What's a good route to buy a used car?

[The Black Wolf]

Any car buyers or people searching for a vehicle on PSU?

I'm saving up for a 2003 and newer vehicle and have run into a problem. I want a foreign car, like a volkswagen Jetta or a Honda Accord. I will take a Ford Fusion. My goal is $3000. The problem is, the the stuff I find for $3000 is 90's or 2001 and older cars.

My question is, do I need to raise my saving goal from $3000? Am I going to have to go to a dealership to get a car I like?

[THUGGEDOUT]

Try Autotrader...

[The Black Wolf]

Try Autotrader...

It's the same case with autotrader. I've tried ebay and craiglist too.

[admartian]

A Honda Accord is a good choice. Almost went for that when shopping for a used car early this year (went with an '04 Nissan Maxima/Teana).

[The Black Wolf]

A Honda Accord is a good choice. Almost went for that when shopping for a used car early this year (went with an '04 Nissan Maxima/Teana).

So do I need to come up on my price?

[Silver_Knight]

You're not going to get a better deal at a dealership. Those guys are devils in suits. Save up more cash and get a car you really want.

[The Black Wolf]

You're not going to get a better deal at a dealership. Those guys are devils in suits. Save up more cash and get a car you really want.

But from where? It's also high buying private party.

[admartian]

So do I need to come up on my price?

Going from a quick look on how much each Accord '03 is going for, is around $12K NZD. Roughly $9K USD. That's on average. Could probably save $1 or 2K more - at best. Unless you really find a good deal.

Will depend on high high you are willing to stoop to, in terms of mileage.

[keefy]

Buying in spring the prices go up, idealy buy in the autumn and winter for the deals, I bought my car jsut before Christmas and the dealer litterally just knocked £600 off the ticket price.

doubt you will get a much newer car for $3000, mine cost £3600 ($5,000) for a 2007 plate. Not an Accord though.

Going from a quick look on how much each Accord '03 is going for, is around $12K NZD. Roughly $9K USD. That's on average. Could probably save $1 or 2K more - at best. Unless you really find a good deal.

Will depend on high high you are willing to stoop to, in terms of mileage.

Seems expensive

[The Black Wolf]

Okay, so either I got to settle for an older car or I need to come up on my price.

[admartian]

Buying in spring the prices go up, idealy buy in the autumn and winter for the deals, I bought my car jsut before Christmas and the dealer litterally just knocked £600 off the ticket price.

doubt you will get a much newer car for $3000, mine cost £3600 ($5,000) for a 2007 plate.



Seems expensive

A little bit yeah. These are premium "Accord Euro" that I'm looking at though. Unless TBW is looking at the non-luxury cars, then it's likely to be more affordable.

EDIT:

Mind you, NZ prices might receive a little more of a bump due to our economy and other market factors. So who knows.

[mooninites]

I'm actually looking for a car also. My camaro's transmission has given up. Doing a quick search on cars. com I found a bunch of accords and jettas between 3-5k. I would say save a couple more thousand. The cars are going to be high milage and not knowing how the previous owner has maintained it gives you a risk on dependability.

Sent from my Nexus 4

[RyanGT]

I'd save up more than 3k.

Ever considered a car loan?

Probably your best bet.

[The Black Wolf]

I'd save up more than 3k.

Ever considered a car loan?

Probably your best bet.

I have no credit and plus I don't prefer payments. I'm going to pay interest and the car price if I do that.

[RyanGT]

I have no credit and plus I don't prefer payments. I'm going to pay interest and the car price if I do that.

Not sure how old you are but could you possibly get someone to co-sign for you?

If not, I'd recommend saving up a little bit more .. maybe in the 5-6k range? When you go to check a car out make sure you bring someone with you who knows what they're looking at because once you buy the car, it's yours.. even it if the engine falls out right when you get onto the street with it.

I actually got my car on craigslist about 3-4 years ago. 2005 scion tc. No problems with it.. just gotta be very careful when buying a car,

[admartian]

Not sure how old you are but could you possibly get someone to co-sign for you?

If not, I'd recommend saving up a little bit more .. maybe in the 5-6k range? When you go to check a car out make sure you bring someone with you who knows what they're looking at because once you buy the car, it's yours.. even it if the engine falls out right when you get onto the street with it.

I actually got my car on craigslist about 3-4 years ago. 2005 scion tc. No problems with it.. just gotta be very careful when buying a car,

definitely pays to bring someone knowledgeable with you.

check this out as a reference:
http://www.dogandlemon.com/sites/dog..._Car_Check.pdf

[keefy]

Never view a car in poor light or at night or in the rain, it hides any scratches and dents.

Always test drive it yourself, never let the owner drive it for you, if they insist just walk away.

[The Black Wolf]

Not sure how old you are but could you possibly get someone to co-sign for you?

If not, I'd recommend saving up a little bit more .. maybe in the 5-6k range? When you go to check a car out make sure you bring someone with you who knows what they're looking at because once you buy the car, it's yours.. even it if the engine falls out right when you get onto the street with it.

I actually got my car on craigslist about 3-4 years ago. 2005 scion tc. No problems with it.. just gotta be very careful when buying a car,

My father is a pretty good mechanic, so that part is covered.

As for cosigning, I don't like payments but if I did I'd have to have someone willing to cosign with me. I don't want to put anyone through that.

I have no problem settling or saving up more. I'd probably save up in that 5 to 6k range just like you said.

[RyanGT]

My father is a pretty good mechanic, so that part is covered.

As for cosigning, I don't like payments but if I did I'd have to have someone willing to cosign with me. I don't want to put anyone through that.

I have no problem settling or saving up more. I'd probably save up in that 5 to 6k range just like you said.

Yeah that's probably your best. Not saying you can't get one for 3k because you can.., like I said, just be careful. That's good that your dad is a mechanic, you should have no problems there. Check out craigslist.

[Valefor]

If you want a European or Japanese car on at least a 2003 plate, you're going to have to raise your budget. If you want to stay within your budget, buy an older model. However, it's worth paying more for a newer vehicle, because running costs should be lower.

If you want the lowest price, just buy privately from Autotrader or something. Do NOT buy off e-bay, unless you test drive it and check its documentation and history before purchasing it.

That's another thing - test drive any car before you buy it, it's a must.

If you want peace of mind, buy from a dealership because it should come with a 12 month warranty at least, and reputable dealers must put all their cars through a pre-sales check to guarantee their safety. Don't be scared of visiting a showroom, and make sure to haggle on price. I used to sell premium cars at a main dealership (BMW), and even we were willing to bring down the price to guarantee a sale. Just beware that you won't get as big a discount on a used car because there is less profit to work with than on a new car's RRP.

[MonkeyClaw]

Look into local city auctions, they will auction off all sorts of cars, some crap some good at pretty reasonable prices! I know around the DFW area here in Texas you can find stuff at:

http://www.renebates.com

[RyanGT]

Look into local city auctions, they will auction off all sorts of cars, some crap some good at pretty reasonable prices! I know around the DFW area here in Texas you can find stuff at:

http://www.renebates.com

Yup auction is another good option.

[DeviousOne]

FUCK auctions!!! I do this as a side business buying cars selling them all that good fun shit LMAO

With 3k you can find a Good car on craigslist...i can tell you your not gonna find an accord that year for that money maybe a VW but those car are problems hell im dealing with one right now LMAO

You can get a nice Kia or hyundia for about 3k 03 or newer....

if you have any questions just PM me ill help you out TBW

[DeadCrow]

Those options are very limited. Especially for $3000. You're going to have to raise more than that. Don't limit yourself with only 3 cars brand. You're not going to find any of those for that price. And having 90's or 80's aren't bad. I've been trying to get Toyota AE86 Trueno for a while now. Open up your options more.

[DeviousOne]

Those options are very limited. Especially for $3000. You're going to have to raise more than that. Don't limit yourself with only 3 cars brand. You're not going to find any of those for that price. And having 90's or 80's aren't bad. I've been trying to get Toyota AE86 Trueno for a while now. Open up your options more.

Those AE86 go for alot more than im willing to pay for a car that year