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Playground Menace
Member since Apr 2012
1631 posts
| Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 4:22 am)
I asked this on the OT and it was suggested I come here and ask as well.
I am working on paying off my student loans(about 20K)and I need to replace my car.
Don't want a carnote and I'd be find driving a little POS for a couple of years. What is my best bet if I am looking for a car under 5k? (craigslist, used car dealers, etc.?)
I prefer to live in a nicer area/place and have a pimped out apartment than fancy car.
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CoolHand 
USA Fan
Member since Dec 2011
1457 posts
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I commend you for delaying gratification to pay off your student loan. However, I'd delay pimping an apartment as well. You can knock out 20k fairly quickly if you continue to live like a student.
As far as a car, I've found the best way to get a car on the cheap is to be open to the type of car you will settle for. Craigslist, dealers, ect, are all viable if you know what a car is worth. One way we've scored cars on the cheap is through family/friends that are wanting to upgrade or get rid of an extra vehicle. Might want to ask around.
This post was edited on 5/22 at 7:23 am
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Playground Menace
Member since Apr 2012
1631 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 7:30 am to CoolHand)
Thanks for the suggestion. My aunt/uncle sold their car for about $1000 (just wanting to get rid of it) a year ago and now I'm  for not jumping on it!
About the living situation, I will be transferred back to NOLA soon (hopefully) and am looking at places in the $600-700 in the metairie/kenner area. I can't deal with roommates again, but will settle for the cheaper 1br. 
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AUtigR24 
Michigan State Fan
Happy Hour
Member since Apr 2011
7030 posts
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quote:
craigslist
Avoid craigslist imo, too many scams and lemons. I would use autotrader.com. You can set your search to vehicles in your area say a 75 mile radius, and under 5k.
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Zephyrius 
LSU Fan
Covington, La.
Member since Dec 2004
1889 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 10:56 am to AUtigR24)
I got a really good deal using ebay... I'm in Nola but bought the vehicle in Houston. I got the vehicle for $8500.00 and the same vehicle(ie model, year and mileage)would have cost me 14,000.00 in New Orleans/ Baton Rouge.
But I did my homework and have history with the same type of vehicle. It took a year to find a deal like this. It was also through a dealership which otherwise I might not have done the deal.
30k miles later and not a single problem besides routine maintenance.
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VABuckeye 
Ohio State Fan
Oak Hill, VA
Member since Dec 2007
8306 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 11:04 am to AUtigR24)
+1 on Autotrader.com. I've had great success buying and selling cars on that site.
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Ric Flair
LSU Fan
Charlotte
Member since Oct 2005
6382 posts
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Look in the classified ads in the local newspaper. Old ladies who don't drive their cars hard or far (i.e. the kind of old car you want) still use the print classifieds.
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Chad504boy 
New Orleans Saints Fan
Five Oh Four
Member since Feb 2005
66291 posts
 Online
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quote:
Playground Menace
go to some nursing homes and find out who's about to croak and buy their car before they die. It becomes a bigger headache once they die and its tied up in estates.
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CoolHand
USA Fan
Member since Dec 2011
1457 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 1:37 pm to Chad504boy)
at the thought of the logistics involved to accomplish this.
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GFunk
LSU Fan
Denham Springs
Member since Feb 2011
7700 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 4:39 pm to CoolHand)
I bought a 1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited in 2007 for $5,300 w/138K miles. I was in a HUGE financial hole & had to finance it for a $200/month note & paid it off a little over a year ago.
The Sunday after I made the final payment someone hit me & totaled it.
I bought another one from a local dealer in Denham Springs for $5,800, this time it was a 2000 SR5 with fewer miles than my '98 had originally at the time I purchased it.
I have been car-note free for over a year, & I currently have 150K miles on my truck.
I will probably look to get something else once I get up around 240K miles so I'm in position to buy at 250-280K miles.
Toyota's quality & craftsmanship during the time period of the late 90's early 00's is impeccable. Change the oil, get a tuneup if you just bought it. Change & rotate the tires, and it'll run forever. Literally.
I backed into my Grandmother's Buick after she parked behind my '98 a few weeks after I got it. All I did was shatter the tail-light. I ordered a replacement online for $13 or so. I needed one Phillips Screwdriver & a pocket-knife to open the package.
The 2000 I bought had a wood-grain interior that I hated. It was also in declining shape. I paid about $130 for a 3M interior package. Went to Home Depot and spent $20 on some scraping tools & some adhesive solvent that was vinyl friendly.
Spent an afternoon under the shadetree at my house & had it changed in 2 hours to a nice piano black finish trim on the dash and on all four doors.
I've spent a grand total of $6000 on my automobiles not including standard maitenance since late 2007. I don't give a red rat's arse about what kind of car I drive. I keep them washed & detailed, & I laugh at all of you chunking $800/month down for your Tahoe's & new Suburban's.
I'll be getting 20+ mpg in a car that I don't pay a dime on. The AC blows cold, my iPhone's music plays through the radio, the Airbags will deploy, & I will stay in the black while you're busy reaffirming the debt on your GM financed waste-of-moolah during your Chapter 13 filing.
This post was edited on 5/22 at 4:41 pm
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cahoots
LSU Fan
Red Stick
Member since Jan 2009
1666 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 7:38 pm to Ric Flair)
quote:
Look in the classified ads in the local newspaper. Old ladies who don't drive their cars hard or far (i.e. the kind of old car you want) still use the print classifieds.
This.
Also, proper maintenance is more important than age or mileage. Get something with records if you can.
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CoolHand
USA Fan
Member since Dec 2011
1457 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 8:00 pm to GFunk)
quote:
I have been car-note free for over a year
I hear ya bro. Haven't had a car payment in over 12 years. I throw money at stuff that appreciates (I hope!).
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notiger1997
Member since May 2009
17346 posts
Online
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 9:03 pm to GFunk)
quote:
laugh at all of you chunking $800/month down for your Tahoe's & new Suburban's.
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TortiousTiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2007
12663 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 9:10 pm to AUtigR24)
quote:
Avoid craigslist imo, too many scams and lemons. I would use autotrader.com. You can set your search to vehicles in your area say a 75 mile radius, and under 5k.
auto trader runs the same scams.
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TortiousTiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2007
12663 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 9:17 pm to GFunk)
quote:
I'll be getting 20+ mpg
i doubt either of those vehicles get 20 mpg.
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GFunk
LSU Fan
Denham Springs
Member since Feb 2011
7700 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 10:16 pm to TortiousTiger)
quote:
TortiousTiger
quote:
i doubt either of those vehicles get 20 mpg.
Gfunktification@gmail.com
Let's put a tank of gas on it, Clarence DarBro...
This post was edited on 5/22 at 10:17 pm
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wegotdatwood 
Arkansas Fan
Member since Aug 2009
14169 posts
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Get a early 90's accord. My dad got one for my brother and had a shite ton of miles. He drove it for 2 years and sold it, it still runs ok.
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CalcuttaTigah
Member since Jul 2009
378 posts
Online
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 10:37 pm to GFunk)
Gfunk, you sound like my annoying uncle. Nobody asked you to lecture them and not a single person in this thread has talked about their Tahoe. This thread was started to help out the OP, not to help you get a free tank of gas.
OP, late 90's accord or toyota.
This post was edited on 5/22 at 10:39 pm
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TortiousTiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2007
12663 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/22/12 at 11:19 pm to GFunk)
quote:
Gfunktification@gmail.com Let's put a tank of gas on it, Clarence DarBro
those cars didnt even get 20 mpg NEW, let alone after 20 years of use
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TigerDeBaiter
LSU Fan
Member since Dec 2010
2381 posts
| re: Buying a cheapo used car (Posted on 5/23/12 at 12:27 am to TortiousTiger)
FWIW I had a 2000 4runner; it was capable of 20 mpg, but that was going 55 on cruise control for an extended period of time. Big fricking deal. True mileage was closer to 17-18.
To the OP, that gen. of 4runner in particular is a beast, put close to 200k on it and it was still running just fine when I got rid of it. Had one $800 repair the entire life of the car, that it. (beside regular scheduled maintenance) Hell, the breaks never even had to be changed, not once. Can't go wrong with a toyota.
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