Buying New Used Car

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1

I’m going to keep this short and sweet.

I need to buy a new used car. I’ve found consumer reports’ list of best and worst cars, but my question is regarding cars that aren’t on this list.

It seems like no matter what car I see reviews on, there are people who say a given car is unreliable, and others who say it’s the most reliable car they’ve ever had.

It seems like car purchases are just like anything else…a crapshoot. Some people will buy a car that has tons of problems, and some cars of the same make and model won’t have any.

So my question is, how relevant are user reviews? Does it really matter what kind of car I get? I’m sure no matter what make or model, there will be some that last forever, and some that are real lemons.

Any advice?

2

talk to a mechanic… one you trust… have them inspect it before you buy it…
if the seller is reputable, they will not object…

-Imp

3

I agree. Once many years ago, I almost bought an MG and I had a
mechanic friend listen to it. He said something was wrong and told
me to back out. I did and less than a week later the engine blew up.
It saved me a ton of money and effort.

Kropotkin

4

I would suggest buying a Toyota. My family has three which are virtually maintenance free. Keep the oil changed for the most part and use synthetic. My daughter has a '97 BlackHawk (150,000 miles), my wife has a '00 Camry (265,000 miles) and I have 05 4 door Tundra (131,000 mile) and they have been virtually service free except for the oil changes. My youngest has a 05 Chevy Cavalier which is a piece of junk rattle trap and wish she could get rid of it. Get a Prius if you can. :slight_smile:

5

I think Toyota is the best car for the money available. I have also had very good luck with Ford trucks, which are cheaper. Toyotas have much better transmissions.

I would probably not drive a GM car newer than 1975 if it was given to me.

6

another vouch for toyota, as well as honda/acura

and subarus are nice too

7

I used to sell Subarus, and have owned a few. They run forever, but maintenance and repair costs tend to be a bit high. Then again, they will run for a while without a lot of maintenance, and even without some repairs. Some of the Foresters aren’t so hot. I can’t tell you the years. I know people who buy nothing but Outbacks, though, even if they can afford more.

8

i’ll be in the market for a used car myself in a few months

and i’d be more than pleased with a maintained and unmolested standard turbo wrx, preferably white or black - cuz boosted awd is sexy

but yea, they can definitely be a challenge to work on

9

Good luck on that one. If you buy a previously owned wrx you can almost count on the engine redlined more than a few times.

10

Redlining isn’t that big a deal anymore - most cars have electronics now that prevent engine damage.

You know, unless you’re really trying.

11

Hondas will last forever.

12

Yes, but you can buy a replacement Rev limiter to circumvent factory specs. You know people who those kind of cars want it for it’s speed appeal. :slight_smile:

13

that’s fine, they’re designed for that to a degree

i’ll find some old man’s daily driver

i used to be somewhat of an automotive enthusiast, so between reading the owner and observing his car i should be able to get a sense of its history

14

Ask him if he knows where the local Quarter Mile is. If he does, don’t buy it.

15

seriously

i may see what he knows about boost control as well

16

I’m driving a '94 toyota. Beyond regular oil changes, the only problems I’ve had with it have had to do with me and, err, my propensity to crash the car. Keep that in mind. I have gotten into multiple accidents with this automobile (occasionally involving dukes-of-hazard-style flights through the air . . . which is followed by replacing all sorts of parts they didn’t show you on the show).

You can’t go wrong with a Toyota. They have my loyalty until I die. They are a Japanese car company.

Dwell on that, I’m something of a fenfen and I will only ever buy a Japanese car.

But having a buddy who knows something about cars look it over doesn’t hurt either. A beer-buddy of mine is replacing the control arm I bent, well, let’s not dwell on how (maybe leaving his house?), this weekend. Good folk.

17

My grandmother has a '91 Toyota Corolla that’s never broken down, and she regularly gets speeding fines- but it has always been properly serviced. If I was looking for a cheap car I’d go for one of them.