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Recommend me a good cheap car
- Thread starter Seth C
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Jill Sandwich
the turds of Optimus Prime
You can have this one cheap once I'm done with it
SteveMeister
Hang out with Steve.
I'd recommend a Scion xA or xB. Cheap, reliable, well made. A lot of car for the money.
Tommie Hu$tle
Member
You could do a well equiped Mazda 3 for that price or you could go with a
Hayabusa.
Hayabusa.
Manabanana
Member
8bit said:
I can see the wires! FAKE! FAAAAAKE!
I second the Scion XB and Mazda 3 4 door. The 3 you can probably actually get for 15k or under, XB starts at 14995, so good luck finding one completely unequipped. Both are pretty good looking cars, and should be very reliable. I had a protege for a number of years that was very reliable. Never had any problems. The new 3 is a crapload nicer than the last gen protege's though.
I say it in every car thread I post in...
I drive a Honda Civic, which was a salvage when I bought it, and I hit a sheep going about 70mph, doing $3700+ damage to the front end of the car. Yet, it still managed to get me to and from work before it finally overheated from lack of fluid.
Any car that can survive 100,000 miles of me is definitely worth recommending. Used civic = yay
I drive a Honda Civic, which was a salvage when I bought it, and I hit a sheep going about 70mph, doing $3700+ damage to the front end of the car. Yet, it still managed to get me to and from work before it finally overheated from lack of fluid.
Any car that can survive 100,000 miles of me is definitely worth recommending. Used civic = yay
You mentioned Hyundai Elantra GT, I think that is a good choice for a car. I think the problem with the mazda 3, is that they are just too pricey. A mazda 3 that is comparable to the Elantra GT (options)will cost you around, what, $3000-$4000 more. Heck, right now if you look at edmunds.com, you can get a new hyundai GT for 12857 (shipping /1500 rebate included, manual, no additional options, but comes with tons of options standard) Or you can get a base mazda 3 without AC, or any other option for 14,009. Also, if the reviews for the elantra gt are, from what I've seen, comparable to the reviews of the 3. Also a nice looking vehicle. They also have 0% financing now for 60 months instead of the 1500 rebate.
I personally don't own a Hyundai, but I was researching possibly getting a new car not too long ago (for some reason I wanted to retire my 2000 focus), the Hyundai Elantra GT seemed to be the car to get (I like the hatchback though). Liked my focus too much though, and didn't want additional expense of a new car payment. I might recommend a focus, but honestly think the price is too high now for a new focus, even though it is still a great car to drive.
Good luck with your decision.
I personally don't own a Hyundai, but I was researching possibly getting a new car not too long ago (for some reason I wanted to retire my 2000 focus), the Hyundai Elantra GT seemed to be the car to get (I like the hatchback though). Liked my focus too much though, and didn't want additional expense of a new car payment. I might recommend a focus, but honestly think the price is too high now for a new focus, even though it is still a great car to drive.
Good luck with your decision.
Poody said:
Because my current car is on its absolute last leg and will be lucky to last another month, much less time to save an additional $3000. I drive a 91 Cavalier, so there is no way I am putting up the money to repair it, as I would be throwing it all away. The car is only worth maybe $500, at best, in a trade-in. Would cost twice that to get it running properly.
So, I really have to buy a car soon, and while I said $15,000, I truly meant that as a MAXIMUM. I hoped for cars that listed at that price, so I could actually get them a bit cheaper (~13,000) at the end of this model year.
While on the topic, are there any New Jetta (1999 models - present) that have problems? My uncle, who works at a dealership and has dealt with all the other dealerships in the area, told me a local dealer had a '99 Jetta FOR $6,000. i figured it must've had some insane mileage on it along with some other issues, but the dealer didn't have the car. Just as well; it got me on my search for a "new" car, which i'd like to be a Jetta. i've checked local dealers and online sites like carsdirect.com and eBay motors, just to get an idea of what to expect pricewise.
Also, this book has been really valuable in getting information on the actual buying/leasing process involved with cars, and how to deal with salespeople:
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1661196&meta_id=null
Also, this book has been really valuable in getting information on the actual buying/leasing process involved with cars, and how to deal with salespeople:
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1661196&meta_id=null
Vormund said:I love my Mazda3, just a well polished/designed car.
Hold off until you can get more money together if you can, It's a significant purchase you don't want to get wrong.
I wish I could hold off, but I've really held off as long as I possibly can. My car is now dying on the road. Bad things.
it sounds like your first question is used or new. please don't buy a korean car.
so how much can you afford up front and how big of a loan do you think you can get?
the second question should always be "what do i need?"
how many people do you need to regularly transport? how much cargo do you regularly transport? do you have a significant daily commute? how long is it? how much can you afford to spend on gas? maintenance? how mechanically apt are you? and so on.
then, "what do i want?"
do i want to go fast? do i want to survive in a crash? do i want all the classy ladies to notice me? and so on.
answer questions in thread or better yet go ask somewhere where there is less noise more signal.
so how much can you afford up front and how big of a loan do you think you can get?
the second question should always be "what do i need?"
how many people do you need to regularly transport? how much cargo do you regularly transport? do you have a significant daily commute? how long is it? how much can you afford to spend on gas? maintenance? how mechanically apt are you? and so on.
then, "what do i want?"
do i want to go fast? do i want to survive in a crash? do i want all the classy ladies to notice me? and so on.
answer questions in thread or better yet go ask somewhere where there is less noise more signal.
"it sounds like your first question is used or new. "
I don't really care, so long as it is in my price range and low mileage. I considered the Elantra because it is a new car I could afford the payments on, pay off in 5 years, but drive for 7-8.
"please don't buy a korean car."
Why not? The reviews all seem to be positive, it is well equipped, it looks good, has a great warranty, and the price is right. Is it just because it's Korean?
"so how much can you afford up front and how big of a loan do you think you can get?"
Up front? $1,000 is it.
"the second question should always be "what do i need?""
Which is tough to answer.
"how many people do you need to regularly transport? how much cargo do you regularly transport? do you have a significant daily commute? how long is it? how much can you afford to spend on gas? maintenance? how mechanically apt are you? and so on."
Usually I just transport myself, but I am also a fairly large guy (6'1" 220) so I don't want a tiny car. I'm u sed to a Cavalier, but no smaller. I do want room for friends. I tend to move fairly often, so the hatchback would be convenient. I don't carry large loads (don't need a truck) but generally transport lots of smaller items. My commute is 30 miles each direction, 4-5 times per week. I don't want to spend a lot on gas. I don't want a truck. Maintenance? The warranty was important to me. I can change the oil, and I'm mechanically inclined in general, but never bothered to specifically learn cars.
"then, "what do i want?""
Even tougher question.
"do i want to go fast? do i want to survive in a crash? do i want all the classy ladies to notice me? and so on."
If I wanted to go FAST I wouldn't be considering an Elantra. It has enough power for me, I think, without being too much. I don't want a fast car because I don't want to pay the insurance that will accompany it. Surviving a crash would be nice, but I absolutely will not buy a truck or SUV. A safe, reliable car please. I don't care if the classy ladies notice me because of my car. If that's what it takes, screw them. I'm more interested in price than looks, or popularity. I only care if it looks good to ME.
"answer questions in thread or better yet go ask somewhere where there is less noise more signal."
Done.
I don't really care, so long as it is in my price range and low mileage. I considered the Elantra because it is a new car I could afford the payments on, pay off in 5 years, but drive for 7-8.
"please don't buy a korean car."
Why not? The reviews all seem to be positive, it is well equipped, it looks good, has a great warranty, and the price is right. Is it just because it's Korean?
"so how much can you afford up front and how big of a loan do you think you can get?"
Up front? $1,000 is it.
"the second question should always be "what do i need?""
Which is tough to answer.
"how many people do you need to regularly transport? how much cargo do you regularly transport? do you have a significant daily commute? how long is it? how much can you afford to spend on gas? maintenance? how mechanically apt are you? and so on."
Usually I just transport myself, but I am also a fairly large guy (6'1" 220) so I don't want a tiny car. I'm u sed to a Cavalier, but no smaller. I do want room for friends. I tend to move fairly often, so the hatchback would be convenient. I don't carry large loads (don't need a truck) but generally transport lots of smaller items. My commute is 30 miles each direction, 4-5 times per week. I don't want to spend a lot on gas. I don't want a truck. Maintenance? The warranty was important to me. I can change the oil, and I'm mechanically inclined in general, but never bothered to specifically learn cars.
"then, "what do i want?""
Even tougher question.
"do i want to go fast? do i want to survive in a crash? do i want all the classy ladies to notice me? and so on."
If I wanted to go FAST I wouldn't be considering an Elantra. It has enough power for me, I think, without being too much. I don't want a fast car because I don't want to pay the insurance that will accompany it. Surviving a crash would be nice, but I absolutely will not buy a truck or SUV. A safe, reliable car please. I don't care if the classy ladies notice me because of my car. If that's what it takes, screw them. I'm more interested in price than looks, or popularity. I only care if it looks good to ME.
"answer questions in thread or better yet go ask somewhere where there is less noise more signal."
Done.
korean cars are still very hit and miss. they don't hold their value very well, and very often they have these attractive qualities (long warranty, cheap, etc) because they're hunks of junk (ie, a shorter warranty maybe ok if you're not having to get warranty service every month and a half). that said, hyundai and kia both make a respectable car or two. i have no idea whether the elantra is one of these cars.
so, a new ultra-reliable, gas-efficient small to midsize car in the teens?
you've got your civics, your tercels (now echo), your foci (although the focus has a pretty terrible reliability record), your scions, your proteges (now just numbers), and... am i missing anything?
i guess the trick here is that these cars are pretty much all the same, give or take, and there are really only so many of these econoboxes out there that are worth looking at (to start with you may want to eliminate all the american leaseboxes). you really want to look at what features you can get at what prices and then pick like 4-5 to drive. in particular you want to check out things like resale values for previous year's models (to get an idea of how much the car will be worth vs how much you'll owe on the loan in a year or two), reliability ratings for manufacturer and for model, specific standard features (safety features in particular), and design quirk stuff (like the echo has a really high ride height if you like that sort of thing). then you drive and hopefully hate one less than the others.
sorry if this is painfully obvious, but i will say that as far as i'm concerned the only things most people should consider are the low end civics, the scions (the xB is so awesome. it's a cheap box on wheels. what more do you need) and maybe the new mazda numbers, but only because they're interesting in a flavor of the month kind of way, and you can get them in a hatch. it depends on your needs, i guess. but it sounds like all you're looking for is four wheels and an engine that runs.
so, a new ultra-reliable, gas-efficient small to midsize car in the teens?
you've got your civics, your tercels (now echo), your foci (although the focus has a pretty terrible reliability record), your scions, your proteges (now just numbers), and... am i missing anything?
i guess the trick here is that these cars are pretty much all the same, give or take, and there are really only so many of these econoboxes out there that are worth looking at (to start with you may want to eliminate all the american leaseboxes). you really want to look at what features you can get at what prices and then pick like 4-5 to drive. in particular you want to check out things like resale values for previous year's models (to get an idea of how much the car will be worth vs how much you'll owe on the loan in a year or two), reliability ratings for manufacturer and for model, specific standard features (safety features in particular), and design quirk stuff (like the echo has a really high ride height if you like that sort of thing). then you drive and hopefully hate one less than the others.
sorry if this is painfully obvious, but i will say that as far as i'm concerned the only things most people should consider are the low end civics, the scions (the xB is so awesome. it's a cheap box on wheels. what more do you need) and maybe the new mazda numbers, but only because they're interesting in a flavor of the month kind of way, and you can get them in a hatch. it depends on your needs, i guess. but it sounds like all you're looking for is four wheels and an engine that runs.
fart said:
The Scion xB is one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen in my entire life. The only competition is the xA. Seriously, I want something affordable, but for me, $15,000 is still a lot of money. I'm not spending it on something that would make me cringe every time I went outside.
I would argue that newer Hyundai's (at least some models) have such long warranties not because they are hunk's of junk, but because people still perceive them to be hunk's of junk.
I got the price by going to edmunds.com click on the new car selection you want, and there is a price with options section. I think they try to tell you what price you should be able to get the car at, for the Elantra, it was close to invoice price, but for the 3, it was closer to MSRP. Note the price above was with the dealer $1500 rebate.
Also, I know someone mentioned sloppy handling on the elantra, was it a GT model you were driving? Supposedly the GT has better handling. But as always, test drive a few models to determine what is best/acceptable.
I know a lot of people recommend buying used, and I am not really against that. But many times dealers offer such good deals on new cars, it is tougher to go used. For example, the Hyundai listed above. Without 1500 rebate the price is 14,300. With a $1000 down, add some for tax, etc. Your monthly payment with dealer offered 0% APR will be about $233 a month depending on the tax they charge (loan amount of 13,800 after $1000 down)
What kind of used car could you get for same 5 year monthly payment? Let's see. Say 8% interest rate for used car for 5 years (might be a good rate for that too), you could borrow $11,300 for same monthly payment, for a vehicle price before tax of about $12,000. That's about a $2300 difference just in interest right there.
I got the price by going to edmunds.com click on the new car selection you want, and there is a price with options section. I think they try to tell you what price you should be able to get the car at, for the Elantra, it was close to invoice price, but for the 3, it was closer to MSRP. Note the price above was with the dealer $1500 rebate.
Also, I know someone mentioned sloppy handling on the elantra, was it a GT model you were driving? Supposedly the GT has better handling. But as always, test drive a few models to determine what is best/acceptable.
I know a lot of people recommend buying used, and I am not really against that. But many times dealers offer such good deals on new cars, it is tougher to go used. For example, the Hyundai listed above. Without 1500 rebate the price is 14,300. With a $1000 down, add some for tax, etc. Your monthly payment with dealer offered 0% APR will be about $233 a month depending on the tax they charge (loan amount of 13,800 after $1000 down)
What kind of used car could you get for same 5 year monthly payment? Let's see. Say 8% interest rate for used car for 5 years (might be a good rate for that too), you could borrow $11,300 for same monthly payment, for a vehicle price before tax of about $12,000. That's about a $2300 difference just in interest right there.
commish said:Just know that what the car lists for on the website and what you pay are too different beasts. How different depends on how good you are on the negotiating table
I think I'm pretty good. My main question is how much should I TRY for? It's hard to know. $2,000 less, $3,000? What is a good deal on a car that lists for around $15k?
Seth C said:
Target a car, and then ask around on messageboards devoted to that car or brand or on edmunds.com to see what other people are paying. That's a good starting price to get an idea. It also depends on your credit score - if you don't know that right now or if you haven't looked recently, I would advise you to do so - myfico.com is a good place.
LuckyBrand
Banned
i dont know alot about them, but the suzuki's i know are cheap and i have actually been seeing them on the road and thinking they are attractive cars for being cheap.
a 2004 Suzuki Aero Sedan starts at like 11-12K, and they currently have 1.5K cash back, plus it has a 10 year warranty.. could be something to consider???
a 2004 Suzuki Aero Sedan starts at like 11-12K, and they currently have 1.5K cash back, plus it has a 10 year warranty.. could be something to consider???
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