Cheap Used Car for Less than $2,000 (rental, luxury, sedan, coupes)

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I would get an early 90's Toyota Camry as it would fit what you want perfectly. They are very reliable, good on gas, big enough inside, and cheap to maintain. I looked in your area and found many of them for well under $2,000.

1994 Toyota Camry LE (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2624494332.html - broken link)

1993 Toyota Camry (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2624265121.html - broken link)

92 camry green light nothing is wrong with it (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2612825351.html - broken link)

1992 toyota camry le (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2623939215.html - broken link)

I like the camry and I know its a very reliable car. Thanks for the links

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by DCmum

Yeh I will think about that. However, if I have to spend 4k for the volvo, I'd rather save that money and in 3 more months, I'd be able to get something for 6k

Don't fall into the trap that any $6K car is completely "better" than every $4K car. Not necessarily true.

You can find a servicable but unfashionable car, or a car with high miles that scare people away but still in good condition, etc. for less money than a more popular car that is actually in worse condition.

[bmwguydc]

The RL you listed might be a good car, but two things need to be checked initially. The mileage is not listed, so it could be quite high, and then there's the salvage title history. You would need to investigate the vehicle to know what kind of damage was sustained, and if it was repaired properly.

The Civic looks good for $2100, but no mileage listed. Civics, Integras, Accords, etc. routinely go over 200k miles with minimal repairs if the vehicle is maintained per the manual. Some Civics, Integras, RSXs, etc. were modified by racers, so be sure to buy an original spec vehicle as some custom problems would not be worth the trouble.

I would skip the 2000 Elantra as Hyundais of that vintage are not as reliable as later examples, especially the Camrys that LVD recommended, which I agree are a good bet. The guy who sells reconditioned Volvos in Fairfax, Oskuie Service Center, has two Camrys listed on his website. One of them only has 77k on it, low for a 1993, but the asking price is just under $5k. The other one is just under $4k and has had a replaced engine.

ETA: One of the Integras I saw is no longer listed. Guess it was a good buy. The other one is a coupe, so that would not be ideal with a car seat.

[bmwguydc]

I took a look at Baltimore CL and found a couple of cars you might consider:

1995 Toyota Camry (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2599270476.html - broken link)

1994 TOYOTA CAMRY (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2593853839.html - broken link)

1994 Toyota Camry XLE V6 SUPER CLEAN!!! (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2623584113.html - broken link)

Honda Accord (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2624331544.html - broken link)

1999 HONDA ACCORD $3000 (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2619017027.html - broken link)

[MustangEater82]

Is he weary of the "nice" cars going that cheap, reliable cars can be money pits.

I have hears civics suck with babyseata no experience I just asked when I was car shopping.

Just something to think about, 2 doors are not that bad with a babyseat, especially if its a big 2 door. I have a camaro and a car seat. I open the door, the passenger seat folds forward, I lean inn it and put my kid in. Actually easier then 4 door cars imo... And I am 6'5". I mean I want a 4 door but couldn't pass up the deal on this car. But its easier then small 4 door cars.

You could give v6 Camaros and Mustang a try, ok on gas, are around that pricerange, not horridly unreliable. Cheap to maintain.

Is trust a 99 camaro with 100k over. 92' Camry with 175k

Sent from my autocorrect butchering device.

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Don't fall into the trap that any $6K car is completely "better" than every $4K car. Not necessarily true.

You can find a servicable but unfashionable car, or a car with high miles that scare people away but still in good condition, etc. for less money than a more popular car that is actually in worse condition.

That is true, sometimes the xtra is due to a "better looking" car as opposed to "better performing" but I guess since I'm a female, looks kinda matter too, but just a little bit

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

The RL you listed might be a good car, but two things need to be checked initially. The mileage is not listed, so it could be quite high, and then there's the salvage title history. You would need to investigate the vehicle to know what kind of damage was sustained, and if it was repaired properly.

The Civic looks good for $2100, but no mileage listed. Civics, Integras, Accords, etc. routinely go over 200k miles with minimal repairs if the vehicle is maintained per the manual. Some Civics, Integras, RSXs, etc. were modified by racers, so be sure to buy an original spec vehicle as some custom problems would not be worth the trouble.

I would skip the 2000 Elantra as Hyundais of that vintage are not as reliable as later examples, especially the Camrys that LVD recommended, which I agree are a good bet. The guy who sells reconditioned Volvos in Fairfax, Oskuie Service Center, has two Camrys listed on his website. One of them only has 77k on it, low for a 1993, but the asking price is just under $5k. The other one is just under $4k and has had a replaced engine.

ETA: One of the Integras I saw is no longer listed. Guess it was a good buy. The other one is a coupe, so that would not be ideal with a car seat.

I always ask about mileage & title and you're right, usually when they don't list the mileage its because its high so that's something to think about. I won't be looking for customized cars, just originals especially since Im looking to resell it later on. Great deals on the Camrys though

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

I took a look at Baltimore CL and found a couple of cars you might consider:

1995 Toyota Camry (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2599270476.html - broken link)

1994 TOYOTA CAMRY (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2593853839.html - broken link)

1994 Toyota Camry XLE V6 SUPER CLEAN!!! (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2623584113.html - broken link)

Honda Accord (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2624331544.html - broken link)

1999 HONDA ACCORD $3000 (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2619017027.html - broken link)

Thanks, I will check them out

[DCmum]

Originally Posted by MustangEater82

Is he weary of the "nice" cars going that cheap, reliable cars can be money pits.

I have hears civics suck with babyseata no experience I just asked when I was car shopping.

Just something to think about, 2 doors are not that bad with a babyseat, especially if its a big 2 door. I have a camaro and a car seat. I open the door, the passenger seat folds forward, I lean inn it and put my kid in. Actually easier then 4 door cars imo... And I am 6'5". I mean I want a 4 door but couldn't pass up the deal on this car. But its easier then small 4 door cars.

You could give v6 Camaros and Mustang a try, ok on gas, are around that pricerange, not horridly unreliable. Cheap to maintain.

Is trust a 99 camaro with 100k over. 92' Camry with 175k

Sent from my autocorrect butchering device.

I am a "she" by the way ( thought the mum on my screen name would give it away, but I guess not )

I never thought about a 2 doors and the main reason is the car seat, I just thought it would be too much work to carry the baby, move the seat and do all the xtra work that would require, just thought a 4 doors would be easier to manage with a toddler, but who knows, I've never tried a 2 doors before.

[Vinsanity]

A coworker at my old job had a 2-door with a kid seat in the back; she usually drove with the front passenger seat tilted forward and slid to the front, though, so it's still not ideal