DD Wants Car Buying Advice

[Martha]

I recently went used car shopping with my sister. I was surprised at how over priced the Japanese cars were.

 

[bright eyed]

When I did my recent bit of car shopping/info hunting the Edmunds guys did say to look for the "dark horse" used car candidates - ie not a honda or toyota, but a car with documented reliability. I believe nissan and mazda are pretty cheap and some of them have good reliability/value - and some of them suck (friend has a nissan that is a joke). So far my new mazda is great!

Can't help you with more dark horse names, but sure they would pop up under a search or two...

 

[FinanceDude]

When I did my recent bit of car shopping/info hunting the Edmunds guys did say to look for the "dark horse" used car candidates - ie not a honda or toyota, but a car with documented reliability. I believe nissan and mazda are pretty cheap and some of them have good reliability/value - and some of them suck (friend has a nissan that is a joke). So far my new mazda is great!

Can't help you with more dark horse names, but sure they would pop up under a search or two...

Nissan Altima, Mazda 3 and 6, Hyundai Elantra,

 

[travelover]

Good advice available upthread.

I'd add:

• Simple is better, try to find one without power windows, power locks or any other complexities.
• Unpopular is cheaper. You may get a better deal in a D3 car than an import.
• Maintain it and it will [-]have a better chance to[/-] last

I'd disagree on the power locks and windows, from a security standpoint. My DW used to have such a car and I was always finding one or more doors unlocked. Also not being able to roll down the passenger's window from the driver's seat is a real PITA, like when someone asks directions or vice versa.

Agree on the American cars - there are some real values out there on cars with good reliability, but that are not too sexy. Ford Focus comes to mind. Check out Consumer Reports' recent Auto Issue.

Definitely maintain it, but to the manufacturer's schedule - skip all the flushes, 3000 mile oil changes and dealer money making stuff.

 

[haha]

A lot to be said for a Taurus coming out of a fleet. Prejudice aside, these are excellent cars, reliable and safe.

Ha

 

[saluki9]

She is your one and only daughter. She has a job coming up. For heaven's sake get a safe, reliable car. She needs her safety, and she needs her time and energy for making a professional and social life for herself, not for struggling with crappy cars.

Ha

To me this is the answer. Thread over.

I can't imagine why you would want your daughter who lives in another city having to drive around in a cheap old car? Help her out a little and get a new or slightly used car like a civic with an extended warranty.

There are too many other things to worry about in life.

 

[Rambler]

Simple is better, try to find one without power windows, power locks or any other complexities.

I've never had a problem with the power windows and doorlocks, except in a Ford Minivan (refused to operate in the summer, but was fine in the winter...imagine that). But in this car, everything seemed to break, all the time.

The JP cars have always been fine. My Civic went 200,000 miles before I replaced it, more out of worry than because of problems...never had a problem with it.

R

 

[kumquat]

I've never had a problem with the power windows and doorlocks, except in a Ford Minivan (refused to operate in the summer, but was fine in the winter...imagine that). But in this car, everything seemed to break, all the time.

The JP cars have always been fine. My Civic went 200,000 miles before I replaced it, more out of worry than because of problems...never had a problem with it.

R

Whatever, has worked for me and mine.

 

[bank5]

If she's buying new, I'd go with a Honda Civic. They're reliable, great on gas, hold their residual value and safe. My DW has one and it's a great car...well great for $16k.

If she wants to save some cash and go used, I'd recommend not getting a Honda or Toyota. I'd go with a reliable off brand like Hyundai or Kia. There's an Edmunds article about this -- I think another poster has referenced.

 

[Urchina]

T-Al, you haven't mentioned WHERE she will be buying the car. If it's an option, I think that purchasing a used car in California and driving it to KS might be a better choice than buying a used midwest car, since a Cali car would probably have less exposure to salt/road chemicals and therefore less body corrosion. Maybe not true if the used car came out of the Sierras, but prob. OK.

Also, less likely to get a flood-damaged used car in CA. At least theoretically.

And I can say that we bought our 2003 Honda Accord and 2006 Honda Odyssey new and I've never regretted a single penny spent on either of them. They've been terrific cars for us. My brother swears by his Civic, now about 10 years old (he drives it about 80 miles a day and barely maintains it).

Congrats to DD on her job offer!

 

[FinanceDude]

T
And I can say that we bought our 2003 Honda Accord and 2006 Honda Odyssey new and I've never regretted a single penny spent on either of them. They've been terrific cars for us. My brother swears by his Civic, now about 10 years old (he drives it about 80 miles a day and barely maintains it).

HEY, I've got a 2003 Accord and a 2006 Odyssey too........

And another car that shall remain nameless.......

 

[Notmuchlonger]

Ive recently own and owned an Elantra and Altima both ran fine and had no problems. The Altima is new I dont expect any for awhile. Now my older Mustang. It would freeze up if you left it outside over the winter..

 

[bank5]

T-Al, I sold my Kia Sephia a couple of years ago on Craigslist. It was a good car, reliable, safe, 6 years old and 75,000 miles on it. The thing was close to impossible and a pita to sell. The most I could get for it was $2700. I was satisfied with that because I only paid $3500 for it. I bet the car is still running today.

 

[youbet]

A lot to be said for a Taurus coming out of a fleet. Prejudice aside, these are excellent cars, reliable and safe.

Ha

Yep. The Taurus and Sable are very common fleet cars and usually available from the major rental company sales outlets or CarMax for under $10k at less than 3 yrs old and 30k (or so) miles.

My 96 Sable with well over 100k miles has been a champ. I've had it since 98 and have been pleased with the reliability. Our other car is a 2000 Civic, so we have a good basis to compare against.

While it's always possible that a running beater could be obtained for $2k - $3k, personally I wouldn't have the young lady prioritizing her time with car issues at this stage. Work out a situation where she'll have a reliable, late model car and let her focus on excelling in her first job....... rather than wondering if "Ole Betsy" will start this morning in order to just get to the job.

 

[Meadbh]

Article on vehicle resale value and lifecycle cost

globeandmail.com: globeauto.com That bargain may not be a deal come resale time

 

[Bimmerbill]

Check Consumer Reports annual April auto issue. They have a list of cars to avoid and a list of recommeded cars broken out by price range.

+1 for a Honda or Toyota. Now if I could only break my car addiction and follow the practical advice.

 

[travelover]

globeandmail.com: globeauto.com That bargain may not be a deal come resale time

You can put that rapid depreciation to work for you , though if you buy used and drive it into the ground.

 

[Nords]

You can put that rapid depreciation to work for you , though if you buy used and drive it into the ground.

I think that article is trying to say that the "best" cars have the highest value. In other words people are willing to pay more for higher reliability and fewer repairs.

I drove a 1988 Yugo for six months and was able to keep up with the repairs, but it was like playing Russian roulette with two cartridges in a five-shot revolver.

 

[Zoocat]

I have been driving Subaru's for 25 years in the midwest and Colorado. Safest car for the money. Both children drive them as well. You can get an excellent used one if you shop in Boulder or Denver. Good luck!

 

[travelover]

I think that article is trying to say that the "best" cars have the highest value. In other words people are willing to pay more for higher reliability and fewer repairs.

I drove a 1988 Yugo for six months and was able to keep up with the repairs, but it was like playing Russian roulette with two cartridges in a five-shot revolver.

I agree, but I don't think the difference in resale value is necessarily proportional to the actual difference in reliability. A Yugo would be on the extreme end of the bell curve, but something like a Taurus can provide a lot of transportation per dollar of ownership cost.

Recall a short while ago when gas was over $4 a gallon, people were willing to take huge losses on gas guzzlers to save a few bucks on gas. So, my point is that it is human nature to overreact and there is a sweet spot where one can profit. Sorta like Graham's Mr. Market.

 

[Bikerdude]

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Ford Taurus in that order.

 

[kumquat]

Did any of you read the OP's question?

It was (paraphrased) "buy what for $3K, or other advice?".

I'd add the following:

• You can get a reliable car for $3K
• Look above to find one
• Most of the board thinks you might be good to borrow to buy what you [-]need[/-] want.
• LYBM is dead

Look at the original post and see if you can help.

 

[haha]

Did any of you read the OP's question?

It was (paraphrased) "buy what for $3K, or other advice?".

I'd add the following:

• You can get a reliable car for $3K
• Look above to find one
• Most of the board thinks you might be good to borrow to buy what you [-]need[/-] want.
• LYBM is dead

Read Milevsky on consumption smoothing. It actually makes no sense for a young person whose career is just getting going to optimize anything other than career. The payoffs can be huge. Furthermore, it makes no sense for a young person to adopt miserly habits, particularly at the cost of placing her neck at risk. A safe car is worth borrowing for.

If you are well imto your career and still can't afford a safe car, it may be different. And I am sorry for you.

But if you are young, borrow to get one. Borrowing (or cars for that matter) will never be cheaper. The minute I got out of school I got rid of my crap-mobile and got a new, high quality car.

Ha

 

[TromboneAl]

Great advice, guys, as usual, thanks! She's monitoring this thread.

 

[Kronk]

Take a loan. Get a better car. But then I'm personally willing to pay a premium to avoid the worry of a car needing frequent repairs.

Debt isn't great, but since she's starting with limited assets but has a good income stream awaiting her, it's not so bad in her case.