What should i expect if im buying a $2000 car
 

i was hoping to save enough money and buy something that i actually wanted to buy but i havent been able to do as good of a job saving money as i have before. So anyways i was just wondering what should i be expecting when looking for a $2000 car???

over 200,000km or around?

also i belive i've asked before but this as when i was going to be putting more money down, what kind of car do you think i should be searching for?????

my parents are telling me i should save around $1500 and just put a down payment on a car, has anyone done this and had regrets about it. I'm thinking about doing this myself but then im worried about what if i dont want the car anymore is it hard to get rid of///and if im not working as much its probably going to be hard to make payments

but anyways any help would be appreciated:thumbsup:

I bought a 1987 Toyota Cressida from an RS'er for $400 a couple of months ago. Not quite the $2000 your budget is, but it sure as hell was in the condition of one worth that much. So far, I've done an oil change, changed out the spark plugs, replaced a serpentine belt and had the tires rotated (due to better treaded tires not being on the rear)/changed out with ones that came with the car (due to an incorrect profile tire being mounted), all within the last 500km. Mechanically the car is solid, but I believe I'm leaking a bit of oil on a somewhat fresh engine. I could use new shocks, but I'm gonna wait until I can get new wheels to do that. I also gotta get around to changing my brake fluid, but I haven't noticed too many issues when it comes to braking.

Basically, most people after me will say to watch out for rust, electrical/mechanical issues, and common problems with the car in question. You may also need a budget set aside to take care of basic maintenance if needed. For the most part, $2000 can get you a decent car with little rust and mechanical issues if you know how and where to look.

bring someone that knows about cars with you for every car you are interested in.

I would just save up another G and buy the EK that was posted on here.

when I was in the process of buying my first car, mom also told me to take the money i saved towards paying full out on a 2nd hand car and put it towards a down payment.

however I didn't want to pay monthly payments on top of the monthly insurance payments, would've been too much for my student budget.

you just said that you're job currently doesn't pay good enough so I wouldnt take the risk of going into a legal contract of monthly payments for 24/36/48 months.

i'd def. NOT get a financed/leased car with a student budget unless you are going to be powered by daddy.

i bought my first car for 4k - 95 honda hatch with 170000kms. i've been driving it since 05, and now it has 244000kms. did the usual timing belt, water pump maintainance at 200000k. the crank shaft pulley broke and i had to replace that - and besides that havn't had any major repairs.

car does not burn any oil - and i don't see any rust spots.


stick to an import, im sure it'll treat you well- domestic will only get you cheap parts...

Thanks for the advice hopefully I can find something pretty decent. One of my dads friends has a ford escort but he hasn't been driving it and it's been sitting for I don't k ow how long he said I could take it and see how much it would cost to fix but I don't k ow if it's worth it, something thats been sitting in one spot for a long time doesn't seem like something I want to be stuck with. Unless someone has had the same experience and it turned out good maybe I'll give it a try.
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stay away from domestics for that budget.

many many solid imports at that price

^ truth!

for a car around that budget, you should get a Japanese car. Make sure you ask the seller when was the last time he/she did the timing belt, serp belt, tensioners, waterpump, and alternator. Those things will usually need to be replaced for a car over 10 years old......maybe the brakes too. I bought a 7 year old car and I had to change the rotors because the car would shake when I braked.

You should be able to find a decent Intgera or Accord. Like others have said, domestics/euros are quite problematic as they get older.

Either way don't expect a perfect car for $2000.

Financing a new/used car is financially straining. I bought a new SiR back in my younger days and man did I struggle just to pay it off. $500+/month + gas + insurance. I wasn't even in school just working full time making a tad over min wage.

So like they said, unless you have family backing, a new car has it's headaches. You'll likely be financing for 3+ years. You'll be working so hard just to pay the car off that you won't have much of a social life :p

damn eh, 500 thats crazy shit yea i wouldnt really want that, im going to see how much i have before january comes around and i might try and pick up something for the winter or just keep working until feb/march and maybe i'll have an extra grand or 2 to spent. definitely going import tho, thanks for the tips:D

Watch the trannie.

expect to have extra cash in your pocket in case something goes wrong and needs repair

+1, solid advice, check the fluid and see if the owner has kept an updated record or can tell you if they had done any changes.

Just curious i recently saw a BMW that was posted on here but it sadly got sold before i could pick it up, anyways just wondering what your guys thoughts where on euro cars???

the only thing im worried about is prices on parts

Euros tend to be more expensive to fix and maintain in comparison to cars made from the US or Japan.

For example, my friend bought a BMW for about 3 grand , then trannie died, now it costs about 2 grand for a new trannie and now it is just sitting outside in the yard for months untouched wondering what to do either sell it or fix the trannie but it might not even be worth fixing.

Get a civic. You can watch youtube videos on how to fix anything. Engines are $100-$200. Parts are readily available. People on vancouvercivics.com will do labour much cheaper than a shop.

Do not finance anything. A car is a depreciating asset. You lose on interest and depreciation. Newer cars are more expensive to fix. Would you rather scratch your civic or your bmw?

From a financial standpoint there is no better car than a civic. Whatever you buy use a stock muffler please.

^^^ thanks for the civic link

Just had another question but ifni was to save up, for anyone hear that has a Nissan 300zx i was just wondering how was it to drive / maintainance and all that because this was a car that I originally really wanted to get but thought it was way out o my price zone but if I don't find something I like maybe in could pick this up after all. Anyways anyone have any thoughts I'm probaly guessing that a civic is going to probably be better than anything else but figured I'd see how far off this car is.

Thanks

I also forgot to ask me and my dad where talking about me and my mom splitting a leased car do u guys think it's possible to get a car at $0 down at around $200 per month , I think I've seen this at some places but I'm not sure about any side catches u don't hear about.

You could probably get that but you have to have awesome credit or you'll most likely be paying 20% interest at least lol

Also.. the price range you're looking for is not worth financing or they will extend the term to 5-7 years. Watch out for those. If you're in school, be smart and drive a beater. PLenty of good beaters around.

Any car new or old comes with "the cost of ownership" a monthly can kill you financially just like maintenance can. But there's nothing worst then the bitter realization of a monthly payment being pissed away in depreciation. Especially when financial woes come into play and you owe more then its worth and unless you've got a huge down payment thats the reality of every car for the first 3 to 4 years of ownership.
Even if you buy a late model used car with a down of 2 grand you could be subject to the same fiscal reality because of insane interest rates.
So if your fine with an older car save 2 grand a buy one it may need some maintenance and it may need it more frequently then a late model used car but it will still be worth 2 grand next year and wont be killing you in interest and depreciation.

this should probably be closed now, i ended up getting a 06 civic already its been maybe a month and a half. :D