Looking at Used Cars

[bandit]

Any Buick car that was made before the 90's were built like a tank. I had a '84 Buick Le Sabre and boy did that shit haul ass. Only probably was that the radiator kept leaking and it wouldnt start sometimes even when the spark plug and whatever else was changed. It was in excellent condition minus some rust here and there and some cracks in the paint.

[Calliander]

Try driving in England where there are 0 Jaywalking laws.

I think I almost killed 4 people due to them just running in front of my car.

The pedestrians in New Haven, CT (Yale campus), couldn't give two shits about cars. They just walk across the road whenever they want and the cars stop. When I do that out here I get beeped at and the timid Californian drivers shake their fists at me. Wimps.

Hero, get a Volvo and just drive the crap out of it.

[stormy]

i want a new Mazda 3(or even better an rx8), but i'm still broke and jobless, so i'll probably be getting another pos used car soon too. Most assuredly a Honda or Toyota. No more american cars for me EVER.

[sphere79]

I would argue on your comments about Hyundai but for the most part you have pretty good points.

Hyundai's might be alright if you're going to baby it - but I'd steer CLEAR away if you drive even the slightest bit rough. Even if it has the 100,000 mile warranty ( on new ones, not transferable to used of course ) it doesn't really matter much when you know the dealer's employees by name because you're there once a month. My wife works for a medical supply company, they have a ton of delivery vehicles. Last year they bought three Hyundai's. One went through three trannies, one was totalled in a GAS STATION PARKING LOT when it hit a small ditch ( at low speed ) and the airbags triggered, blowing out almost every window and instantly "totaling" ( i.e. the cost to replace the airbags and windows exceeded the vehicles value ) the car and I believe the third is dead or was quickly traded in. After years of well-maintained-no-major-probelm Caravan's, Neon's, etc. that easily hit the 200,000 mile mark, they'll be no more Hyundai's for them. The other thing is they were told they had to take the car back to the dealer it was purchased from for warranty repairs ( this may have since changed ) unlike most makes I've seen which have a warranty database accessable by any dealer in the country. They have since bought a couple of Saturns, which if you talk to anyone who owns one they will tell you they are very nice cars - you will pay for the rep when buying them used though. The newer style Chevy Malibu's ( the one they brought back around 97 I think ) are made at one of the most trouble-free plants in North America, have a nice optional V6 with some nut and can be had for a good price if you find the right one.

The ultimate I-need-a-decent-used-car-for-not-alot-of-cash vehicle is definately a Dodge ( or Plymouth ) Neon. I certainly wouldn't want to buy one new ( unless it was an SRT-4 or was for the warranty ) but the things devalue so quickly ( lucky for you they don't say Mitsubishi on the front ) you can find sick deals on used ones. I'm grabbing my local paper right now.....
there's a '96 with 56K miles 5-speed stick ( no tranny worries ) "exc. condition" for $2650. There's a '97 with "high miles" for $1500 ( it's no wonder people buy them as "project cars" ) and for $5000 or less you could get a late '90's or even 2000+ with low miles in awesome shape. Granted, the first few years ( '95, '96, '97 ) can have head gasket issues, but if you ask in alot of cases when your grabbing a '95 for $1500 it's already had the gasket replaced - and if the right gasket was used it won't happen again. Uh, here's a '99 Malibu V6 with "high miles" ( not a problem on that engine if it was properly cared for ) for $2800 "must sell", which basicly means you start by waving $2000 in cash in front of him and you'll definately have it for $2500 or even less.

Here's more from bargainnews.com ( my local trader paper ) all private owners: '00 Neon Auto 77K $3995, '00 Neon Auto 32K $3200, '99 Neon Auto 60K $2950, '97 V6 Malibu Auto 60K $3900, '97 Malibu Auto loaded 98K $3800, '99 Malibu Auto loaded 59K, $5500 - you get the idea.

For the best deals buy from a private owner, bring cash in $50 or $100 increments and start the bidding LOW - you'd be surprised at how a stack of green waved at them makes them say "deal". If you get yourself set on a particular make/model, research the car inside and out on enthusiast sites ( such as www.allpar.com ) and find the common problems ( all cars have certain "issues" associated with them, some big some small ) check / ask about them and ask about how it was maintained. It's much easier for a dealer's rep. ( who probably has NO clue about the vehicles history ) to B.S. you then it is for the current owner to.

[Dolemite]

The pedestrians in New Haven, CT (Yale campus), couldn't give two shits about cars. They just walk across the road whenever they want and the cars stop. When I do that out here I get beeped at and the timid Californian drivers shake their fists at me. Wimps.

Dude, I was in Cali in October and I was amazed at how all the pedestrians obeyed the traffic signals and all just stood there until the 'WALK' sign came on, even if there wasn't a car in sight. Me and my friend thought the crosswalks were electrified or there were horrific jaywalking laws or something where your legs were chopped off if you were caught crossing against the signal. And cars would stop in the middle of the street and let people cross! Insane. In NY you cross whenever the urge hits you and take your chances.

[Calliander]

Dude, I was in Cali in October and I was amazed at how all the pedestrians obeyed the traffic signals and all just stood there until the 'WALK' sign came on, even if there wasn't a car in sight. Me and my friend thought the crosswalks were electrified or there were horrific jaywalking laws or something where your legs were chopped off if you were caught crossing against the signal. And cars would stop in the middle of the street and let people cross! Insane. In NY you cross whenever the urge hits you and take your chances.

Exactly. Like real people, not wimpy Californians. What wusses they are out here.

If I'm in no hurry, I'll wait for the signal, but if I'm in a rush, fuck 'em. I also cut in front of pedestrians who have the signal to go if I'm in my car. Let 'em learn to fend for themselves instead of living this sheltered, docile life.

[Tones]

Get a Corolla... Carolla... whatever. Those things are fucking indestructable.

If you want to save a few bucks, opt for the Chevy/Geo Prizm instead. They're pretty much the EXACT same cars except for the emblems.

[bandit]

If you want to save a few bucks, opt for the Chevy/Geo Prizm instead. They're pretty much the EXACT same cars except for the emblems.

Not to mention, Chevy's are American while Toyota is Japanese. I vouch never to touch buy a american car again.

[sphere79]

Not to mention, Chevy's are American while Toyota is Japanese.

Corolla's / Prizm's are assembled in California at a plant that is a joint venture between GM and Toyota. Same car, same assembly line - different resale values. This essentially proves that perception of brand quality, not neccesarily the actual quality itself ( in this case identical ) is a driving factor in the auto resale market.

I vouch never to touch buy a american car again.

Fantastic. That must give you a great sense of pride knowing you won't be supporting American companies or economy as much as you could be. But that's OK, because you can put an American flag sticker on your car made by a German corporation in Mexico to show everyone how much you love America.

[bandit]

Corolla's / Prizm's are assembled in California at a plant that is a joint venture between GM and Toyota. Same car, same assembly line - different resale values. This essentially proves that perception of brand quality, not neccesarily the actual quality itself ( in this case identical ) is a driving factor in the auto resale market.

If you say its identical. Corolla and Civic is more like identical in my opinion

Fantastic. That must give you a great sense of pride knowing you won't be supporting American companies or economy as much as you could be. But that's OK, because you can put an American flag sticker on your car made by a German corporation in Mexico to show everyone how much you love America.

Just because I dont buy a american car means I dont support american companies? Good thinking. I just said, I wouldnt buy a american car..as I dont like them.