Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › Advice: Buying a Cheap Used Car For the Summer
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Advice: Buying a Cheap Used Car For the Summer

post #1 of 21
5/18/10 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I'll be having a summer internship in jersey city and to make my commute 100x easier, I would like to purchase a cheap used car for the summer (and possibly sell it back after the summer)

I'm looking to spend around 5,000-6,000. Could anyone direct me to a respectable place that I could find one? Im a bit weary about purchasing from craigslist. Should I trust a used dealership?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 21
5/18/10 at 12:29am
i would buy a used saab, used honda, or jetta.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 21
5/18/10 at 1:04am
Thread Starter 
Yep, I was leaning with the above as they seem to be the most reliable
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 21
5/18/10 at 1:17am
I would buy from a private seller and make sure you ensure that the seller allows you to take the car to your mechanic to get the car looked over before you buy.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 21
5/18/10 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTGuy View Post
i would buy a used saab, used honda, or jetta.

Honda is the only one on this list I would consider in your shoes. Saab and VW can be costly to fix. What about a Jeep Wrangler? You can buy it, drive it for the summer, and sell it for what you paid for it.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 21
5/20/10 at 1:08pm
Civics 92-99 are excellent. Just watch out for rust, make sure the timing belt+water pump has been replaced, and otherwise if it seems good it probably is.

I also love jeeps, I was partial to the XJ cherokee.

You shouldn't loose any money on either if you find a decent deal.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 21
5/20/10 at 10:57pm
Civic, Accord, Camry...etc. Any of the big asian brands. They require gas, oil, a key and some body to drive them. I've been down the cheap european path before. I wouldn't suggest it unless you are very thrifty and knowledgeable about cars. They aren't terribly difficult to work on, but as mentioned above, OEM parts will burn holes in your pockets.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 21
5/21/10 at 12:16pm
I would look for the cheapest reliable honda or toyota and then lowball the shit out of it. Then you can sell it back and get your money back pretty quickly.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 21
5/21/10 at 1:22pm
this thread doesnt belong in FLHD&A
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 21
5/21/10 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTGuy View Post
i would buy a used saab, or jetta.
Hold on there, pardner. If you are looking for an inexpensive used car, NO EUROPEAN models, for sure. Get a Buick, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford Taurus, etc. Nothing "cool" or desirable by young people. Thus: no Jeeps, no trucks, no four wheel drives.
This advice NOT valid if you are in Europe, you'd be on your own, there. But absolutely true for North America.


And, as an old car-dealer buddy of mine used to say: "when it comes to getting pussy, it hasn't mattered what you drive since all the drive-ins went away."
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 21
5/21/10 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spats View Post
Hold on there, pardner. If you are looking for an inexpensive used car, NO EUROPEAN models, for sure. Get a Buick, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford Taurus, etc. Nothing "cool" or desirable by young people. Thus: no Jeeps, no trucks, no four wheel drives.
This advice NOT valid if you are in Europe, you'd be on your own, there. But absolutely true for North America.


And, as an old car-dealer buddy of mine used to say: "when it comes to getting pussy, it hasn't mattered what you drive since all the drive-ins went away."

I know what you are saying about VWs, but I have had some cheap ones. If you can stand the repairs you will be alright. A nissan maxima or something is definitely cheaper, but the car is no frills.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 21
5/21/10 at 3:10pm
Why do you *need* a car in Jersey city? There are tons of trains that are only a slight hassle.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 21
5/21/10 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spats View Post
Hold on there, pardner. If you are looking for an inexpensive used car, NO EUROPEAN models, for sure. Get a Buick, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford Taurus, etc. Nothing "cool" or desirable by young people. Thus: no Jeeps, no trucks, no four wheel drives. This advice NOT valid if you are in Europe, you'd be on your own, there. But absolutely true for North America. And, as an old car-dealer buddy of mine used to say: "when it comes to getting pussy, it hasn't mattered what you drive since all the drive-ins went away."
Yep. You don't need anything like a Jeep and they really aren't cheap per se anyhow. A late '90s Honda Civic will suit you right down to the ground. For ~$5k you can even get a newer model if you feel the need, but it isn't necessary.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 21
5/21/10 at 10:31pm
Honda Accord or Civic.

Had a 1990 5-speed Accord at one point.
Very reliable, no rust, best part was it only cost me about $500 bucks.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 21
5/22/10 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help guys! Any thoughts on the following: Found a 2004 Civic 2D LX 127K Miles for $4200 Asking (negotiable) Also saw the one below http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/ctd/1754554550.html 2005 Civic DX 116,173 Miles - $5400 Any thoughts? Thanks!
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › Advice: Buying a Cheap Used Car For the Summer