10-10-2003 08:30									#1
	New Car Full PM-box? Change here!

Well, I am here once more.

I am thinking about getting a new car. Well a first car. Now, I don't have any money, really. I don't know how my credit is, but I get accepted for credit cards and the like, so it is probably ok, but not great. I have ~500 per month I can spend, but little in the way of a savings.

I have a lot of freinds, who I live with and can occasionally hitch rides from (besides, most the time where I want to go is where they are going anyway). What I really want a car for is the times I want to go somewhere where no one else wants to go and no one has the time to take me.

What I am looking at is
a) a new cheap car (probably sometihng in the 9000 range)
b) ~ 5000 used car (99 escort, 79000)
c) ~ 3000 used car (92 Civic, 120000)
d) use a taxi?

Any advice would be good, oh I live in PG county Maryland and know next to nothing about cars. I could buy a car elsewhere also?

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 08:31									#2
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The 92 civic with 120K is likely more reliable than the 99 escort with 79K.

	10-10-2003 09:17									#3
	Full PM-box? Change here!

** MrFun cries about not being able to afford a good, used car at this point **

	10-10-2003 09:26									#4
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e) save up money and hire me as your personal chauffer

	10-10-2003 12:37									#5
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Jon Miluler

	10-10-2003 12:38									#6
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quote: Originally posted by MrFun ** MrFun cries about not being able to afford a good, used car at this point **

i am 23 going on 21

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 15:15									#7
	Got spare money?

Get a new used Subaru. they totally rawk.

	10-10-2003 16:11									#8
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Same advice as with MrFun, buy Honda. Actually, with good credit and a decent job you may be able to get a new car without any down payment. Just wait for the next big sales pitch - then buy a new honda.

	10-10-2003 19:36									#9
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why is it important that I get a honda?

if I wanted a good car, yes

but I just want something that will reliably get me from point a to point b for 4-5 years

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 19:38									#10
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For you, Jon; a Saturn.

	10-10-2003 19:40									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Jon Miller why is it important that I get a honda? if I wanted a good car, yes but I just want something that will reliably get me from point a to point b for 4-5 years Jon Miller

You just answered your own question. A used Honda in your price range will actually be driveable 5 years from now. There aren't many cars of which that's true.

Honda.

	10-10-2003 19:45									#12
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are Honda's good enough that the 92 Honda Civic will work?

I was looking at a new Honda Civic's price (the MS whatever one) and it seemed to be in the ~14-15 k range which is a lot per month

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:02									#13
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quote: Originally posted by Jon Miller are Honda's good enough that the 92 Honda Civic will work? I was looking at a new Honda Civic's price (the MS whatever one) and it seemed to be in the ~14-15 k range which is a lot per month Jon Miller

The 92 Civic should last you over 200k miles if you take care of it. Of course you want to have a mechanic examine thoroughly for defects. AAA can reccommend an impartial mechanic. Get the car's VIN number from the seller and plug it into carfax.com website. This will give you title history of the car to determine how many owners, if it was junked, flooded, etc.

I had a 96 civic w/ 145k miles until I totalled it a couple of weeks ago. Bought it new - only thing I had to service on it was the brakes. It would have lasted well over 200k the way I took care of it...


PeoplesFirst.com has excellent used car loan rates....

Hope that helps...

	10-10-2003 21:03									#14
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Get a motorcycle! Or, as I told MrFun, a Vespa...

	10-10-2003 21:05									#15
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here in Maryland everything that is sold has to get certified

I think it is pretty detailed and makes sure that a number of things won't cause problems

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:07									#16
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quote: Originally posted by Japher Get a motorcycle! Or, as I told MrFun, a Vespa...

that might work

but I thought they were similiarly as expensive

as reliable

more dangerous

and would require me to learn how to drive one

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:17									#17
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I'd go with a used Suzuki 750 motorcycle. They'll set you back about $2-$3k, will be faster, and more reliable. Insurence will be a b!tch but on the up side you'll get lots of b!tches due to your reble/bad boy image.

	10-10-2003 21:24									#18
	Got spare money?

how hard is it to learn to ride a motorcycle?

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:24									#19
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Japanese cars are well-known for their reliability.

The Honda's good value. You could try knocking an additional $300 off the price.
It's definitely a good car with a great engine on paper, but make sure you are able to look into its service history.

You might also want to check out 1994/1995 Toyota Corollas with ~80,000-110,000 mileage. A less powerful engine, but still very reliable and good value (should sell for about the same price as the Honda).

	10-10-2003 21:26									#20
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I have had a hard time finding any used cars for ~3000 here in Maryland

they exist, but are like the bald eagle

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:30									#21
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quote: Originally posted by Jon Miller how hard is it to learn to ride a motorcycle? Jon Miller

Easy as long as you are coordinated enough to learn how to shift. If you can drive a manual car then I'm sure you'll do fine.

	10-10-2003 21:33									#22
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I'm not good at driving manuals

don't have much practice though (at driving period)

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:38									#23
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I looked at new cars, automatics, and it seemed like the cheapest was 11000 (KIA), while a Honda Civic is 14000

(new)

I thought you could get new cars for under 10000 (like from Hyundai or Kia)

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 21:47									#24
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Not even a Hyandai Accent?

Hyundai: prepare to want one.

	10-10-2003 21:52									#25
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

Hyundai and Kai suck a rat's **** when it comes to reliability. The Koreans make the worst cars sold in America. If the choice is between a 11k Kai or a 14k Honda then take the Honda.

	10-10-2003 22:14									#26
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quote: Originally posted by Zopperoni Not even a Hyandai Accent? Hyundai: prepare to want one.

I was pretty sure that my mom got one for ~9000

Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 22:41									#27
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I didn't think Hyundai's were too bad? And yes, you can get them for less than the list price, there are ways and means

Yeah, get a Japanese car...I have a Nissan Almera, no problems from it and comfortable...

	10-10-2003 22:45									#28
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if I could get any car I would get a Mini

but they are too expensive for me right now (And for the next 5 years)



Jon Miller

	10-10-2003 22:53									#29
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Yeah, it's a funny price area. A bit less and you could get a similar car, just a bit older but likely to be similar in kind of age and spec. And more and you can get something fairly new and decent. Add a few k to that figure and you should be OK - my car was second hand, about £5k...

	10-10-2003 22:57									#30
	Full PM-box? Change here!

well I have almost no cash (a little under a 1k)

so I would have to do loans or put it on a credit card

it is only easy to do loans on something if it is 98 or newer

Jon Miller