Wanted-a Car!

[JaneDead]

i am in need of a car a.s.a.p.

if you have one, know of one... hear of one... let me know PLEASE. i am currently without a car, just moved to a new house with my kids and can't even get them to school when it starts next week... so keep me in mind if you know of anything thanks!

[Msterbeau]

What's your budget?

[JaneDead]

i'd like to say between 1,500-3,000 though 3 might be pushing it

let's just say i don't want some 500 dollar beater. i need something not too old and big enough for 3 kids. reliable and that won't completely fall apart in a year like my last car just did. :(

[Msterbeau]

i'd like to say between 1,500-3,000 though 3 might be pushing it

let's just say i don't want some 500 dollar beater. i need something not too old and big enough for 3 kids. reliable and that won't completely fall apart in a year like my last car just did. :(

Can you drive a stick?

[Draco1958]

Check out the yahoo group called cheapcycle. I am on the SE Mich site and there have been a couple of cares for under $2000 that sound good but play safe and have someone who knows cars check them for you.

[Rayne]

i need something not too old and big enough for 3 kids.

That shouldn't be to difficult. I drive a Mazda 3 sedan with 4 kids (and 2 of mine are still in car seats). Granted we go anywhere all together, we have to take both cars (hence why I wanted an SUV), but you can fit 3 kids in almost anything.

[CandyQuackenbush]

You can get used suv's for a really good price.

My Jeep Liberty was only a year old, with UNDER 12,000 miles, it was actually 11,535, and I bought it for UNDER 18 grand.

Alot of places are trying to get rid of the used cars, or give you a good deal on a new one. I love my Jeep. It fits 3 car seats, and the trunk is very very spacious *if you don't have a sub woofer* but still, I have more than enough room.

The best thing is, is that it's not too big, and not too small. Plus, you have 4x4, and it's nnnniiiiiccccceeee.

[Msterbeau]

You can get SUVs cheap because they suck gas. I'd get a small sedan or wagon. You might be able to find a Ford Focus wagon at the top of your price range. They have some problems but if well maintained, it should be a decent little car.

I'd be happy to help if you need someone to come along and look at a car.

[CandyQuackenbush]

You can get SUVs cheap because they suck gas. I'd get a small sedan or wagon. You might be able to find a Ford Focus wagon at the top of your price range. They have some problems but if well maintained, it should be a decent little car.

I'd be happy to help if you need someone to come along and look at a car.

My Jeep is great on gas!

But the Ford Focus Hatchback is nice and roomie, and front wheel drive.

[Msterbeau]

My Jeep is great on gas!

But the Ford Focus Hatchback is nice and roomie, and front wheel drive.

I think your idea of "great on gas" is different then mine.

[CandyQuackenbush]

I think your idea of "great on gas" is different then mine.

Did we make a fart joke? It'd be funny if we did.

[odims_sphere]

I think your idea of "great on gas" is different then mine.

Yeah... my explorer NOT great on gas

[Head Wreck]

i love diesels

[Msterbeau]

Yeah... my explorer NOT great on gas

I got 35mpg in my Focus, which was fully loaded, on the way down to my parents. Well... until we hit the mountains, anyways.

[JaneDead]

Can you drive a stick?

no, not really. and i'd prefer not to have a stick.

[odims_sphere]

I got 35mpg in my Focus, which was fully loaded, on the way down to my parents. Well... until we hit the mountains, anyways.

I can get between 19-21mpg highway... if i'm lucky

[Msterbeau]

no, not really. and i'd prefer not to have a stick.

Good place to start is: autotrader.com

I'd snoop through craigslist too.

[CandyQuackenbush]

Good place to start is: autotrader.com

I'd snoop through craigslist too.

Autotrader.com is awesome. That's where I found my old Ranger and my Liberty, and my sister found her car.

[CandyQuackenbush]

Oh, and when you find a car, take the VIN number and most def go to carfax.com, it might cost you like 45 bucks I think, but it's sooo useful, and it will tell you the truth, and is very very helpful.

[Msterbeau]

Some ideas:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...&cardist=14

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/524246695.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/524140902.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/523597812.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/523411789.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/522770842.html

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/522475714.html

[Fierce Critter]

Jane - From one of the Yahoo buy/sell/trade groups I'm on:

FOR SALE!!!!!!!

1997 DODGE RAM CONVERSION VAN

THE GOOD:

LOW MILES ALMOST 94000

V6

RUNS GREAT

SHORTER STYLE

BACK SEAT CAN BE A BED

4 CAPTAINS CHAIRS AND BACK IS A BENCH SEAT

GREAT FAMILY VAN

NEWER TIRES,

INTERIOR HAS SOME FADING OR WEAR

BUT LOOKS GOOD FOR AGE

TITLE IS CLEAR

WOULD DRIVE ANYWHERE

SPARE NEVER USED

BREAKS, SPARK PLUGS, AND WIRES REPLACED IN SPRING

oil changes at done at 3000 miles

no leaks anywhere

THE BAD:

SOME PAINT HAS CHIPPED

THERE IS A DENT IN THE BUMPER

SOME MINOR RUST ON BUMPER

LOCK IS MISSING FROM OUTSIDE OF ONE OF THE DOORS

BUT THE VAN HAS KEYLESS ENTRY

I HAVE PICTURES OF ALL OF THESE

I will post pictures under the Folder name

Dodge Van

We are located in Flat Rock

about 20 mins south of Detroit

313 729-6454

[Msterbeau]

Nooooooooooooo!!!! Stay away from conversion vans. Reliability nightmares waiting to happen. Personally I'd stay away from Dodges too...

[the eternal]

I'd like to say between 1,500-3,000 though 3 might be pushing it

let's just say I don't want some 500 dollar beater. I need something not too old and big enough for 3 kids. reliable and that won't completely fall apart in a year like my last car just did. :(

I know a bit about cars. (not like Marc, of course)

Carfax IS good.

And you'll need to do it.

BUT, it's not the be all end all.

It only shows accidents if they're reported.

SO, if you got wasted, had damage to a car in a "one-car accident" and no tix were issued, it may not show up on a carfax report.

My recommendation, if you buy a beater, and let's be honest anything under $3k is not going to be like new,

is a carfax AND bring it to a mechanic to look at it.

Of course, even then, there's no guarantee that an issue that wasn't visible to the naked eye today, wouldn't cause the car to break down a month later.

With an old 2 grand car, really, anything can happen.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

If you really want something reliable and not too old, you're probably going to want to step up in price.

It's totally up to you, but my recommendation, IF possible, is to try and finance a vehicle.

PM me if you'd like

I know a guy who knows all the "oldest units" (used cars that have sat on his lot too long) that, if you mention me, he'll sell you for close to trade-in value.

And he has a regular and special finance dept that even helps people in the middle of a bankrupcy.

But again that's up to you.

You may be one of those people that hates having a car payment.

-------------------------------------

I'm one of this dorks who buys the extended warranties, because I hate driving a car and suddenly have a $3000 transmission bill.

[jadnifer]

I SO wish that I could help you. I know what it's like not to have a car and it sucks!

[JaneDead]

I SO wish that I could help you. I know what it's like not to have a car and it sucks!

yeah it especially sucks when you have 3 kids and live alone