Question about buy a car

Foxrac

Foxrac

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I have some questions about buy a car, I'm currently research on car and expected to buy in June.

I had noticed that some members said American cars aren't last longer as Japanese car but it's not true when most American cars are made in after 1998 that where life of mileage has improved, closer or equal to Japanese car, I want more detail about life of car because some cars that I looked it was over 100,000 miles.

I'm looking at sedan car and good gas mileage, 30 mpg at least and quality of car, I picked Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla and I had been concerned about quality of Ford Focus and Chevy Impala, I had heard from some people that has alot of problem with Ford Focus.

What's common average for down payment? I think it was between 10% to 20% as minimum.

I have 2 weeks to left to make final decision.
 
-What is your maximum value of the car you are looking for?

-Do you want 4 doors or 2 doors?

-Do you need good power feedback and have good gas mileage?
 
sequoias said:
-What is your maximum value of the car you are looking for?

-Do you want 4 doors or 2 doors?

-Do you need good power feedback and have good gas mileage?
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I'm looking for $8,000 or less.

I want 4 doors.

Last question: Yup.

I don't think that colors aren't big deal because you can take to body shop to have paint, I'm wonders about how much cost is car paint at average.
 
Honda Accord might be a good choice. Maybe a Honda Civic EX or a Toyota Corolla S.

I'm not too sure about Ford Focus's reliabity records.
 
sequoias said:
Honda Accord might be a good choice. Maybe a Honda Civic EX or a Toyota Corolla S.

I'm not too sure about Ford Focus's reliabity records.
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What about Honda Civic LX?
 
sequoias said:
Honda Civic LX has less power, but I don't know if it's enough power for you. I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX coupe.
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then I'm gong look for EX.

What about Civic DX?
 
I found out that Civic DX don't have power window.

Is it safer to buy used car at more than 100,000 miles?
 
For me, I will decide whether to buy brand new or used in about 2 years from now.

Paint job? It won't be cheap, I would estimate $2k.
 
diehardbiker said:
For me, I will decide whether to buy brand new or used in about 2 years from now.

Paint job? It won't be cheap, I would estimate $2k.
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I need car so badly because I don't want demand on my relative's car.
 
What about VW Jetta? any pros and cons?
 
Foxrac said:
What about VW Jetta? any pros and cons?
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Heard good things about VW Jetta some time ago but it's pricey (to buy anew) but used... hmm?! Need to check its record and consumer reports on Jettas.

My friend's wife once wanted that car but it was bit too exp for her to buy a new Jetta at the time.

I know what types you meant to seek... $8K, I think you could find good ones less than 100K miles if luck... if so, I would only recommend Toyota cars which can unquestionably meet your requests esp mileages and longevity.

Recommend to check autotrader.com which helped me lot.

Good luck, Foxrac!
 
i would suggest test driving it and then taking it to your regular mechanic shop and ask them for their opinion. they will tell you if the car is any good and predict what things need to be fixed in the future so you have a good ball park figure of what you will be spending. because you know those car dealers are always bullshitting people and your mechanic will be honest.
 
I might be outdated BUT I once owned VW Jetta Diesel, they are damn good on diesel (55-60MPG), and nope it is not Turbo diesel which gets about 45 miles to gallon of diesel.

Very good on driving on curvey road, I did drove 80mph on heavy curve road, no other cars I have drove that handles that with that speed.

They are good car back then but when it comes to replacement parts and even tires, they are damn expensive! Speaking of tires, almost impossible to subsitute as I did once and it ruined the tires. That was back in 80's. For example a brake cable, its only 3 feet long guy wire with just special bolt on ends, its not fancy one and can be easily made and it cost whopping 89 dollars! If I had machine shop, I could make it for less than 5 dollars. Brake pads, cost me 125 dollars and it looks pretty much similiar to my Jeep which cost me only 20 dollars.

I am not sure about current VW, so Im just giving ya what I experienced back in 80's and it could change.

Foxrac said:
What about VW Jetta? any pros and cons?
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Understandable,

My advise to start with, if you can come up with $2,000 dollars then buy car with 2,000 dollars and deal with repairs as replacement of monthly payments because you usually won't have to repair every month. It is STILL alot cheaper than car payment.

But if you can afford 200 dollars car payment with no problem, then I'd go for Honda.

Im sorry, I know I owned Jeep which is 100% American made, I am good at fixing it and keep it running. There are plenty of drivers that are not good at fixing them, it is more expensive to keep sending car to shop that is why they go for Honda that got hallmark of quality.

I hope that UAW employees wakes up and start to worry about quality of their work and get their cars improved... that is part of their job security, and they flunked, look what mess they got themselves into.

Foxrac said:
I need car so badly because I don't want demand on my relative's car.
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Foxrac said:
I need car so badly because I don't want demand on my relative's car.
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damn that sux! i know how it feels to borrow someone's car all the time..... good luck with your purchase!
 
I agreed, I can't image living without cars! No way I can keep my sanity if I lose my vehicle.

DHB

Jiro said:
damn that sux! i know how it feels to borrow someone's car all the time..... good luck with your purchase!
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diehardbiker said:
I agreed, I can't image living without cars! No way I can keep my sanity if I lose my vehicle.

DHB
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Yup, I did experience that for 6 weeks (mid-March and May) without a vehicle due to a Jeep broke-down before purchasing a new Mustang... pain in the neck and no fun for sure! lol
 
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