The Thinking of Purchasing A Used Car Thread

[Dayze]

I figured I’d create this thread rather than hunting down one of the old ones that are specific to a certain make/model.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If you're looking for a decent chick car, look into a Mustang.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

My dad is a car dealer, and he thinks that high-mileage cars aren't really a problem. The old rule was that 100,000 miles is the limit, but he says that better roads and better vehicle construction invalidate that rule for new cars.

Also, tell your wife to buy a BMW Z3 or Z4. A Z3 like mine can be bought for around $10,000 now (apricot may cost extra), and it's going to be more fun to drive, more flashy, and more reliable than most SUVs. If you need to haul something big, just give phobia a call and ask him to bring his truck.

so much awesome in this post.

[Dayze]

tons of good info in here. I'd like her to go the Subie or Rav4 route, personally.

or, like I told her, if you're going to get something with shitty gas mileage, just get a full size truck.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

So I guess I should ask...

What small pickup out there gets the best MPG?

Again, looking for small pickup, rwd, automatic. Not looking to spend a lot...just want something to get me to and from work...and sometimes haul the trash in the back.

Ranger...s10...sonoma...? Who has the best MPG?

It depends how old you want to go. The older S10s 4-cyl pickups got great mileage but they are going to be pretty old by now.

For newer small pickups, the Colorado and Ranger pickups with the 4 banger and automatic are both rated 25 hwy. That's about the best you can do these days. The Toyota and Nissan pickups are bigger and heavier and get mileage comparable to full size pickups.

You can look it up here:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymake/bymanuNF.shtml

An off the wall idea is the Subaru Baja. It's basically an Outback with a small pickup bed. if you are only hauling trash, it would be big enough. You can get in the upper 20's with a Baja.

Another idea is to get a small SUV like a RAV4, CR-V or a Forester and get a small trailer for trash days.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by Frosty

It depends how old you want to go. The older S10s 4-cyl pickups got great mileage but they are going to be pretty old by now.

For newer small pickups, the Colorado and Ranger pickups with the 4 banger and automatic are both rated 25 hwy. That's about the best you can do these days. The Toyota and Nissan pickups are bigger and heavier and get mileage comparable to full size pickups.

You can look it up here:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymake/bymanuNF.shtml

An off the wall idea is the Subaru Baja. It's basically an Outback with a small pickup bed. if you are only hauling trash, it would be big enough. You can get in the upper 20's with a Baja.

Another idea is to get a small SUV like a RAV4, CR-V or a Forester and get a small trailer for trash days.

THAT'S what I was looking for. Thanks!

[MrNightly]

I've owned several jeeps... they always have been dependable and no matter the cold weather, started right up.

Basically, I think that cars are like opinions... everybody has one and everyone thinks theirs are right. Personally, I drive new cars every week, with my travels. I would NEVER own a new Chevy, Toyota or Honda as they are complete crap to me. The Kia's and Hyundai's are the most solid, with the Taurus and Fusion being rock solid too. I almost bought a jeep after driving the 2013 new 4-door soft top Sahara wrangler. It was so much fun.

Personally, I love the VW's... but some people will tell you they are too expensive to fix, blah blah blah. Get what you like, what is comfortable, and enjoy. You could get a lemon with any of them! Or you could get a rock solid vehicle that you like.

Enjoy the hunt!

[rageeumr]

Originally Posted by Dayze

we were going to look at one tonight, as a matter of fact. about the same mileage etc.

Mine is a 2008. Like I said, it runs really well and I've had no real issues.

It has pretty good power for a smaller SUV. Xterras are also about as off-road capable as you'll find in a completely stock rig (something like 9" of ground clearance), but most people really have no practical use for that. The thing eats snow and spits it out though. During one of the snowmageddons this winter I was out driving around and the only problem I had was finding a route without a bunch of abandoned cars blocking the road.

It gets pretty terrible gas mileage, though, for as small as it is. I kept track of the first 27 tanks of gas I put in it, and it averaged 16.89 MPG.

Mine also shakes like it's going through withdrawals, especially when idling. I've had it looked at, but I'm told that's just a characteristic of some of the Xterras. I got used to it pretty quick, but it can get annoying if there's something loose in the back that makes noise when it shakes.

[Dayze]

good info.
we're looking into those today. I think I might have found a new holdover model for $23k.

.....wasn't considering a new one, but hell, at that price I might have to. We'll see.

[Dayze]

went to look at a 2012 Xterra last night that had 30k miles for $22999; about 1500-2000 below blue book.

Yeah, got there and it had a sold tag in the window. dang it.

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by Dayze

tons of good info in here. I'd like her to go the Subie or Rav4 route, personally.

or, like I told her, if you're going to get something with shitty gas mileage, just get a full size truck.

Get a Subaru outback.

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by TheUte

Get a Subaru outback.

believe me, I tried to sell her on that idea. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

no dice with her though, for whatever reason.

[TheUte]

Has she ever driven one.

Have her try a test drive.

I bought one for my wife years ago and its the only car we would have.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Well as long as your commute doesn't involve pesky little things like merging on the freeway you should be fine.

My four banger with manual transmission has no issues merging. Then again, it's turbocharged.

[HoneyBadger]

Originally Posted by MrNightly

I've owned several jeeps... they always have been dependable and no matter the cold weather, started right up.

Basically, I think that cars are like opinions... everybody has one and everyone thinks theirs are right. Personally, I drive new cars every week, with my travels. I would NEVER own a new Chevy, Toyota or Honda as they are complete crap to me. The Kia's and Hyundai's are the most solid, with the Taurus and Fusion being rock solid too. I almost bought a jeep after driving the 2013 new 4-door soft top Sahara wrangler. It was so much fun.

Personally, I love the VW's... but some people will tell you they are too expensive to fix, blah blah blah. Get what you like, what is comfortable, and enjoy. You could get a lemon with any of them! Or you could get a rock solid vehicle that you like.

Enjoy the hunt!

Is it Opposite Day?

[Frosty]

I've had personal experience with two Jeeps and both were trouble free. I had a 2000 XJ Cherokee for three years (bought it in '01 with 9000 miles). It was trouble-free. I only got rid of it because I wanted a pickup (traded in on a new '05 Silverado).

My brother-in-law bought a new 2004 Liberty that they had for 7 years and 85,000 miles. Never had a single problem with it and when I rode in it right before they traded it off, I was amazed that there wasn't a single squeak or rattle. Still ran and looked like new.

Both of them got shitty mileage, though.