Buying My First Car...
Swiftspear
Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">phear :(</div> So I'm trying to buy my first car within the next few weeks... and I couldn't be more nub. I know nothing about cars, and nothing about used car hunting. All I know is I have a pretty tight budget, and I can't afford to pick up a lemon.
Optimally I get something economical, preferably with 4 seats, that will last me a good 4-5 years while I'm going through university, and trying to find a real job afterwards.
I've got a maximum of $4000 canadian ($3220 USD) to spend, but I'd really like to spend less then that, expecially since insurance is going to be rough enough as it is. Really, my biggest concerns are relyability and total cost.
Advice? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Optimally I get something economical, preferably with 4 seats, that will last me a good 4-5 years while I'm going through university, and trying to find a real job afterwards.
I've got a maximum of $4000 canadian ($3220 USD) to spend, but I'd really like to spend less then that, expecially since insurance is going to be rough enough as it is. Really, my biggest concerns are relyability and total cost.
Advice? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Comments
Tell me when you're physically on the road. I want to be physically off so I'll be physically safe.
Other than that...
<i>Go gettem tiger!!</i>
Tell me when you're physically on the road. I want to be physically off so I'll be physically safe.
Other than that...
<i>Go gettem tiger!!</i> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
we physically live in different countries, our physical collision would defy physical laws.
Tell me when you're physically on the road. I want to be physically off so I'll be physically safe.
Other than that...
<i>Go gettem tiger!!</i> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
we physically live in different countries, our physical collision would defy physical laws. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You'll find a way.
...<i>physically.</i>
My current living expenses are around 5$ a week (not because that's what things accually cost, but because while I'm a student my parent's will still pay for room board and food). If I move somewhere I pick up tons of expenses that I don't need. A car is, disturbingly, more ecconomical in my situation.
For referance: I'm a second year student, I've been driving for years already, no need to fear my driving abilities.
volvos regularly go to 500,000 miles, so a volvo with 150,000 miles aint ****
not to mention good the legendary safety of a volvo
volvos regularly go to 500,000 miles, so a volvo with 150,000 miles aint ****
not to mention good the legendary safety of a volvo <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
the legendary fuglyness <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
My advice would be to pick up Consumer Reports Annual Edition, or they may even have one just for autos. As reliability is a key factor in their ratings it would be right up your alley. A used Honda or Toyota in your price range would be a good bet. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
The worst injury he received in that car was a few minor abrasions on one arm. Screw you, side/front/rear airbags and impact testing.
It also got pretty damned good gas mileage, even if it was a four-speed, and had crap for accelleration. It was a runabout, plain and simple, and did its job exceptionally, until a carful of teenagers in a RWD car with bald tires slammed him into a curb, after popping their tires trying to hard-brake.
Good idea, civics don't devaluate fast enough to be much good in my pricerange, but accords move faster...
This is America we're talking about, not some crazy foreign fantasy-land where beautiful cars rain from the sky.
Optimally I get something economical, preferably with 4 seats, that will last me a good 4-5 years while I'm going through university, and trying to find a real job afterwards.
I've got a maximum of $4000 canadian ($3220 USD) to spend, but I'd really like to spend less then that, expecially since insurance is going to be rough enough as it is. Really, my biggest concerns are relyability and total cost.
Advice? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its funny you are getting a car, my oldest brother just bought a new honda accord with extended warranty. There are many aspects when considering getting a car.
How long do you want it for?
How much cash (obviously)
Can you fix things yourself? (if not get a better warranty)
Are you going to have long commutes? (if so, I would get a honda, their engines are built to last about 10 years/100000 miles.
With your car I recommend getting an old honda accord, around 1995ish, go for one with about 60-70000 miles.
Make sure you with BOTH of your parents (if possible) to get your car, salesman LOVE to pick on young kids and their mothers (no offense to ladies, but they are generally more susceptible to deceit when it comes to cars)
also go here: <a href='http://www.kbb.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.kbb.com/</a>
Thats a resource of how much a car should worth, new OR used. My brother used that when purchasing his Honda, and he got a really good deal becuase he knew how much he could negotiate down.
Anyways this should help, good luck.
Plus they handle really nicely.
otherwise...just find a friend who is selling his car, and buy it off him. My first car was used, worked for 4 years, then it starting ******* itself, so I sold it for $200 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
This is America we're talking about, not some crazy foreign fantasy-land where beautiful cars rain from the sky. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
haha <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
theres tons of those in Denmark, and well i thought since its not in denmark cars are alot cheaper so those must be extremly cheap
No, I'm dissing old Volvos. ;)
How about a Yugo? May be hard to find, as they haven't been imported since 1992.
<img src='http://www.3dsplinedesign.com/Portfolio/yugo-.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
I wanted to get one so badly, but I opted for a Honda Civic instead... well, lease is over in 3 more years...
otherwise...just find a friend who is selling his car, and buy it off him. My first car was used, worked for 4 years, then it starting ******* itself, so I sold it for $200 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
rotor engine = maintanence nightmare <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
otherwise...just find a friend who is selling his car, and buy it off him. My first car was used, worked for 4 years, then it starting ******* itself, so I sold it for $200 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
rotor engine = maintanence nightmare <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Agreed, but the Wankel was an engineering marvel.
You can find them (at least you can over here) for a couple hundred quid. From my experience, you can normally get a good few years out of one. When it drops dead, sell it/scrap it and buy another one <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<img src='http://fake.pagenstecher.de/uploads/25698.1842.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />