Discouraged

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 05/02/2016 at 21:39 • Filed to: None

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As a lot of you have probably seen from my numerous posts, I’m looking for a cheap (first) car. I’m just sick and tired of seeing all these great cars (such as the 1994 Diamante Wagon I posted yesterday) selling before I even get a chance to see them. I’m busy during the week, so I have to wait till weekends, but by then, the best stuff is sold. Currently I’m the only one driving our minivan, but in about a month or so, my mom will start driving it again. So should I hold out for something interesting or settle for something more mundane?

Berang > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 21:47

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Get something you will like, or you will either be bored or just sell it right away. But on the other hand don’t hold out for something perfect, because it will probably never show up.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 21:47

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Well I know nothing of your finances, nor do I need to know, but I think get a disposable but reliable inexpensive car is a good way to start. That way you can save some more dough and bump up your budget a bit and shop without pressure and find THE most interesting car.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 21:48

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Like a ‘93 Corolla wagon. CHEAP.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang 05/02/2016 at 21:53

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Gotta earn those stripes though

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 21:55

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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 21:56

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I’ve got $3k, plus an emergency fund, 2 lawn care jobs, and 1 at a fast food restaurant. And I’ve yet to find an interesting Toyota beyond that Camry Coupe that the seller won’t get back to me on. Everything else is beige Camry, with a few silver here and there.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang 05/02/2016 at 21:56

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When I made 200 bucks a paycheck, I bought these instead

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Berang 05/02/2016 at 21:57

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Basically what I’ve been doing. I want to keep whatever I get for at least a year, so I still won’t be getting a beige Camry.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 21:58

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ouhggghghgh Camry coupe.

Well I wish you luck. Don’t give up and spend that money on something you don’t like. I mean spending 1300 on a 90s Corolla is not a bad idea because you can quickly recoup those funds whist being mobile, but spending 3k on a 1999 Camry is, because then you’re back to square one: NO FUN AND BROKE

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 21:59

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wow! two!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Berang 05/02/2016 at 22:00

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STOP THAT

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:11

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Look into a 2002 Maxima. Spankin V6 and pretty light compared to most cars today. And based on local CL, it’s within your price range!

Land_Yacht_225 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:21

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You may simply be in a position where you aren’t going to be able to buy a car from a private party. I’ve never had the time to buy a car from a private seller, and the one time I sold my own car on Craigslist it was a damn nightmare. Buyer agreed on the price, then showed up two hours late and demanded more money off. Nobody really, truthfully has time for that. That’s why I always buy from a dealer.

Shop your local dealers on Thursday and Friday, and be ready to show up at opening time for a set appointment on Saturday morning. And try to focus on cars that don’t fly off the lot. The general public is stupid, and given most people’s automotive knowledge is limited to only the classically reliable nameplates (Civic, Corolla, Accord, Camry) those will sell quickly. So try to find what we enthusiasts know are dead reliable but your average buyer doesn’t want for one reason or another.

Panther platforms - people think they’re gas guzzlers (mid-20s is more than manageable). Your average Toyota shopper will think an Avalon is too big, and shy away. It’s as reliable and again, 6 cylinder gas mileage isn’t terrible. Even an old Lexus if you’re so ambitious. An LS 400 will, as we know, run forever and ever and is as cheap to maintain these days as any domestic car would be. Anything old GM too; Bonnevilles, Park Avenues or LeSabres. That way you aren’t settling for the mundane Japanese cliche, or running up against other people for something way out in left field.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 22:21

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The thing about the 90's Corollas is that I don’t enjoy dying when I get in an accident.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:23

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Well you’re talking to the wrong guy about that sort of thing.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 05/02/2016 at 22:25

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How about this one?

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/cto/5537941941…

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/02/2016 at 22:26

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I’ve noticed.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Land_Yacht_225 05/02/2016 at 22:28

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But I’m too poor for dealers. But you are right, those are the ones to look for. Also mileage around or over 200K scares people, but maybe for good reason.

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5548589928…

http://www.babazautosales.com/2000_Toyota_Av…

http://www.babazautosales.com/2002_Toyota_Ca…

Land_Yacht_225 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:41

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https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5556215037…

Just as an example. If a 2005 is worth $4,000 with only 123k miles from a dealer, what’s a 2002 with 140k miles going to go for? Probably within your budget.

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5560640133…

Yes, high mileage. But you’re not going to be racing around in it. 2JZ-GE straight six reliability and Toyota parts availability.

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5559194380…

GM 3800 reliability and still not over the 200k mark.

It would seem in most real world examples, reliability comes from the engine not having to work particularly hard and not incurring as much wear. Just some thoughts. You can never be too poor for a dealer. I didn’t pay more than $4,000 for my Park Avenue or my Continental from dealers.

OPPOsaurus WRX > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:42

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$3k can get you into an Allroad....

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:45

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For the love of your wallet get something with a reputation of bulletproof reliability, even if it isn’t “interesting.” You’ll thank yourself later. I’d kill for a uninteresting V6 Camry right now. As much as I enjoy my M3 it's a bitch to keep going on a high schoolers budget.

OPPOsaurus WRX > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:46

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https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5560632828…

the Rangers asian cousin. Cheap and easy to work on. manual

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/5541920985…

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/5522796996…

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/5535536782…

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/5551489591…

thedevilinside > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:50

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Call me crazy but I like the 1990's Camry with newer gen wheels

Should be affordable and reliable enough/cheap to fix

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > thedevilinside 05/02/2016 at 22:52

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But sooooo boooooooring

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/02/2016 at 22:57

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Don’t want pickup, can’t drive stick, needs to be semi local (less 1 hr away) and less than $3k.

shop-teacher > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 22:59

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Car buying is a giant pain in the ass. I say hold out though, because if you settle you’ll surely find something the next day.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 23:00

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Fwiw, I enjoyed the hell out of my ex’s ‘97 V6 Camry. It actually had surprisingly good dynamics and the V6 is an absolute peach. I enjoyed it so much so I was looking at them side by side with E36s.

thedevilinside > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 23:00

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~190 hp is pretty good with the V6!

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/02/2016 at 23:04

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6th gen Accord is my new recommendation for this. My friend’s has 200k miles on it and runs pretty nice. Also, my ex back in high school totaled 2 of them and walked away unharmed both times.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/03/2016 at 07:14

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I don’t know the reliability, but Lexus is made by Toyota...?

https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ctd/5560640133…

Captain of the Enterprise > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/03/2016 at 07:41

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It won’t be boring to you because you probably aren’t biased yet. If it’s your first car you will probably love it no matter what unless it’s constantly breaking. I recently bought my 05 Corolla and love it. It’s my third car but it’s still fun for me because I had a truck and a crown Vic before this and based on my experiences it handles well and is fun. Your experience of the car will be different than anyone else’s because your biases are different. Maybe you’ll love a reliable “boring” car too. Plus there will be plenty of time for other cars later in life. your first car will be fun for you no matter what because it's freedom on four wheels and that feeling is what you'll probably remember most about it anyway.

Tristan > thedevilinside 05/03/2016 at 09:05

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It kinda looks like a Cadillac STS in that picture. I don’t hate it!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Captain of the Enterprise 05/03/2016 at 09:32

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I’ve been able to drive several cars, so I have a vague grasp at what fun is. The 1999 Camry I drove was most definitely NOT fun. This is only sorta my first, it’s more the first car that I’m buying with my own money.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 05/03/2016 at 09:34

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Yeah, definitely thinking about those. My grandparents had one, got it up to 230k, sold it to my cousin, he drove it for another 10k before someone pulled out in front of him. Other than reinjuring his ankle, he was completely fine.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > thedevilinside 05/03/2016 at 09:35

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That may be true, but they also are close to the top of my budget even with 200k+.

thedevilinside > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/03/2016 at 10:18

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I didn’t know they are still that much.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > thedevilinside 05/03/2016 at 11:53

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Yeah, the price on them is still pretty insane unless you want a 4-banger, but I don’t.

TylerLinner > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2016 at 17:53

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Stick is easy to learn! Don’t be discouraged. I bought my (first car) 5spd Mk1 Rabbit in Colorado having only a few minutes of experience with a manual months earlier. So, my parents gave me a crash course and we set off back to Minnesota.
Don’t be discouraged there. I’m sure you can find a family member or friend who used to drive stick to help you out. With 15 minutes of good instruction you’ll be driving home. :)

Oh, wait, are you in Michigan?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > TylerLinner 05/08/2016 at 17:56

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Nah, Illinois. Part of it is I also want my parents to be able to drive it, sooo...

TylerLinner > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2016 at 18:20

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Oh, bummer.
If you’re buying it with your own money, they can learn how to drive stick. ;)

If you were in the Detroit area I’d help ya out, but that’s a long drive either way.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > TylerLinner 05/08/2016 at 21:01

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Yeah that’s a bit of a drive. Also my drive to work is a bit stop and go, so a stick would get annoying.

TylerLinner > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2016 at 21:12

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Psshhh, annoying shmanoying.

Amoore100 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/09/2016 at 01:20

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Ok, so they’re not exciting, but if you’re leaning towards a beige-mobile what about this (literally) beige ‘03 Town Car? 170K miles, looks in good condition, and although I can’t testify to their durability personally, many have spoken of their bulletproof nature.

No landau roof also, so less embarrassing than Land_Yacht_225's suggested Grand Marquis!