Browsing used cars

[silverrat]

Lately ive been browsing used cars to see what can be had for $1-2k with safety test, and have been coming across a lot of old cars in this price range that have recent series (less than 6 months) license plate issued to them. There is a chance they got new plates because they got old and rusty, but isn't it more possible that these car were bought used recently?
After the buyer decided it was a piece of junk and needed to much work decides to quickly resell it and hope someone else doesnt notice whats wrong?

GM transmissions are whats scaring me away from midsize GMs. I have a feeling they know it's gone and there hoping to get rid if it. Is there even anyway to even check for transmission condition other than fluid?

 

[01rangerxl]

Occasionally when a new plate design is issued, states and maybe provinces too will push car owners to "upgrade" to the new plate. This is the case in NC. My state had blue letter plates, and then switched to red letter plates, and they have been trying to get people with the blue letter plates to switch.

Otherwise, it probably is either that the people are having issues with the car, they can no longer afford it, or they got something better. Who knows. Used cars are a gamble all around, more so if they are cheap.

 

[javacontour]

I've noticed something similar, cars with TEMP tags for sale. If someone hasn't had it long enough to get the permanent tags, why would I want it? What are they trying to unload?

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Lately ive been browsing used cars to see what can be had for $1-2k with safety test, and have been coming across a lot of old cars in this price range that have recent series (less than 6 months) license plate issued to them. There is a chance they got new plates because they got old and rusty, but isn't it more possible that these car were bought used recently?
After the buyer decided it was a piece of junk and needed to much work decides to quickly resell it and hope someone else doesnt notice whats wrong?

GM transmissions are whats scaring me away from midsize GMs. I have a feeling they know it's gone and there hoping to get rid if it. Is there even anyway to even check for transmission condition other than fluid?


It's possible, but GM transmissions generally aren't the ones you want to watch out for. Those would be early 2000s Chrysler (especially minivans) and Hondas. Just do a fluid change, and add a bottle of lubegard, if anything will help, that is it.

 

[Bluestream]

As a general rule, you are better off the look for a used one owner car.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
As a general rule, you are better off the look for a used one owner car.


Bingo, my 1994 Geo Prizm was a one-owner car with service records. I'm still driving it 147K miles and 7 years after I bought it.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
GM transmissions are whats scaring me away from midsize GMs. I have a feeling they know it's gone and there hoping to get rid if it.


Assuming all other things to be equal, I'd pick the used GM car over the competitor's used car on the basis of the transmission alone.

 

[sciphi]

A used $2k GM car will very likely be ratty, tatty, and probably still good for another couple years with no maintenance. Unless you go to an estate sale with a mid-90's Buick dry-rotting in the garage.

 

[fdcg27]

At this price level, you find a wide range of cars.
Understand that at 1-2K, you aren't usually getting a car with no issues.
You are right to wonder about someone trying to unload a car they just bought and discovered has major problems, but it is also possible that they just need the cash right now.
If the car runs and drives fine, and there are no problems with the title, make an offer.
Brand means little at this price level, since an abused and uncared for Honda is no better than a battered but maintained 2.7 liter Chrysler product.
For this kind of coin, ya pays your money and ya takes your choice.
Bear in mind, also, that C for C took a lot of decent vehicle off the road.

 

[IndyIan]

I think the new plate issue is that, it costs the same amount of money to switch ownership whether you reuse your old plate or get a new one. I reused my old one as I can remember what it is...
$2k and under car shopping could be fun, there was a $1500 5spd base model 95 Neon for sale near me, one owner and etested and certified. It looked a bit rough but if maintained it would be 40 mpg fun autocross ride...

 

[silverrat]

Cars Ive been considering so far

-Honda Prelude late 90s gen. 5spd
-Ford Focus First gen 5 spd
-Buick Regal GS
-Grand Prix GTP
-Honda Del Sol 5spd
-Acura Legend 5spd
-2000s Neon RT

So basically if it's going to be a GM product I have no choice but to get an automatic. I can avoid the issue with other automakers but for the size of GM car I like, I dont have a choice, be it a Regal GS or a GTP or Bonneville SSEI. I had so many problems on my Monte Carlos 4T60 that I'm scared of going back it.

It was great in the 90s when you could get a Lumina Z34 with a Getrag, or an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with a 24 valve V6 and a Getrag. I had that 24 valve V6 in my Monte Carlo, that's the one of the few GM V6s that didnt get a timing chain.

 

[silverrat]

I like this.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles...QAdIdZ203925831

 

[IndyIan]

Protege's would be fun too, the 2.0L manual ones.
90's maximas or altimas could also be had with manual.

 

[eljefino]

Where I live a private party can sell another person a unsafe vehicle that does not pass state inspection. I buy a couple per year for my own amusement, for under $300, fix their simple issues, and get the new inspection sticker, good for a year. People are VERY price conscious and only seem to shell out $1100-1200 for something with 150-170k with new inspection. I used to do preventative maintenance beyond this point-- new antifreeze etc but these folks rarely open the hood-- so now I just vacuum etc and make them look nice. And a worlds cheapest oil change in case it's the last one the car ever sees.

IDK if where you live you have to pass safety first before ownership is reassigned, that seems somewhat unfair if someone would have to pay a mechanic to do that, and if someone with skills didn't mind the sweat equity of buying as-is. I also don't know why you're looking at plate color if the car title/ownership says when it was last sold... you can ask to see that before you hand over money.

I think you're making a bunch of armchair assumptions without actually looking at the cars. In this price range it's all condition, condition, condition. I just last evening looked at a 96 saturn with giant rust holes in the rear door-steps, an engine that flooded itself and wouldn't start, an exhaust leak, and someone unraveled a 100 wire harness to try to fix the horn. Was advertised as "needs clutch" which was also true. Dude said the junkyard would give him $500 and I said wow! take it, I was gonna offer $150 but that sounds like a great deal! His line of bull kind of backfired, one is lucky to get $125 from the yards for a car that size.