From what he told me, the car hasn't been driven that much. But he could be lying.
Ugh, used car buying sucks.
If he is telling the truth, then I'd have concerns about how long it sat, if hoses are dried out and cracked as a result, etc. I didn't look at the price, but I'm thinking you could find do better than this.
Well, even 154,000 isn't too bad. Hmm...interesting. It's on my list to look at today. I'm hoping to go view a few with my cousin after work.
ETA - My cousin is the car guy. He'll ask all the necessary questions and check hoses and shit. I know some car stuff, but not at all confident in buying a used car.
I'm completely okay with the fact that I'll be getting a beater that might require an additional $1000 over the next year. I just need a commuter car. A basic, crap car that will get me from point A to point B. Basically, what you'd get your newly licensed high school student.
That car is almost old enough to be considered an antique and there's a reason people without shit loads of money don't buy antique cars.
Cars in that time were tanks, filled with rubber and metal. With cars this old you don't know if 1.) they set back the odometer or the odometer quit working at some point and it really has an ass load of miles or 2.) it's been sitting almost unused for 30 years, which is also a major issue. The mechanical parts of vehicles, if not used regularly, will sieze up over time. It's also possible over the course of 30 years that some of the inside parts (that you can't see) are rusting from the inside out from the moisture that's inside the part itself. And finally, rubber has a tendency to decay, and it becomes brittle and leaks.
If it really has 54,000 miles, it would be a great buy for someone who has the extra funds ( or knowledge) to fix all of the issues that will, without a doubt, arise. For the regular person who is in need of a car for regular use? No way. This isn't the kind of car you take down to your local Dodge dealer and get things repaired. When something breaks on this, the parts would have to be a special order, and they are much more expensive.
My bad, it's almost 40 years old, which is an even bigger no.
I'm completely okay with the fact that I'll be getting a beater that might require an additional $1000 over the next year. I just need a commuter car. A basic, crap car that will get me from point A to point B. Basically, what you'd get your newly licensed high school student.
I don't think I'd get my newly licensed high school-aged kid a 40 year old car. This is considered an antique and would cost much more to repair than another newer car that you could probably get in the $2,000 price range. If I were you, I'd keep looking, I'm sure you'll find something in the range you're looking for.
Post by UMaineTeach on Aug 7, 2012 11:05:39 GMT -5
I would think that you could get into the late 80s-late 90s for your budget. Maybe even (and I know this will be an unpopular opinion on MM) put the extra grand you were going to use for maintenance on a $2k car and get a $3k car.
The biggest issue I've had is that cars in my price range are a stick shift. I don't feel comfortable driving a stick shift in the hilly area I live. Especially, once winter hits and it starts to snow. Oh and I'll likely blow the clutch. So...finding an automatic is tricky. Or trickier than I thought it would be.
I'm completely okay with the fact that I'll be getting a beater that might require an additional $1000 over the next year. I just need a commuter car. A basic, crap car that will get me from point A to point B. Basically, what you'd get your newly licensed high school student.
In my experience buying and selling cars for a profit, it's going to more than likely cost you a hell of a lot more than $1k during the first year. Hell, it costs me more than that per year to maintain my almost 10 year old Nissan Maxima.
Since that car is considered an antique, the parts will be outrageous. I hope you find something though! Car buying sucks.
Post by keweenawlove on Aug 7, 2012 11:15:37 GMT -5
If you're looking for recommendations, it sounds like the car I have would be a good fit. I have a 2003 Cavalier. If you can find an older one, it should be in your price range. Everyone I've talked to that's had one said they run really well, even past 100,000 miles. It handles pretty well in the snow too. I added snow tires to mine and made it through 6 winters in one of the snowiest cities in the country.
If you're looking for recommendations, it sounds like the car I have would be a good fit. I have a 2003 Cavalier. If you can find an older one, it should be in your price range. Everyone I've talked to that's had one said they run really well, even past 100,000 miles. It handles pretty well in the snow too. I added snow tires to mine and made it through 6 winters in one of the snowiest cities in the country.
Post by EmilieMadison on Aug 7, 2012 11:46:41 GMT -5
Bliss, I understand how hard it is to find a decent car for under $2K. But think about the basic safety features that it wont have at all. This vehicle is 40 years old. The seatbelts may or may not work. There are no airbags. The frame was designed before the introduction of SUVs and it's unlikely it would withstand much more than a small fender bender.
Even if the car is in great condition, it's not a SAFE vehicle. And chances are, it's not in great condition for that price because, in good condition and with that mileage, it would be a collector car that would be selling for over $15K.
You can almost certainly find a mid 90s to early 2000 model year for around $2K that will at least have functionally safe seatbelts and airbags.
I would keep your eye out for something newer. My sister just sold her 96' Toyota corolla with 150k miles for $1,500. That was an automatic. That car was awesome!