BigMonkey73

I'm wanting to buy an older car as a backup/commuter. Car doesn't need to be anything other than reliable.

Let's say I have a small budget of under $3K. My choices are either to buy an older beater for say $1K or less and put some TLC into it with new parts...essentially replacing all wear items, fluid changes, new tires, etc to make it run like new again, which will cost more than the car itself.

Or I can buy a newer car with less maintenance needed to get it up to spec.

My line of thinking now is that used is used when it comes to older cars and you really don't know what's wrong with it till it's too late. With that in mind, I'm thinking it's probably a good idea to go a little older and just do a big overhaul so that you know stuff you replaced won't break or need replacing any time soon.

This is for someone else and I don't want the car to break down or need serious work for a couple of years. Paying more than initial budget is not an option, and certainly nothing from a dealer/CPO where payments are required.

What do you guys think?

jetlag

I think I'd pay a little extra for a car in better condition. Last year I bought a fun little turbo Volvo wagon for $2500. It was in excellent condition, new paint job, new head tons of new parts. I drove that car for 6 months , only added gas to it and sold it for what I paid for it.

Find something like that even if it is at the top of the budget that has had some work done to it with receipts to back it up. Usually if you buy a car that starts off in better condition it may have less to go wrong because it was actually maintained.

IMXCITD

I would tend to spend a little more in an attempt to get something a little nicer w a few less problems.

Patsgarage

Anything in that price range is a crapshoot. Personally I would buy something older with lower miles that nobody wants. Think grandma car (Buick, Olds, etc) and check the local classifieds.

White Out

FYI, VW's in that price range require a lot of little items that add up quickly.

Civic/Corolla is probably going to be your best bet at that price range.

Gary '09 C6

a bit more money, but a (barely) 5-yr old GM CPO car gets you a 12 mo/12K mi warranty...

MVR 155

Have you thought about just leasing some "basic" transportation for ~$100/month??? Total piece of mind with warranty and a new car???

BigMonkey73

I've never heard of a payment of ~$100 a month for a new car lease. Who offers that?

Gary '09 C6

check out Honda Civics and other similar-sized cars...sometimes manufacturer's selected regional lease programs feature 2-yr leases...not easy to find but possible

JerriVette

If you have a GM card....with bonus points on it...I've read over www.gminsidenews.com that some of the guys are leasing a new chevy cruise for zero down and 109 dollars a month for 36 months...

On a three year lease every 1000 dollars in bonus points equate to a reduction of about 30 dollars a month....so two or three grand in bonus points on a GM card equates to a monthly that is 60 to 90 dollars a month...

GM card just mailed many card owners a special program....if I spend 750 dollars on the charge card...I automatically get 1500 in bonus points to use on a lease or purchase....

If I were you? I'd see if I could just call them on the phone..get a GM card and tell the. You want that offer...and lease a chevy cruise or a spark or a sonic....or a Buick sedan....figure

Zero down....200 a month...get that down by another 2 grand in bonus points and your at 140 a month...for 36 months...that's what I would do...I hate buying cheap old cars....they always need ****

FAUEE

I'd split the difference and spend 1500-2000 on a decent car, with the rest of the money saved for the repairs it will likely need.

In a car of that low price, you really can't expect a whole lot.

JerriVette

These guys are great...just call up..pick the color and get the options as shown on this page..ITS 600 bank fee....no money down except tax and tags....

169 a month for 36 months...

https://www.fidosfences.com/special-offer

These guys deliver the car to many of my friends and everyone who used them is very pleased...some have already done multiple times ...

I'd do that over a three grand used car unless you know the seller....

Or get the brzo app....put in your requirements and it will update cars off Craigslist near you,,

I would recommend typing in 3 grand as max price...and the word grandma then grand mother, grandfather , then aunt and then uncle...then mother...usually the best really cheap cars

Also you could type in estate sale as that often leads to pretty decent deals

Hope this helps

Good luck