Has anyone ever spent just $1000 on a car

[lizziegrace]

and NOT regretted it? I'm going to go look at a car for Lelapin tonight. I only have $1000 because her father hasn't really done anything to support her since she graduated from HS two years ago and I can't come up with the $$ for her to live in the dorm this fall. She needs a car to get to a job and to campus every day.

And as much as I wish I could, I cannot afford a car payment - at all.

And yes, I will pay a mechanic to go over the car for me.
:)

[Pierre.Suave]

1. I think it is possible

if you find the right car.

What kind of car is it?

[lizziegrace]

4. Olds Alero - 2 door

I know they're not made anymore but have heard some people get lucky and cars hold up okay. I have always owned Hondas but thought I can get an American car cheaper because they don't hold their value. No rust on it.

[Pierre.Suave]

8. I would think it is a crapshoot with that car

read this for more info.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1999-to-2004-oldsmobile-alero.htm

[skygazer]

2. I've spent less than that and been happy

I bought an old VW Golf in '97 for $400 and it got me to California and lasted 2 more years after that. It was a rustbucket but it got me where I needed to go.

I bought the car before the one I have now for $1200 and it lasted me for 4 years and was still in good shape when I bought the new one - the only reason I bought the new one was because I could get the financing and it helped repair my credit.

I've had good luck with cheap cars - having an expert look at it is key. Good luck.

[mainegreen]

3. I've spent 2k before.

Four years later I'm rather pleased. Teeny mazda that will probably run for the next 10 years.

[texas1928]

5. We spent 500 bucks on a 1981 Volvo.

It looked like crap but the car ran like a champ and served it's purpose(allowing us to pay off some long over due bills). It died less than 12 hours before we picked up our "new" car.

[RedSpartan]

6. Gotta love it.

My friend had an 83 Volvo sedan. His folks bought it in the 80s, he got it in high school with around 200k miles on it. Got rid of it at 352k miles to get a used Nissan Pathfinder (needed it for a job in construction). Still regrets it.

[texas1928]

25. It had a great engine.

the Speedometer did not work, so could not tell how fast you were going. But in California, it is keep up with the crowd or get run over. AC did not work. But it ran. I had a 1981 Mercury Cougar, it was a great car. Got rid of it, and wish I never had.

[BrotherBuzz]

9. Our '90 Volvo cost us $98

That is, after it was stolen from us, trashed, recovered, purchased by the insurance company, then issued a salvage title and sold back to us. The car looks, well, looks BAD, but it has been such a dependable car we hate to part with it, plus the salvage title deems it all but worthless in the used car market. We will buy a replacement 12 hours AFTER it finally dies. ;)

[texas1928]

26. We actually got lucky and a junk yard bought it for 250 bucks.

They sell used parts.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. You might wanna poke around here

http://www.aleromod.com/forums/forum.php

...and do some further googling for any common problems with the Alero.

You'll almost certainly have to compromise. The trick is to compromise in favor of stuff that doesn't need immediate, expensive attention. Like, I'd take some rust — especially if it wasn't in critical areas like around windows or in floor panels — over something like a noisy or slipping transmission.

I dunno who your mechanic is, but make sure he/she runs compression and vacuum tests. Those alone can tell you a lot about an engine.

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

16. Thanks D.

:hug:

[Fox Mulder]

10. I just bought a '93 Ford Taurus for less than a $1000

And I am happy with it. A mechanic looked it over, said it'll last a long time yet, and so I bought it.

No regrets.

[lizziegrace]

13. I was thinking about a Taurus or the Mercury Sable

I like the fact that they're larger than my 94 Accord and seem to reasonably reliable.

[Omphaloskepsis]

11. My aunt bought me a 87 Volvo wagon for under 1K...

I don't drive but my sister uses it every day for taking the kids to school and shopping. Works great and gets good gas mileage. We did replace the starter. That was about thirty bucks and I did it myself. Not easy but doable.

[lizziegrace]

19. I've replaced a starter before

And you're right - not easy but doable.

:hi:

[LadyoftheRabbits]

12. Ohhh...

I wish I could go with you. x( Let me know how it is? :hug:

[lizziegrace]

15. Don't get your hopes up sweetie!

You dad and I just talked. If we wait til the end of the summer, he might pitch in some money so we can buy a newer, more reliable car. We'll see!

:hug:


Call me!

[Connonym]

14. Not in this century

my first car cost 300 bucks. It was a graduation present from my folks. I loved that car. Granted, this was 20 years ago...

[bullwinkle428]

17. Hey LG, do you live anywhere near Westerville, OH? I may have found

a car through the Consumer Guide/cars.com site.

http://consumerguide.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_30_%7CD-_1294_%7CN-N%7CR-500%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-52317&aff=cg&paId=227496564&recnum=3&leadExists=false

I have a bias towards Asian manufacturers as well, having owned Hondas forever, and my first thought was a Civic or Corolla, but try finding one for $1000, no matter how many miles are on it! I thought about Hyundai, but their reliability record for their older stuff is no great shakes. I then decided to check out Mazda, and they rate almost as well as Honda & Toyota. Plus, I'm sure you're thinking the higher the fuel efficiency, the better, and this would probably use a lot less gas than the Alero. The owner mentions "Great on gas. New tires and new water pump."

I don't know if the link will copy properly, so you might have to go to the main search page and just do a search for (make)"Mazda" and (model) 323".

[lizziegrace]

20. I work near Westerville

I'll try the link.

Thank you!!

[Crabby Appleton]

24. This is probably the car, mazda's do hold up pretty well

Mazda 323

[KitchenWitch]

18. I spent $50 on a car back in 1990 - car lasted 2 more years.

[lizziegrace]

21. What kind was it?

:)

[KitchenWitch]

23. Don't laugh!

A 1973 Chevy Chevelle. Pea soup green.

[ScreamingMeemie]

22. I bought one for $100 a few years ago, and it was the best $100

we ever spent. :hi:

[KG]

27. check on craigslist

[alarimer]

28. Apparently the Bottle Rockets have

A thousand dollar car it ain't worth nothing
A thousand dollar car it ain't worth shit
Might as well take your thousand dollars and
set fire to it...

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

29. I bought a

84 Firebird in 1996 for a grand, last until 2003. Over that time I probably put another 800 dollars into the car on maintenance.

[Inchworm]

30. I have only spent more when I had to get a loan

And that van ended up breaking down and going back to the bank.

The 3 or 4 other cars I had and bought outright lasted well past their worth. I think it matters on the car.

:shrug: