Car help.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Do any of you know of a site that you can get decent running cars? Kind of like copart dot com. I need alternatives since I am trying to find a car, the one I was repairing kind of hit a snag, it's a very rare car and well, the cost to make it run again will not be worth the trouble. 

 

So I come to you huddle, a lot of you are motor heads and know of places. 

 

I'm looking to spend around 5k Or so. Around that range. 

[Luck's neckbeard]

Ebay and Autotrader are always a source. It's just a matter of finding something within driving distance so that you can go inspect the vehicle in person. Don't buy anything sight unseen.

$5k is enough to get a reliable vehicle if you're careful and diligent. I'd strongly encourage getting the newest and lowest mileage vehicle possible at that price. A 2000 Mustang GT with 140k miles may look way cooler than a 2008 Kia Sedan with 70k miles, but you're much better off with the Kia.

Before you buy a vehicle take it to a mechanic and have him look it over if you're uncomfortable inspecting it yourself. Tires, brakes, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, axle seals, transmission, engine main seals, differential covers, radiator fluid, brake fluid, battery, etc. There's an endless number of things you want to check, especially on a $5k vehicle. It can look sharp cosmetically and even ride great on a test drive, yet still have some major, and potentially costly, issues. If the seller won't let you, walk away immediately. There are millions of cars out there.

[Anybodyhome]

Autotrader has more of the small mom-and-pop used car lots and those places usually wind up with higher mileage cars than a dealer wants on their lot. But there's nothing wrong with a 7-year old Honda with 120k on it- it's still got another 8 years...

[philp]

I've been looking on craigslist and autotrader for the past couple of days because I'm thinking about getting another wrangler yj (88-95).  I think that's the best option if you're looking for something around $5000.  Even at that price, you will find that most cars have quite a few miles on them.  So like neckbeard has said, you really need to look at the car you're planning on buying.  Buying a used car takes a lot of time and research because obviously, you won't want it breaking down on you after a few months.  If you have $5000 to spend, I'd buy something no more than $4000 and keep the exrta money sat aside for the first year or so if it needs repairs.  I'm finding a lot of cars at your price to be 8 to 12 years old and that means that you will have repairs in the near future.  Parts wear out and break, seals leak, tires lose tread, batteries / electrical parts / senors fail, exhaust system fails, etc...  It's going to happen because cars are not designed to last forever, even with routine maintenance.  

 

But if I could give you advise from a few personal experiences it will be this:  Don't buy a car that came from the mountains.  More than likely you will find rust.  I mentioned in dex's thread that I bought a used Forester.  I got a good deal because the exhaust system needed to be replaced because of rust.  Needed a direct fit cat convertor (has two), and a new muffler and tail pipe.  Cost me around $700 dollars.  I knew upfront that the car was going to cost me a little but with the discounted price and the fact I enjoy working on cars, I thought it was worth it and have had no problems since.  

 

A few other things that I would check because of experience: check fluids.  I don't just mean radiator, oil, transmission, break, power steering, and windshield wipers.  All of these need to be checked, but you also need to get under the car.  Check differential fluid and transfer case fluid if it has four wheel drive.  On somewhat older cars, you might find a plug that screws out that allows you to check it.  You may have to stick your finger in to "feel" if it's full or not.  I had a jeep wrangler that eventually needed the rear axle replaced because the fluid had leaked out.  You could feel little metal pieces and it smelt like burnt rotten eggs.  Transfer case was also leaking so I had to replace seals and bearings in that. 

 

By crawling underneath the car, you will also be able to look for rust and un-even tire tread wearing (this could be costly to replace also.  Check the rubber boots oon control armsto make sure that they aren't broken) and check for leaks.  Bring a flash light so you can check the entire underneath of the car.  

 

If you do all of these things, the chances of you spending a lot of money in the next year or so will be minimal.  This is why reseach is key.  Never buy a used car on impulse.  Get the carfax report if you can.  Good luck.

 

 

[thefuzz]

I would probably get on ebay, and look at Honda Accords.

 

 

You will be able to find some in the 06-07 range that will fit in the budget, or newer if they have been wrecked before and had the title rebuilt.

 

 

It's hard to beat those cars for the money.  How long do you plan on driving it?

 

[Ivan The Awesome]

It's hard to beat those cars for the money.  How long do you plan on driving it?

 

 

I'd say 3-4 years tops. If that. I just need a vehicle for work right now if it can be reliable for light travel, then cool. I'll get a more reliable car later on. Right now i just need a point a to b car. 

[cookinbrak]

I'd also check local lots to see if any offer a 3 month warranty. Ebay and Autotrader won't have that.

 

And Honda's last forever, usually.

[PanthersClinic]

Get a Honda  Fit. Car dealerships and places like carmax sell used cars in good condition for 9-11k. If you want to pay less you'll  be dealing with slightly more shady places or individuals so you'll need to take it somewhere for an inspection.

 

A lot of times you get what you pay for. You might find a car with over 200,000 miles for a few thousand dollars. But if you can you might as well pay more for something that'll last way longer and have less problems.

[thefuzz]

I'd say 3-4 years tops. If that. I just need a vehicle for work right now if it can be reliable for light travel, then cool. I'll get a more reliable car later on. Right now i just need a point a to b car. 

 

Yea, I would go get an Accord with some mileage on it.

 

 

Something like this.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Accord-EX-V6-Sedan-2008-honda-accord-ex-low-miles-super-clean-/331355294435?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4d26508ae3&item=331355294435&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

[Davidson Deac II]

If you get a Honda, watch out for exploding airbags. 

[CarolinaAllDay]

Bought a 2003 civic coupe with 130k on it from craigslist. Paid $3000, the woman had done the timing belt, water pump and clutch at 110k. Drives like a dream, not to mention gets 35+ mpg.

You gotta find cars owned by old women, they dont beat on them and USUALLY get all the preventive maintenance done on them. This lady had a binder full of paperwork: everything from oil changes to timing belts