Need a car by Monday[BOUGHTand SOLVED]

Nogs

After a series of rather unfortunate events, I am forced to buy a car by Monday(3-30-09). Luckily, my parents are super understanding and all around badass and are giving me 3k to help with a down payment. I've narrowed my search down to about 17 cars in the Minneapolis area where I live. But I keep changing my mind every 5 minutes.

Here is the list: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smit2231/www/cars.html

I need some people to tell me which of these cars are good deals and which are trouble makers that will end up costing me more money than the car is worth.

EDIT:

Well, this thread is done. I just bought a 2002 Mazda 626 that had 95k miles on it for $5k. Ride is real nice, and the title is clean, and the research i did on the model turned out an average to better car in terms of reliability.

Thanks for all your guys help!

Crashtard

My wife and I just bought an 09 Elantra, and we really like it. Hyundai seems to build pretty reliable cars, and the gas mileage is really good.

TexiKen

Hyundais post 2004 are better, I wouldn't buy a used Kia or Hyundai from before that time (make it 2005 just to be safe)

Out of the list you have, I'd go with the 1998 Toyota Corolla or 2000 Ford Escort ZX2

The 2001 Camry, no way $5,500 for a non XLE model (it doesn't have leather, so not an XLE)

Bendery It Like Beckham

1998 Toyota Corolla, 4dr, Auto, 92K miles - $2995: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=7&numResultsPerPage=100&

You have a winner.

Stay away from Hyundai Post 2005 (I drive a 2006 Sonata, it has itls problems but its an alright car... they have gotten much better but 2005 was a crazy 180 in quality for them)

Ford Focus are not bad, but for the price listed you should just go with the Corolla.

And for the price, I'm gonna say stay away from the Escort. They are pretty crappy. (yeah, generalized statement, there is nothing particularly wrong, they just are not the nicest cars)

1ddqd

Wait, if it's a down payment, why not buy a used/certified pre-owned car from a dealer? Do you ONLY want to spend $3k?

Nogs

1ddqd wrote: »

Wait, if it's a down payment, why not buy a used/certified pre-owned car from a dealer? Do you ONLY want to spend $3k?

some of the cars on the list are from a dealer. it really just depends. i keep changing my mind. on one hand it would be nice to have the car completely paid off. on the other hand, i want the car to be reliable, and im willing to take out a loan for that.

1ddqd

IMO, the 3 grand gives you some flex in choosing where to go. By default, Chevy/Ford/Dodge will offer you deals because they need to move inventory (read: pay back their big-ass loan). It wouldn't hurt to walk the lot at a local big 3 dealer and see if they'll work with you on prices/financing. The best advice I have for dealing with a flip-flopping price salesman is to leave.

Find the MSRP you're comfortable with, tell them that's what you want to pay, and don't leave until you get everything in writing (if they can't show you where it says that's what you're paying, leave).

Or, find a private seller and get a bank loan. Might need parents to co-sign that loan though, considering the market.

illig

find the best condition civic/corolla/altima in that price range... just know that for a $3K car, you'll likely have to put a few hundred into it in the short term for tuneup/tires, etc.

The Black Hunter

2002 Toyota Corolla, 4dr, Auto, 79K miles - $4400

I'd say this

the younger the better