Cars, used vs new, etc?

[CRTGAMER]

I'm alive and well, got into my new place... and bam, head gasket on my car blew. Unless I can find a spare $2,600 laying around, I guess it's time for a new vehicle.

Thinking of getting a bank loan and then going through carmax to get something relatively newer and reliable. Didn't exactly want a car payment right now, but I can probably handle one if I can get it cheap. But I wonder if I should maybe outright buy something older/used that wouldn't have a payment, but might need some maintenance... which I am pretty sick of after my last car.

Think I'd love to go with a Honda, but might consider Kia since they're cheaper and I still hear good things.

A blown Head gasket is some work but not impossible. Might as well change the timing belt if you do decide to tackle it. But it does take some in depth work, should at least have a plug change and brake job under your belt. Any car owner should at least do their own oil changes. Only way to ensure the oil filter is prefilled to prevent starting the motor "dry". Guess how many service mechanics will not take that simple step?

When buying a car maybe get something sensible, reliable and inexpensive preventative maintenance requirements. Some cars will cost a lot for the regular maintenance upkeep unless you love turning a wrench.

[Xeogred]

Alright, I posted my new ride here:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 55#p677955

... and took it back tonight.

It was a fun day, but the mountains on my shoulder were crushing me. The thing is I JUST moved this month and got a new phone, have all these bills that haven't even shown up yet, and kind of rushed this big time. My car payment was 10% interest, which was pretty commendable for carmax when I have no credit, so the monthly payment was going to be $300... kind of doable, but then my insurance was tripled from $56 on my 96' Acura, to $160 for this. That just threw me overboard and then it all sunk in.

So I think I'm going to just tackle something used, buyer directly, craigslist and stuff. I could very easily drop $2,000 on something that should get me something good like you guys said, or even $3,000 since that's when I put down here... but then no payments, and I wouldn't need full coverage, so my insurance should stay lower too.

The insurance thing was weird though, even blew my dad away. I'm even 25 now, but I guess no credit, full coverage, and the car being a 2009 really added up or something?

So anyways... back to square one. I'll take my time. I can borrow my sisters car off and on, my roommate and I work at the same place so I can carpool, and yeah. I think a more ideal plan is for me to get something used with no payments, then start working on building up my credit asap and maybe next year or two down the road I'll have better options.

So yep. So what do you guys recommend in the $2,000 range or something? I'm pretty much set on sedans.

The Sonata also felt too big, haha. That was like an XL sedan... I had trouble seeing out the windows when I'd turn to my left and right. I thought my old Acura seemed big, but it was nothing compared to that. Guess I like the compact size where it's easier to see around, I dunno.

I was always set on Accords, maybe I could look into some early 2000 ones or something. Or go Toyota Camry's, Nissan, or Chevy. Some of the names I like I guess.

[Jrecee]

$160 for an 09 Sonata? What state are you in? The 10% interest is crazy too. Avoid dealership financing. . .

[gtmtnbiker]

The 10% interest is crazy too. Avoid dealership financing. . .

10% is crazy but usually dealership financing has the best rates. Just have to shop and compare. I recently finished a 4% loan with Nissan.

[Xeogred]

Well I have no credit, so high risk and it was full coverage... still, yeah that blew me and my dad away. I shopped around to get other quotes and some places were even up to $184. Yeah right lol.

Here's the real knee slapper though, the other offer was through some insurance company called "Drive", it was going to be 25% interest. lmao.

What do you guys think of this one? Really caught my eye when I was browsing at work, $3500 (lowest they said they'd offer) for a 2004 Nissan Sentra, 170k, looks to be in pretty good shape.
http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/3379110737.html

[Jrecee]

I had an 05 Sentra, traded it in at 52,000 miles, no problems besides a fiddly startup which I understand his common in them.

[Hobie-wan]

It may or may not matter to you but I see several grey spots on the middle of the driver's seat. Owned by a clumsy smoker perhaps?

[Xeogred]

Yeah no biggie I guess, I think the Packers (looks like it haha) foot rest in the back seat is more annoying, lol. Overall though I think I'd pickier about the exterior looking good without rust and stuff. Saw a lot of that for some other cars, especially Honda.

I'm totally seeing what you guys mean about Honda and Toyota though, Toyota especially... seeing some steep prices compared to better deals with Nissan and Mazda.

I'll take my time with this this time and do a lot of research this weekend. That Sentra looks awesome, but yeah wonder if it'll stay up for that long. I probably won't have my money refunded from carmax in another week or something as well. I wish I had a good mechanic friend, someone I could take up with me to give things a second look, but I'll probably see if I can test drive them and run things up to a shop.

Dunno much about Mitsubishi but this one looks a little nice:
http://lawrence.craigslist.org/cto/3374614126.html

[Joeyg329]

I own and run an automotive shop here in jersey. Hondas are great cars with minimal issues but the cost of admission is high for them and too old of a model might require some work. Hyundai and Kia are decent, not the worlds best cars but reliable and relatively cheap to repair. I'm a fan of domestic cars but most offerings from GM/Ford/Chrysler are iffy. Mitsubishi isnt too bad, but they have corrosion issues and a lot of them share Chrysler parts and have a lot of electrical problems. Sadly, the early to mid 90's GM cars are very cheap and very reliable. A mid 90's Buick, Pontiac, Chevy, or Oldsmobile car is very cheap to fix and have minimal issues. Late 90's get a little rough. I bought my GF a 96 regal for 650.00 with 170k on it. 3 years later it has 230 on it and has only needed minimal repairs. Granted these cars are not the best in the looks department but they work. What kind of car did you have that needed a headgasket? Some headgasket jobs are complete nightmares, especially if they need head work or have engine block issues (insert Cadillac). The biggest issue with modern cars is inherent problems. You can maintain these cars all you want, but if the engine or transmissions have design flaws then there is nothing you can do about it. Feel free to hit me up with an ideas you have. Also, what state do you live in? Some cars have a hard time passing inspection depending on the state. People sell used cars with issues that wont pass inspection. Let me know.

[SoloTek]

Best advice I can give since I have have paid off my 05 civic, bought new:

If you cant pay a new car off in 2 years or less then buy used. The drop in value compared to what you pay over the terms of a longer loan is not worth it. People say you are better off with the new warranty but that all depends on the car and how much you drive.

I would research any car you are looking at and research some more. There are some reliable used cars out there that dont have high maintenance. My 05 civic has 119,000 and has never been in a shop for anything more than routine maintenance (Oil, brakes (once so far), tire rotations, etc.).

BTW: I bought my new 05 civic with little to no credit history with 8% interest and the payments were killer. Its tough to start credit but if you pay cash for a used car then credit means nothing at this point. Work on credit through other avenues. Don't put yourself in a hole. Check out Dave Ramsey Total Money Make Over if you need advice (Got the Audio Book from my local library and listened to it on my trip to work every morning).