Good Used Car?

[Wolverine]

This is pretty off-topic but since you're all car-guys, I'm hoping you'll have some input. My teenage daughter is in the market for her first car. We're helping her and don't want to get anything too fancy. But we also don't want a piece of junk.

Does anybody have any recommendations on where would be a source for a good, cheap, used car? We've been doing the newspaper thing, checking the online ads, and going by the places on the side of the road that we know of. But we haven't had much success so far. Since I'm a still a newbie to AZ, I don't know of any other options. We also hit a place on Glendale Ave (New Deal Used Cars, I think) but most of those looked pretty rough.

She only has about $4K to spend (she pays half - we pay half). She's interested in the typical teen car - Honda Civic type. But she's open to other options (Jetta, Cavalier, etc.). A private seller is probably her best bet but getting there first is difficult.

Any ideas?

[tryce]

Mazda Miata. I drive the dog dirt out of it and it keeps on going. When I bought it five years ago (1990 Salveged title 62k miles on the car paid 4k for it). I replaced the timing chain at 62k and at 120k not because there was a problem but because I was told to change it every 60k miles and the motor would run for ever. I always thought they were junk but then had the oppurtunity to go on a miata run with the miata club in los angeles. We went on a 4 hour run in the mountains. Rpms 5 to 7k in the twistys and after that I had much more respect for them. Not because of HP, they dont have much, just that it takes a beating and keeps on going. 132k miles on the car at present time, Its a cheep 3rd car for us.

Down side they are a small car, when I first started driving them drivers in suv's would'nt see me and I had a few near misses when they came over in my lane, clearly did not see me.
NO problem now I just pass them or at least get out of there blind spot. Fun car, responsive and very inexpensive and reliable.

10 gallon tank, 25 mpg = 250 miles for 25$

[Excaliber]

Hmmmmm,,, you know I like the idea of a Miata. My boy is closing fast on 16 and I'm thinking about what to do myself.

A single passenger will keep her\him away from much of the "peer pressure" to do something stupid. Reliable, good mileage, yeah, a Miata might be just the ticket!

Perhaps to small for some...

[need4speed]

The Cavalier/Sunfire are pretty inexpensive and low cost to maintain. My daughters each had one or the other and they have served them well through their college years. Hondas run a little high in cost but they do last a long time so higher mileage is generally OK but other than those the key with any used car is to try to find one with relatively low miles and yes, you have to act quickly to get a good deal. Another option is an old Mustang, which is really not too expensive if you get one with a 6-banger. Generally these have not been driven too hard and are also fairly economical. I am sure that there are tons of other responses that you get but whatever you end up doing, don't let her get an old VW. Yes it will run forever but the lack of AC will get old real fast. I know first hand since that is what my oldest daughter talked me into. Took her about a year to go through the "learning" process.

[EarlsflyinCobra]

Saturn makes a nice little car.....my oldest daughter wrecked hers 4 times (only one her fault) before they totaled it out...both daughters are now driving Saturns......only draw back..."NOT" a Ford......

[Terry Stapley]

I work for an automotive group that has 6 dealerships in the Phx area! I would be happy to give you a name or three to call and believe me they will treat you right!! They are quality people and you can rest assured that you will not be taken advantage of!!
PM me and I will give you my email and other info!
Terry Stapley

[REDSC400]

Wolverine:
I was in the same boat 3 years ago. After doing alot of research I opted to buy my son a used and not abused Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4 door sedan. It is very large and safe. It has a small V8 but is not really a fast car. The insurace premiums were among the lowest available as the insurance experience level on that car is fantastic.... none are stolen... as the typical owner is older.

Parts are very cheap. The body is big (alot of metal between the outside and the running gear) and visibility is wonderful.

The downside is that it looks like a cop car and the gas mileage is low in the city (16MPG) but higher on the long run (22-24).

In the snow you need to put weight in the trunk, but you may not have that problem unless you go to Flagstaff. In the Pheonix area, say Sun City, these are quite common and you could find one cheap. The 1999 model or earlier may fit you budget and the cars are generally not abused.

[EarlsflyinCobra]

I thought he wanted a USED CAR, not a LAND YATCH....he-he..just kidding.....all good advice but as stated in a previous post.......

the key with any used car is to try to find one with relatively low miles and yes, you have to act quickly to get a good deal

[dave from mesa]

I think (wow what a concept) that you should check with your insurance agent as to which car will be lower to insure and go from there.
Good luck and let us know what you did.

[WBofTN]

I recently purchased a 97 jeep Cherokee (the old style boxy looking SUV) for my 16 yr old daughter. I think it is an ideal vehicle for a first time driver. Its not too big / not too small / great visibility / sporty looking and they are very reasonably priced ( they didn’t cost much new). I found a 2WD with 35k miles for $5,500 in great shape.
WB

[HIQ]

A Miata is too damm $#@& for an inexperienced driver!

A Honda would be great but they are hard to find in that price range with less than 100K on them.

In this price range the mileage and condition of the car means more than the model.

[Excaliber]

I thought about Honda, but I suspect the insurance rates on them are pretty high. I've also considered the "BIG" car approach for safety reasons, Mercury and Jeep Cherokee fit that bill. But gas mileage is a concern. A Miata with an automatic would cut down available power a LOT, but Miatas seem rather expensive for a late model low mileage car.

So how come no one has suggested Ford Focus or an older Escort? The price is certainly right!

[Bill V]

She only has about $4K to spend (she pays half - we pay half).

Does that mean 4k total or does she put in 4k and you match with 4k?

The Corolla is as dependable a car as a Honda Civic. Mazda Proteges are pretty dependable too. I drove one for eight years and had no issues other than the a/c going out during the last year of ownership (not a good thing in Florida, ugh!).

Good luck in your search, I'm sure you'll find something decent even with 4k to spend.

Try the Auto Trader web site.

[Wolverine]

Thanks for all the info. I was actually looking for additional ideas on where and how to find a good used car. I thought maybe some of the AZ guys might know of some places or methods that are off the beaten path a little. But all this info on other options is great, too. I'll pass it on to my daughter. Since half the cash is hers, she wants a say in the type of car.

Bill V - she only has $2K saved so we're matching that for a total of $4K. She's actually a bit shy of $2K but $4K seemed like a reasonable low end. I'm actually very surprised at how little it seems like you can get for that amount of money. I'm guess I'm still thinking back to my first car. Cost me all of $300...

[Excaliber]

Eh eh,,, my first car. A 1949 Dodge "Buisness Coupe". $75 BIG dollars, I scrapped it together some how.

[Bill V]

I know what you mean. I bought a faded (it looked pink) '66 Pontiac LeMans from a wrecking yard back in the mid 70's that cost me $300.00. It didn't look too good, but I needed a car fast and didn't have much cash on hand. After a few days though, of cleaning the interior and of compounding and polishing the body, I ended up with a very sweet looking, shiny maroon LeMans with white bucket seats. I wish I still had it now.

[Wolverine]

Does anybody have any experience with a Dodge Neon? There's some in today's paper and they're not very expensive. Is there a reason they're cheap?? Aren't they basically Dodge's version of a Ford Escort?

[Scotty C]

I had purchasd a 86 Honda civic in College . It had 127k when I bought it.At first I drove it real careful......after a while i started driving it harder and harder. It would chirp the tires sometimes into third gear. You just have to make sure they dont smoke when they first start up and the previous owner / owners have some service records.
It was a great car .....I sold it to a friend with 145k....no problems ..........he sold it to an ex- girlfriend with 160k. Believe it or not I saw the car about a year ago in Tuc still going . The car had to have had at least 250k on it ........true story...........

[G.R.]

Neons had a lot of problems, electrical and mechanical. My niece bought one when she turned 16, her dad tried and tried to talk her out of it, no go. Since she was buying the car with her own money dad said OK...knowing car trouble was on the horizon.

her folks paid her insurance but she was responsible for the upkeep. Long story short by the time she was a senior the car was costing her more to own than it was worth.

Her graduation present from Mom and Dad was a new '92 red Miata.
She is still driving that car today preferring it over their new BMW or her husbands '03 Corvette

[olblue66]

YOU JUST CANT BEAT A HONDA. IT GOES AND GOES AND JUST KEEPS GOING. MY 94 HAS 250,OOO AND IT JUST KEEPS GOING.