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Lmao that too. And its cool,tbh I've only just now had my license since a month ago or so. Long story,but yeah I do actually need to drive more in general as well.
(First)Car Suggestions
- Thread starter NealKleren
- Start date
Lmao that too. And its cool,tbh I've only just now had my license since a month ago or so. Long story,but yeah I do actually need to drive more in general as well.
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Lmao nice. And yeah I'd probably be able to spend around 8 for a car,with taxes and everything else it would probably end up being around 9.
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TBH thats probably a good accurate description of what it was like driving the Pontiac lol.
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I might look at this Suzuki later today,gonna see how that goes.
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Forget an American car. They tend to go to pieces after the odometer hits 100K. You could probably get an '02 or '03 Civic or Corolla. I suggest you do some comparasion shopping online.
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Yeah thats what I've been trying to do. The Pontiac I was looking at though only had 77,000 miles for about $7000 or so after taxes and everything I think. But yeah I've been looking online trying to compare and everything,I just hate making big decisions like this but its bound to happen sometime I guess lol. The dealership that has the Suzuki is a Honda dealership so I'm going to be looking at some other cars as well such as Honda Civics and such. Part of me wants to get the Pontiac since its a good deal but then again I don't want to rush into something either.
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In my area, the Orland and Tinley Park dealers have a website, 159th.com (so named because most of the auto dealers in the Orland/Tinley area are on 159th Street), where you can find their new and pre-owned cars. I found some cars there that were not listed on cars.com or even drivechicago.com when I got my 2004 Accord. Is there something similar in the Aurora/Naperville area?
Also, be forewarned: with the advent of the internet and especially now smartphones, the days of them starting out ridiculously high, you ridiculously low and meeting somewhere in the middle (aka 'haggling') are pretty much gone. The prices they have now are designed to get you on their lot. You might be able to get them to budge probably a couple of hundred more, but that's about it.
Sunbiz1
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South of you, Naples and Ft. Lauderdale for almost a decade...my screen name is derived from sunbiz.org.
Why would I mind you asking?, asking me if I currently reside in Elgin might be considered offensive...cuz this town is a dump...lol!.
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I got my first car last month. 1996 Chevy Corsica only 69k miles only ran me 3 grand. All i need to do is get a CD adapter, and seat covers.
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Yea thats what I assumed. My Dad will be doing the "haggling" a bit even if it was to save just a couple hundred. Probably going to be looking around Aurora/Naperville area like you said. Parents wont drive to Chicago,my Dad did it too much back in the day and hates it now and same with my Mom.
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My favorite teams
LOL at people who consider reliability based on the make, and not the year/model/engine+trans. But I also had Hondas and Toyotas that didnt last 100k miles on their original motor.
Look, if you want advise, dont throw out the model, know which engine it has too. The 2.4L Grand am is solid for 150k miles on average and the 2.2 ecotec is good for a little more, and not as reliable as a 1st gen 2.2 ecotec or a 3800 Series2. The 3.1/3.4 is a real POS engine, and only last over 200k with a lot of luck, and if you keep an eye on the timing.
I'm not a GM guy. I am a fan of competition, and buying the best available vehicle for your needs and habits. But #1 rule, is maintenance. If someone ignores a 3.0L i6 mercades diesel(a good 2million mile lifespan) it wont last. But if someone pampers a 2nd gen 13b rotary, it will last for a million miles(70k mile engine on rebuilds.) So make sure you check out the basics when you buy a used car. Visible seals, idle, transmission shifts, stressed parts ect.
Look, if you want advise, dont throw out the model, know which engine it has too. The 2.4L Grand am is solid for 150k miles on average and the 2.2 ecotec is good for a little more, and not as reliable as a 1st gen 2.2 ecotec or a 3800 Series2. The 3.1/3.4 is a real POS engine, and only last over 200k with a lot of luck, and if you keep an eye on the timing.
I'm not a GM guy. I am a fan of competition, and buying the best available vehicle for your needs and habits. But #1 rule, is maintenance. If someone ignores a 3.0L i6 mercades diesel(a good 2million mile lifespan) it wont last. But if someone pampers a 2nd gen 13b rotary, it will last for a million miles(70k mile engine on rebuilds.) So make sure you check out the basics when you buy a used car. Visible seals, idle, transmission shifts, stressed parts ect.
R_Mac_1
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This is all very true. Most of the problems with mine are probably reminiscent of most GMs of similar years. Leaks from the sunroof/door seals. Window motor mechanisms breaking. Front suspension issues. Which is why I mentioned it was worth looking into. The only issue I've really had with my 3800 is the intake manifold gaskets, which is a VERY common problems with them. He mentioned it was a GT Grand Am, which I'm pretty sure means it's a 3.4 motor.
Whatever car you look into, hit up some forums for it. I learned more reading up at Bonneville forums in a couple days than I could have imagined.
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One other thing: The city tax on automobile sales is not based on where you buy it, it's based on where you live.
thedude33
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I don't know but whatever you get put ground effects on it.
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You apparently have almost no preference in what you want, so that works in your favor. That said, here are a few schools of thought when it comes to buying a cheap used car.
1- When in doubt, go Japanese. A lot of people buy into this theory, hence used Hondas and Toyotas fetching higher prices these days. It's hard to go wrong with a Honda 4 cylinder, but there are still things to look out for (for example, early 2000s Honda automatics were notoriously weak links).
2- While avoiding known problem cars, buy the newest car you can afford. Self explanatory. Newer is good.
3- Generally speaking, ignore make and model and just buy what seems decent. Search around and look for cars that genuinely seem like good deals. Well kept cars in good shape with decent mileage and fair asking prices. It's always good to keep your mind open in this regard- if you're only looking for a specific car or two, you're missing out on a lot of potential good cars just by not looking at them.
4- **** it, buy something fun. This doesn't really apply to you because you seemingly don't know what you want. But if I was looking for a cheap used car, I would say **** it and buy something fun. It's a cheap used car... in the end, they're all kind of a crap shoot so I'd buy something I like rather than something practical. 8K to spend? I'd look for something with a V8 and cross my fingers that it holds up.
My recommendation:
2000-2003 Nissan Maxima
Local Example: Nissan : Maxima | eBay
Not so local example: Nissan : Maxima | eBay
Legitimately nice cars with fantastic, well regarded engines. Back when my old man was working, his company had 3 late 90s Maximas as company cars. Every one of them went over 200k with regular maintenance. The Nissan VQ V6s are very good.
That said, I believe most in option #3 that I listed above. You're not going to spend a lot of money so it's really no time to be picky. Keep your options open while you're out there shopping. Using Consumer Reports annual auto issue as a reference (not a bible, just a reference point), find out which models to generally stay away from and just go out and find something decent.
1- When in doubt, go Japanese. A lot of people buy into this theory, hence used Hondas and Toyotas fetching higher prices these days. It's hard to go wrong with a Honda 4 cylinder, but there are still things to look out for (for example, early 2000s Honda automatics were notoriously weak links).
2- While avoiding known problem cars, buy the newest car you can afford. Self explanatory. Newer is good.
3- Generally speaking, ignore make and model and just buy what seems decent. Search around and look for cars that genuinely seem like good deals. Well kept cars in good shape with decent mileage and fair asking prices. It's always good to keep your mind open in this regard- if you're only looking for a specific car or two, you're missing out on a lot of potential good cars just by not looking at them.
4- **** it, buy something fun. This doesn't really apply to you because you seemingly don't know what you want. But if I was looking for a cheap used car, I would say **** it and buy something fun. It's a cheap used car... in the end, they're all kind of a crap shoot so I'd buy something I like rather than something practical. 8K to spend? I'd look for something with a V8 and cross my fingers that it holds up.
My recommendation:
2000-2003 Nissan Maxima
Local Example: Nissan : Maxima | eBay
Not so local example: Nissan : Maxima | eBay
Legitimately nice cars with fantastic, well regarded engines. Back when my old man was working, his company had 3 late 90s Maximas as company cars. Every one of them went over 200k with regular maintenance. The Nissan VQ V6s are very good.
That said, I believe most in option #3 that I listed above. You're not going to spend a lot of money so it's really no time to be picky. Keep your options open while you're out there shopping. Using Consumer Reports annual auto issue as a reference (not a bible, just a reference point), find out which models to generally stay away from and just go out and find something decent.
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1989 Chrysler Lebaron drop top. You'll get all kinds of pussy in that bad boy. Trust me.
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My favorite teams
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what dealerships are you looking at?
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Yeah thanks I'll check that forum out!!!
Yeah like I think I could get used to the Pontiac maybe but if I could find something I'm used to more that would be great. But the thing I hate is that its such a good deal on the Pontiac I don't want to pass on it since it is a nice car but as far as driving it goes I'd rather find something I can maybe handle easier more.My dad is paying for most of it since I don't have much money saved up and what I do have saved up is going towards my insurance and everything else with the car and such. Also part of me wants to save up an extra $2000 or so,so then maybe I can get something better and newer that could end up lasting longer in the long run but only thing that sucks about that is missing out on the Pontiac at such a good deal and also waiting longer without a car since my parents wont let me drive theirs which sucks.
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Might be looking at this Honda one tomorrow in Naperville/Aurora. Its on Ogden,might be looking at others. Im not for sure yet.
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