Tips on Buying Cars: Teenage Buyer, jetta vr6, volvo 760

Question
I'm 17 and looking to upgrade my current vehicle. My main problem is that I
want a newer model (2000 year +) but not sure on my price range. I could
get
a cheap ford focus or similar car, but quality and safety are a huge factor for
me. I have a part-time job and make about 700-800 a month (all/most of
which would go towards the car), so i could make car payments on a more
expensive car, but I would want them to be low - but not to the point where
its on a 60 month finance term for 200.00 a month; but i'd like to pay it off
before I leave for college in about a year and a half - so about an 18 month
term, maybe 400-500 a month? I also would like to buy through a dealer. I
know private sellers typically are cheaper, but I don't want to take a loan out
through the bank; unless you advise it.
That being said, what would be my price range for a vehicle, and what would
be my average payments for the car on about an 18 month term?

I've looked at cars ranging everywhere from 8,000 to nearly 15,000 but its
hard to pinpoint a realistic price. I currently have about 1,000 saved, and my
current car I can sale for about 2,000 (a 1987 volvo 760 turbo wagon)
meaning I'd have about 3,000 - maybe 4,000 if helped from parents - for a
down payment.
Also, is it better to do a trade in for older vehicles at the dealership, or sale it
myself and use the money for the down payment? Because i know a dealer
will take my car for no more than 1,000 because its old, but i'm pretty sure i
can sale it for a lot more since its in perfect condition.

I'll send you links of some cars i'm interested:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/312402799.html

That's a 2002 jetta VR6 GLX so it's fully loaded. The dealer lowered the price
(he claims its originally 14,000, a week ago it was 11,500, and now its
10,900 - im not sure if it'll go lower)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/311580488.html

That's a near-perfect volvo S40 for about 13,000. I like it, but at the same
time the jetta is cheaper, same/above quality, and just as good looking. its
just ive been raised with volvos so they come natural to research into first
over other makes.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?
rdpage=thumb&car_id=217320720&dealer_id=59525369&car_year=2003&s
earch_type=both&num_records=&keywordsfyc=&make=SAAB&transmission=
Automatic&model=9-3&distance=100&make2=&address=98126&default_so
rt=priceASC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type
=priceASC&min_price=&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keyw
ordsrep=&color=&start_year=2003&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=Four
+Door&style_flag=1&cardist=10

This is the more expensive car, but based on others like it, is VERY cheap. Its
a fully loaded (literally loaded: parking sensors, ARC trim, 13 speaker system,
safest car in its class, etc..) 2003 Saab 9-3. im not sure if the price is too
extreme, but even if it is, its still unbeatable. The only real problem besides
the price is that it's sold privately, meaning i'd have to take a loan out
through the bank (not a dealer) and my payments would be going more into
the bank than actual car.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?
car_id=219888085&dealer_id=100008910&car_year=2002&search_type=bot
h&num_records=&keywordsfyc=&make=VOLKS&transmission=Automatic&m
odel=&distance=100&make2=&address=98126&default_sort=yearDESC&adv
anced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=12000&sort_type=yearDESC
&feature7=power+windows&min_price=&feature4=leather
%
2Bseats&only_photo=1&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color
=&start_year=2002&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=1
1

The last car im interested in is this passat. its top of the line much like the
jetta (2002 year, GLX trim) but is nearly 2,000 less than the jetta, and higher
quality & safety. It seems almost too good to be true; something has to be
wrong with it. I googled the VIN # and it says theyre 16 records on file
through carfax, which is a lot considering the jetta only has 6. What do you
think?

Sorry for the long letter, i'm very indecisive and need many second opinions
before buying something. if you could narrow things down for me I'd really
appreciate it.


Thanks - Kyle.

Answer
Hi,
First off, you seem very responsible. Ihave a question..If you want to spend almost all your monthly earnings on a vehicle...say it is aid off when you go to college, you will still have insurance and maintenance...who will pay that? If you finance for only 18 months, your payments will be very high. I would look to finance no more then $8000, assuming a good creit scoring your payments will be $400.00 Now, what state are you in??? If you have a Carmax, go there..You can look online at www.carmax.com  and see all price ranges and models of used cars. What is good about them is it is no haggle pricing, the price on the car is what you pay, it even shows the fees and taxes..Let me know if you have nay further questions.

STEVE