Only have $3,000 to spend, any suggestions?
Posted by Athenstone@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 49 comments
For around $3,000 is it realistic to purchase all these 2001-2009 toyota / honda, with over 80-110k miles at Facebook Marketplace or should I j just keep saving up?
Issue is I found a job that requires a lot of local travel. I've been using the bus prior to my current job. Otherwise I'll have to decline the job offer in 2 weeks from now and stick to my part time job with parents.
not-a-toad@reddit
Dang man at $3000 your options are gonna be really slim. Honestly with cars in that price range it’s purely a case by case scenario. You can sometimes get really lucky and most of the time get boned, regardless of brand, year, or miles.
Jbradsen@reddit
Save up, but go to the CarGurus website. Private parties sell there too but it’s mostly independent dealers. You can check out the car reviews,seller reviews, and make a list of favorite cars. You’ll get cheaper cars under 180k miles.
Grand_Accountant_159@reddit
Reddit has a strong dislike for anything domestic but I can tell you with 100% certainty that that 2nd gen Ford Escapes are super reliable and in your price range. (08-12). Just watch for rust if you live in a area where it snows
Fickle-Exit1105@reddit
Duratec engine is very good and I've seen them with insane miles. Jointly designed with Mazda.
Historical-Today-943@reddit
This price point was good before covid where certain models weren't over valued, now you can expect a good list of fixes to do if you plan on dailying it.
Skyline99x@reddit
At that point you might be better off leasing something if monthly payments with insurance are within your budget.
Any car for that price, even Toyota or Honda will need repairs. Maybe not right away but definitely at some point, purely due to age.
I would highly recommend a 9th Gen Corolla, or any Corolla, or a Honda Civic. Camry or Accord are also good options but I would say the Corolla is the most reliable.
Definitely have some money for repairs set aside. Just try and get the newest and lowest mileage Corolla you can find.
Do a vin check to have some idea of the cars history and I'd recommend getting a clean title. Obviously you won't know the cars history for sure but a vin check and clean title help.
Assess all fluids, seals and underneath the car. Take your time with assessing. If the seller is rushing you, they may be trying to hide something.
Check for any body repairs done or misaligned panels as that could be signs of an accident.
In any case, it's definitely still possible to get a relatively clean Japanese car that was taken car of, that's just old and likely with a good bit of miles.
RogueRosemary@reddit
no. leasing is the most expensive way to own a car.
Skyline99x@reddit
If you were to lease to buy at the end of the lease term, then yes, you do overpay a good put and the price doesn't account for depreciation of the car.
Same goes for financing. Generally overpay at least something because of interest. But that can make an otherwise completely unaffordable purchase possible.
I suggested leasing at that budget as you don't have to worry about any maintenance or repair coming out of your pocket and it allows you to drive something new and relatively affordable if you don't have the money upfront to buy something that isn't very old.
Tykenolm@reddit
Long term yeah. If you can only afford a $3000 car though you're also going to have to pay a ton in repairs and pay emotionally for the stress of always worrying about your car
Lots of leases are like 200-300 a month, not that much if you're getting back on your feet financially
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
You don’t own a lease, so jot that down.
OkCartographer175@reddit
Yes you can find a vehicle at that price point.
6+ years ago I paid $1500 for an Infiniti with 250k miles and it's now at 320k.
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
Lmao. Do you know how much the car industry has changed in six years?
OkCartographer175@reddit
Lmao dude doesnt know what private sellers are
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
…are you implying the car market does not include private sellers lmao
OkCartographer175@reddit
lmao
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
I don’t think you do man
OkCartographer175@reddit
lmao dude doesn't know the difference between the market and the industry
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
Ok
OkCartographer175@reddit
lmao ok
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
I'm about to sell a 30 year old truck for almost as much as I paid for it 10 years and 80000 miles ago LOL
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
What truck you selling 👀👀
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
93 Silverado, probably in July or August. 'it goes, stops, and turns' is about all I can say for it LOL
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
Hahahaha no way, that’s literally the truck I want. My grandfather gave me his 92 Silverado when he passed away and I drove it into the ground.
Have you check the fuel pump relay? Those things were absolute dogshit on 80-90’s GM
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
I think I've had it replaced. I've had a Lot of work done on this truck lol. it's from the water based paint year, too so the exterior appearance does indicate the general condition.
UrineFilledAquarium@reddit
That’s awesome man, if you’re near Philly hit me up when you sell it — might be interested depending on what my finances look like.
ThorMcGee@reddit
What have you had to do to it?
OkCartographer175@reddit
nothing special
HoraceGrand@reddit
A Scion xd or Xb
grod1227@reddit
Look for a Pontiac vibe. Exact same as a Toyota matrix.
GetawayDriving@reddit
Geo Prizm also acceptable. It’s a Corolla.
Fickle-Exit1105@reddit
At this point the newest Prizm is going to be nearly 25 years ears old. Thats simply not viable for most people, and good luck finding one that's not used up.
GetawayDriving@reddit
OP is looking for a $3,000 car. Used up is a given. The question is which car is still usable when used up.
Fickle-Exit1105@reddit
Try to find something from friends and family where you can get a better sense of owner maintenance habits. The make/model is less important. Having owned one, I think the 08-11 Ford Focus is an excellent cheap car. Finding unabused ones is getting hard, but a lot of old people bought them so they're still out there.
ready2xxxperiment@reddit
Used e-bike or scooter and keep saving.
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
yeah, that's great for a full time job driving in snow, rain, and wind! great idea! a skateboard would be even cheaper!
Dramatic_Metal4039@reddit
3 grand will get you a good condition civic or Camry but not even close to 100k miles, closer to 150-175, but that’s fine, they’re popular cars for a reason, they last forever, my brother daily drives his Camry with 390k miles
bluejay1185@reddit
Toyota ech
Doyoulike4@reddit
Pontiac Vibe and Geo/Chevrolet Prizm are cheatcode cars that are literally just Toyotas rebadged as GM products. Also deep pull that'll probably need some luck but see if you can find an estate sale or otherwise old person owned early 2000s Buick with the 3800 V6, something like a Regal or Lesabre or Park Avenue.
MasterKaleidoscope97@reddit
Ive bought a 2001 42k mile golf gti for 1,200 and a 225k 2008 E350 Mercedes for 1,400 both still running, granted i am a mechanic but its definitely possible to find good deals.
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Scour marketplace like it’s your fulltime job
Go checkout the “It just needs a battery” and “Ran when parted” bs, at least the ones that seem to look ok otherwise.
Salavar1@reddit
2009 Honda crv would be a great purchase.
ShatterProofDick@reddit
Old squad car at auction.
tads73@reddit
A honda with 175k has lots of life. The transmission can become an issue at 250k, none issue if you drive manual. Good luck
lethalnd12345@reddit
At that price, it's gonna be 18+ years old and easily over 150k miles.
You need to setup alerts and save searches and look constantly... Deals at that price willove very fast so you need to be ready to jump when you see something
Athenstone@reddit (OP)
What parameters would you typically look for? Any brands and what mileage limits max?
lethalnd12345@reddit
Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura... Everything has its issues so you need to do some research; for example, Toyota 4-cylinder engines and the Camry, Corolla, and rouse 4 burned oil from like 2008 to 2011...
Try to find the newest and lowest mileage thing that you can that isn't a salvage title
GraphicWombat@reddit
Yesssss. The toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine was known to burn oil due to faulty piston rings and poor cylinder wall finishing. Camrys, ravs, solaras, tcs, etc… They did improve around 2009. But lots of 09 vibe gt and matrix xrs still report oil consumption.
I have a friend whos parents had a (2005??) camry affected by it and toyota covered the repair. It’s still on the road today at over 300k miles.
The 1zz-fe engine is a safer bet. With the best years being 2003-2008 corolla, 2003-2008 pontiac vibe, and 2003-2008 toyota matrix. It’s pretty underwhelming, but very reliable. Almost at 230k miles on my 08 matrix xr. You can go for an xrs (or vibe gt) in those years too which is the 2zz-ge engine tuned by yamaha. Also reliable and a hoot to drive but is becoming a rare find anymore. And I hear the 6 speed manual transmission is not the strongest.
Talentless_Cooking@reddit
Save some of your budget for repairs, at prices that low you will need to fix sime stuff.
Short_Arrival_6963@reddit
You need a shitbox camry. Them save up for a better camry around 10 grand. Then once you have 25 grand buy the newest camry you can and you will much better off in life.