Used Car vs Cheap New Car - I need something inexpensive

[JayKeeley]

Am I better off getting a used car from a solid manufacturer (e.g. Nissan, Honda), or a brand new car from a lesser manufacturer (e.g. Kia, Geo)?

This car will be used for local driving at most -- just getting A to B, doing the shopping, etc. so it doesn't even need to be all that.

Has anyone ever looked into buying ex-rentals from companies like Hertz or Avis? I gotta admit, I love that Oldsmobile Alero -- certainly the best rental car I've driven, and I've driven a bunch.

Any ideas would be great.

 

[J.]

go with the quality used car.

 

[NAD]

I would NEVER buy from a rental car place. Why? You ever drive a rental car? Yeah, I drove the shit out of mine too.

I'll probably never drive anything but Toyota, Honda, and Subaru (if this one lasts for a long time, first Subie in the family). I plan on buying like a late 90's Toyota pickup to save miles on my WRX in the next year or two, that particular 4-cylinder engine (2RZ and 3RZ) is like the most indestructable engine in automotive history.

 

[J.]

the fiance works for a car rental place and we (She) just bought a 2004 Nissan Murano with only 5000 miles on it. Still under factory warranty, leather, the works.

of course, we got a good deal since she works there. Thing is, a lot of people don't fully understand car rental places. These places go to auctions and bid on certain cars. Also, they usually do not sell the cars that they rent out.

 

[NAD]

Cool, learn something new every day.

I forgot about the Honda Civic, that car is a great combination of fun + practicality. Cheap reliable fun to drive little thing that gets 35mpg. They don't seem to be built as well as they used to, but still pretty good.

 

[JayKeeley]

The reason why I thought about ex-rentals is because they might fix them up and offer some kind of warranty. Also, since Oldsmobile no longer exist, I thought I might strike it lucky....to be honest, I never drive the shit out of rentals. I land at the airport, drive to the hotel, and a few days later, back to the airport. Most of it is highway driving, and it's all for work, not play.

The first car I bought in the US was a used Chevy Cavalier from a Saturn dealership (yes, Saturn sell more than just Saturn cars -- I did not know this), and since it was Saturn, there was no haggling and a great warranty. I could try this again I suppose, but just get something Japanese instead.

 

[NAD]

Saturn and Chevy are part of GM, although most dealerships will sell anything if it's used.

I don't like dealerships for used cars, but then again a lot of them offer warranties now. I wouldn't count on them fixing anything but cosmetics though.

 

[Tide In Mind Out]

go with the quality used car.

.

 

[JayKeeley]

OK so what would be a quality used car then? I guess we're talking Honda Civic, right? It certainly ranks up there for best used cars I think.

I wouldn't mind something like a VW Golf either, if I can get a used one for pretty cheap.

 

[Tide In Mind Out]

chromo got a 99 civic a little over a year ago, for air conditioned trips to texas. been good so far. but its superior because it has a sombrero.

 

[NAD]

I've heard horror stories about VW, apparently they have terrible electrical systems. I don't know though, the only ones I've experienced are my dad's old buses, and there wasn't much electronic going on with them.

http://www.edmunds.com
Your friend for buying cars used and new

If I were to buy a used but fairly new car today it'd probably be a Honda Accord or Civic, or a Toyota truck (if I needed a truck).

 

[Tide In Mind Out]

chromo's sister has a VW golf, a 97 i think. its been in the shop a time or two since i've been here but it hasn't failed her on her trips to new orleans.

 

[Hell Mike]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[JayKeeley]

How much are you willing to spend?

Around $5K?

 

[JayKeeley]

This Honda Civic LX Coupe 2001 is going for $4800...

 

[NAD]

Holy shit that is really cheap. Does it have a ton of miles or something?

 

[Hell Mike]

That's not cheap, cheap is max $100 or so.

 

[NAD]

Cheap for what it is, blue book on one of those is around $10k.

Yeah cheap is lizard's car, deal of the god damn century right there.

 

[JayKeeley]

Holy shit that is really cheap. Does it have a ton of miles or something?

Yeah, it seems absurd. I found it on Edmunds.com.

It's got 28K miles only. There's got to be something wrong with it for sure.

 

[NAD]

GREAT CAR RUNS GREAT FOR QUICK SALE LOVE IT BUT MUST LEAVE IT COME SEE POWER WINDOWS DOORLOCKS EVERYTHING ELSE $4,800.00
















engine & transmission not included

Or who knows. The coolest car ad I've ever seen was some dude selling a nearly new Chevy Lumina for like $2000, the ad said: "MUST SELL CHEAP! DIVORCE! WIFE TAKING EVERYTHING TRYING TO MINIMIZE HER GAIN!"