So I'm looking for a car

Can anyone more experienced in shopping then myself give me some tips?

Where should I look for them?

What are some good models?

What year should they be from?

How much mileage should they have?

Etc.

I want one for under $3000 if I can, and its my first car I'm paying for myself.

ask for the car fax

Under $3000? Sounds like you're in the market for a used Geo metro.

Make sure it has speed holes.

for $3000 you should look on craigslist for souped up honda CRX's

You'll just have to look and see what's out there. I guess on autotrader or maybe craigslist. Find one with a decent description and call and ask about the car, especially how it runs. If you have a friend who knows anything about cars you should take them with you for the test drive. I would try to find an older honda accord or something of the like as they seem to hold up better over the years then most cars.

It all depends on what you want. You need to ask better questions if you want good answers. thegerg

Well I can't ask better questions, if I don't know what those questions should be.

Craigslist or classifieds are the best place to search for your budget.

You aren't going to get a car you want to drive for $3k...that won't even get you a 10 year old Carolla with 100k on the clock.

Under $3000? Sounds like you're in the market for a used Geo metro.

IustitiaMaximus

[QUOTE="IustitiaMaximus"]

Under $3000? Sounds like you're in the market for a used Geo metro.

Pirate700

For under $3,000 you'll be getting yourself an absolute peice of junk that won't run for more than 6 months before breaking down and requiring $500 in repairs.

You aren't going to get a car you want to drive for $3k...that won't even get you a 10 year old Carolla with 100k on the clock.

Pirate700

You can find a decent Toyota Echo for $3000 with 150k and still running smoothly though. Toyota's are made to last. Of course if you want a Corolla or a Camry you can't find one for under $5,000.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

You aren't going to get a car you want to drive for $3k...that won't even get you a 10 year old Carolla with 100k on the clock.

DeadMan1290

You can find a decent Toyota Echo for $3000 with 150k and still running smoothly though. Toyota's are made to last. Of course if you want a Corolla or a Camry you can't find one for under $5,000.

Protip - Buy a scooter, when you go hoppin' the women come a floppin'.

For under $3,000 you'll be getting yourself an absolute peice of junk that won't run for more than 6 months before breaking down and requiring $500 in repairs.

Wasdie

I really depends if you're getting a Cavalier or a Pontiac then most likely it won't last 3 months. If you get a Toyota or Honda from like '95-'96 with TOPS 150,000KM on it, it'll run fine longer.

Lol @ people thinking you can't get a good car for under 3000. You definitely can. You just have to look. As for your questions op. 1) Classifieds , Craigslist , Autotrader. 2) Usually older Hondas and Toyotas are good reliable cars. That's why there is so many around. 3)Stupid question. 4) Not over 130,000 , for me I am okay with anything up to 150,000 but thats cause I'm handy and can fix stuff. But 100,000 is okay not really bad but its not great either. silentnightmere

If you're like me, have only one car, don't have any friends close by, and can't fix cars, you cannot risk a breakdown. A breakdown means either getting a rental car or taking a day of vacation. That's not really an option.

I can't just not show up to work because my car doesn't work. That's already happened once and I don't want it to happen again.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

For under $3,000 you'll be getting yourself an absolute peice of junk that won't run for more than 6 months before breaking down and requiring $500 in repairs.

DeadMan1290

I really depends if you're getting a Cavalier or a Pontiac then most likely it won't last 3 months. If you get a Toyota or Honda from like '95-'96 with TOPS 150,000KM on it, it'll run fine longer.

It's a fine gamble if you can afford a breakdown. If you can't, like me, you have to spend some money.

I just spent about 20k on a 2012 Chevy Malibu which should last me a good 3-5 years. I will be getting a new car before it runs into any potential problems.

It's a fine gamble if you can afford a breakdown. If you can't, like me, you have to spend some money.

I just spent about 20k on a 2012 Chevy Malibu which should last me a good 3-5 years. I will be getting a new car before it runs into any potential problems.

Wasdie

Well it's brand new so it's not supposed to give you any problems for the next few years. I can't afford a breakdown either, that's why you need something reliable like a Japanese or German cars.

There's no such thing as a decent Toyota Echo. They weren't decent off the lot.

Pirate700

I guess I never looked into it. I had an Echo, ran fine for 2 years only thing i had to do was change the brakes that were wasted to sh!t. Now, I see why they killed it and went with the Yaris I guess.

Well I'm pretty much broke for the most part, but I'm trying to get a car at a decent price affordable for a nearly broke college student. I'm open to ideas, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask OT for tips on what to look for and how. Like, what to look for, what kind of plans or prices I should look at, etc.

Also its probably a good thing I can't immediately afford a car at around 20k since I'd probably completely ignore any new, reliable vehicles and just get a used DeLorean to feed my immature wish list.

[QUOTE="silentnightmere"]Lol @ people thinking you can't get a good car for under 3000. You definitely can. You just have to look. As for your questions op. 1) Classifieds , Craigslist , Autotrader. 2) Usually older Hondas and Toyotas are good reliable cars. That's why there is so many around. 3)Stupid question. 4) Not over 130,000 , for me I am okay with anything up to 150,000 but thats cause I'm handy and can fix stuff. But 100,000 is okay not really bad but its not great either. Wasdie

If you're like me, have only one car, don't have any friends close by, and can't fix cars, you cannot risk a breakdown. A breakdown means either getting a rental car or taking a day of vacation. That's not really an option.

I can't just not show up to work because my car doesn't work. That's already happened once and I don't want it to happen again.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

[QUOTE="silentnightmere"]Lol @ people thinking you can't get a good car for under 3000. You definitely can. You just have to look. As for your questions op. 1) Classifieds , Craigslist , Autotrader. 2) Usually older Hondas and Toyotas are good reliable cars. That's why there is so many around. 3)Stupid question. 4) Not over 130,000 , for me I am okay with anything up to 150,000 but thats cause I'm handy and can fix stuff. But 100,000 is okay not really bad but its not great either. silentnightmere

If you're like me, have only one car, don't have any friends close by, and can't fix cars, you cannot risk a breakdown. A breakdown means either getting a rental car or taking a day of vacation. That's not really an option.

I can't just not show up to work because my car doesn't work. That's already happened once and I don't want it to happen again.

There aren't any buses where I live. I live in the midwest in a town of 12k and commute 25 minutes to work. That's pretty average for life up here.

I don't mind spending some money on a car. I did graduate college, I should be able to enjoy some nicer things for once in my life.

[QUOTE="silentnightmere"][QUOTE="Wasdie"]

If you're like me, have only one car, don't have any friends close by, and can't fix cars, you cannot risk a breakdown. A breakdown means either getting a rental car or taking a day of vacation. That's not really an option.

I can't just not show up to work because my car doesn't work. That's already happened once and I don't want it to happen again.

Wasdie

There aren't any buses where I live. I live in the midwest in a town of 12k and commute 25 minutes to work. That's pretty average for life up here.

I don't mind spending some money on a car. I did graduate college, I should be able to enjoy some nicer things for once in my life.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

[QUOTE="silentnightmere"] Well since you just bought a 2012 car you should be good. For 10 years if you really take care of the car. If your car broke down why not ride a bus ? Or hell walk to work. And it seems like a 90s honda or Toyota for the OP would be fine. Just using it for college.silentnightmere

There aren't any buses where I live. I live in the midwest in a town of 12k and commute 25 minutes to work. That's pretty average for life up here.

I don't mind spending some money on a car. I did graduate college, I should be able to enjoy some nicer things for once in my life.

It's a great car and it fell into my price range. I got it with 2700 miles on it for $5k less than brand-new. It was pretty much perfect, a new car for a bit over my budget. It's worth a lot more money than if I would have gotten a 2010-2011 car.

It's a great car and it fell into my price range. I got it with 2700 miles on it for $5k less than brand-new. It was pretty much perfect, a new car for a bit over my budget. It's worth a lot more money than if I would have gotten a 2010-2011 car.

Wasdie

Not a bad price really, it's brand new. Brand new cars are usually $25k+ these days, assuming you're not buying an Accent or Elantra or a Kia Rio.

I like the idea of getting a brand new car.
Also I like Civics, 'cause my mom's had one for ten years and it's still nice.

The new cars now are fancy I see. They've got stuff that were stuff things expensive cars had not too long ago, like heaters for your bottom.

But I can't drive, so I probably can't give good advice for when someones neeeeds a car but doesn't have a box of money for it.

Well, thanks for the tips I guess. I'll keep looking on craigslist and see if I can try and get something newer a bit pricier so I don't get a total piece of junk.

Well, thanks for the tips I guess. I'll keep looking on craigslist and see if I can try and get something newer a bit pricier so I don't get a total piece of junk.

SPYDER0416

You don't have to spend big money, but at least budget 6-7k for a car that you'll like and will be reliable.

ask for the car fax

almasdeathchild

Under $3000? Sounds like you're in the market for a used Geo metro.

IustitiaMaximus

Get a geo tracker

for $3000 you should look on craigslist for souped up honda CRX's

hadoken

[QUOTE="SPYDER0416"]

Well, thanks for the tips I guess. I'll keep looking on craigslist and see if I can try and get something newer a bit pricier so I don't get a total piece of junk.

Wasdie

You don't have to spend big money, but at least budget 6-7k for a car that you'll like and will be reliable.

I was thinking of raising it around that range actually, 6k is what a buddy of mine got his for and his car runs and looks great.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

[QUOTE="SPYDER0416"]

Well, thanks for the tips I guess. I'll keep looking on craigslist and see if I can try and get something newer a bit pricier so I don't get a total piece of junk.

SPYDER0416

You don't have to spend big money, but at least budget 6-7k for a car that you'll like and will be reliable.

I was thinking of raising it around that range actually, 6k is what a buddy of mine got his for and his car runs and looks great.

By the way, it's ok to have an auto loan. Do like a 36 month payment plan or something. Nothing wrong with having a little debt. It's only when you go crazy and buy stuff you don't need.

A car is usually something you need to live your life. Making money is very difficult without a car in most places.

BS on everybody saying you can't get a good car for that price. I found a Chevy Malibu in great condition for $1700 off of Craigslist, no joke.

Also, go American or go home.

My brother paid 3k for an 01 Taurus lasted 6 years Bucked20

Buy an older Honda Civic and learn how to work on it. It'll save you a lot of money if you can make repairs yourself instead of going to a mechanic.

Check Yahoo Used Car Finder and search close to your zip code.

Should find what you are looking for here. cars.com I would go with something like a corolla. Can put 300k miles on a good one with little problems.