Car buying experts/enthusiasts...

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Originally Posted by edczxcvbnm

I would never trust an auction. An auction place is the worst as you can't test drive or have much knowledge about what you are getting before hand. At least a classified you can call up the person and ask if they have car history, past problems, have a carfax report on their car for you and do general research online about common problems for that year model. It still isn't as safe as a dealership but a used dealership can be just as bad if you are not careful.

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My ex-boyfriend got a convertible Mustang at an auction. It was a fantabulous deal.

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Originally Posted by ShlupQuack

My ex-boyfriend got a convertible Mustang at an auction. It was a fantabulous deal.

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Exactly. Auctions are the way to go if you're looking for a good car for a deal.

hell ya

Sorry but I still don't trust the auction. My brother-in-law use to repo cars and even started his own repo company for a while. Just based on what he said the auction sounds too risky most of the time. If you know what you are doing and are willing to take the risk that is fine.

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Originally Posted by Rye

That's really nice. I'm not much of an expert/enthusiast, but I know what car I want for my 17th birthday, and that's a used Mistubishi Eclipse Spider (or a green buggy, if I don't have a good paying jorb.) To be honest, I'm more likely to get the Mitsubishi because my parents don't want me to drive in a fragile car like a buggy.

http://www.fantasycars.com/derek/car.../eclipse_1.jpg

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<3

That used to be my dream car too. I went out looking this past fall 'cause I was desperate, and got to test drive one. Like a dream come true. But it was just every so slightly out of my price range. Then something weird happened. I got in a Sebring. And you know what? Exact same interior. Then I learned that Chrystler owns Mitsubishi. Or are at least affiliated with their cars. So I went with the Sebring, that way until I can get an Eclipse, I'll at least still feel like I'm driving one.

There are some Poniac Grand Am (I think?) cars that look really similar to those Mistubishi Eclipse Spider cars, so I may get ones of those. But most definitely used.

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I bought a Nissan Altima GXE 1996 for $6000 with 55k miles. I have about 110,000 miles on it and I had to send it in for repair 8 times. That is FAR too many repairs for any 55000 miles driven, whether its 400000-455000 miles or a million miles. My experience with used cars is a bad one.

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One word: Nissan. Hondas and Toyotas for life!

$15,000 is a lot to pay for a 4-cylinder car. Well, I just don't like very small cars, either. I guess that's just personal preference; I prefer mid-sized, 6-cylinder sedans. More comfortable, better ride, etc. And if you're just looking for a car to go from point A to point B like you said, there's no reason to spend more money on new. But meh.

http://tamiya.com/english/products/l...img/24090m.jpg
That right there is my dream car :D

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Originally Posted by Dingo Jellybean

Yes, every new car will take that hit. But again, we don't plan to sell the car in a year of buying it. When most people buy cars, they plan to own the car for at least 4 years, with an average of 6 years. I plan to own the car for about 7 years or until 150000 miles. My mother owned an 98 Integra for 7 years before buying a new TSX (or NSX or RSX...whatever those Acuras call it) in early 2005. We all expect that depreciation value and are willing to accept it.

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I don't know if you're expecting to get rid of it at 150,000 just to buy a new car or what, but it will probably last twice that long Hondas are great cars, and my mom has one with over 200,000 miles, and it hasn't required any major repairs. It's probably 10 years old, too, so yours will be even better.

Some further points:

- Yeah, I was wrong in putting forth leasing new as a better alternative to buying new. Especially with a good credit rating.
- I would still never pay interest on any depreciating property. Plunking down 100% cash is cheaper, easier, and less dumb.
- If your object is to buy a car that runs well, there is never a need to buy new, as someone... *scrolls up* Raistlin said. Stepping just one year back cuts your price by at least 33 - 50% no matter where you look.
- Nissan is not a very reliable Japanese model. My dad owns a 1996 Nissan Maxima and while it runs, it doesn't run well. It requires far more maintenance than it deserves. Honda and Toyota are much more reliable (and just plain better) car companies. I would attribute your used Nissan car experience to Nissan sucking rather than used cars sucking. The same extends to Infinitis - while they start out nice, they have an ugly later life.
- Just some numbers: Average miles per year is 15000, and if you want your Honda/Toyota to last that, expect to keep it at least 10 years. My 1993 Camry LE (~1 year used at time of purchase) has 168000 on it and still runs like a charm (with the exception of one radiator mishap). I expect it to run beyond 200000. I would not expect that out of ANY other car make (edit: oops, except Honda or old BMW).

I know a guy that has a Saab with 500 thousand miles :D Saabs run forever, They're exspensive to fix which sucks but, they run forever. And they have the 2nd best crash rating of any car in the world.

I call shenanigans.

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Originally Posted by Neel

- Just some numbers: Average miles per year is 15000, and if you want your Honda/Toyota to last that, expect to keep it at least 10 years. My 1993 Camry LE (~1 year used at time of purchase) has 168000 on it and still runs like a charm (with the exception of one radiator mishap). I expect it to run beyond 200000. I would not expect that out of ANY other car make (edit: oops, except Honda or old BMW).

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Yeah. My '95 Lexus ES300 has over 110,000 miles on it, and I expect to keep it for 8-10 more years (Lexus is made by Toyota, btw). My aunt and grandmother both had Camrys which they kept for near 200,000 miles. Good cars.

Lexus steering wheels are made in my town. We also have a Saab testing facility :D

i dont like the front of the new civic