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Help with choosing new car.


Knucklehead97
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The Honda has about 180k on it I would think. He said he bought it a year ago to drive back and forth to work and college and the odometer quit shortly after 169k. Has a one year old clutch. Reason for selling is he bought a newer car. Doesn't sound like it's been driven that rough at all, at least since he' had it. He's done regular maintenance perfectly on time he said.

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You roll the dice with anything you get in that price range.

Avoid old Kias like the plague. Newer ones are ok but the older ones very bad quality.

Whatever you get, the better the maint. The better luck you will have.

2 + owner cars with questionable maint. Are simply a risk.

Good Luck.

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Don't forget that anything you buy from Craigslist is cash and carry.  No warranty is given or implied.  You could easily end up with a $2,000 paper weight in a few months.

 

I like to look around at the small mom & pop used car lots.  They often have trade-ins and cheap stuff for sale that the big dealerships send to auction.  Those small places will usually give you a 90 day warranty and a fresh inspection sticker.  Those two things could be well worth spending a bit more.

 

Also, small dealerships usually get cars like that Civic you posted for $500 on a trade-in .... meaning you might get the same car from a dealership, WITH a warranty and inspection, for less than on CL.  It's worth checking around.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well guys. I officially have been blessed. I now am looking for a newer car to make payments on because I can afford them soon! I've been at the local Winn Dixie for a year next month. I started off part time and moved to full time making 10.45 about four months ago. I went through HELL being the full time nightshifter that stocks the entire frozen section, so I didn't plan to keep this job. Which us why I did not want to make payments on a car. But recently a Publix has been built in town and my brother got a job there and said it's amazing. Long story made shorter, Publix made me an offer of full time and a slight raise for good measures. I plan to stay there and move up for awhile if it's as good as my brother says. So I will be heading around used dealerships looking for a nice hatchback (preferably stickshift). Anyone have experience with hatchbacks and can recommend any from mid 90's to mid 2000's? :D

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If I didn't need 25+ MPG then I would definitely be getting another Jeep. Either Cherokee or Liberty. I appreciate the offer on the Taurus. I really need to find something local with a warranty just in case. Going to more lots Saturday since I have more of a budget now :D

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Don't laugh, but how about a Mazda Miata? Older ones are cheap, they are very reliable, and they get 30mpgs.

I would absolutely LOVE to get a Miata. That or a BMW 318i is the sporty car that I would like to have. If a good one showed up in a lot, I would definitely grab it. Just depends on what I find when I go shopping.
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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I have been driving it back and forth to work for about two weeks now and I have to say I'm even happier with my purchase. Got a set of tires so it rides really smooth now. I have a new valve cover gasket for it because it has a small leak. And the heat doesnt work well, which sucks. But I'm almost positive it's the thermostat. I'm not putting any big bucks in it but I am going to get an oil change and new wires/plugs because God knows when they were changed last. It has a great aftermarket stereo in it. Very boring, but comfortable and reliable so far. After Christmas I will probably begin buying up Jeep parts slowly. I need an AX-15, hopefully external slave. And I kind of want to go ahead and build a rear axle with 3.55's. Plus ZJ steering box, WJ control arms, ZJ tierod, and maybe new balljoints. Heck, I might go ahead and build my front axle too!!!

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