Need help buying used car

[AKhan87]

Hey guys I need help finding a used car for my sister, her budget is $2000.

I am good at buying used cars, I know what to look for mechanically for the most part, and I can also negotiate really good but, other then Toyota & Hondas I don't know what other cars are reliable.

Our Family has always had Hondas and we recently started buying Toyotas as well.
Until i came to BITOG i was never going to buy anything but those 2 car companies but, now since you guys have convinced me otherwise.

Looking for 1996+ up to 2005(Here in missouri cars have high property tax)
4 Cylinders or anything easy on mpg & Automatics transmission only.

What car make/model would you guys suggest? and why?
looking for something reliable for her, without powertrain issues.
Example: from my experience Toyotas has really good automatic transmissions but also make some sludge prone I-4 & V6 engines...

Thank You for any help,

 

[crazyoildude]

there are a lot of good cars out there like i always say toyota and honda are not what they used to be hyundai makes a great car but lately they are expensive.

 

[salv]

Nissan Altimas are tough cars. I had a '97 that I picked up for $1000. It ran great. The only reason that I don't still have it was an old lady t-boned my wife, totaling the car. Had no problems at 195,000 miles.

 

[mclasser]

For $2000, you're looking at higher mileage cars that'll require some work. Japanese cars will need timing belts (if not done so already), rubber items like seals and gaskets will be done, suspension/steering parts will be worn and etc. You can save your sister considerable money by helping her with some repairs; she'll surely appreciate that. Things like shocks, fluid changes, spark plugs, hoses and filters are definitely DIY jobs with the proper tools and patience.

Mid to late-nineties Civics, Corolla's and Sentra's are good, economical cars. Just have a mechanic do a thorough inspection of any car you're serious about.

 

[KB2008X]

You won't get a lot for $2000 these days and finding a good one of any brand/model is a challenge in that price range. When you do find one in good condition, and with plenty of life left, you need to have the cash to jump on it.

The '97 to about '04 LeSabres were good cars, as were Crown Vics and Grand Marquis' from mid-'90s to mid '00s. They both have reliable drivetrains and are fairly simple to work on. I doubt that either would appeal to your sister though.

How will she be using it ?
Is this primarily a car for driving to work ?
Short city trips or long highway trips ?
Does she have kids ?

 

[ram_man]

Find a Saturn s series!! Your not to far from me and I know of a couple saturns for sale for around your price.
To be honest I'm a Saturn enthusiast but for two grand it would be the only type of car I would consider.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: KB2008X
You won't get a lot for $2000 these days and finding a good one of any brand/model is a challenge in that price range. When you do find one in good condition, and with plenty of life left, you need to have the cash to jump on it.

The '97 to about '04 LeSabres were good cars, as were Crown Vics and Grand Marquis' from mid-'90s to mid '00s. They both have reliable drivetrains and are fairly simple to work on. I doubt that either would appeal to your sister though.

How will she be using it ?
Is this primarily a car for driving to work ?
Short city trips or long highway trips ?
Does she have kids ?


How will she be using it ? City/highway/everything
Is this primarily a car for driving to work ? No, for everything
Short city trips or long highway trips ? Both
Does she have kids ? 4 kids

 

[Voltmaster]

Asian vehicles only!!

I will never trust an American or Euro for used without full warranty ( certified cars ). People tend to not care for them, and parts are wayyyy more expensive.

 

[skyactiv]

Dude, you need to be realistic in your expectations with only $2000 to spend. Many older smaller Japanese cars have sticks. You need to talk her into the possibility of a stick shift. Are you passing up possible deals over your sis unwilling to learn or wanting to text behind the wheel? My pregnant wife drives a stick. (2012 Mazda3)

Anyhow, the older Ford Focus with the DOHC is bulletproof. The SOHC is junk. You may have a suspension coil spring issue or ignition issue with the Focus, but it's fixed cheap and Focuses are a dime a dozen.

 

[fdcg27]

It may take some time to find a decent two grand car.
You can probably forget about any Honda or Toyota in this price range.
I'd probably be looking for a Saturn, Focus, Escort, Taurus or Neon at this price level.
I'm sure she'll want something reasonably reliable and not totally clapped out.
I did recently buy a decent '99 Legacy AWD wagon for $1800.00, but that was just a rare and lucky find.
Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[JamesBond]

Unless she is a mechanic a $2000 car is going to need work right off the bat that will add up fast if you're paying someone else to do it.

With that budget vehicle condition is more important than the make/model. I would start looking at Craigslist ads for cars in the nicer parts of West County and St. Charles County and wait for the right one to come along.

Your best bet is an old persons car(Buicks and such) that has been well maintained. You can pretty much forget about a Honda or Toyota at that price, they are usually overpriced and beat.

 

[ram_man]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4295546475.html

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Asian vehicles only!!

I will never trust an American or Euro for used without full warranty ( certified cars ). People tend to not care for them, and parts are wayyyy more expensive.
That's unmitigated baloney. A year and a half ago, I bought a 2000 Grand Marquis from a small used car lot and it's been an awesome car. Sure, it had some minor things wrong with it, as will ANY car of its age and mileage (120,000), even an Asian car, but it's quiet, smooth and runs like a Swiss watch.

Parts are dirt cheap, too.

 

[bepperb]

Not bad Ram Man, that's about perfect. While I do think a Corolla or Civic would be more reliable at that price range you need to buy on condition not model. You'd get a much nicer Saturn than you would a Honda for the same price. And since driving stick is a non starter for 75% of drivers that certainly helps as well.

There's no one in your family with a car they're ready to get rid of?

 

[bepperb]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Asian vehicles only!!

I will never trust an American or Euro for used without full warranty ( certified cars ). People tend to not care for them, and parts are wayyyy more expensive.
That's unmitigated baloney. A year and a half ago, I bought a 2000 Grand Marquis from a small used car lot and it's been an awesome car. Sure, it had some minor things wrong with it, as will ANY car of its age and mileage (120,000), even an Asian car, but it's quiet, smooth and runs like a Swiss watch.

Parts are dirt cheap, too.


Well in all fairness a Grand Marquis would be an example of a reliable American car. I'm sure we could find winners and losers from any nationality, and this shouldn't be the thread for that. At 2 grand I'd assume we're talking compact's, though, and that's a place where in the 90's the Japanese still had an advantage. Still, I'd probably take a 2005 Saturn over a 2000 Toyota.

 

[The_Jeff]

FOUR KIDS????

Probably looking at a 2000 era Chevy Venture or Dodge Caravan. Maybe a very early Kia Sedona.

This is a disaster in the making though, and you'll be the enemy for picking out a bum car.

How old are the kids, is the eldest 12 so he can ride in front? Then you could squeeze three in the back of a lesabre or grand marquis.

Ecotec powered cavaliers from 2002-2004 are another good choice. They put in anti-abuse programming so the transmissions hold up well.

You want something nerdy and unloved. Regrettably, no hondas or toyotas will fit. PT Cruiser?

As for the saturn S-series, you CAN fit several car seats back there. But not every brand of car seat! Many car seats are really wide with cupholders and other junk. Think of it as a system, buying car seats with the car in mind. Don't dismiss a car b/c the seat you have, doesn't fit.

 

[bepperb]

I'd agree you can buy Radians and fit three wide in anything. But at 150~200 bucks a pop I'm not sure that's an investment she can make. Or maybe the kids are in boosters and physically too large to fit regardless of the seat.

Three rows and under 2000 dollars is something out of mission impossible. Midsize or fullsize sedan is probably do-able.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: salv
Nissan Altimas are tough cars. I had a '97 that I picked up for $1000. It ran great. The only reason that I don't still have it was an old lady t-boned my wife, totaling the car. Had no problems at 195,000 miles.


2nd. My friend has a 97 Altima nearing 400,000 miles. Still runs like brand new. No leaking or using oil. Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 every 3k since new.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Another option,maybe try to find an Olds Delta 88/98 Regency or Buick Park Avenue w/3800 V6.

 

[ram_man]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4300234766.html

This would fit 4 kids is decently reliable and parts are cheap.