Headless Man

Karma: 267169

What used car would you recommend if you only had $1000.

My daughter needs a car but has only saved $1000, is there a model that you have had good luck with?

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+4 Views: 2814 Answers: 17 Posted: 13 years ago

Tags: travel cars

17 Answers

Vinny

Karma: 262561

Randy, honestly at $1k I don't really think manufacturer and model would make much difference. I would look for a car that is safe as priority, mechanically sound, not much to go on but if you look for a particular make and model you will be looking for a long time.. Remember this: 'You only buy the manufacturer once, when it was new, after that you are purchasing the previous owner." So in other words, you could find a Mercedes that is beat to death and unsafe for 1k or you could buy an old ford in better shape for 1k.. Obviously the Mercedes owner let it go to crap where the ford owner took care of it.. Still most people are 'name conscious' therefore these people would always pick the ragged out Mercedes based on its name, not condition..

Don't look for name, look for condition!!

13 years ago. Rating: 11
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mycatsmom

well put, Vinny

commented 13 years ago

Headless Man

Looking for gas milage also, she can get a nice Lincoln for $1000 but 8 mile a gallon is not good.

commented 13 years ago

Vinny

Yeah randy, that's another concern, looks like the cheaper the car, the higher the upkeeps and fuel cost. I wouldn't give up hope though, sometimes you can trip across a good deal, as morbid as sounds, some old timer passes away, the family will usually want to unload that car pretty cheap. I have seen this several times.. How do you do this?? Well I wouldn't suggest knocking on the doors of the 'dearly departed'.. LOL I really don't know, keep an eye on Craig's list or other social markets..

commented 13 years ago

JDB

Karma: 107320

We've had 3 VW's and have not had a problem ,still have 2 ,the old one is a 1990.

13 years ago. Rating: 9
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Headless Man

Karma: 267169

Answer to digger, she has had a bad start at life Diabetic and Bipolar, now under control but she did qualify for some disability that pays her medical needs , had to go on welfare for food and rent.

Works only part time and trying to save enough to get a car so she can get off welfare and don't have to depend on someone else to get to work so she can get a better job.

I will be hard to pay for gas and insurance if she had a car payment, until she can get full time work.

A good dependable car that got 40 mile a gallon would be an answer to prayer.

13 years ago. Rating: 8
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mycatsmom

I've always heard that a foreign car is better built, and that you get better service at the dealer. Some of the small ones get very good gas mileage. I 've had two frineds that love their Hondas, but a used Honda would prob cost more than $ 1000. The used car market values have gone way up b/c of the reccession and high cost of new cars. Here in the Detroit area, the monthly car payments for a NEW car have gone way down to sometimes $ 149. Maybe she could swing a new car, or a lease.

commented 13 years ago

digger

I'm truly sorry to hear that about your daughter but it sounds like it's under control.
Her scenario does make it difficult to consider a new vehicle even though a lease monthly payment is alot cheaper than new car financing.
Given her situation,it's going to be a risky proposition, no matter what, because while one hopes for the best, in terms of maintenance-free performance, you practically have to expect and factor in a "maintenance fund" upon purchase.Anyway, I'm sure you know all this so to answer your question, I would go with a highly-rated used Japanese small car.One of the best sources (other than the professional expert advice you'll get on AKAQA)is an annual used car guide published every year called Lemon Aid Used Car Guide. It is published in Canada but the information is North American in terms of pricing and car-ratings. Check it out. I've used it years ago when I bought used ( I mean...pre-owned).

http://www.lemonaidcars.com/

commented 13 years ago

FISH-O

I just thought of something... my next door neighbour bought a VW something in white for his daughter ... like a rabbit. He buys his vehicles in auction. When I went to buy a Mustang the car dealership actually offered that to me to make things more affordable.
Look into something like that... you are super capable and in the know mechanically.
I am so sure she will find her car, she has you as a Dad.

commented 13 years ago

FISH-O

Karma: 954810

I had great luck with my little Dodge colt and my sister always had great luck with Honda Civics... also an old Ford F-150. I don't know if this will help. I hope she finds her car. ... every girl needs a car!

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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digger

Dollar for dollar, the Civic ranks right up there. Peppy, nice finishing, very fuel-efficient and surprisingly cheap.

commented 11 years ago

daren1

Karma: 724049

anything made by toyota , thats if you can find one for a thousand dollars, my wife had a 1985 corrola sr5, it ran awesome. great on gas!

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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Headless Man

I've heard that, thanks.

commented 13 years ago

Yvonne57

I was thinking Toyota too. They keep going like the energizer bunny!

commented 13 years ago

mycatsmom

Karma: 393700

It you don't live in a big city she could ride a bike or a moped, or a motor scooter, something like a Vespa. I ride the first 2 around here, but not on busy streets.

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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Headless Man

She live out to far and the weather here in Ohio is so unpredictable, that may work for a few months of the year.
However being a diabetic sure will make her sugar go low.

commented 13 years ago

mycatsmom

Karma: 393700

Anything that runs. Seriously, I've had good luck with my '03 P T Cruiser. Why don't you chip in and give her a couple more thousand ?

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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Headless Man

Trying to teach her to take care of her self, we are giving her $1 for every $3 she saves, she will also need tax title insurance and gas.

commented 13 years ago

mycatsmom

that's a good way of doin' it. Too many parents of young adults give their kids everything, and pay their bills for them; thereby crippling them.

commented 13 years ago

Headless Man

Karma: 267169

She got a 98 Toyota for $500, God is good he answered our prayer.

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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Headless Man

Still running good.......

commented 13 years ago

Flip

Karma: 178071

If you're only spending $1000 you can surely expect repairs in the near future. Get something that will not cost a fortune every time it goes to the garage. I'd probably be looking at Ford or GM products. I do agree with Vinny that how it has been cared for is more important than manufacturer.

13 years ago. Rating: 6
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ed shank

Karma: 316611

You can't buy anything in my area for 1K. Nothing.

13 years ago. Rating: 5
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mycatsmom

What state do you live in ?

commented 13 years ago

ed shank

North east Pennsylvania. From what I've been told that price of scrap is so high that the junk yards are paying $450.00 for vehicles.

commented 13 years ago

melandrupert

Karma: 450325

Suzuki had mine for ten years brilliant

13 years ago. Rating: 4
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Headless Man

Karma: 267169

There has to be some good used cars out there other than the 1985 corrola sr5?

13 years ago. Rating: 4
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ed shank

Different areas of the country have a different price structure. For instance, in south Jersey cars are much cheaper than northern New Jersey. If your willing to travel a bit you may find a better deal elsewhere.

commented 13 years ago

digger

Karma: 221155

Randy, I'm a big believer in leasing. Many people never consider this option because they assume that it's "not for them" because it is too expensive. That MAY be true in some cases but I believe that if one cannot afford a low monthly payment, they certainly won't be able to afford the inevitable "unexpected" repairs that will arise. Then what?

I don't know what your daughter's particular car needs are norwhat her financial means are. For instance, she has saved up $1,000.00 but does she have any recurring income i.e. a job?

If so, why lock up all the savings if she can afford a low, fixed expense that has no additional expenses associated with major repairs that would be covered by a bumper to bumper warranty?

I can go on ad-nauseum about the merits of car leasing but some of the reasons may not apply to your daughter, so here are a few questions that will narrow my explanation.

-Steady reliable disposable income ?

-Can she afford $200 per month? not including gas, insurance,oil changes

-Does car size or model matter?

-estimated annual mileage per year?

By the way, I do not currently,nor have I ever been a car salesman.

13 years ago. Rating: 4
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mycatsmom

Digger, when you lease, do you only have to pay for routine repairs ?

commented 13 years ago

digger

yes you do, such as oil changes,wiper blades and tires but that about it.Everything else is covered which makes budgeting a breeze once you've set your fixed monthly payments.

commented 13 years ago

ed shank

Leasing is a viable option for many, however because of the mileage my wife puts on her vehicles, it would not work for her. Her mileage is in excess of 60K per year. I drive about one hundred miles per week, and my rusty GMC suite me well.

commented 13 years ago

digger

That's right,Ed. If you drive alot or very little, leasing doesn't work as well as purchasing.

commented 13 years ago

Mr.Den

Karma: 54990

What ever it is check it out good.................toyota, nissan, or honda has been good if with alot of miles.but still ckeck the car out mechenicly....................GOOD LUCK !!