Car advice please
 

I need to buy a car and fast. I have about 5 grand to put down and am debating...

Should I buy new or take a shot with a used car?

What can I get putting 5 grand down, willing to pay no more than $300 a month for 4 years?

Wish I could help you Tim.
I think Exceller said he was in the business.
If it was me, I'd go for a "program car", one that is turned in at the end of the lease. That might get you the best value, but heck, what do I know?
There are experts that post on here.
Good luck.

My girlfriend and I both bought cars in the past two years. Hers was a 2005 with less than 5K miles on it, mine was an 04 with about 6K on it. They were both still under the manufacturer warranty, in pristine condition. My truck was around 23K...but I pay around 423 and that was with no money down....3.99 for 5 years...you can figure on about deducting 20 bucks for every grand you put down. (realize interest rates are up now, but I can still get 5%). Long story short...look around people get rid of cars for ridiculous reasons you can find a real gem.

Hope that helps.

I would suggest you get a used car. I would buy something that is 2-4 years old. Now financing can be hard for older cars so the interest rate will be a little high, but you dont lose so much on depreciation like u do on a new car. You also have to consider maintenance cost like tune-ups, tires, oil changes etc etc. Then you want to consider of you want your family to grow into the car. You also can get a lemon out of any make and model. You also have to consider re-sale for when you sale the car. Pick up a consumer report magazine for cars and trucks. A must read for anyone who buys a car or truck. It will show you the best years for cars and trucks. With all this said, Camry years 2002,2004 and 2005 are the best for that model, you cant go wrong with a Saab or Volvo but the maintenance is high on those cars. Acura is a darn good car and so is a Lexus. But I would stick with a Camry if considering all things.

Heard they're bringing back the Rabbit for 15k.

Tim,

I can help you on many fronts in this area, I have many years in this business. I'll send you a Private Message later tonight, got a surprise visitor just now at my front door.

Curt

Hopefully this surprise visitor is asking for an oil change and to get her headlights checked

It's Cal Worthington n' his dog spot.No,only L.A. PEOPLE KNOW THAT GUY.

Early Halloween trick or treaters?

Don't go brand new, get 1 that's maybe 1 or 2 years old, low miles, still with most of manufact. waranty. I myself have been eyeballing the Chrysler 300's.

Thanks guys. Scuds, I actually got a quote on a VW Rabbit today. 18K fully loaded including sunroof. Not bad, I always liked the "new car smell".

I have been very happy with the 3 VW's I have owned so I am leaning towards a VW. Also looking at a few used Saabs and Hondas.

Gotta jet. I'll tell ya Tim, lay down 2 or 3 grand as a deposit on a QUALITY USED car from someone you trust. Go this route if you plan on keeping this vehicle for more then 2 years, General Motors. 1 REASON, the expense of repair and parts. General Motors are cheaper HANDS DOWN for many reasons to fix and repair. Anyone that tries to tell you different IS A LIAR! I know this to be fact. I made my living in this business for just shy of 8 years, I know what I speak of.

A great vehicle at a great price, including the potential repairs down the road, etc?

Monte Carlo or Impala. Good luck Tim, pm me if ya have any questions, I got unexpected company right now so this is a rushed message.

Curt

VW is a quality vehicle, so are Honda's but the minute you got a problem get ready to get raped.

Cal's got to be dead too. If he's alive he's got to be 100.

used for sure. Honda's have had probs lately especially trans probs. I'd go with a Grand Am or Grand Prix but not the GT's. (premium gas) should be able to find a GP with less than 20 K for less than 15K. Under fac. war.

I'll sell you a 1969 Chevy pickup (Blue/White two tone) for $2500.00

Gander; if you're going the used car route, check the cars at CARMAX...All have been thoroughly inspected. I helped my daughter get a VW Passat(vry good safety rating) and got it a year old and she's still thrilled with the car after 2 yrs!

Just remember with gas $$$$$$ keep moving up.. find something thats good on the petro..! I get about 60 miles to a gallon.. Harley Davidson. !!

My uneducated opinion.

My Toyota and Honda were by far the two most reliable cars I have owned. Past purchases included Ford and Chevy trucks. Jeep Cherokee, Mercury Cougar. Currently also have a gas guzzling Tahoe. And a number of others in the past. I would go used Honda or Toyota. I had such little go wrong with these cars. I still have my Honda. 11 years old and going great.

gander I don't know where you love bbut around here you can't beat a subaru in the winter. the AWD inflates the sticker price though so if you don't need it then forget ignore the above...

cant go wrong with a BMW or a Mercedes.

Gander,

I have a "mini" suv. Bought it about eight years ago when money was much tighter than it is now. Chevy Tracker. But Suzuki has the Viatras which are basically the same thing. Mine has the Suzuki motor in it.

KNOCK ON WOOD. My car has about 85,000 miles on it and with the exception of having to replace tires, belts, and have my transmission serviced about 3,000 miles ago, the thing runs like a champ. Great on gas mileage too. Like 27-29 mpg.

With $5,000 down, you should be able to get your payment to where you want it.

Really depends on what kind of car you are looking for.

P.S. My husband bought a used 1992 Chevy Pickup when it was a year old. He gave it to his dad a few years back. Still on the road to this day. Has about 200,000 miles on it now and they did replace the transmission on it once, but you would never know it was as old as it is.

I have decided at this time to go real cheap and buy something just to have for 2 years max. Its an old Ford with 107K miles. My friend is selling it to me and I trust him because he is a car maniac when it comes to upkeep, he told me all the thing he has replaced in the last year and the fact that it runs great. His daughter used it to run back and forth to college, so I know it has been kept up. I dont care what kind of car I drive, I walk to work and just about everywhere else for that matter.

Funny, my mountain bike is worth more than this car. LOL!

there ya go, good call. parts should be relatively cheap if it does have an issue or two.

id never be caught dead in a ford car, the trucks and expedition or explorer

LOL. Some of us have to pay rent. Excuse me for wanting to be an adult.

Used is the Way
 

Find a Honda with 100k on it. Best bet.

Put $400 away a month, buy something better with it down the road.