How and what car to get as a meager college freshman?

[BaboonGuy]

I go to school in Los Angeles and probably want to settle down here after college and during summers. So now I want a car. I have about $1000 (maybe about $1500 if I decide to not pay off my CC debt all the way) in cash that I can use for now and probably 300-500$ at least coming every month (no help from parents on insurance or anything car related). My only wants are:

-Safe and reliable
-Good (nothing great or overly expensive) soundsystem

What are my options on this and which is the best way to go? Should I look for something used or go to a dealer and get something on credit with a down? I'm VERY unexperienced and really know nothing about cars or buying a car. Any and all help is very much appreciated.

Thanks gottadeal.

[malachitecat]

I can't be of much help as I've only bought one car. I got a 'program' car from a dealership. Lightly used, still under warranty (was used as a rental car). It was a year old, 20k miles, $1000 down and $250 a month. Maybe you can look into something like that. Usually program cars are only a year old and still have 2 years left on warranty so if anything goes wrong they fix it free of charge.

[shawneee]

Get something used. Cheap, reliable, and good on gas? Probably something like a Honda Civic would be good for you.

[nick_jenni_jocelyn]

or maybe a toyota camry? i hear nothing but good things about them cars.

[outnumbered]

Go to a dealer, get something used, and finance it. With only $1000-1500 you aren't going to get a good enough car (buying private party) to last you long enough without needing some major repairs. You need something worth more if you want it to last. BUT...beware of the interest rate on what you get. Depending on if you have credit, and how good it is, you may be offered a good rate or a kinda crappy rate. If the dealership offers you a high rate, see if your bank can get you an auto loan for the car for a better rate. Also make sure you don't take out a 5 year loan on a starter car. You don't want to be still owing on a car you're going to get rid of in 3 or 4 years.

[mrn8]

Get a '92 or later Ford Crown Vic. Gas mileage isn't great, but the insurance is cheap and they run forever. You may be able to find a Volvo 240 for that, and if you do, you'll be able to run that thing until you retire.

[dealluvr]

i've had my geo for over 10 years ,across the country twice and it has over 190,000 miles on it. it does need cosmetics done now,paint and all but this has been my all time best car of all!
doesn't burn any oil either!

[mrn8]

i've had my geo for over 10 years ,across the country twice and it has over 190,000 miles on it. it does need cosmetics done now,paint and all but this has been my all time best car of all!
doesn't burn any oil either!

Those Geo's were great cars, as well. I'm sure you could find one for <$1000 and it will last you through college.

[mrn8]

Scan these Classifieds for something:

LA Craigslist Cars (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/car/)

Here's a very good option: 1988 Volvo 240 - $1500/offer (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/car/132750814.html) - offer $1000-$1200, and you'll have a very safe and very relibale vehicle. Wait a few months and save some $$$ to get the sound system you wanted.

[bayhaysay]

I had my nissan altima for 9 years before I sold it to a friend of mine almost 3 years ago for $1,500.00 and it's still going strong.

[dtdoda]

I frequent many auto related boards. We get this question all the time. If I were in your position, I'd avoid having to finance anything. There are a ton of choices for cheap, reliable, daily drivers out there, especially in your area where rust is not an issue. The Crown Vic suggestion is great. Another is something along the lines of a Plymouth Reliant, Chrysler Lebaron etc. These cars were manufactured for years so the later model ones were a proven design, any bugs had been worked out. They are cheap to maintain, cheap to insure, and parts can be found everywhere. You can find some low mileage ones out there still for very cheap money, even on ebay where cars tend to get top dollar. The craigslist suggestion is a good one.

Good luck.

[dealluvr]

thanks mrn8 i have had about 20 cars or more in my life and this is da bomb!