QuestionMy husband is looking for a cheap, reliable vehicle. Cheap as in $1,000 or less. He needs it to have good gas mileage. Do you have any hints/tips on how to find a cheap, reliable vehicle?
AnswerI would outline what dealerships are close to me, then contact a salesman at each dealer and tell them what your trying to accomplish. Keep in mind most salesman will not want to deal with a $1000 car, you will have to help him find your car. Go to the dealers on Sundays and look at what they traded for the weekend, if you find a car that you think will work, write down the last 8 numbers of the vehicle ID number, then call the salesman and tell him what you found.
Second, search your area for public auctions. Arrive early and you can get inside and start the cars that you like, lift up the hoods, look at the motors, check the transmission and overall condition. Remember that you cannot return any car you buy so make sure you check them out.
Third is always the newspaper. Daily.
Fourth, go to craigslist.com and post an add for yourself, tell people in the add your in need for a $1000 car and if you have a story behind it, people will help. Also check their automotive section, they always have cheap cars.
Fifth, go to autotrader.com, do a search in your area by price.
Good Luck, hope this helps.
