QuestionQUESTION: I'm a single mom & have a 17 year old son who says he needs my van for his drums. I inherited 1997 BMW 538i with 126,000 miles, bald tires, and in need of some repairs-a friend sold it for a net of $4,888. I have a 2000 Plymouth grand voyager (126,000 miles) currently in the shop for a new transmission. That car is worth about $4,500. I need to buy a fuel efficient car because of the amount of driving I do. I'm getting conflicting info on what type of car to buy. I'm paying cash & intend to own the car for 1-2 years until my situation improves. I'm thinking I could get something around $8-10,000. After looking at cars, there doesn't seem to be much difference between new or used cars or used cars with 15,000 miles or used cars with 38,000 miles. What am I missing? Because of the rust issue, I've been told to stay clear of Honda & Toyota and most US cars and to look at kia, Hyundai, and Saturn ions. The trany shop & my insurance agent said to stay clear of kia and Hyundai. The trany shoploves Hondas and Saturn were ok. I don't see myself as a Chevy person, but the Cobalt seem priced right. I asked about Aveos & was told that by the time the options are added, it's the same price as a cobalt. I like Mazda 6's but haven't been able to find one under 60,000 miles. Is that a problem? I'd like a car that gives me 30 mpg. I MUST have power locks, AC & autotransmission. Can U give me a car model or year that is good and a ball park for pricing. I saw that you knew a lot of web sites. My ex-husband bought all our cars in the past & they were Mercedes and BMW's, but that's not my life style now & I'm out of my comfort zone into new territory. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. My zip code is 44313. Do you reply to my e-mail or do I need to come back to this web site? Pls advise. Thank you
ANSWER: I'll do you even better... since you included your zip - give me till monday.. and I will send you links to cars for sale locally that I think you should check out (ones that I can find on the net.. I seem to be able to find more than most.. been doing this way too long) - but for now.. you didn't mention if 2 or 4 door mattered? or would you drive a hatchback/wagon? - in your price range... I agree with the tranny shop... A nice honda accord/civc or toyota corolla/camry would do very well... and with them... the mileage doesn't really matter too much.. if it's been cared for... the mazda 6 isn't a bad car.. I actually like it alot.. but it won't have the honda/toyota reliability (mazda is getting there.. but not yet) - kia, hyundai, and saturn.. I would avoid.. personally.. as build quality is poor on almost all models.. and resale is horrible. The colbalt is decent, but I would put my money into a civic LONG before I did with a colbalt.. reliability and resale will be non-comparable after a few years..
Enlighten me on this rust issue? As I live in florida near the coast.. every car has a rust issue (lol) - my sister has a civic with 180,000 miles.... and it hasn't even given her trouble... a friend with an accord (1999) with 150,000 - no trouble.. and I cannot name the number of battered camry's and corollas with 150-200000 miles still running around here... from my experience.. up until about 2005 (and to this day on many models) the build quality of the japanese brands (especially toyota/honda) is far superior to most others (minus european cars) - let me know if one of those cars interests you (or if you are against the japanese big 2) and i can name some of the.. better... domestics (or other foreign.. the altima/maxima aren't terrible.. but no where near the toyota/honda) - but if you would be willing to try for a civic/accord, corolla/camry - let me know so I can find some locally... also 2 or 4 door? the larger or smaller car? (EX. accord is larger than the civic) - or ask anything else if you wish - i'll look around online and try to see what i can find in your area... Get back to me ASAP -
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: 2004 Volkswagen Golf GLS - $9,995
Dealer: Rick Case Honda
Call: 888-215-9881
Mileage: 67,465
Body Style: Hatchback
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Black
Stock #: 836933A
VIN: 9BWGL61J844007315 Engine: 2.0L I4
Transmission: AUTO
Drivetrain: FWD
Doors: 5
Wheelbase: 99"
CARFAX 1-Owner Vehicle
View Free Report
Features: AM/FM Anti-Theft Cassette CD Player Premium Sound AC Auxiliary Pwr Outlet Child Safety Locks Cruise Daytime Running Lights Dual Heated Exterior Mirrors Heated Exterior Driver Mirror Power Locks Power Mirrors Power Steering Power Windows Rear A/C Rear Vents Sunroof Tilt Anti-Lock Brakes Drivers Front Airbag Dual Front Airbags Keyless Entry Rear Defroster Rear Head Air Bag Security System Side Airbags Side Head Air Bag Variable Wipers
Standard Equipment: Remote Power Locks Includes Power Windows, Front Power Windows With Two One-Touch, Rear Power Windows, Cruise Control, Four-Wheel ABS, Four Disc Brakes Including Two Ventilated Discs, Driver And Passenger Front Airbag, Front Side Airbag, Glass Electric Front Sunroof, Monsoon Audio System With Am/Fm, CD Player And Cassette, Tinted Glass On Cabin, Front And Rear Alloy Wheels With 15 Inch Rim Diam And 6 Inch Rim Width, Front And Rear Roof Airbag, Complex Surface Lens Halogen Bulb Headlights, Tachometer, Driver And Passenger Power Heated Partial-Painted Door Mirrors, Day Time Running Lights, Fixed Rear Window With Defogger And Intermittent, Eight Speaker(S), Remote Control Remote Trunk/Hatch Release, Front And Rear Reading Lights, Peripheral Anti-Theft Protection, Upgraded Cloth/Velour Seat Upholstery With Additional Upgraded Cloth/Velour, Bucket Driver And Passenger Seat With Height Adjustment, Three Asymmetrical Split Bench Front Facing Rear Seats With Zero Adjustments, Plastic Steering Wheel With Tilt Adjustment And Telescopic Adjustment, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, Delayed/Fade Courtesy Lights, Illuminated Entry System, Cargo Area Light, Cargo Capacity: Rear Seat Down (Cu Ft): 41.8 And All Seats In Place (Cu Ft): 18, Emission Control Level California, Unleaded Fuel 87, 14.5 Gallon Main Unleaded Fuel Tank, Low Fuel Level Warning, Low Washer Fluid Level Warning, Clock, Two Height Adjustable Head Restraints On Front Seats, Three Height Adjustable Head Restraints On Rear Seats, Front Seat Center Armrest, Strut Front Suspension Independent With Stabilizer Bar And Coil Springs, Torsion Beam Rear Suspension Semi-Independent With Stabilizer Bar And Coil Springs, Ventilation System With Recirculation Setting And Micro Filter, Windshield Wipers With Variable Intermittent Wipe, Fullsize Steel Rim Internal Spare Wheel, Audio Anti-Theft Protection: Code, Door Ajar Warning, 12v Power Outlet: Front And Cargo And 1
Seller's Notes: Performed and passed 75 point safety inspection.Replaced from and rear brakes and rusurfaced rotors.Changed oil, filter, and fluids.
or
at cars.com, dealer: cartek, New Brighton PA,
chevy colbalt coupe 38,000 miles $8,995
Vin 1G1AL15F267669863 Loaded w/everything I could possibily want 2 owner known to dealer
same dealership also has a level II 2004 Saturan ION 25,000 miles everything I would want$7,995
About This Ion
Mileage: 25,175 Body Style: Sedan Exterior Color: Silver Interior Color: Grey Stock #: 0011 VIN: 1G8AJ52F44Z230104 Engine: 4 Cylinders Transmission: Automatic Drivetrain: FWD Doors: 4 Wheelbase: 103" Get a CARFAX Record Check
Features: Air Conditioning, AM/FM Radio, Bucket Seating, CD Player, Cruise Control, Driver-Side Airbag, **Low Mileage**, Passenger-Side AirBag, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power... Show additional features
Seller's Notes: 4DR SEDAN THAT GETS OVER 30MPG??? A 2004 SATURN ION LEVEL 2, ECONOMICAL 4CYL ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION,AIR CONDITIONING,PWR WINDOWS,PWR DOOR LOCKS,TILT WHEEL,CRUISE CONTROL,AM-FM-CD RADIO,SHARP SILVER EXTERIOR W/GREY CLOTH INTERIOR AND ONLY 25,000 MILES $100.00 OFF ADVERTISED PRICE OR A 3 MONTH WARRANTY. THIS AD IS A COUPON AND MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF SALE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (888)354-7932
Answerwell this isn't the private one - but hopefully i don't get too many emails - my address= RobL1309@gmail.com
use a subject line like "This is Pam, from allexperts" so I know who it is.. email me (this way you do not have to post your adress on this website) - and I will email you links to some of my personal findings I think you will like... I found several in your area worth looking at. Check out local subaru's - an impreza/legacy in your price range would be perfect for snow - and they sit higher than most cars... plus the AWD is amazing...
