Car Shopping

"glemon" (glemon) 02/20/2020 at 20:50 • Filed to: None

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Not the fun kind, my son needs wheels to get to work, cheapest reasonable chance of being reliable vehicle we can find kind of shopping. Look at a 2002 Corolla, 96,000 miles, owner says it “uses a little oil” I have read and this seems to be a common issue with these, and if you are comfortable “adding a little oil” will still run forever. Some scuffs and scrapes, nothing major. Runs and drives fine I guess, everything seems a little loosey goosey to me, not in a falling apart way, just a soft cushy way.

Anyway, gist of my question, Edmunds lists these miles and average condition at about $1300. I am cheap, but I think, that is crazy cheap. I have shopped cheap cars for years and reasonable miles, good mechanicals seems to start at about $3 grand if you are lucky around here. That is what the guy is asking. Are the online price tools that out of line?

BTW, car is tiny by now standards. My IS300 d warfs it, but the IS is about the same size as the current Corolla.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > glemon 02/20/2020 at 21:31

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Honestly look at Buick’s with the 3800 series 2, they are cockroaches will run forever, try to find the be owned by the cliche little old lady.

You’d be amazed how nice of a car you can get for $1500 or less

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > glemon 02/20/2020 at 21:32

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I always recommend them as cheap reliable transport and have experience as I own one and have done since 2013....but, if you can find one in decent shape with a decent price...2006-2010 Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio?

Not amazing in terms of performance and all that, of course, but they are very reliable basic DD transport. Parts are cheap if there are any issues and both cars share the same platform, so same engine/drivetrain, etc. You’ve got your choice of body style too....sedan for either, 2-door hatch for the Accent or 4-door hatch for the Rio? 4-speed Auto or 5-speed manual on either as well. 1.6L, 110hp, I get fuel economy in the mid-to- low 6L/100km range consistently.

Feel free to ask me any questions! :)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > glemon 02/20/2020 at 21:33

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Allow me to try to talk you out of that Corolla.

Early 1ZZ-FE’s are notorious for excessive oil consumption. It’s better to buy something ‘06 or later (hence why I got an ‘08 Not-a-Corolla). And you might be thinking yeah what’s a little oil. Well, expecting a teen - a responsible teen - to check the dipstick often is not crazy, but not ideal. Further, the random quarts of oil eat into those precious fuel savings.

My two cents.

[sits down]

glemon > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/20/2020 at 21:48

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I just had a similar conversation with my wife, keeping the oil topped up shouldn’t be too hard, especially if you know it is an issue, but, yeah, you make a very valid point.

Thanks for the tips.

Also looked at a 2008  Fit, which seem to be very solid all around, have personal experience with them, but the one I looked at was pretty roached out.

glemon > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 02/20/2020 at 21:54

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I am aware of the legend of the 3800 , but not real familiar, are there model years to look for? I know they made them for a long time.

Yeah, ideally you find a car owned by old lady, man, couple who don't drive much and had it maintained, those usually go pretty fast.

glemon > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 02/20/2020 at 21:57

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Hadn't specifically targeted those, but yeah, fits the bill for what we are looking for.

atfsgeoff > glemon 02/20/2020 at 21:59

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Automotive bottom-feeder here. Good running cars aplenty in the sub-$2000 range, you just have to look for the ones with cosmetic damage and/or completely boring. Like old Volvos.

Nibby > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:01

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get him a 90s-early 2000s benz or BMW , what could go wrong?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:03

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First-gen Fits didn’t have stellar build quality, but it’s still a Honda . Second gens are great, but unfortunately for you used prices will reflect that. I guess there’s no perfect used cheap car.

Y ou can’t go (too) wrong with a ‘05/ 6-’08 Corolla/Vibe/Matrix. They have no value with high mileage so they’re affordable. You’ll crack 30 miles per gallon. I’ve replaced 4 bulbs, radiator fan (sad plastic, luckily cheap), and the DRL module (2 screws, under the steering wheel) over 62,000 miles.

Other ideas:
- Cobalt XFE coupe
- Neon
- 2009 Accent

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Nibby 02/20/2020 at 22:07

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He becomes "one of us"?

glemon > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/20/2020 at 22:16

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Thanks, I had a bad experience with a Matrix, many years ago, involving flying in to drive it home, newer car, clean Carfax, what could go wrong? Lots, lots could go wrong, not the car’s fault, bad dealer, wrecked and poorly repaired car, clean Carfax.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:17

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Late 90s To mid 2000s are the sweet spot, there is a saying the 3800 will run poorly longer than most cars run at all. Biggest thing to check on the series ii is the egr tube it can fail and dump coolant in the intake. Especially common where it gets very cold. Ther was a recall iirc. The regals are nice but the lesabre and park avenue are land yacht esque and very comfortable

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:18

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Oh no :(

Nibby > BaconSandwich is tasty. 02/20/2020 at 22:19

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for better or for worse

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 02/20/2020 at 22:24

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Dammit, you are making me want a park ave ultra...

glemon > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/20/2020 at 22:33

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Out the price of plane ticket, long ago, not the end of the world-wanted a Matrix with a manual, kind of a rare bird, around here at least.

glemon > Nibby 02/20/2020 at 22:34

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You quickly discover why you can buy them so cheap?

Chariotoflove > Nibby 02/20/2020 at 22:35

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Much worse. 

Chariotoflove > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:38

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You didn’t ask this, but I’m thinking of safety. The smaller and older a car, the less safety gear in general. Granted I don’t know much about the Corolla of that generation, but something newer with more air bags, etc for a teen sounds better to me. 

Nibby > glemon 02/20/2020 at 22:52

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ye i always tell people “ok so you buy a cheap used luxury car but you will still have to pay maintenance for an expensive luxury car

glemon > glemon 02/20/2020 at 23:21

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Geez , leave it to Jalops, I can tell you guys are swimming in familiar waters. 

glemon > Chariotoflove 02/20/2020 at 23:24

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So a big Buick?  Seriously, I do see your point.  However, my son has been driving a while, just at a place in his life where he needs a little help.  Safety is important, but he is not a new driver.

thatsmr > glemon 02/21/2020 at 00:34

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I’d not rely on edmunds or anyone for valuation of wholesale level vehicles. If i was in your place, i’d go (in order) best overall Camry in $ range followed by accord, any 3800 gm v6, older sonata any powertrain.. you will know when you find an honest seller with an above average vehicle at an average price          

glemon > thatsmr 02/21/2020 at 01:49

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Sonata is a good idea, Hondas and Toyotas always seem to command a premium that the also solid Hyundai's don't.

Long_Voyager94 > glemon 02/21/2020 at 07:07

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Buying a Corolla is a terrible idea, unless you enjoy dying a little everytime you drive.

Buying a Corolla that burns oil is even worse.

Keep searching, cheap/reliable doesn’t have to mean “kill me a little everytime I drive”

Long_Voyager94 > thatsmr 02/21/2020 at 07:08

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3800 GM is a great idea and they can be had for around $1500 all day.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 02/21/2020 at 08:08

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They are cheap to fix, there are plenty of parts available, everyone will work on them, they are comfortable, sure GM interiors weren’t great but lay 90s early 2000 GM was pretty good.

If you need dirt cheap transportation they make a lot of sense. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 02/21/2020 at 08:10

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Didnt the Ultra get the SC 3800 as well?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 02/21/2020 at 10:25

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Yep, it did. The 1996 Park Avenue Ultra has been a strong want of mine since Hoovie bought one. It’s the last year of the quality Park Avenue, first year of the series 2 SC 3800.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > glemon 02/21/2020 at 17:26

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Cool, I’ve got along swimmingly with mine. :)