buying cars

[Jon Miller]

ok

I have never had a car before

but I would like one

but no next to nothing about one

could people give me advice on what to look for and how to shop?

I want one so that I can go shopping when I like, go to the launderymat when I like, go hiking when I like, and go to church when I like (And also not walk through 40 minutes of rain to get to the physics builidng when it is raining)

I am more thna willing to walk most places that I need to go, just somethings are too far, or would require me to carry too much

I would like something cheap but easy

I live in the suburbs of DC in Maryland

I think it is usually best, if you know something about cards, to get one from a private person

if you don't, it is best to buy one new

I don't know hardly anything about cards, but don't have the money to buy one new (they are sort of a low priority for me, always have been)

Jon Miller

[Jon Miller]

sometimes I assume other people know what I am thinking

to make it clear

I would like advise by people with more life expereince in this field than I

thank you

Jon Miller

[LTEC!]

getting the car depends mostly on what you have budgeted to spend.

[Jon Miller]

as little as possible?

probably arround 1000 right now, maybe more later in teh summer

jon Miller

[Apocalypse]

Yugo.

Seriously. They're nice cars, and the used ones you'll find are sometimes Fiat hybrids.

[Asher]

[Jon Miller]

two (at least) of my family members have gotten cars for less than 1000 that treated them fairly well

I want to do something like that

Jon Miller
(if I wanted to spend money on a car (and had the dough to spend) I would buy a Mini Cooper)

[Asher]

In my not so humble opinion, for a used car you'd be far better off with a reliable Japanese car over anything else (Honda, Toyota, Nissan to a lesser extent).

[Solly]

A Lada is a good runner.

[Provost Harrison]

Ditto Asher...my mother has had a lot of old Nissan cars and they are still very reliable...the same goes for other old Japanese cars. An old Yugo That is just asking for trouble...

[Cruddy]

My advice is - do a tour of the local sales rooms and ask for a few test drives.

Even if you have no intention of buying that car, it might give you some idea of what you will be happy with (or unhappy with).

Read the literature - there's an awful lot of do's and don'ts. And you can access most of it on the Web. Again, that should give you some ideas of what you are looking for.

You are in the lucky position of not being in a hurry to get one. That's going to save you a lot of bread - you can afford the time to work out exactly what you want, and then you can go about finding one that's for sale AT THE RIGHT PRICE.

[Jon Miller]

hmm

as for what I want, I can't get it

as for what is usable, I would expect most anything (I have driven freinds cars, I notice a difference but nothing that is important)

what I am happy with
under 1000
no major maintenance (minor is fine)
runs well
good gas mileage

what I am unhappy with
breaks down soon after (problems with transmission or other major parts)
expensive
horrid gas mileage
runs poorly

Jon Miller

[Jon Miller]

I mean other things might be nice (AC, Heat, and the like), but are not really neccesary (actually heat is, but you get the idea))

couldn't care less about a radio or CD-player

I guess I would care about the upholstery (wouldn't want it falling apart on the inside)

automatic would be another mild preference, but it is not that important (and Autos are more expensive)

Jon Miller

[Provost Harrison]

I'd be lost without my aircon nowadays

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Buy German or Japanese.

Both reliable, though Japanese edges ahead on this front. German holds it's value better, however.