Cars

*Bradley* · 06-17-2003, 12:57 AM

Hello,
I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on used/newish cars, preferably something that wont cave in too much if it is bummped into or the like? I had a 2000 Mustang up until March when I was in a collision with a light pole which totaled the car. I have been browsing around at some other manufacturers and models. For some reason lately Pontiac has caught my eye as well as Chevy's Impalas (Newer model on those). I am usally Ford all the way but lately I have been looking for something else, reliable, sturdy, doesnt have 100 recalls on it, etc. I will be making some decently long trips this summer (Florida, South Carolinia, etc) and often put more interstate milage on it than city.
Any help/suggestions are appreciated

*teach1st* · 06-17-2003, 07:19 AM

I'm not a car person, but my (late) Nissan XTerra held up very well in an accident last week. I was stopped and rear-ended by a semi going an estimated 45 mph. Yes, it's probably totaled, but the body held up well considering, and I walked away. (For you Floridians, this is the accident that closed I-75 in Pasco last week.) It seems like a very strong car. Gas mileage is horrible, though, at least for my 2000 model. I did love that XTerra! Some pics:

http://www.pb5th.com/xterra.html

*Bradley* · 06-17-2003, 07:30 AM

Wow

Glad you're alright Fred, I am VERY lucky to have gotten out of the wreck I was in, my friend and his fiancee were in the car too, he jummped out and lit up a ciggarette and she was back there screaming, I just sat there in shock, I guess I should have after seeing a large light pole come right into my door, I blacked out there for a few seconds after head cracked windsheild and rear view mirror smacked me in the head (hmm MeatLoaf's objects in the rear view mirror comes to mind lol)
Me and his fiancee were trapped and all I couldnt move cause I had shards of glass hanging out of me (large peices too!) I will upload some pics when they get developed. It was race weekend here in town too lol

(for those nascar followers I am about 10 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway)

I like gas savy cars though, the mustank was not one lol especially when prices are high. I have been wanting a truck or suv for sometime but need some room in it if I get a truck.
Thanks for the imput!

*Mandi* · 06-17-2003, 11:50 AM

Honda and Toyotas make great used car purchases - I've owned a couple myself. They'd also fit your "better on gas mileage" requirements, and come in just about every configuration to suit your needs.

Except hands off that used Sienna, it's mine

!

dank · 06-17-2003, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Honda and Toyotas make great used car purchases

Funny you should mention that. I've owned 2 used cars, and they just happened to be a Honda ('79 Accord) and a Toyota ('86 Camry). Let's just say that my experience with the two of them convinced me to never buy another used car unless it's from someone I know and trust... My personal belief is that no one (except for the occasional and apparently very rare exception) sells a car unless there is something wrong with it. If they simply like new toys, then they are either a collector (and don't sell) or they lease...

Dan

*Wassercrats* · 06-17-2003, 12:18 PM

Quote:

...preferably something that wont cave in too much if it is bummped into or the like?

Safest cars of 2002. Maybe Consumer Reports has more recent information.

*Mandi* · 06-17-2003, 12:20 PM

Oh, I totally agree - unless you are a gearhead and can inspect the car thoroughly yourself, be careful where you buy and from whom.

Depending on the aforementioned inspection, foreclosure/repo sales through banks and credit unions can be a good way to get late model used cars. Rental car agencies also sell their cars after a year or two.

*Randall* · 06-17-2003, 02:41 PM

I've had pretty good luck with used cars. The first one was 13 years old, but only had 30,000 miles on it. (The proverbial little old lady who only drove it on Sundays. Really.) It lasted just four years on account of its age, but for what I paid it was good enough.

Second car was a 7-year-old Subaru with 33,000 miles. I put another 90,000 on it over eight years, so I think I got my money's worth out of that one too.

But when the Subie died -- I don't sell cars, I kill them -- I wanted a new car. Somehow I didn't think my luck could hold, and with a 40-mile commute I didn't want to chance it. So I bought a Toyota Echo, the cheapest reliable car I could get my hands on. Just a few months old and 16 miles.

But needless to say, it's not a Mustang.

Randall

# Still can't believe his Dad sold the '66 Mustang convertible

*songdog* · 06-18-2003, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mandi:
Oh, I totally agree - unless you are a gearhead and can inspect the car thoroughly yourself, be careful where you buy and from whom.

Depending on the aforementioned inspection, foreclosure/repo sales through banks and credit unions can be a good way to get late model used cars. Rental car agencies also sell their cars after a year or two.

Many experts say to have a trusted auto mechanic inspect the car before you buy it. Probably a good investment.

As for buying from a car rental agency, I wouldn't do that unless it either had a very good warranty or was priced way below market. Rental cars have got to be the most abused cars on the planet (next to those in demolition derbies, and maybe taxis).

dank · 06-18-2003, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Many experts say to have a trusted auto mechanic inspect the car before you buy it.

Been there, done that. Still didn't catch hardly any of the problems that popped up almost immediately, and it was a highly reputable mechanic. They really don't check all that in-depth, unless you have specific areas of concern you ask about. There's a reason why they provide no sort of guarantee behind their recommendations...

I looked into ex-rental car purchases once, and I was pretty disappointed by what I found. Mileage was on the high side for a used car, as were prices. Not a good balance, in my opinion.

Dan