Announcement

Collapse

Forum Rules (Everyone Must Read!!!)

1] What you CAN NOT post.

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this forum to post any material which is:
- abusive
- vulgar
- hateful
- harassing
- personal attacks
- obscene

You also may not:
- post images that are too large (max is 500*500px)
- post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or cited properly.
- post in UPPER CASE, which is considered yelling
- post messages which insult the Armenians, Armenian culture, traditions, etc
- post racist or other intentionally insensitive material that insults or attacks another culture (including Turks)

The Ankap thread is excluded from the strict rules because that place is more relaxed and you can vent and engage in light insults and humor. Notice it's not a blank ticket, but just a place to vent. If you go into the Ankap thread, you enter at your own risk of being clowned on.
What you PROBABLY SHOULD NOT post...
Do not post information that you will regret putting out in public. This site comes up on Google, is cached, and all of that, so be aware of that as you post. Do not ask the staff to go through and delete things that you regret making available on the web for all to see because we will not do it. Think before you post!


2] Use descriptive subject lines & research your post. This means use the SEARCH.

This reduces the chances of double-posting and it also makes it easier for people to see what they do/don't want to read. Using the search function will identify existing threads on the topic so we do not have multiple threads on the same topic.

3] Keep the focus.

Each forum has a focus on a certain topic. Questions outside the scope of a certain forum will either be moved to the appropriate forum, closed, or simply be deleted. Please post your topic in the most appropriate forum. Users that keep doing this will be warned, then banned.

4] Behave as you would in a public location.

This forum is no different than a public place. Behave yourself and act like a decent human being (i.e. be respectful). If you're unable to do so, you're not welcome here and will be made to leave.

5] Respect the authority of moderators/admins.

Public discussions of moderator/admin actions are not allowed on the forum. It is also prohibited to protest moderator actions in titles, avatars, and signatures. If you don't like something that a moderator did, PM or email the moderator and try your best to resolve the problem or difference in private.

6] Promotion of sites or products is not permitted.

Advertisements are not allowed in this venue. No blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited.
This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or
services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged
for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited.

7] We retain the right to remove any posts and/or Members for any reason, without prior notice.


- PLEASE READ -

Members are welcome to read posts and though we encourage your active participation in the forum, it is not required. If you do participate by posting, however, we expect that on the whole you contribute something to the forum. This means that the bulk of your posts should not be in "fun" threads (e.g. Ankap, Keep & Kill, This or That, etc.). Further, while occasionally it is appropriate to simply voice your agreement or approval, not all of your posts should be of this variety: "LOL Member213!" "I agree."
If it is evident that a member is simply posting for the sake of posting, they will be removed.


8] These Rules & Guidelines may be amended at any time. (last update September 17, 2009)

If you believe an individual is repeatedly breaking the rules, please report to admin/moderator.
See more
See less

Which one?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 6
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 template Next
  • #1

    Which one?

    So I'm looking to buy a cheap car (max $2000), since it's for temporary use. I'll be test driving 2 cars this weekend:

    The first one is a 97 Suzuki Esteem (I didn't even know they made cars... ).
    It has 98.000 miles, tires are 11 months old. It has a clean title and it was recently smogged. It has a dent on the passengers door (not that visible) The guy is asking $1450. (KBB $2000)

    The second one is a 91 Explorer Eddie Bauer. V6, 166.000 miles, clean title, power everything, roof rack, moon roof, AC and leather interior in great condition. The only problem is a big dent on the passengers side (rear end). I could care less about that, since it doesn't affect the car mechanically.
    He is asking for $1300 (KBB $2500 in good conditions).

    I will, obviously, be taking the car to a mechanic before making any decisions and I will also get a carfax. My question is, what exactly should I look for when buying an used car? What questions should I ask the owner??? I know NOTHING about cars so any help would be greatly appreciated.

    PS: I will be buying one of those 2 no matter what (I need to have a car by Monday!), so don't advise me to look for something else.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Which one?

    The Ford sounds like a good deal, but you don't wanna go with a Ford. It's nothing but problems. I deal with cars every day, and Explorers, especially, keep coming back.

    Take them both to a mechanic if you can, have them see what's wrong. Find out what they last did a tune-up, a scheduled maintence service.

    The first one is probably the best choice. Less miles, newer tires, and it passed a smog test. But honestly, Ford's are horrible. Especially at high mileage.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Which one?

      out of those 2....the Esteem

      take someone with you who knows cars

      Just completly forget about the ford
      Last edited by Fedayeen; 09-21-2006, 11:59 PM.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Which one?

        Originally posted by One-Way
        The Ford sounds like a good deal, but you don't wanna go with a Ford. It's nothing but problems....
        Very true! Stay far away from the Exploder ... it isn't even worth the space it's going to take up. Not sure about the Suzuki ... I haven't had any experience with those before.
        this post = teh win.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Which one?

          Originally posted by JenMinassian
          PS: I will be buying one of those 2 no matter what (I need to have a car by Monday!), so don't advise me to look for something else.
          I know in LA one can rent a car for something like $15 a day (for over 25 and near LAX airport). So you might have other options if you need a car right away but not sure how much rentals go for around your area. Buying a used car in a hurry is typically a recipe for disaster.
          this post = teh win.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Which one?

            If I was going to buy a used car, I'd get a Honda or Toyota. They have the best longevity, I think. Sip makes a good point... It would be faaar wiser to take your time. When you buy used, you're buying as-is.
            [COLOR=#4b0082][B][SIZE=4][FONT=trebuchet ms]“If you think you can, or you can’t, you’re right.”
            -Henry Ford[/FONT][/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Which one?

              Originally posted by Sip
              I know in LA one can rent a car for something like $15 a day (for over 25 and near LAX airport). So you might have other options if you need a car right away but not sure how much rentals go for around your area. Buying a used car in a hurry is typically a recipe for disaster.

              I have been renting cars already...the rental itself isn't expensive...the problem is the insurance...I know it isn't mandatory to get it, but you never know...I'm always afraid something will happen and I will have to pay oodles of money...

              I've been trying to buy a car for the past month and a half. The problem is that I have no time to go test drive them, since I've been working all the time. This Sunday, I have the morning off, and those are the only cars that are still available...most Toyotas and Hondas sell really fast... I really wanted to get a Celica, but those are either too expensive or they sell WAY too fast...

              As far as tune ups, the Suzuki had it's last tune up at 78K, when the timing belt and the water pump were replaced. Two front axles/CVS boots, two front brake disks/pads replaced in 2005. The guy has all the paperwork from previous work done on the car.

              I couldn't get a hold of the guy from the Explorer to find out about the last tune-up.

              I only need a car for 6 months, so I was wondering, even if I choose to go with the Explorer, do you guys think it would cause me problems during that period of time (assuming there is nothing wrong with the car)...
              Last edited by Jen; 09-22-2006, 06:48 AM.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Which one?

                With a private seller you can call them and make an appt to see and drive the car in the evenings. They're gonna be working too.

                That seems like a lot of work on the Suzuki... he may have done it, but is that typically necessary for a 9 yo car (or whenever he had it done)? I had a Toyota Camry that I drove until it was 11 years old and all it ever needed was timing belt at just below 100k which is also part of the usual maintanence.
                There are lots of cars listed online and in those magazines etc... I can't believe that you can't find either one.
                [COLOR=#4b0082][B][SIZE=4][FONT=trebuchet ms]“If you think you can, or you can’t, you’re right.”
                -Henry Ford[/FONT][/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Which one?

                  Originally posted by Siggie
                  With a private seller you can call them and make an appt to see and drive the car in the evenings. They're gonna be working too.

                  That seems like a lot of work on the Suzuki... he may have done it, but is that typically necessary for a 9 yo car (or whenever he had it done)? I had a Toyota Camry that I drove until it was 11 years old and all it ever needed was timing belt at just below 100k which is also part of the usual maintanence.
                  There are lots of cars listed online and in those magazines etc... I can't believe that you can't find either one.
                  The problem is that I work til 10:00pm most of the days. Another thing is most of the ppl selling their car (through Craig's List) will do so for the first person who shows up with money in hand. I've tried setting up appts, but by the time I'd call to confirm if I could come over or not, the car was sold already.

                  Also, all the Toyotas and Hondas that are within my budget have either way too much mileage on them and are very old (late 80s) or need to have work done. I definitely wouldn't mind driving an old car, as long as it is reliable, but then again, because they are cheap and are good cars, they go really fast.

                  My problem would be solved if I got 1 or 2 afternoons off from work, but unfortunately I can, and I'm booked up til mid october...can't wait till then to buy a car...

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Which one?

                    Originally posted by One-Way
                    The Ford sounds like a good deal, but you don't wanna go with a Ford.

                    The funny thing is that in Brazil, Fords are considered GREAT cars...(probably because they are manufactured there)...that's why I'm a little more inclined to the Ford...

                    Comment

                    Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 template Next
                    Working...
                    X