Looking at Used Cars

[Hero]

So I'm shopping for used cars. Right now it's just looking at the ads, and online, though I was wondering what sort of tips/advice anyone could offer on the subject. Right now, my requirements are pretty low; just something around 5 grand or lower, something in working condition (always a plus), and no vans/SUV/trucks. Well, maybe a van, but I'm not a fan of larger cars.

As far as manufacturer goes, I'm not picky, but if you guys know any reason why I should be, feel free to speak up.

[Mzo]

The best used cars tend to be Honda Accords. Those things last forever. If anyone has better advice, get to it.

[Gohron]

The newer Hundai Elantra's are supposed to be very reliable vehicles and you can probably find a 2001 or maybe even a 2002 that's in your price range.

Although I would have to agree with Mzo on the Honda Accords but you'd have to go a little bit older to get into your price range as they're more expensive.

[Hero]

Here's another question: How much mileage is considered good on a used car? I mean, less is better, sure, but when does it start to be too much? Would 100,000 miles already be too much, just right, or what?

[Gohron]

70-80,000 is in a decent range I'd say. 100,000 miles can be a bit much because this is usually when cars start to go downhill.

[MVS]

Going used?

Go Toyota or Honda.

Can't go wrong with either. I had a Toyota pickup with 120,000 miles on it (bought it with 12 on it), never put oil in it, driving 90 on the freeway, the engine locked and seized up.

Coasted off the freeway, put oil in, and the damn thing went another 80,000 miles before I sold it.

[Rumpy]

Go for Toyota or Honda/Acura. They are seen as the most reliable cars by far. I'd say 80,000 miles is a good number. The aformentioned brands will go double that without much of a problem aside from normal maintance. Check out used Acuras, they're nice cars (my mom and dad both drive an Acura now).

[Stone]

How long do you want to use the car for? What are you going to be using the car for?

The problem with buying Hondas, Acuras, etc as used cars is that everyone knows that they are reliable - and because of this, they're priced accordingly.

I think the Infiniti G20 is the best value in cheap used cars. As far as I can tell, they're every bit as reliable as a Honda Civic/Accord, but the car is less well known, and as a result of that, not overvalued. They drive well, also, and you can get them in a 5-speed. You could take a G20 up to 150,000, easily, same thing goes for a lot of Japanese cars. They handle quite well, also.

If you know how to drive stick, or can find someone to teach you how, then you'd be much better off driving stick. They're more entertaining, and they're easy to replace. Automatics just have problems more often as they age.

I don't think there's anything wrong with 100,000 miles, and, in fact, looking for a car slightly over 100k would probably be a good idea, since it'd save you money (there's a psychological barrier towards buying a 100k car that drives those cars' prices down).

Use carfax.com to check out the history of any car before you buy it. I would take any used car you're seriously considering to a mechanic before buying it.

But, yeah, I say try to buy a 1991-1996 Infiniti G20 from a private party with a good, documented Carfax history.

Ah, you can buy really nice old Volvo 240s for $5k that will last a long time.

[Hero]

good advice.

Oh, and my use of the car would be commuting back and forth to Long Beach, which means local driving mainly. Although trips to and from LA on a frequent basis is also a concern.

[Wildkat]

Stay away from Civics and Integras, unless you know who the previous owner was. They often end up in the "rice-boy" crowd out there and they don't exactly take care with thier cars, and if its EVER had NOS on it, run away as fast as you can.

Any "reliable" import (read Honda, Toyota) for $5000 is going to have a ton of millage on it, and remember Import replacement parts can often run 3 times the costs of a domestic.

Stay away from VW, Hyundai (they still suck no matter what the comercials say), Kia, Nissan(renault in japanese clothing these days)....

The second gen Dodge Neon's aren't bad cheap cars at all, they were originaly prone to a head gasket failure, but that has been fixed for the most part. Plus they are pretty peppy little cars, and are actually pretty fun to drive hard.

Chevy Cavaliers are good cheap cars as well, my family has owned tons of them, and they are pretty reliable, not the most eligant car on earth, cheap to own, run and if stuff does break, pretty cheap to fix.