What would be a good used car to buy???

I am 28 and the only debt I have beside my house is a vehicle for about 18,000 I have it for sale and am looking to buy a good used car for about 9 to $ 10,000, and was wondering what would be a very good reliable car to buy at that price. I have heard that a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima would be excellent choice. Any suggestions?? Thanks

Ben

For 9 or 10 grand, you'll have alot of options. What do you have in mind?

I was thinking a Toyota Camry, or Honda Accord. What do you think about these vehicles as far as dependability?

Have look at the Corolla, models from 1998 don't have the timing belt (unlike Camry and Accord), they use chain instead, meaning less maintenance required.
I's also very economical and for $10K you may find 2001 - 2003 model.
I think it's the most reliable car in small sedan class.
Check these links:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?modelid=10000
http://www.samarins.com/reviews/corolla.html
Have a look at 2003+ model - it's more spacious.
Good Luck!

I really appreciate the info. I will check out the corolla too.

are everybody's picks for a reliable used car. they are good cars, but they sell at a premium to some other used cars. Maybe 10 grand will get you a 2001 with 60k whereas some other cars, you can get into a 2003 with 30k. That's worth considering.

Do you absolutely want mid-size or will compact do? My friend just got an 03 Corrola with 13k for $12.5. I was suprised at how comfortable it was, even in the back seat.

My current and previous cars are Toyota Corollas. My current one is a 1998 LE; I bought it last fall for $5900. It is GREAT! I get 35-39 miles per gallon. Other people I know have been happy with both the Camry and Accord. On another note, how important is it to get a 90,000 mile check-up on your car? I'm at 91K and everything seems fine with my car. I just spent $70 for a new battery in it. I don't want to get ripped off by an auto shop, and I hear those check-ups can cost $300 or so. Thanks for your responses.

Avoid it. It's a scam! I've got an 03 Nissan Altima that I have been very happy with, but if I did everything that the dealer tells me, I'd be dropping $500 a year on maintenance. The kind of negates the effects of buying a new car. If I wanted to drop that much, I could have went with a 10 year old car.

Go to Edmunds.com and find your maintenance schedule under the tips & advice section. That will give you what is the manufacturers recommended maintenance scheudle, which is very different from what the delaer wants to sell you.

A buick. Yes buick most senoirs are the only ones to buy them new. Stay away from rental cars. The reason being is alot of there service records are not real even the big chain stores.

For the most part you can get a used buick pretty cheap and most older people own them and not abused as much and not wanted like a camaro or firebird so they car be had cheaper and lower milage with cheaper insurance than most would think.

A lot of "Mom and Pop" used car dealerships will work with you. Tell them what you want and that you'll pay $XXX over what they'll pay at the auction. They will make their money and won't even have to use lot space to sell the car.

I was able to get a Corolla for $500 over the auction price. My dealer was even nice enough to show me the full listing of what cars sold for at the last auction. That way I could see what I could get for the money I had. The only bad thing is that you may not get to see or test drive before committing to buy. But with camera cell phones, maybe you could at least get a picture. Just be sure and be specific with the dealer--year, mileage, model, color, non-smoking previous owner, no frame damage (auction has to disclose this), etc. The more requirements you give him, the longer you'll have to wait.

Now, I doubt the major dealerships will do this but just ask around. You'll probably end up saving $1000-2000. I did.

By the way, I bought my Corolla with 45k miles. It now has 72k and all I've done to it is replaced the tires and changed the oil.

What did you end up getting?

Toyota Previa all the way, you need to get a minivan.

I've had a Toyota Camry for 4 years and I haven't had any problems with it.

Before you hand over your hard-earned cash to a big-toothed, plaid-sports-coat-clad salesman whom you might not entirely trust, you first MUST prepare. The infinite variables that accompany a used car purchase can make this even more difficult. On the preliminary list of "need-to-knows" are a used car's make, model, mileage, and purpose.
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Vanesssa

Car Auctions (http://www.gov-auctions.org)

Thats a lot.I suggest a Toyota Camry or maybe a Honda civic.You dont have to spend that much in order to have nice 2nd hand car.

well are you married and have kids? its more practical to buy a buy a wagon type vehicle. if your a family man.

I suggest Toyota Camry.I like it.I think it will also suitable for you.

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vijai

Used Cars (http:///used.gov-auctions.org)

I suggest Toyota Camry.I like it.I think it will also suitable for you.

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vijai

Used Cars (http:///used.gov-auctions.org)

Not only that Camry consumes lesser fuel than European car! He can also try to buy the hybrid type because it's environment friendly too... :)

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Simon

Used Cars (http://used.freecarforum.com)

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My brother has had a Honda Civic for a few years now and rarley has any problems with it, his is a 97 plate and he paid alot less than 10grand when he bought it, they are very good reliable cars but for your quite large budget id say you might be able to get something better

Buy a 98 civic type-R hatch. Its good lookin..its fast and it has a lot of miles per gallon than a Camry... =)