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Where you can buy the cheapest, most reliable car?

I have two friends in dire straits. Both totaled their cars and need reliable, economical cars that cost between $1000-3000 within one month. Forget the newspaper ads. Can you get them from govt. auctions, car rental places ready to unload used cars, etc.? Which are the most reliable, cheapest, least hassle, etc.?

Update:

The focus is not on what to buy, but where you can find the cars.

13 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Many estate liquidators sell low mileage cars for highest bid that were part of an estate. Many times they are well cared for by elderly people and not really driven hard They are often worth every cent of the selling price. Look for auctioneers *not an auto auction* or estate liquidators in the phone book and ask them when their next auction is and if any cars are on the block.

  • PR
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Car rental places usually have fairly new cars. Fleet cars are also relatively new, and you can usually only get a good deal if you happen to be in the company. My daughters have found 4 cars within that price range within the last few years. They are usually cars that are about 6-10 years old, or with about 75,000 + miles on them, and we usually shoot for about 75,000 to 99,000 miles. We have purchased a couple Ford Escorts, and a Saturn. You need to go to Traderonline.com and type in your criteria. Or you can go around to smaller used car lots and tell them how much you can pay and what you are looking for. After you find a car that you think might be a good consideration, you NEED to take it to a certified mechanic, BEFORE purchasing it, and ask for a presale check. This can cost from about $35 to $50 and is well worth every penny of it. Make sure you feel you are using a mechanic that seems pretty reliable, but most will do this type of check-up. Have them check the regular things like brakes, brake lines, exhaust, cooling system, and whether it leaks oil and from where, etc. If they find problems ask for their honest opinion as to the level of concern or cost to repair. Then if purchasing the car is still a consideration, you have the things the car might need to show the seller, or at least you will know how much you might need to spend to keep it running. Most cars will need something done to them. Usually a car that is under $3,000 does not have operating A/C and might need some other repairs. There are cars out there, that might be considered pretty reliable for that price, but NEVER buy one without the mechanic check, and remember that even a good mechanic can overlook things. When purchasing an older car like this, try to keep in mind that you may need to put additional $$ into the car, and it could run from another $500 to ?? Just have the mechanic look at it!!

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Used cars can be something else,kinda like gambling. If you don't know the person you are buying from , who knows what you are getting. When you go to buy take a mechanic with you or ask if you can take to get inspected..I've bought 2 motorcycles from craigslist this past year and I got no hidden surprises but both times I took a friend with me who knew alot more about bikes than me and I got his opinion before I gave out any money. Growing up my dad had a used car lot and I wasn't always proud of him. His goal was to always get rid of the lemon of the lot first. If I was you I would ask a friend to borrow a car. If all else fails I would fly and last resort I would rent but compare prices of flying and renting , keeping in mind the mileage.

  • 1 decade ago

    The best way to get a cheap, reliable car is from an individual who drives the car every day, but doesn't want it any more. That should be obvious, but somehow you still asked, and you even said "forget the newspaper" which is, of course, where some of these cars are found.

    The government only sells cars when they don't run anymore. They will be thoroughly trashed. Don't believe me? Knock yourself out. Rental cars will be 2007 models. They're not cheap. Don't believe me? Shop til you drop. Good luck.

    P.S. You got unusually good advice in this thread. Very good answers.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Rental cars typically are quite new when they're sold, so sell for more than that. Also people abuse the hell out of rentals, so it is not generally a good idea to buy one.

    Auctions, including government auctions, are not a good place to buy a car unless you really know what you're doing. You have to know what the cars are worth, you have to know how to tell what is wrong with them, and you generally have to be able to do this without test-driving them. Basically, unless you're willing to risk that 3 grand on a car that might be a basket case, it is not a good idea. Auctions are for experts and people with money to burn.

    In that price range, there are very few dealers who are not going to rape you. They're shooting for the same margin on a 2000 dollar car as they get on a 10000 dollar car. That means you get less car per dollar.

    Newspaper ads, in most cities, are one of the best places to look, sorry to say.

    Also try Craigslist.com, and maybe Kijiji.com. Ebaymotors is okay these days, they've improved their geographic searching (only buy locally!). Autotrader's usefulness varies from city to city.

    Depending on your local laws and car culture, there might be park-and-sell lots, where people park their own cars for sale. Also, you sometimes see that in large retail parking lots. And many supermarkets and college campuses have bulletin boards with items (including cars) for sale. Finally, you can drive around looking for cars with "for sale" signs on them.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    check your local convenience store they usually have a car mag or car sales brochure on the counter.

    check your newspapers classified ads.

    drive around and look for cars with for sale signs.

    ask your friends, check you bulletin board at work.

    a lot of people are trading in suv's and buying small cars check the used car lots of Toyota and Honda dealerships

    Source(s): ,,^._.^,,
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    you won't get much for that money. consider a relative, and certainly a private party. stay away from dealers and auto lots.

    check out consumer reports buying guide for reliable cars. you can't go wrong with a honda or toyota.

    Source(s): poob
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