What to Look For/Good Deal?

[adam22]

Hi guys. I've been doing some research but an hoping you folks can help me out with finding a car. Here's my story...I had an 02 Intrepid that (like so many others) decided to blow up about a week ago. I'm 21, I work 30 hours a week, and I go to school. I need a cheap ride, not something that's going to require thousands to fix the engine, transmission, etc. If the car was easy to work on that'd be a bonus, since it would also help me save some money for basic repairs/replacements (serpentine belts, tie rods, stuff like that).

I've come across a 94 Camry for 675 bucks. The guy claims it runs and is in good cosmetic condition for the most part, but it's got 214k miles on an automatic transmission. I don't mind picking this up and putting down a few hundred to smooth out the ride and tune her up, but if something major fails I am totally SOL. If I check this car out, my mechanically inclined father would come with me, but I'm wondering if anyone might have an opinion on it, and could point me towards some common problems to look for or recommend certain powertains or models to avoid. I would appreciate any replies.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3447380158.html

[carsrus]

Theres no particular toyotas to avoid.

Its 675$, if it lasts you a few months your in the green. I wouldnt put in any non essential money into it though (dont spend money on the body or non mechanical items),

At this budget point your always gonna have to gamble and see whether or not your buying someones time bomb/ rust bucket.

[adam22]

My budget is basically 2k, I was looking for cars on the newer side and with lower mileage but this popped up this morning so I kbb'd it and saw it was reasonably priced, had few complaints on carcomplaints.com and had 4.5 star review on edmunds. I need something that'll last about a year (when I'm set to graduate) but hell, if it took longer to drive into the ground that'd be nice.

[eyeball96]

Your link has been flagged for removal....Did you buy it?

I suggest you have a mechanic check it out before you make your decision.

[adam22]

Not sure why it got flagged, but the guy messaged me back, though he did not give me the picture I asked for (interior). Maybe it was a quick sell I don't know...Thanks guys.

[heartdisease]

I think if it is legit go for it. For a cheap car a Camry or Corolla is about as safe as you can get barring any obvious signs of head gasket etc. The fact that the posting was flagged has me wondering if it is one of those scam posts, those too good to be true type things. Obviously they saw something fishy about it.

[adam22]

No idea, I've been on CL every day for the past week or two and haven't seen that car listed, and the person provided pictures and their phone number and mailed me back, so it all seems legit, but if they don't respond back to my second message then I suppose it doesn't much matter. My personal theory is someone was interested in it and flagged it so no one else would get a chance to see it before they went and picked it up.

[heartdisease]

That would be a rotten trick. I didn't think just anyone could do that.

[Vibe]

Originally Posted by adam22

No idea, I've been on CL every day for the past week or two and haven't seen that car listed, and the person provided pictures and their phone number and mailed me back, so it all seems legit, but if they don't respond back to my second message then I suppose it doesn't much matter. My personal theory is someone was interested in it and flagged it so no one else would get a chance to see it before they went and picked it up.

Another good vehicle to look at is a 4 cyl 5 speed ford Ranger. They are dependable, pretty cheap and easy to work on.

1998 Camry, I4, Auto, 130k. (sent from my Droid Bionic)

[adam22]

So far I've inquired about a 98 altima, 97 Ranger, 02 Saturn SL2, and this 94 Camry. These are all high mileage but clean vehicles. I'm looking for cars that are reliable and easy to work on, not necessarily something that's flashy. I've been asking on forums for advice when considering cars because I really can't afford to make a bad purchase. The Saturn people warned me of rust in certain spots (engine cradle) and to avoid a car with these problems, and sure enough the car I was interested in suffered from the rust. Come to think of it, I was interested in this 99 cougar, but the mercury folks warned me that the car was not a factory color and the bumper did not match, and the seller mysteriously disappeared when asked about these things.

I think the car was re-listed under this URL

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3447739910.html

I am, however, concerned because they never got back to me when I asked (and maybe this was a mistake) what they anticipated the car might need now or in the near future. With that said, I may just have to see if I can go look at it myself because I see several people trying to get 1500 for their 200k camry's from the same year. I don't think I'd be comfortable paying that, but at this price if it goes wrong it's probably worth at least half that price just to junk it.

[RonR]

Camry is a good choice, even high milers.
Extra weight and FWD for snow driving, pickups and RWD vehicles don't do as well.

4cyl, 5 speed is best, auto is ok on Camry's but adds to maintenance.

Since you are after a driver not a looker, body rust and dings can lower the asking price which is good for you.
Structural rust or dings(accident) would be bad.

The fewer the options the better, less to go wrong, and lower asking price, you are not buying it for resale.
Power windows can be a pain when they don't work, and it's always the drivers window that quits first, it is used the most.

Check the oil and coolant, if both look recently changed that could be good or bad.
Good because the car is well looked after, but why would they spend the money on a car they are selling?
Bad because they are hiding a problem.
If oil and coolant look used that usually means nothing to hide.

An inspection is worthwhile, but not a must have.

And as always:
"If a deal is too good to be true, then it is not true", no probably about it
Buyer beware
Beware of "stories", people selling a car are doing so because they want the money more than they want the car, that's the story, not "grandpa lost his license....., blah, blah, well care for, blah blah", you are there to buy a good car not a good story

[Vibe]

Originally Posted by heartdisease

That would be a rotten trick. I didn't think just anyone could do that.

Horrible about the incident with the Chiefs.......I heard they were considering cancelling the game but I bet they would never do that

[Vibe]

Originally Posted by adam22

So far I've inquired about a 98 altima, 97 Ranger, 02 Saturn SL2, and this 94 Camry. These are all high mileage but clean vehicles. I'm looking for cars that are reliable and easy to work on, not necessarily something that's flashy. I've been asking on forums for advice when considering cars because I really can't afford to make a bad purchase. The Saturn people warned me of rust in certain spots (engine cradle) and to avoid a car with these problems, and sure enough the car I was interested in suffered from the rust. Come to think of it, I was interested in this 99 cougar, but the mercury folks warned me that the car was not a factory color and the bumper did not match, and the seller mysteriously disappeared when asked about these things.

I think the car was re-listed under this URL

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3447739910.html

I am, however, concerned because they never got back to me when I asked (and maybe this was a mistake) what they anticipated the car might need now or in the near future. With that said, I may just have to see if I can go look at it myself because I see several people trying to get 1500 for their 200k camry's from the same year. I don't think I'd be comfortable paying that, but at this price if it goes wrong it's probably worth at least half that price just to junk it.

as cheap reliable transportation I am partial to the 1998+ I4, 5 speed 2WD Ranger. The worst thing that could go wrong is the clutch.....the engine and tranny are bulletproof.the parts are cheap and there is plenty of hep getting them fixed.....the truck is easy to work on...another good good cheap car is the Ford Focus, but you must get the ZETEC engine.....there is one on CL around you now that can be had for 2K http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3447881049.html

* Add Chevy Prizm to your list.....it is basically a Toyota corolla

[heartdisease]

Originally Posted by Vibe

Horrible about the incident with the Chiefs.......I heard they were considering cancelling the game but I bet they would never do that

I feel postponing it would be best.

[Vibe]

Originally Posted by heartdisease

I feel postponing it would be best.

me too.........but we all know it is always about money....I think they will play......They will throw the cancellation talk in there just for PR...to make it sound like they are Human...........A bad year for the Chiefs just got unimaginably worse.