First time car buyer! Help?
Question:
I am a freshman in college and am going to buy a used car. What are the things I should pay attention the most? Mileage, motor, etc. I don't know much at all about cars. I'd like to make the right choice when purchasing my first car. Thank you so much!
Oh and btw, Im willing to spend only 5,000.
Where I live (Brownsville Texas), cars downtown at the carlost are very cheap. My sister has a Grand Am, bought for 2.2k (Ended up coming out to 4.4k because she had to buy new things)
Shes gone to Kansas City to and from twice (4 trips) Dallas 3 times (6 trips)
Answer:
What Peterbuilt said was good advice ,BUT he is WAY wrong on the milleage 20K is still an almost new car.
Here I found this ongrisliestslist that represents what you should look for.
you said you have 5000.
This car has 100,000 miles which about right, for 5000 you could get a car with less miles though.
it has a small eng and gets good gas mileage
auto transmission, you want to be shifting gears.
Go to "edmonds.com" to see used car prices and reviews.
Always look under the engine ( you will have to get on the ground) to see it there any oil on the bottom of the eng or trans.
If it looks oily at all ! Forget it. and keep looking.
Also you should drive it at highway speeds for a few miles to see if it has any tire or steering problems.
If the eng makes a ticking noise when idling ,, forget it and keep looking.
Now days you can but a perfect used car for 5000.
I would think that the used car dealers in brownsville sell lousy cars.
Used car dealers buy cars from auctions and then resell them.
If you buy from a dealer make them give you at least a 60 day (written) warrentee parts and labor or dont buy from them.
Here is one that fits your requirment from private owner..
if you buy from a private owner you can telll so much more about the cars, if they look almost perfect and clean and taken care of, they are prob good mechanically too.
With car dealers you cant really tell about owner or car
5000 is the most you should spend.
There are good cars for less.
'But not to offend you,
I would very leary of dealers in Brownsville.
And look on "e bay auctions" to see what is that site.
http://brownsville.en.craigslist.org/cto/1570755460.ht ml
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