. If you can't, then I'd buy and old Lotus Elise.

-Rudey

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by Rudey
I'd buy new if I were you and get the 40th anniversary 911. If you can't, then I'd buy and old Lotus Elise.

-Rudey

Oh thanks for the tips Rudy...now let me just reach in and pull all this money out of my ass!