Best used Car for $13K

[Reevolving]

Get him a used clunker.
He needs to learn consequences, accountability, and how to drive.

 

[abeezy21]

cant go wrong with a nice used Camry or Accord

 

[janinvan]

My son loves his Volvo 240, i think it's his third one. Anytime something major breaks he just gets a "new" one for a thousand bucks. His first one saved his life so I'm a big fan.

 

[impolyt_one]

^ a 240 saved my life once on a stupid afternoon. They're a great car.

 

[jkennett]

Lexus IS300 Sportcross (the rarish wagon version of the car). Bulletproof engine and decent looks.

 

[ms244]

Buy a mid 90s F250/350. Great trucks, relatively cheap, easy to work on haul a lot of stuff.

Solid front axle if you can find it, much better the the split beam front end.

Also, some tools. It needs a little more upkeep (distributor ignition for example).

The thing will last forever.

 

[Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by Reevolving

Get him a used clunker.
He needs to learn consequences, accountability, and how to drive.

/thread

 

[username79]

Honda Fit, Mazda 5

Big car does not necessarily mean safer.

I was hit full on passenger front by a SUV going 40-45mph in one of my first cars, an Integra, spun, hit again in the rear, and drove over a curb. Myself and passenger completely uninjured, and drove the car 200 miles back home. This was in stupid college days: car's entire right fender was completely crumpled and the wheel and control arm completely exposed but I wanted to save the money on the tow. I attribute part of this to being able to, as soon as I saw him out of the corner of my eye, turn the car quickly enough to avoid him hitting me directly in the passenger side door. I would argue a Volvo 240, being such an overweight dog, might not have performed nearly as well.

 

[JohnGalt]

I don't have a suggestion, I'm just amazed that the threak hasn't been flooded with suggestions to buy a BMW.

 

[abeezy21]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

I don't have a suggestion, I'm just amazed that the threak hasn't been flooded with suggestions to buy a BMW.

a BMW for under 13 grand will be more of a problem than anything ...You'd be looking at a 3 series Bimmer with 100K miles on it. Also wont get the great warranty protection that BMW offers. If anything goes wrong it will cost alot at least double what it would cost for a Japanese/American car

 

[soxpats]

Thanks for suggestions. I think I'm going with used Honda. Lots of great ideas here.

 

[Spats]

Pontiac Grand Am or similar platform GM car, early 2000s year model with a 3400 V6. Bulletproof and cheap. High 20's to low 30's gas mileage. Low maintenance costs, cheap parts when needed (brake jobs under 100, etc.). Low cost, save a good chunk of that 13 grand for other things.
I have one that operates and is maintained for less than my Honda, no joke. And I think I'd rather have a wreck in that than most trucks, especially the little, short, high ones like a Rav or a Jeep. Just sayin.'