Exactly-- a Craigslist scam. I’m surprised the ad is still up.
I’d be looking for something decently made but not at all trendy. That means a Sentra, Mazda3/Mazda Protege, or Focus instead of a Civic or Corolla. Generally, for no good reason, Subarus, Toyotas, and Hondas are more expensive than than other Japanese cars like Mazdas, Nissans, and Mitsubishis. Also look for the Geo/Chevy Prizm/Nova from the nineties on (rebadged Toyota Corollas). The newer Pontiac Vibe is an excellent Totota Matrix at heart, but probably beyond your means. If domestics, the Ford Focus is my favorite, and, to a lesser extent, the Escort it replaced. They were made forever all over the world so parts and repair expertise are easily found. Compared to their main competitor, the Chevy Cavalier/Cobalt, they were a little nicer and roomier in back. They’re also available as hatchbacks, which matters to me (very handy if you have only one car.) Probably too recent for your budget, but the Chevy HHR is a small wagon/hatchback based on the Chevy Cobalt. It’s like a Cobalt with greater practicality and a little retro charm.
My first choice would be a Mazda Protege, followed by a Nissan Sentra or Mitsubishi Lancer or anything else Japanese, even if obscure, followed by American and common. Nothing German, Korean, or from before the year you were born. No Jeeps or anything that looks sort of like one. Or that the owner has made look like one (worst of all.) No salvage titles, obvious evidence of a major accident, or anything that smells fishy, especially if it really does smelly fishy and moldy. Nothing lowered or with holes cut for huge speakers or with tires sticking out beyond the fenders. No promises it will pass smog if you just put this simple part back on. No extra parts on the back seat unless they belong to another car.
Well a Taurus or sable with winter tires on the front,they have enough weight on the front end to go fairly good in moderate snow and are fairly reliable-Kevin
Hope springs eternal…There is no such thing as a “reliable” $3000-$4000 AWD vehicle in todays market…Today, good, reliable vehicles don’t get traded in or listed on craigslist…They are kept in the family…
I am very partial to subarus. We own several and they serve us well in new England. Get one newer than 2003. Have it inspected by a good subie shop before you commit.
A possibility for you is to lease a car at your low mileage needs. One dealer here will lease a 2013 Dodge Dart with no down payment, nothing due at signing, no first monthly’s payment, no security deposit, and no acquisition fee and a $219 monthly lease fee for 39 months, just sign and drive! Tax, title and services (how much is that?) fee extra. With a 4000 tax refund it sounds like you are making a decent salary to continue the payments. Used cars are always a gamble. A work friend shopping for a car would always ask the question: If this is such a good (used) car then why are you selling it?
Dodge Darts recently went on the market and are not selling well so you might find a deal on buying a new one too.
With front wheel drive, you can park it until the roads are cleared. A good all wheel drive car isn’t available for $4000. I just don’t see it happening. Forget about rear wheel drive.
Leasing may make sense for some businesses and people depending upon the economics. The down side of leasing is you are paying for the most expensive 39 months (or what ever the lease period) of the car’s value. I prefer to buy a car in the 3 - 4 year-old-range and let someone else take the 50%+ depreciation hit. Leases usually require a better credit score than buying.
A possibility for you is to lease a car at your low mileage needs. One dealer here will lease a 2013 Dodge Dart with no down payment, nothing due at signing, no first monthly’s payment, no security deposit, and no acquisition fee and a $219 monthly lease fee for 39 months, just sign and drive! Tax, title and services (how much is that?) fee extra. With a 4000 tax refund it sounds like you are making a decent salary to continue the payments. Used cars are always a gamble. A work friend shopping for a car would always ask the question: If this is such a good (used) car then why are you selling it?
Dodge Darts recently went on the market and are not selling well so you might find a deal on buying a new one too.
In the 4k price range you may be able to find a 10-15 yr. old vehicle. You should look for one that has a good history i.e. only 1 owner. It must come with service records. Even with a lower use vehicle that may have been only driven 10k miles per year you are going to have to look alot. Like your Dad I too have always bought used vehicles over the years. I look for a vehicle that has had better than average care. Again, hard to find. When you find a promising car that is nice, have a knowledgeable mechanic inspect the car. There are alot of places on a car that can have issues that you don’t see. Is a car being sold because the owner has outgrown it or is it being sold because soon it will need alot of work. If the potential car has passed inspection then you can make a resonalble offer close to it’s blue book value.