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Looking for a cheap first car


MidgetTodd

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So Lexi gets her permit Saturday. Looking for a cheap car for her. Something dependable that looks decent so she won't be ashamed to drive it but still cheap since she's going to be learning to drive in winter there's a decent chance she'll wreck it. I hope not but it is winter. Let me know if you come across anything

Ideally I'm thinking 4cyl automatic like civic, neon, cavalier, escort type but small truck like S10 would work too. Really like to keep it under 1000, 5-6 would be awesome then get her something nicer in summer if she's doing good.

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my grandma's 2003 Mercury Sable is still in my dad's driveway.

 

Was literally driven by a little old lady.  has under 70k miles if my memory is correct.  Small rust spot behind passenger rear wheel.  Otherwise, the only issue I am aware of was the mouse nest I found when I replaced the battery for Gram last year.

 

I think my dad was asking $4k

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I didn't read that far.

 

$1k is going to be a rough vehicle... Frankly I think you'll end up putting $1500 into anything that costs less than $1000 pretty much immediately.

 

if you're lucky, you'll find an old Japanese sedan with 260k on the clock for a grand-ish.

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2 years before cash for clunkers, I bought a 97 PLYMOUTH neon for $100.00. It had 150,000 miles on it and I drove it for 2 years and when I sold it it had 230,000 miles on it. In that time I replaced..

1 windshield - $0 covered by insurance

4 tires - $100 for all 4 (found them hiding in stock room at work)

4 struts and springs - $80 found all 4 brand new at a pull a part.

1 radiator repair - $45

1 alternator - $100

1 brake line - $20

Less than $500 into this car and drove it for 80,000 miles. It had a SOHC that I ran 20w-50 in to keep the valvetrain quiet. It was a manual transmission that required only the clutch for starting and stopping.

It never left me stranded and only almost killed me when the break line went out but that's why I had a working hand brake.

But sorry dude. After cash for clunkers there are no cheap cars worth a damn anymore.

Oh ya I drove it back and forth from Akron to east Cleveland 6 days a week for 2 years. And would co stantly get 40mpg and sold it for $1000.

Edited by zx3vfr
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yes

Why do you hate her?

Either A: Stop being a cheap ass and buy her a decent, safe, reliable car.

Or, B: Don't buy her anything until the spring/summer, after she has more experience, after winter. It's not like she magically "needs" a car the day she turns 16, right?

Edited by BadTrainDriver
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Decent safe reliable cars can be found for under 1000. Buying one so she doesn't crash my 15000 truck learning lol. She is just getting her permit, another 6 months before she can get a license. She'll always be with me in so I'll know if there's a problem with it.

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