Buying Small Car in America?

[ChristinaM 0]

Perhaps he should have spent the $560 on renting a car whilst his was in the shop.....

ETA: That Honda is as old as I am, and I'm still running strong......

Edited October 2, 2007 by ChristinaM

[Jigi 0]

Hey guys

Thanks a lot for all your inputs... I am thinking of he Hyundai Accent ttoo... We get it in India too... I Wish i could the pretty compact cars... I know there are not many compact cars in US ..... Please guys post your expereinces.. the more latest more better.... I Am thinking to increase muy budget to around 2500... and as soon as i get job ... will pay it off in a year or so... whats say

Jigi

Edited October 2, 2007 by Jigi

[Flames9_RN 358]

There are a lot of small compact cars in North America. Not everyone drives a SUV or truck!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_family_car

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_car

[ChristinaM 0]

I'm sorry Flames, but a Ford Focus doesn't count as a small car when you come from the UK!

Try these:

Ford Ka

Citroen C2

VW Lupo

[Flames9_RN 358]

I spent time in Europe while with the Cdn Air Force, so I know some cars over there are smaller. The links I provided were just giving a general idea. One can find ford, GM, etc all over the world, yet they do look different.

[Jigi 0]

Hi

Thanks guys... I am looking at all the info you are sharing with me.. its great.. so many people giving their views.. ./.. I am open to more specific car prices / and reviews by people.. please chip in more people....

Jigi

[suesue 0]

I'm driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is considered a small car here....... it's considered a HUGE car in England!!!!!

If you can get a jeep Cherokee, they go on forever!!!!!!

[athena_ny 1]

I'm driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is considered a small car here....... it's considered a HUGE car in England!!!!!

If you can get a jeep Cherokee, they go on forever!!!!!!

Where do you live that a Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered small?

To me, and most people I know...it's a big car. Not even a car. An SUV.

And the word grand is in the name.

I drive a Hyundai Elantra ... but I bought it new, so it's 240 a month plus insurance - way out of your budget...it does great on gas though

Edited October 3, 2007 by meow mix

[suesue 0]

We live in Georgia..... ours is usually the smallest car in the car park!!!!!!

[pnrmbr975 1]

Honda Fit is quite a small car, smaller than civic by exterior dimensions but the interior is roomy you'll be surprised. Can you not afford at least $250-400 monthly payments? If you're sticking with your original budget, don't be surprised if you won't get that far.

[Mona_Greg 0]

I would honestly think about it to buy a car for that price , but i understand and probably nobody will finance you a car and why you want to buy a car so urgent if all will take time to get a workpermit and find a job and stuff like that ??? is it not better you wait and see for your self , and i don't know which state you will go to but here in virginia you have to pay tax and inspection on the car and to pass the inspection the car has to be in a good condition , my husband just bought me a car and we went through all that we paid almost 500$ Tax or was it the registration fee at the DMV ? because i got a letter in the mail yesterday which asked for state Tax , i don't know how they count the tax but i heard for older cars you pay more i have a BMW 325i model 2004 and it is not that old so i don't know what you will pay ? well i wish you good luck and hope you will find what you are looking for !

Ramona

[Jasman0717 8]

I guess Consumer Reports wants you to pay to see their analysis of used cars. If you know someone who belongs to CR have them look up the cars you are thinking about, the report are usually pretty good.

[ChristinaM 0]

... why you want to buy a car so urgent if all will take time to get a workpermit and find a job and stuff like that ???

Ramona

Ramona, the OP is filing for an immigrant visa. He will be work-authorised the minute he enters the US.

Can you not afford at least $250-400 monthly payments? If you're sticking with your original budget, don't be surprised if you won't get that far.

pnrmbr975, you made me laugh. You're right that $1000 won't get you very far, but don't you think that you're being a little unrealistic on the car payment? Both my husband and I have white-collar, professional jobs and we would struggle to make a car payment of $400 a month between the two of us! Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of money just sitting around every month waiting to be spent on a nice new car

[athena_ny 1]

We live in Georgia..... ours is usually the smallest car in the car park!!!!!!

I've been to Georgia and saw a lot of compact cars. That's weird.

... why you want to buy a car so urgent if all will take time to get a workpermit and find a job and stuff like that ???

Ramona

Ramona, the OP is filing for an immigrant visa. He will be work-authorised the minute he enters the US.

Can you not afford at least $250-400 monthly payments? If you're sticking with your original budget, don't be surprised if you won't get that far.

pnrmbr975, you made me laugh. You're right that $1000 won't get you very far, but don't you think that you're being a little unrealistic on the car payment? Both my husband and I have white-collar, professional jobs and we would struggle to make a car payment of $400 a month between the two of us! Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of money just sitting around every month waiting to be spent on a nice new car

I have a 240 car payment and my husband is looking at taking on a 300/month car payment - it's not easy, but it's what we have to do. He got a used car last year and to him, it's not worth the problems. As for me, my parents made the decision when I was 17, I just make payments.

It's not always *easy* but we do it...just not a lot of money for extras.

Can't wait til mine is paid off. Three more yeaaaaaars... (had to refinance in my name)

I would honestly think about it to buy a car for that price , but i understand and probably nobody will finance you a car and why you want to buy a car so urgent if all will take time to get a workpermit and find a job and stuff like that ??? is it not better you wait and see for your self , and i don't know which state you will go to but here in virginia you have to pay tax and inspection on the car and to pass the inspection the car has to be in a good condition , my husband just bought me a car and we went through all that we paid almost 500$ Tax or was it the registration fee at the DMV ? because i got a letter in the mail yesterday which asked for state Tax , i don't know how they count the tax but i heard for older cars you pay more i have a BMW 325i model 2004 and it is not that old so i don't know what you will pay ? well i wish you good luck and hope you will find what you are looking for !

Ramona

You pay a percentage of the sale price.

And with older cars, half the time you can get away with saying it's a gift if you buy it from someone you know or are related to.

[rebeccajo 14]

If you can't find a nice used car for $10000 (which will give you a payment of around $200 a month) then you aren't looking hard enough.

There are brand new KIA's out there for around $10000 even.

If the OP has job prospects (since he will be able to work almost immediately) he might want to take his money and make a down payment on a newer vehicle than $2500 would buy, and make small monthly payments.