Buying Small Car in America?

[Jigi 0]

Hello fellow members,

I need advice as I would be needing a car straight away when i move on to America. My wife told me so we cannot move without a car and I would need it to go to work. In India we use small cars which are fuel efficient. My query is ....is it safe to use small cars in America, where we have to travel of free ways too. I also have very small budget of around 500 to 700 $.

Expereinces shared would be very helpful , and guidelines for which i should follow before buying one.

Thank you everyone.

Regards,

Jigi

[Flames9_RN 358]

is that $500 to $700 TOTAL? or per month car payment? 500 to 700 wont get one much of a car, ya one can find them for that price range, BUT normally they are on their dying legs, not saying it can't be done, anything is possible. Good cars on gas are the Toyota corrolla, honda civic, etc etc Im sure if u do a google search, u will find great info, and im sure others will chime in as well. Best of luck

[joelunchbox 0]

Hello fellow members,

I need advice as I would be needing a car straight away when i move on to America. My wife told me so we cannot move without a car and I would need it to go to work. In India we use small cars which are fuel efficient. My query is ....is it safe to use small cars in America, where we have to travel of free ways too. I also have very small budget of around 500 to 700 $.

Expereinces shared would be very helpful , and guidelines for which i should follow before buying one.

Thank you everyone.

Regards,

Jigi

Depending on where you live, you may not need a car. If buses, etc are available they are a good alternative. If you live in California be aware that many-maybe all-areas require smog tests on vehicles and that can involve quite a bit of money to get a car to pass. with a 500-700 dollar budget, you are looking are what I call, Beaters. Basic cars with a limited lifespan. And no guarantee of passing smog tests. I do not live in California but do work on cars and try to keep up on these things.

Edited October 1, 2007 by joelunchbox

[rika60607 215]

Mmmm... With a budget of $700 you will be looking for a 20 year old car... go for Toyota or Honda, there is a hope that they may last several years. See if you can get a stick-shift instead of automatic transmission - they are cheaper, less people want them. Buy from private (people), not from dealerships, people may want to just get rid of a car and hence more likely to agree to a lower price offer.

In general, US drivers are safe drivers. But, as many of them have SUVs, if you do get into an accident while driving a small car - you are likely to be in big trouble. Never stopped me though from driving the little ones

Rika

Edited October 1, 2007 by rika60607

[Jigi 0]

hi

thanks for all the replys... I guess i will have to Raise my budget to 1000 $( total purchase cost) to get a basic car...... In india we have makers like Hyundai and Genral Motors... selling small cars which are better than SUV's in terms of fuel efficeiency, running costs and buying costs.... I will have to buy one any way because I wont be living in the city area.... some where distant......

I Would love if people share their experiences if they have or had small cars.. made by south korean or japanese makers....

GOd blesss

Jigi

[john_and_marlene 162]

I had a $100 car once that used very little gas ..... because it was usually broken and couldn't be driven.

[rika60607 215]

:lol:

I had a $100 car once that used very little gas ..... because it was usually broken and couldn't be driven.

Jigi, $700 or $1000 makes no difference as far as US cars go. To get something half decent you have to pay at least $2000 and have an advice from a mechanic who is your friend, not the seller's.

But, miracles do happen

When you get a job, there should be no problem for you to afford a car. Until then, may be somebody could lend you one?...

[Flames9_RN 358]

Years ago (1990) my dad found me a 1978 Honda civic! Was in a barn on a farm!! paid $500 for it!! What a super car! Took a lot of cleaning, new seat covers, etc but it ran like it was new!! only bought it to use for the winter and then sold it in the summer. Should have kept it. One can find good deals, but the odds are against you, as others have stated cars in that price range tend to be on their last legs, and if you do not know how to fix them, you just spent 1000 for a big hunk of steel!!

[Jasman0717 8]

Take a look at Consumer Reports, they have all the cars reviewed each year.

[Mags 112]

I reckon that even if you DO find a car in that price range you're going to have to pay quite a bit to bring it up to a reliable and serviceable condition.

[John and Luda 0]

hi

thanks for all the replys... I guess i will have to Raise my budget to 1000 $( total purchase cost) to get a basic car...... In india we have makers like Hyundai and Genral Motors... selling small cars which are better than SUV's in terms of fuel efficeiency, running costs and buying costs.... I will have to buy one any way because I wont be living in the city area.... some where distant......

I Would love if people share their experiences if they have or had small cars.. made by south korean or japanese makers....

GOd blesss

Jigi

Look on-line at Craigs List. You may find something within your budget, but don't expect it to be operating perfectly.

[ChristinaM 0]

$1000 is pretty limiting, but it really is the luck of the draw. My first car here was a 1990 Nissan Sentra with 74000 miles on it. It wasn't the prettiest car on the road, but it still got 30mpg (pretty reasonable for over here) and it was incredibly reliable - by which I mean it never in 12 months left me stranded on the side of the road anywhere. We paid $500 for it plus maybe $200 to get it through its inspection; the previous owner had bought herself a new car and just wanted rid of it.

I currently have a 2000 Kia Sephia, which is still considered a compact car over here. We paid about $2200 for it, but it's not cosmetically perfect and did only have 53000 miles on when I got it. That has had more mechanical issues than the Nissan did, but now we have it straightened out it runs pretty well. I get anywhere from 30-37mpg, depending on what kind of driving I'm doing.

If you could find an older Hyundai Accent that's been well looked after, that might not be a bad bet. If you buy a Korean car, make sure it had it's timing belt changed at 60K or 120K (preferably both!), as I hear that can be a common point of failure on Kias and Hyundais. Obviously older Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans.....

Happy hunting!

[Nessa 23]

there you go:

toyota corolla

[Nessa 23]

83 honda

[Flames9_RN 358]

damn, I sure would not want to sit in the 83 honda,lol and he seems to be a grouch!!