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Almost ready to buy my first car this summer and since I know nothing about cars I was wondering if I could get some help. I play on reaching about 6000 just because I feel like having extra money will be important to buy plates, stickers, etc. My parents both have buicks and I've watched them get repair after repair and on my part-time budget I wont be able to afford that. So I've heard Toyota's are a great reliable brand so should I be on the lookout for an earlier model? BTW if it's important I don't have the slightest clue how to drive a stick.........thanks for any suggestions though I really appreciate it
And since I recently bought one... Ford Crown Vic. (I did manage 25mpg on the highway on a road trip where I was speeding) But this thing is pretty simple and cheap to work on. They didn't really change it much over the years since it was basically built for Cop cars, so cost of parts went down since there were less updates.
Other contenders, late 90s hondas, But watch some of the early '00 hondas. Old saturns, and if its old and high mileage I would try to get a manual car.
Something reasonable too... 4th gen Camaro, a v6 with a 5-speed, its sporty, decent on gas, and ok reliability.
Most people would not first think about it, but consider a truck.
Trucks are over built, last a long time with light maintenance.
Next choice, a Volvo. Volvos are built like trucks. Volvo started as a tractor company like Lamborghini did.
Volvos were lasting 300,000 miles when American automobiles only lasted 85,000 miles.
Most people would not first think about it, but consider a truck.
Trucks are over built, last a long time with light maintenance.
Next choice, a Volvo. Volvos are built like trucks. Volvo started as a tractor company like Lamborghini did. Volvos were lasting 300,000 miles when American automobiles only lasted 85,000 miles.
I'm glad my American cars and relatives/friends American cars (typically 170,000+ miles with original engine/trans) didn't know that!
You should also be able to find an Acura Integra within your budget, but with the Hondas, do not buy a car that has been modified under any circumstances. The Civic, Integra, and RSX (over budget) are popular with the tuner crowd, so be sure to try to find one that is owned by an adult, and has not been altered from the factory. A new radio is fine, but performance enhancements, major electrical system work, etc. can be problematic if not done professionally, and if some of the mods have been removed for separate sale or installed in another car, leaving shoddy workmanship in the car.
Honda engines in the Integra and Civic from the generations you would be considering have timing belts. You need to know the interval at which it was changed, and whether or not the car needs the service. If you buy one that's close to the service interval, or worse, over the recommended mileage/age for change, you need to factor that in the immediate future as a snapped belt will cause significant damage to the engine.
A Honda Accord is also another reliable vehicle that you should consider, but again, investigate the condition, and get a manufacturer to inspect any car that you plan to purchase.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
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