  Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 418 Registered: 07-2008 |
I almost hate to ask this, because its so hard to find a GOOD reliable used car at a cheap price, but I need to try again. I've gotten ripped off a few times already, esp. on craigslist, so I don't mess with them for large purchases like cars. Sometimes people have "extra" cars that are in good condition, but they just haven't gotten rid of it for whatever reason. Sometimes you just know someone with a car that they just want to get out of their driveway, but it runs great. I'm looking for something clean, safe, and reliable, for less than $1400. Four doors, preferably, no sports cars since I have kids to transport. May be a tough order to fill, but I thought I'd ask anyway! Just let me know if you know of or see anything in your daily travels, or if you know of a good honest reputable dealer that you've dealt with in the past. Thanks in advance. | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 705 Registered: 06-2005 |
I come across a few deals on occasion so I'll keep an eye out. My advice is to try local searches on Ebay Motors. I've bought and sold many vehicles through Ebay and the feedback system does help weed out the shady sellers. | ||
Eriedearie Member Username: Eriedearie Post Number: 3594 Registered: 08-2007 |
Chrissy - give http://detroit.kijiji.com/f-Ca rs-vehicles-Cars-over-5K-W0QQC atIdZ100028 - a try. My son and daughter-in-law found a terrific van through this site. Good luck! | ||
N7hn Member Username: N7hn Post Number: 169 Registered: 02-2008 |
Mag Motor Sales Inc Address: 26150 Grand River Ave, Redford, MI 48240 Phone: (313) 255-2690 Ive gotten several cars from here, always reasonable and he is an honest guy, good luck | ||
Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 429 Registered: 07-2008 |
Thanks for the tips! I'd forgotten about kijiji, and for some reason I assumed ebay motors was really expensive but there's some reasonable deals there too. I'll also check out Mag Motors tomorrow, wish they had a website! Thanks again! | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1993 Registered: 08-2006 |
I bought my pick up truck at this place. I highly recommend it if you need a no frills car cheap: http://www.midwestautoauction. com/ | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 1352 Registered: 11-2003 |
I got a car there too once at the same place Cambrian did, was a good deal. | ||
Purpleheart Member Username: Purpleheart Post Number: 51 Registered: 01-2009 |
Try the Auction up on 13 mile and Grosebeck. You buy a car off the lot there and get financing also without going through the bidding process. Or do your homework and join in on the auction and get the very same car hundred's or thousand's cheaper. But check it out before auction, bring a friend who knows cars and take 'em to lunch on the way there. I've got a couple of cars there real cheap and run great, Ex; 97 Chevy Cavalier low-low miles 2200.00 and a 2003 Escape 4x4 low miles 3200.00 | ||
Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 458 Registered: 07-2008 |
What other fees do they charge if you win a bid, besides the cost of the car? I read a bunch of additional fees that kind of turned me off but I see a list of fees at the Volunteers of America too, and I can't tell if they really charge all of that or if they're just warning you that its possible, for whatever reason. That one is really close to my house.... | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 2011 Registered: 08-2006 |
I think my fees where about $150. If you go on a bid night you'll notice that some of the cars don't meet their reserves or get no bids. You can approach the owners' after wards and make them an offer, that's how I got my truck for $1000. It kept cycling through the auction with no bids on it. | ||
Moetown Member Username: Moetown Post Number: 30 Registered: 07-2008 |
Craigslist, is by far the best place to find a car, cheap or otherwise. I've bought cars off of craigslist from as far away as washington dc, twice, knoxville tn, and chicago, flew in and drove them home. It helps to know a mechanic or be one, I was. Stay away from dealers and people selling more than one car. Buy a car that has been owned by the person selling it for a minimum of 2 years, and check the date on the title to verify. Look until you find a car with newer tires/brakes, that has had regular maintenance with the reciepts. 1400.00 or less will get you a pretty good car with just a little searching. | ||
Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 521 Registered: 07-2008 |
I've been ripped off twice by people on Craigs List, I'm afraid to try them again. I don't have a mechanic or anyone that really knows cars, so I'm kind of flying on faith. I would think a dealer would be more reliable since they would be concerned about the BBB and/or bad publicity and being sued. But a private seller can just say "As/Is" and walk away scot-free. It's so hard to trust anybody these days. But the last car I bought from CL, this guy acted so religious, even told me, "have a blessed day" after he took my money, and he was huge fraudulent liar. My blood pressure is rising again just remembering him! | ||
Moetown Member Username: Moetown Post Number: 31 Registered: 07-2008 |
Craigs, is still the best source to buy cars or anything else for that matter, as far as number of ads per day. It also brings with it an increased number of low lifes, outright scams, and what I call mini dealers or people that fix up junkers and resell them, this includes the smaller corner dealers. I would never ever, ever, ever buy a used car from a "used car only" dealer. A new/used car dealer is different because they at least have to answer to the manufacturer. The movie "used cars" is closer to reality than people think. When I am looking for a car, I avoid warren, roseville, and 313 area codes, just too many junk fixers/resellers. Avoid people that use religion in car sales, many of my worst car experiences as a buyer and mechanic came from people hiding behind a bible. Some cars just don't make good used cars, period. By that I mean, once they hit 100,000 miles they are not reliable or just need too many repairs. At the top of the avoid list is a ford taurus, good new car, NOT a good cheap used car. The safest buy would probably be any honda 4 door from 1990 on up, they can go over 200,000 plus easily. The 2 doors are just as good, but are very popular with kids and tend to be driven harder. They sell quick, but can be found in the 1000 to 1600 range. I was a mechanic from 1978 until 1998, and a service manual writer/technical writer for GM and chrysler the last 10 years. | ||
Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 522 Registered: 07-2008 |
Great, great advice - thank you so much. I always see Tauruses and they're always over 100k miles in my price range! I also worry about buying from new/used dealers though because I wonder if they're just reselling something they just took in in trade, usually without doing much of an inspection. You have to figure the person trading it in just wanted to get rid of it quickly too. I'll take another look at CL because my son needs a used car too and he's not as picky as I am. | ||
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c Post Number: 744 Registered: 11-2003 |
http://detroit.craigslist.org/ zip/1084285302.html Better get a-callin... | ||
Sumas Member Username: Sumas Post Number: 843 Registered: 01-2008 |
Funny, I drive a Taurus that is 12 years old. It's been very reliable. It's very very low milage for it's age. Under 70,000. I expect I'll start seeing the usual wear and tear bills soon like muffler and belts. Another friend bought a 1997 Taurus used and was happy with it. It got stolen so he bought another one. | ||
Moetown Member Username: Moetown Post Number: 32 Registered: 07-2008 |
A Taurus is a fine car up to 80-90k miles. I would never buy a used beater taurus in the 1400.00 price range, as they would have over 100k and up miles. The auto transmissions in them just do not last much past 80k, compared to other vehicles. The first 70,000 miles is easy, the next 70k is harder and more repairs, this goes for any vehicle. | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 341 Registered: 03-2005 |
Moetown, your post as a mechanic is really educational to me. I too am looking for a used car - more in the $6,000 range - and will take your information with me. I love the DYForum. The useful bits of information are priceless. | ||
Chrissy_snow Member Username: Chrissy_snow Post Number: 543 Registered: 07-2008 |
Unfortunately, in my price range, most cars are over 100k. But now I can go up to $2500 - but less would be better, of course! What about Contours/Mercury Mystiques? I see a lot of used Fords for sale. I've never owned a Ford so I'm kind of skeptical that I may not have a "feel" for the car and might not be able to recognize when something is wrong. Eric, whatever that ad was it got flagged, so it must have not been legit - wish I could have seen it! I did see a nice Honda on CL the other day but it was too good to be true. I emailed the person and they responded with some story about it being in storage in CA and they would ship it to me upon payment, LOL. | ||
Moetown Member Username: Moetown Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2008 |
Nothing wrong with fords at all, I have owned many, and my current hooptie is a 91 merc tracer with 160k miles and manual trans, with the optional rust package. I paid 200.00 for it a little over 2 years ago, and have put about 30k miles on it. I like contours less than a taurus for the same reason, the auto transmissions are not a great design and are problematic above 80k miles. The same is true for an escort/tracer with the auto trans. A 1991 and newer four door or station wagon escort/tracer with a manual trans, and under 120k miles is hard to beat for value, 700.00 to 1100.00, gets you a dependable car. 1500-1900.00 will get you a nice honda, but they will usually sell the same day the ad is posted, very popular cars, as the scammers have found out. Dhugger, plenty of good deals for 6k, I have seen a few new cars advertised in the 7 to 9k range. |
