Used Car Advice

I humbly ask for your wise advice:

I would like to spend between 3000 and 5000 on a used car. I would very much like to get a Volvo or Subaru for a variety of reasons, but my wife - whose instincts, I admit, are better than mine - is unsure about the dependability of these brands. What are your thoughts on those brands and does anyone have any ideas about what cars I should be looking for that are going to be dependable for the long haul within that price range. This car will be used primarily as a commuter car (relatively short commute). Thanks so much.

A used car is a crapshoot no matter what brand it is. A complete inspection skews the odds in your favor a bit but even the best of inspections is not a guarantee of a problem-free car.

I think there are better options (Buick for one) and while they may be perceived as bland and uncool, they are solid reliable cars that get great gas mileage.
On average, maintenance and upkeep will be cheaper on the Buick as compared to those 2 brands you mention.

Go to the top of the page and click on the “search” feature. Type in Subaru.

I Both Love And Hate Buying Dependable Cars In That Price Range. I Love Looking At Several Cars First And Enjoy This Most Difficult Challenge. I Hate The Work Involved To Avoid The Possibility That I Could Throw Away Good Money.

Once again your wife’s instincts are more keen than your’s. Look at lots of cars in your meager price range to get a feel for what’s out there. Otherwise you’lll have no feel for a good deal when it comes along. This is not an easy process. There are tens of thousands of $3000 to $5000 cars, but only a handful of them are dependable as purchased. You have to figure out which ones.

Be open minded (OK4450 has given good advice). For reliability, I’d get the youngest, lowest miles, best condition, no major accidents, most documented maintenance car that I ran across in my search. A single owner car often is desirable because you are talking with the person who should know practically anything you want to know.

I bought a $4,000 car almost 3 years ago for my college student son (he paid half). Safety was very important to me and a car that came closest to a “chick magnet” and least like an “old man’s” was also on my mind. I bought a 6 model-year old “loaded” (leather chairs, spoiler, ABS, front and side air bags, premium sound system, 30mpg hwy, etcetera, Impala. I had to drive 3 hours just to look at it. I bought it for $1600 less than asking price after a lengthy check-out and discusssions with the owner. It took $200 worth of tweaking (intermediate steering shaft and serpentine belt) to make it free of concerns.

Leave some of your money for tweaking the car you buy. I don’t think you’re going to find a perfect car in that price range.

Do a little research on the car you’re considering. Almost every make/model has its idiosyncrasies. Knowing what they are can allow you to carefully check those things and ask the right questions to find out if they’ve been problematic and / or resolved. Example: GM intermediate steering shafts. I told you it’s not easy. That’s the part I hate.

If you don’t know a lot about cars then you’ll need to have it evaluated by somebody who does, possibly by paying a professional mechanic, prior to purchase.

CSA

Your budget of 3000 to 5000 means an older car or a very small basic car that is still pretty old.

Forget a Volvo for $5000. It would be 10 years old and that means about $3000 a year for repairs.

A Subaru is a little better, but older Subaru’s are expensive when they need repairs also.

I’d look for a Toyota Camry in your budget range which means you’ll be looking at years '98 to 2002. A 4 cylinder would be preferred. The Camry with the most complete evidence of proper service via receipts and service records would be my choice. Figure to spend about $1,000 on tires and/or some repairs above what the car costs.

Whatever car you select have a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection to make sure it is a sound car.

$3000-$5000 with a Subaru means you are likely going to only find the 2.5L 4 cylinder engine 96-2004 that is a ticking time bomb with $$$$ repairs. Avoid that engine in those years.

Definitely NOT the Volvo. The Subaru is risky too (head gasket, AWD, timing belt, etc.)

Honda and Camry are good bets, but priced to reflect their reliability. You may not find one you like in your price range.

I agree with CSA’s Chevy Impala suggestion. You can put a lot of miles on these and can probably find a nice one in your price range.

Impala Could Be A Good Choice. I’d Choose One With the 3800 (3.8L) V-6. Not All Of Them Are Equipped With This Dependable, Low-Tech, Durable, Economical Powerplant.

CSA

I second avoiding used Volvos. My sister has a 1998 model that has been nothing but trouble. It literally costs $500 minimum whenever she takes it to the shop, which is several times a year.

Good luck.

The Regal is a good choice and uses the 3.8L push rod V-6. That engine is a little more more reliable than the Century’s 3.1L push rod engine. But most important in an older car is how welll it is maintained. The Century could be 20% less than the Regal for the same year and options. Find an older, retired driver selling either of these. A retiree doesn’t commute and the mileage can be low for the age. Old folks tend to take better care of their cars than youger ones do. I have a 1998 Regal with 130,000 miles that my kids drive now and it still runs well.

I know that I love this show for a reason. Thank you for confirming that my wife is (once again) correct. Thanks to all of you for this sound and detailed advice. Keep it coming!

If that were my budget and I were looking for an all-season commuter car, I’d be looking at Honda Civics. I’d get the newest and lowest mileage one I could find (assuming it was in good shape) and then drive it till the wheels fell off - - which will take awhile. Hondas routinely last far more than 200,000 miles. Civics are reliable, efficient, and pretty cheap to fix when they do break.

As long as you change the timing belt before it breaks.

Great advice. So, along with Buicks, which cars would you particularly point towards searching for?

Thanks!