Found a car

[TBR]

Let me explain my situation. I have a car worth $4000 and $3500 in the bank. At this moment in time I make about $1300 a month post tax (could be going up a little or drastically, depending on whether or not I get the job mentioned in GT) and have no bills other than gas and entertainment. I don't need a new car, but the one I have sure is old with real high miles (327k with around 100k on the engine, but I am real worried about the transmission). Additionally, it isn't practical at all, although I could probably cram all of my crap into it come college time I don't know that I want to have to face the decision of whether or not to take something because of a lack of room. As far as college is concerned, financially I am not really worried about it. I should get at least some scholarships and my parents will help me some as well (they have money that has to be spent on education and my brother isn't getting a penny of it because he got scholarships that paid his way (and then lost them...)). Since I don't need a car the game plan is to hang back and only move if I find something I really like.

So, a couple of weeks ago I saw a VW Jetta. Well, I stopped by the same lot earlier today and it happened to be unlocked and after sitting in it I really like it (especially the size, it feels perfect). It is a 2001 GLX VR6 5MT (unfortunate, but this way I won't have to worry about turbos and it is faster) with 90k miles. KBB says it is worth $13k, but a quick autotrader check reveals that similar cars are selling $9-10k throughout the country and considering the area I suspect it will go for less around here (hoping $8.5k) since neither VWs nor MTs are considered desirable here. I'll call Monday for a price. But, should I be concerned about reliability here or not? I know some people have had real problems with VWs, but others have had perfect experiences.

Note- I would borrow the difference from my parents, interest free. It would likely take me no more than 6 weeks to pay back.

[ifcar]

You're choosing a car that has known electrical problems, problems that are expensive to fix and possibly difficult to fix in your area. If you do get it, make sure to save for potential repair costs, and have a backup plan for getting to work.

That said, I would not recommend an out-of-warranty Jetta. (Obviously enough.)

[TBR]

But is it as high of a reliability risk as a 12 year old Honda with three and a half times the miles? That is my main question I guess.

[93JC]

Koko, you wouldn't recommend anything but some boring Asian-brand econo-box turd.

[The Pirate]

Let me explain my situation. I have a car worth $4000 and $3500 in the bank. At this moment in time I make about $1300 a month post tax (could be going up a little or drastically, depending on whether or not I get the job mentioned in GT) and have no bills other than gas and entertainment. I don't need a new car, but the one I have sure is old with real high miles (327k with around 100k on the engine, but I am real worried about the transmission). Additionally, it isn't practical at all, although I could probably cram all of my crap into it come college time I don't know that I want to have to face the decision of whether or not to take something because of a lack of room. As far as college is concerned, financially I am not really worried about it. I should get at least some scholarships and my parents will help me some as well (they have money that has to be spent on education and my brother isn't getting a penny of it because he got scholarships that paid his way (and then lost them...)). Since I don't need a car the game plan is to hang back and only move if I find something I really like.

So, a couple of weeks ago I saw a VW Jetta. Well, I stopped by the same lot earlier today and it happened to be unlocked and after sitting in it I really like it (especially the size, it feels perfect). It is a 2001 GLX VR6 5MT (unfortunate, but this way I won't have to worry about turbos and it is faster) with 90k miles. KBB says it is worth $13k, but a quick autotrader check reveals that similar cars are selling $9-10k throughout the country and considering the area I suspect it will go for less around here (hoping $8.5k) since neither VWs nor MTs are considered desirable here. I'll call Monday for a price. But, should I be concerned about reliability here or not? I know some people have had real problems with VWs, but others have had perfect experiences.

Note- I would borrow the difference from my parents, interest free. It would likely take me no more than 6 weeks to pay back.

How much could you realistically get for your car?  Also, I'd strongly recommend leaving a couple thousand in the bank for repairs and a general reserve.  Keep in mind that your insurance premiums are going to increase as well, as you'd moving up to a newer, more valuable car.

VWs seem to be hit or miss as far as reliability, how much of risk do you want to take?  If it was me, and reliability was at the top of my list, I'd look at something else.

[TBR]

It isn't at the top of my list, but it certainly is a concern.

$4000 is relatively reasonable for my car, depending on whether or not I include the stereo (I would sort of hate to since I have $400 into it, including a year long subscription to xm).

[TBR]

Okay, let's do this:

Budget: $9k
Year: 2000+
Miles: -100k
Size: midsize or smaller
Doors: 3,4, or 5
Gas mileage: 25+

Other priorities:
1. Handling
2. Style
2. Reliability
4. Power

[ifcar]

Koko, you wouldn't recommend anything but some boring Asian-brand econo-box turd.

But seriously, I don't tend to recommend the major Asian brands used. Too expensive, too high mileage. Toyota, Honda, even Nissan means too much to too many people on the used market.

[TheIntrepid]

Koko, you wouldn't recommend anything but some boring Asian-brand econo-box turd.

Actually I'm with Iffy on this one. That's the very same reason I was recommending against the VWs in Maksx's thread.

[TBR]

Also, take the Focus off the drawing table, I already know about all of its good qualities and it is on my mental list already.

There is just nothing that jumps out at me, I need ideas of what I am looking for.

[ifcar]

But is it as high of a reliability risk as a 12 year old Honda with three and a half times the miles? That is my main question I guess.

But it's not a trade, it's a trade plus $4,000 or so. If you're dumping the Prelude for reliability concerns (even as it runs fine), I'd think you'd want to be sure its replacement would be reliable. And an unknown used VW is not like that.

[TBR]

I definitely see your point, it just looks so pretty. :P

[The Pirate]

Mazda Protege5?

[93JC]

Fair enough, I forgot your ridiculous obsession with the Ford Focus and Ranger.

[ifcar]

Okay, let's do this:

Budget: $9k
Year: 2000+
Miles: -100k
Size: midsize or smaller
Doors: 3,4, or 5
Gas mileage: 25+

Other priorities:
1. Handling
2. Style
2. Reliability
4. Power

Depending on what you think of styling, the Protege and Focus should be high on your list. If you like the handling enough, you can look at Elantras. For $9k, you're looking at 06 Focuses and Elantras, and the cream of the crop of 03 Proteges.

[The Pirate]

Yeah, you should be able to get a bomber Protege for that price.  I paid just under $5K for my '01 with 91K miles

[ifcar]

Fair enough, I forgot your ridiculous obsession with the Ford Focus and Ranger.

The Ranger? I only said that it was a better basic work truck than the Tacoma. I wouldn't want one.

I don't personally expect to buy any Japanese cars, as American (and now, Korean) makes are just such superior buys on the used market.

[TBR]

Depending on what you think of styling, the Protege and Focus should be high on your list. If you like the handling enough, you can look at Elantras. For $9k, you're looking at 06 Focuses and Elantras, and the cream of the crop of 03 Proteges.

What about a Spectra? The Elantra, well, I am not in love. But, if I find a 5-spd GT for a good price I would definitely give it a look. The Protege is also very nice and definitely on my list.

[TBR]

Also, 25+ mpg is highway non-2008, which is why this would be a good option: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-Subaru-Impreza-Outback-Sport-AWD-Wagon-5Spd_W0QQitemZ190136762120QQihZ009QQcategoryZ31868QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[TBR]

Ask and you shall receive:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=226921260&dealer_id=45754347&car_year=2004&num_records=25&start_year=2000&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=142&search_type=used&distance=100&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=26&make=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=7000&body_style=COUPE&body_style=HATCH&body_style=SEDAN&body_style=WAGON&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=75939&advanced=y&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=Manual&doors=&max_price=9000&cardist=85

Too bad I am not traveling that far until I can pay for the whole thing with my cash.

[CJ]

I hate the sedan.  Try and find a hatch!

[TBR]

The Elantra hatch is hideous imho.

I am still going to try to find the time to drive that Jetta (hard to do since I'll be gone three days this week and am working 39 hours the 4 days that I will be in town), hopefully it won't be sold when I get back.

[SVT_Power]

just get something that won't die on you 3 days into ownership

[ifcar]

What about a Spectra? The Elantra, well, I am not in love. But, if I find a 5-spd GT for a good price I would definitely give it a look. The Protege is also very nice and definitely on my list.

The Spectra, except in the Spectra5/SX version, is one of the least-agile compact cars sold, down there with the Forenza/Reno. It's a comfort-biased car in the common versions, and I'm not sure if you could find a 5-speed Spectra5 or SX in your price range and in your area.

[TBR]

I was definitely think Spectra5, should've specified, but they do seem to be quite rare.

[IrishGuy]

Neon.

[Danish]

How much could you realistically get for your car?  Also, I'd strongly recommend leaving a couple thousand in the bank for repairs and a general reserve.  Keep in mind that your insurance premiums are going to increase as well, as you'd moving up to a newer, more valuable car.

Best advice of the thread

[Danish]

Yeah, you should be able to get a bomber Protege for that price.  I paid just under $5K for my '01 with 91K miles

[TBR]

I have had a Neon before, it was a good car and a fantastic deal ($1400, almost perfect condition, 83k ), but if I go the economy car route I would rather get a Protege, Focus, or Elantra. But, for under $3-4k, there aren't many better deals to be found than the Neon.

[IrishGuy]

I have had a Neon before, it was a good car and a fantastic deal ($1400, almost perfect condition, 83k ), but if I go the economy car route I would rather get a Protege, Focus, or Elantra. But, for under $3-4k, there aren't many better deals to be found than the Neon.

Did you have a lot of trouble with yours?