Buying First Car.

Yuri De Lima

Yuri De Lima

AC Members
Nov 2, 2005
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Alexandria,VA
I've been trying to save some money to buy a car for the longest time.
Tried to do it last year but that didn't work, so now with the new year here, I think it's time. The car is supposed to help me and the family out. I plan to buy a new car.

I was wondering if there is anybody here that have experience with such things. And if there is, is there any advices you could offer? Things that I should look for, watch out for, etc. I know that I got to do research on the car that I want to buy, but don't know exactly what to research for either.

Thanks in advance.

Yuri
 
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Hondas suck i hate them.

But go find a car you like and these are the things to look for.

Rust anywhere on the cars body, exteror ect...A lil rust is normal if you live in a rainy city, but if its too much like..more then a few spots then yeah dont get it.

Leaks in the trunk and window seals.

And test the car out performence wise:
*Start the car up to see how smooth it starts.
*Take it on a test drive of course.
*Durning that test drive, look for a big hill and try to press the gas as lightly as you can, and go up the hill slowly. (If the car keeps its paste and dosnt studder and keeps a stedy rev then the engine and trany is good)
*Test the breaks, first drive around and stop like you would normaly, then after that press the breaks hard going at a speed of 10mph. (Breaks with out making squeaks its good)
*Test the suspension, go to each corner of the car and push the car down. (if the car bounces up nicely then its good, and listin for a lil released air sound, that means your shocks are still a good compression)

*Now open up the hood and listin around for any weird noises in your engine, like squeks or clickings.

*After that your done.

Good luck on your car!
 
When I bought my first car, I spent about $20 to have a mechanic inspect the used car before I purchased it. The mechanic told me what needed to be replaced (fan belts, spark plugs ...) and that my car was in overall good condition. That $20 was the best $20 I could have spent for that car.
 
It all depend really on what you want.

If you want a family car go with an import like Honda, Toyota ect.

If you want a family van go with domestic like Chrystler, GMC

If you want a truck then definatly go with domestic. Ford, chevy, dodge.

Since you will want to save money buy a used car no older than 5 years with no more than 80000 miles and no less than 30000. Stay away from local car lots (unless you know for sure they are reputable), keep with the bigger car dealerships. They will cut you a better deal on a used car.
 
MOst car lots will have a selection of cars that have recently come off of lease. This can be ideal as the car is still quite new, the owner had to take good care of it to keep the warrenty and the milage should be low. Sticking to a dealership right now means most will have an inspection report on the car. A couple of years old will also mean that there should be websites that will tell you any bad or good features of the car.

Toyota has some great inexpensive cars with great fuel milage (Echo, Carolla) but they are on the smaller side. The Ford Focus Wagons in the past couple of years have received good ratings as well and also get good fuel milage.

In the last few years European cars haven't been doing too well in the used car reports. They tend to be more expensive to buy and not so reliable.

Good luck. And test drive, test drive test drive.
 
I agree with MQP. It's rediculous how cars lose value so fast. imo, not worth buying new.

If it's a first car, and you don't have a huge budget, I'd get a civic. 2 or 3 years old, finance. Won't cost you much at all!! Get an extended warranty... Great on gas, and they are reliable.

good luck!
 
For a small, economy car, Honda and Toyota hold their re-sell value.

Between the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla, the Toyota was my choice due to comfort. The Honda seats were way too firm.. It was a close call on that purchase.

The Corolla handles good too - for a small car.
 
I can afford a much fancier car then my good old Civic, but I wont sell it... This one is my 3rd and you cannot beat the gas mileage or the cost to repair. Get it undercoated and "injected" (anti rust stuff) and keep her tuned and you are laughing...You will be hard pressed to find another vehicle that runs as well, is that fuel efficient and you can get the miles out of... i wouldnt touch anything domestic that is in the same price range... A Civic will outlast 2 Cavaliers, sunfires whatever....AND the resale is great for them.

JOE- you are right, the seats are kinda stiff...I deal ;)
 
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