Car buying tips?

[Evoman]

I'm in the market for an older car. To be honest, I have about 2000 in the bank, with the ability to muster up another 500 to 800 bucks if I have too. Not a lot of money, I know, but until I have a steadier job (which, if I get lucky, might be another month or so), a newer car is out of the question (if I get a new one, it will probably be a hybrid or something).

So, basically, I have no idea where to start. What sort of cars should I be looking for? Once I find a car in my price range (probably a beater), what should I be looking at? Any and all tips, no matter how small, are welcome. Even tips on dealing with a used salesman, and what questions to ask would be nice.

Thank you for your time.

[cloudbase]

1. Check out edmunds.com

There's quite a bit of information about car buying, and there are several forums where you can get the info you need. It's worth checking out the local fish wrapper, and sites like cars.com and others like that. You can filter available cars by price or whatever paramaters you like. Good luck.

[Evoman]

3. Hey, thanks.

That looks like it may just be very useful.

[taterguy]

2. Buy a bicycle

Spend the money you save on something you really enjoy

[Evoman]

4. I do have a bicycle, and I ride it almost exclusively.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of things that are hard to do with a bike:

1)Move to another city for work.

2)Move your belongings on a bike.

3)Survive the Canadian winters, if your work place is more than 3 km away.

(on edit: Even if I had a car, I would use my bike way more, especially in summer (and even winter). I love riding my bike).

[NMDemDist2]

5. what I did when I moved was start really looking at the beaters in the area

several models started to stand out, cars that have survived the weather and conditions here.

I then started looking for (relatively) low mileage cars of that type.

I found a 1991 Buick at the auction a year ago with 130,000 miles but new brakes and tires that cost me $1300

She's still going strong today 7000 miles later but I did end up putting a alternator and battery in it after about 9 months. Still cheap though and she gets 26+MPG

i did check out reviews on edmunds once a had a couple cars in mind

[Evoman]

8. Thank you.

That is exactly the kind of car I'm looking for. Thanks for the info.

[NMDemDist2]

14. it may be different in your town, you need to watch what cars are still

on the road up there

you can find a good beater if you know what you're looking for

edit to add, look for a car in an estate sale if you can find one, older folks are good to their cars and don't put a lot of miles on them

and usually keep them in the garage!

[datasuspect]

6. never put a downpayment

arrange your own financing. if you have good credit, shouldn't be a problem.

if less than good, this is a good approach: http://www.roadloans.com/loans/content/rl/index.jsp

ford motor credit's subprime division, aka triad financial.

get your financing BEFORE you ever set foot in a dealership.

go to used cars.

select a vehicle, get an idea of the wholesale value and bargain from there.

E.G. dealer A has a 2005 chevy impala advertised for 17,500 with 22,000 miles.

this car is 8995 all day long. the dealer probably did +/- 1200 on trade.

if they bought it directly from GM auction, then it is literally an 8995 car.

tell the salesman you have your own financing, that you will pay no more than wholesale for it. tell them "i don't know what you guys got in it, but we can go +/- 750 over or under what you got. or i walk right now."

some dealers will let you walk, that's why you buy cars on the friday before the last saturday in the month.

most managers need to spike their numbers at precisely this time and they will let deals go that they wouldn't let go at the beginning of the month.

BIG bonuses are at stake here for them. capitalize on this crisis time for car salesmen and managers.

[Evoman]

9. GREAT!

Thank you very much, datasuspect. You gave me some good advice.

[JanMichael]

7. You can get a great car for that, and no, I am not kidding you

The best cars ever were the ones from the seventies and eighties....the ones that just wouldn't "die." Fortunately, they are too "uncool" for most people, and they are sitting there---waiting for owners who understand that carberated slant six gets you there just as fast as a fuel injected, whatever, with power yada yada yada.... and neato heated seats, tinted windows, and a fabulous radio with 250,000 channels.

Older Subaru's with the won't die 2.2 liter engine.

Volvo's that are boxy. Yep--boxy.

Mercedes diesels from the seventies--

The slant sixes. Mopar rules. I am not kidding, you can set off a nuclear bomb under those suckers, take all the oil out, and they'll die after they get you where you are going.

New cars are shit. I don't give a flying rats ass about "comfort level" or "OMG---I have bleah bleah bleah..."---it's the people who get the old, good stuff that have better cars.

We almost bought a "new" car for seven hundred bucks this week. The reason we didn't? Someone got there first, damnit.

[Evoman]

10. Thats a relief.

I thought I was going to get complete shit for that amount. At least now I have SOME hope :).

[JanMichael]

11. No way. And try to stay away from payments;

God, I hate payments. Between the wife and I, we haven't had one since 1992, and we get everywhere just fine.

[Evoman]

13. Nope...I never make payments.

I always pay full amounts for almost everything (student loans excepted). I actually have that money in the bank (and it wasn't easy, making only 1500 a month let me tell you).

[bicentennial_baby]

12. I'll agree on the slant six...

:thumbsup:

[NMDemDist2]

15. totally! my straight 6 cyl '91 Buick rocks and those slant 6s can't be

beat if you can find one with a decent car attached to it :rofl:

[JanMichael]

16. try this:

[NMDemDist2]

17. OMG! I used to own one of those in that color!

wrecked it :cry: