I need advice to buy a used car

[SusanJillParker]

The last time I bought a car was in 1999 when I bought my 2000 Mustang GT. I had that car 11 years before losing it in the great 100-year flood of the Susquehanna River on 9/11/11, such an auspicious date.

I'd like to buy something between 10 to 13 thousands. I definitely want something with low mileage, something no more than 35,000 miles.

The cars I've been considering at the Mercury Grand Marquis. They stopped making those with the Ford Crown Victoria in 2011 but there are plenty of them around with low mileage and low prices. No one wants a big, rear wheel drive car with a gas guzzling V8 engine. Yet, I can see the benefits of buying such a car used.

I'd buy a Crown Vic but they're all fleet vehicles and setup for police and taxi use and not very comfortable.

I was thinking about a Toyota Avalon but for the money I have to spend, I could only afford a 2007-2009 with higher mileage.

Then, there's the 2009 Ford Focus and Mercury Sable. I like those cars because that was the first year of stability control for Ford. They stopped making those in 2009 and came out with a newer body style in 2010. Although the 2010 is a nice car, it's smaller than on the inside than the 2009 and not as comfortable. Moreover, I'm concerned over the electronics of buying a used car which brings me back to the outdated Marquis.

There are lots of great cars but identifying those that are the most reliable the the best value if hard. Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and Azera, Mazda 3, Subaru Outback, Buick La Crosse, Chevy Impala and Malibu are all good cars but which one do I buy?

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[MichaelinChina]

Get a bicycle instead and contribute to decreasing global warming. It'll make you fitter as well. You'll also save 10-13 000 dollars plus many associated costs.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Thanks but I already have a bicycle. A woman in Dubai bought me an adult three wheeler for writing her an incest story about her son.

With the upcoming winter, it's a little difficult to peddle a bike in the snow, especially when going uphill or downhill (lol).

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny

I know very little about the internet but we bought a home over real estate adds in Illinois while living in Florida. Our grown kids checked out the few we liked and most paper work was done email. You'll know more about the house and neighbors than where you now live.
After that I bid on the nearly new furnishings and got a great buy so we got a furnished home on the edge of town.
Feeling good I found what my pickup was worth over the internet. Using the dealerships that would accept the price I began looking. I have no real reason why but choose Chevy Impalas and Malibu are all good cars but which one do I buy?

Since we can't walk a large dealership I narrowed it down to a year old Impala with 19,000 miles at half the cost of a new model. A 2014 in July 2015.This one was one year old exactly.

Did everything except final paper work thru emails. I've bought many cars. This was the best and friendliest deal ever! Price was actually a few hundred under what they quoted.
Try local well know dealerships. Seems internet prices are a bit lower also.

Skip the extended high cost wauranty. Most late models already have good coverage.

http://uploadpie.com/YxctG It cost less than the posted price.

 

[SusanJillParker]

I know very little about the internet but we bought a home over real estate adds in Illinois while living in Florida. Our grown kids checked out the few we liked and most paper work was done email. You'll know more about the house and neighbors than where you now live.
After that I bid on the nearly new furnishings and got a great buy so we got a furnished home on the edge of town.
Feeling good I found what my pickup was worth over the internet. Using the dealerships that would accept the price I began looking. I have no real reason why but choose Chevy Impalas and Malibu are all good cars but which one do I buy?

Since we can't walk a large dealership I narrowed it down to a year old Impala with 19,000 miles at half the cost of a new model. A 2014 in July 2015.This one was one year old exactly.

Did everything except final paper work thru emails. I've bought many cars. This was the best and friendliest deal ever! Price was actually a few hundred under what they quoted.
Try local well know dealerships. Seems internet prices are a bit lower also.

Skip the extended high cost wauranty. Most late models already have good coverage.

http://uploadpie.com/YxctG It cost less than the posted price.

Thanks for the info.

I always thought a dealership was more expensive than a private sale but in this era of floods, the last thing that I want is a car that was in a flood, especially with all of the expensive electronics that could be a costly repair.

I need to find an elderly lady who only drove her car to church and bingo (lol).

"I only drove my car to church and bingo but I was always late so I put the pedal to the medal and would fly down the road at 80 mph."

 

[jehoram]

Every April, Consumer Reports puts out a list of what used cars are the best buys, taking into account reliability and customer satisfaction. Hie the to a library, and look up the April issues of the past few years.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Every April, Consumer Reports puts out a list of what used cars are the best buys, taking into account reliability and customer satisfaction. Hie the to a library, and look up the April issues of the past few years.

Good idea. Thanks

 

[TxRad]

Shouldn't this be on the GB since it has nothing to do with writing except that it is all fiction.

 

[StrangeTamer]

Skip the car and get a motorcycle instead, way more fun.

 

[StrangeTamer]

You made me spit my dinner out, lmao.

 

[Kantarii]

You made me spit my dinner out, lmao.

No comment here

 

[matt7832514]

Maybe I can help? I am a mechanic so I have some background with which may be useful.

I too had a 2000 Mustang for many years,great car. Lots of fun. My honest recommendation is that you should look at the Toyota. I am a %100 dyed in the wool ford guy and I agree with you on the year or Fords you are looking at are def better. All the same if you are looking for reliability, Toyota is tough to beat.

What exactly were your concerns about "electronics" in a specific car? Was it a concern of them being to overwhelming or to unreliable in older age?

I hope this helped a little!
Matt

 

[BuckyDuckman]

Not much of an author thread question - go to "cars.com" and read. Do your research. In general, writers are good at research.

 

[Tigersman]

Used car buying

The first thing you do is a complete visual inspection of the outside, inside including the trunk and the engine compartment. In the engine compartment you inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, the rubber hoses for cracks and signs of oil leaks. Also you check the air cleaner and the condition of the oil. Pull the oil dipstick. If the oil is nearly black or black then go no farther as the car has not been maintained as it should be. Check all gaps on the outside. These are the gaps between the fener and the hood and between the doors and the body. The same goes for the trunk. There should be a 3/16 even gap everywhere. If the top edge of the door gap is either larger or smaller than the lower edge then the car has been in a wreck. The same goes for the hood and trunk. Look for paint blisters along the wheel wells, bottom edges of the doors and along the bottom of the body.

Check to make sure the AC and heating works as well as all the lights and gauges plus the windows especially if they are electric. Next take the car for a test drive in an area where you can make a fast start. If you take off fast and hear a thump most likely the car has a bad motor mount. Test the brakes by hitting them hard. Test the wheel alignment while driving in a straight line then let go of the steering wheel. The car should continue in a straight line if the front is aligned as it should be.


Good luck

 

[SusanJillParker]

The first thing you do is a complete visual inspection of the outside, inside including the trunk and the engine compartment. In the engine compartment you inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, the rubber hoses for cracks and signs of oil leaks. Also you check the air cleaner and the condition of the oil. Pull the oil dipstick. If the oil is nearly black or black then go no farther as the car has not been maintained as it should be. Check all gaps on the outside. These are the gaps between the fener and the hood and between the doors and the body. The same goes for the trunk. There should be a 3/16 even gap everywhere. If the top edge of the door gap is either larger or smaller than the lower edge then the car has been in a wreck. The same goes for the hood and trunk. Look for paint blisters along the wheel wells, bottom edges of the doors and along the bottom of the body.

Check to make sure the AC and heating works as well as all the lights and gauges plus the windows especially if they are electric. Next take the car for a test drive in an area where you can make a fast start. If you take off fast and hear a thump most likely the car has a bad motor mount. Test the brakes by hitting them hard. Test the wheel alignment while driving in a straight line then let go of the steering wheel. The car should continue in a straight line if the front is aligned as it should be.


Good luck

Thanks for your info. I found it very helpful.

My biggest concern are cars that have been in floods. After the car has been cleaned up and detailed to make it appear as if it has never seen rain, how do you know if you're not buying a flood car.

Many of the cars I'm looking at are 5 or more years old with mileages in the 20's and 30's. It just makes me wonder if they were sitting in the bottom of a flooded area for a week and in the back lot of a repair shop for a few months.

With prices all over the place, there are some good cars out there and some duds. I guess my only protection is to buy from a dealer and try and get some type of warranty.

Thanks,

Dr. Susan Jill Parker

 

[NOIRTRASH]

When I worked for the state I bought junkers for me and new for the bride, because my state work destroyed cars, I went places a rabbit couldn't go, at 3000 miles per month.

Rule of Thumb: Youll replace the air conditioner on any car (new or used). Ditto the sound system.

 

[SusanJillParker]

When I worked for the state I bought junkers for me and new for the bride, because my state work destroyed cars, I went places a rabbit couldn't go, at 3000 miles per month.

Rule of Thumb: Youll replace the air conditioner on any car (new or used). Ditto the sound system.

So...when it came to used cars, you were much like Patrick Swayze's character, Dalton, in Road House.

"Those '65 Buick Riviera's were classic cars."

"Cool."

 

[NOIRTRASH]

So...when it came to used cars, you were much like Patrick Swayze's character, Dalton, in Road House.

"Those '65 Buick Riviera's were classic cars."

"Cool."

I was an Air Force mechanic. The policy was to ship your best vehicles to the new owner, and all were supposed to be in good condition, but weren't, so the new owner got crap. Consequently I learned to rehad whatever we got from Supply. I do the same with used cars, adding $2000 to the cost for new brakes, new tires, new belts, new battery, tune up, etc.

I figger every car has been flooded. So what I do is wait for a hot day, fill a kitty litter box with charcoal (non- quick lighter), and put the box in the car for a day. The charcoal will absorb every bad odor. Its amazing.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Even after I continue comparing one car to another, I continue returning the the Mercury Grand Marquis.

What I like about the car is that it's real wheel drive like my old Mustang GT. Unlike front wheel drive cars, I could move the steering wheel from left to right quickly without going in a spin and without flipping the car. Front wheel drive cars aren't as stable as rear wheel drive cars, that is unless they come equipped with stability control.

I like the idea of a body on frame car instead of a uni-body construction car. Whereas a uni-body construction car would most likely be totaled in a bad accident as the body makes up the frame, a body on frame car can take a bigger hit without destroying the frame and still be repaired.

With me so tall and sometimes wearing a fancy hat in the car, I like the idea of a car with as much headroom and that there's plenty of room to put my over-sized pocketbooks that weigh ten pounds. I like the fact that the car has a big trunk and that the engine is longitudinal instead of transversely mounted.

A car with a engine that is longitudinally mounted offers more protection in a front crash. Yeah, granted it doesn't get the mileage of a Toyota or Honda but a Marquis at a steady speed between 55 and 65 while deliver 28 miles per gallon on the highway. That's good for such a big car.

I'm open to any other suggestions. Keep in mind though that I'm not a fan of fans or pickup trucks. I'd much rather have a four door sedan.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Every April, Consumer Reports puts out a list of what used cars are the best buys, taking into account reliability and customer satisfaction. Hie the to a library, and look up the April issues of the past few years.

The worst car I ever bought was Motor Trend Car of the Year and a Consumer Report Star.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Just curious and just for chuckles...

What kind of car to you have?

If you could afford to buy any car, what would you buy and why?

What car do you absolutely hate and wouldn't accept if it was given to you for free.

Me? I love Mustang GT's. If I could afford to buy a new one, I would.

If I was filthy rich or just won the lottery, I'd buy a Bentley Continental GT and a Ferrari GTC4Lusso for those drives along long, winding country roads.

"Wow! I'm already wet and my nipples are erect just thinking about switching from driving my custom Bentley to my face Ferrari. Although I did see a Maserati Quarttroport that took my breath away.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

Even after I continue comparing one car to another, I continue returning the the Mercury Grand Marquis.

What I like about the car is that it's real wheel drive like my old Mustang GT. Unlike front wheel drive cars, I could move the steering wheel from left to right quickly without going in a spin and without flipping the car. Front wheel drive cars aren't as stable as rear wheel drive cars, that is unless they come equipped with stability control.

I like the idea of a body on frame car instead of a uni-body construction car. Whereas a uni-body construction car would most likely be totaled in a bad accident as the body makes up the frame, a body on frame car can take a bigger hit without destroying the frame and still be repaired.

With me so tall and sometimes wearing a fancy hat in the car, I like the idea of a car with as much headroom and that there's plenty of room to put my over-sized pocketbooks that weigh ten pounds. I like the fact that the car has a big trunk and that the engine is longitudinal instead of transversely mounted.

A car with a engine that is longitudinally mounted offers more protection in a front crash. Yeah, granted it doesn't get the mileage of a Toyota or Honda but a Marquis at a steady speed between 55 and 65 while deliver 28 miles per gallon on the highway. That's good for such a big car.

I'm open to any other suggestions. Keep in mind though that I'm not a fan of fans or pickup trucks. I'd much rather have a four door sedan.

Thanks for your help.

Try stabbing yourself by knife point then try it by the flat side. Which does the job? Ditto car engines. Horizontal engines need lots more force to move.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Try stabbing yourself by knife point then try it by the flat side. Which does the job? Ditto car engines. Horizontal engines need lots more force to move.

You're right, of course, oh, Mighty One but after having a Mustang GT for years, a Camaro Z28 before that, and another Mustang GT before that, I'm looking more for a highway cruiser.

Now, if I could afford a big, bad Mercedes or a Rolls Royce, I'd be buying that. Yet, the big Mercuries based on the fact that they stopped making them in 2011 seem like such a steal.

True, they stopped making Drakes Cakes Devil Dogs but that doesn't stop me from still wanting one. Just as the Ford Crown Victorias and Lincoln Town Cars are bargains too, I think the Mercury Marquis may be just the right car for me.

For sure, it would finally be nice climbing in a car without having to worry about snagging my pantyhose and getting a run in them.

True, I was always able to more flash my panties while getting out of my ex-boyfriend's Corvette. That was fun. I really could flash the truckers my tits in that car too.

Yet, I can still go to the shoe store at the mall and try on a pair of boots a size too small and struggle to fit my size 10 feet inside while lifting and spreading my legs to expose my panty clad pussy to the lucky shoe store salesman.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Get a bicycle instead and contribute to decreasing global warming. It'll make you fitter as well. You'll also save 10-13 000 dollars plus many associated costs.

ask freddie

 

[weftandwarp]

The last time I bought a car was in 1999 when I bought my 2000 Mustang GT. I had that car 11 years before losing it in the great 100-year flood of the Susquehanna River on 9/11/11, such an auspicious date.

I'd like to buy something between 10 to 13 thousands. I definitely want something with low mileage, something no more than 35,000 miles.

The cars I've been considering at the Mercury Grand Marquis. They stopped making those with the Ford Crown Victoria in 2011 but there are plenty of them around with low mileage and low prices. No one wants a big, rear wheel drive car with a gas guzzling V8 engine. Yet, I can see the benefits of buying such a car used.

I'd buy a Crown Vic but they're all fleet vehicles and setup for police and taxi use and not very comfortable.

I was thinking about a Toyota Avalon but for the money I have to spend, I could only afford a 2007-2009 with higher mileage

Then, there's the 2009 Ford Focus and Mercury Sable. I like those cars because that was the first year of stability control for Ford. They stopped making those in 2009 and came out with a newer body style in 2010. Although the 2010 is a nice car, it's smaller than on the inside than the 2009 and not as comfortable. Moreover, I'm concerned over the electronics of buying a used car which brings me back to the outdated Marquis.

There are lots of great cars but identifying those that are the most reliable the the best value if hard. Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and Azera, Mazda 3, Subaru Outback, Buick La Crosse, Chevy Impala and Malibu are all good cars but which one do I buy?

Any advice would be helpful.

My mechanic has always said there are three kinds of car that are good to own.

" The first is a Toyota- they're bloody good. The second is a Toyota- they're bloody wonderful. The third is a Toyota- they're bloody brilliant. Don't entertain any thing else". I believe him.

I always buy a can of fish oil or tar and give the car a squirt in all the places where they're likely to rust, particularly inside the doors. Thin the tar with turpentine. But then, you spend more on your cars than I do. I figure that it's easy to get mechanical repairs but not so easy to get repairs to the body. When I finally take them to the wreckers they give me more because the panels haven't got rust. It's a wonderful experience spotting bits of your old car on the road afterwards. If you get floods it would probably be good to tar or fish oil them. You'll probably find your car quieter after being treated too. And, why not go to a state where they haven't had floods to buy your car?