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Old 06-04-2014, 01:31 PM
 
Location: Nashville, TN
306 posts, read 543,964 times
Reputation: 718

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Hi. I'm thinking about selling my hybrid vehicle that I own free & clear to pay off school loans. I should get about $16K for it, and would like to purchase a used but reliable car for about $6K or less. Is that too low an amount in the Denver area, or do you guys think I may be able to find something reliable in good condition for about that price ?

I don't do any mountain driving but I drive about 1,000 - 1,500 miles a month. I also do a couple out-of-state trips a year, generally about 2,000 miles round trip. It's critical that I'm on time for work and school, so really need something reliable. Am I better off just keeping the vehicle I have, or is it possible to find something decent within my price range in the Denver area ? Also, any suggestions as to where I should look ? I've been checking Craigslist.

Thanks!
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Old 06-04-2014, 01:35 PM
 
Location: 0.83 Atmospheres
11,477 posts, read 11,505,074 times
Reputation: 11976
Autotrader.com and cars.com

Honda, Toyota, or Subaru(if you want AWD)

Don't mess with anything else.

Get maintenance records if possible. Try to find one that has had a single owner.
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Old 06-04-2014, 02:39 PM
 
Location: Nashville, TN
306 posts, read 543,964 times
Reputation: 718
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyDog77 View Post
Autotrader.com and cars.com

Honda, Toyota, or Subaru(if you want AWD)

Don't mess with anything else.

Get maintenance records if possible. Try to find one that has had a single owner.

Awesome info, SkyDog77!! Thank you!
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Old 06-04-2014, 02:45 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,692 posts, read 29,691,842 times
Reputation: 33265
I would also say
Craiglslist

When I sold our BMW Z3, I placed ads both in cars.com and craigslist.
All the prospects came from craiglist and these were people who were 45+ years old.
I was surprised.
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Old 06-04-2014, 02:59 PM
 
Location: Denver
1,175 posts, read 1,280,230 times
Reputation: 1483
Do not get rear-wheel drive.
It's horrible on the snow.
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Old 06-04-2014, 03:21 PM
 
Location: Westminster, CO
123 posts, read 179,761 times
Reputation: 88
You are always taking a chance when buying a used car. It may have serious problems that are not necessarily apparent when you buy it. If I were you I'd keep my own car. Or you can buy a new car with this $16K which will have warranty and you will not have to worry about paying out of pocket expenses to fix it. Of course there will be no money left to pay off your student loan. But you want a reliable car.

This is my personal opinion based on my personal experience. Over the years I had 3 used cars and one brand new car and I know the difference.
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Old 06-04-2014, 03:27 PM
 
231 posts, read 380,711 times
Reputation: 350
If you get a Subaru and it is near 100k miles make sure it has head the timing belt replaced also ask about the head gaskets. As long as those are done it should be pretty reliable for another 100k.
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Old 06-04-2014, 06:06 PM
 
Location: Eastern Colorado
3,887 posts, read 5,734,709 times
Reputation: 5386
I would stay away from a used subaru, everybody I have talked to that bought a used one had problems with the head gaskets.

Personally I would look for something front wheel drive, and make sure to have a mechanic check it out, if you do that then for the most part you should be pretty safe.
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Old 06-04-2014, 06:33 PM
 
529 posts, read 1,543,350 times
Reputation: 683
A car like a Toyota camry is fine for the type of driving you do. I own a used one and it's fine on snow and even ok in the mountains just don't go off-roading in one of course.
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Old 06-04-2014, 06:34 PM
 
529 posts, read 1,543,350 times
Reputation: 683
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystery123 View Post
Do not get rear-wheel drive.
It's horrible on the snow.
Yes, good point!
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