WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

marymoon Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:31 PM

WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Ugh..after everything we went through this weekend, NOW, Doug brought in his car for inspection and it will cost $1200 to make the car pass inspection. Also, the widnows don't open and there's no A/C so we have to fix one or the other..A/C would be $1000.

We just spent $1200 to fix it a month ago.

So rather than sending good money after bad, we have to buy a new car. We can't afford one, and were sp psyched because my car payments will be over in august, and that $$ was going to be all we can save for the wedding...guh...but anyway, sh*t happens, and we need a new car.

I guess it has to be as cheap as possible and good.

Also, we're first time buyers and recent college grads, do you know anyone with special financing for that?

ANY ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.

thanks

shamrock12472 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:34 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Why not look at one of the hybrids that Honda and Toyota make? They aren't terribly expensive and you get a decent tax credit for your 2005 taxes.

Jan05Bride Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:34 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

I've been seeing some good deals on leases for cars.

Look at the base models for these
Toyota Carolla
Toyota Matrix
Honda Civic

marymoon Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:36 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

thanks...a hybrid would be great. we're big environmentalists...plus a tax credit would be nice!

MonkeyLuv Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:45 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Most car dealerships have 'recent graduate' promotions or 'good grade' promotions. Toyota definitely does. Also, the hybrids are a bit pricey, but the Toyota Echo is dirt cheap, reliable and gets the best gas mileage of any non-hybrid car (38 city/41hwy).

groovecar.com has rebates as well.

dpli Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:50 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Posted by marymoon

thanks...a hybrid would be great. we're big environmentalists...plus a tax credit would be nice!

Check into this, I thought I remembered reading that they were phasing out the tax credit, that 2004 or 2005 would be the last year you could get it. I'm not 100% sure, but I would research it before buying if this is an incentive for you.

Also, the hybrids are more expensive than the regular models are (the Civic hybrid is more than a regular civic), but may save you more in the long run in gas expenses.

MrsERod Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:51 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Saturn

Summerbride04 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:54 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

My Hyundai Elantra was pretty cheap.

tourist Posted: Apr 25, 2005 02:58 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

DH's car died 9 months before our wedding, so I feel your pain.

He ended up with a Nissan Sentra.

His old car was also a good deal when he got it in 99, it was a used Saturn, but it was a 94, so by 2004, it was done.

My brother has had good luck with Hondas, but he leases.

ETA- DH's tip is to go a low frills as possible--don't spring for 'packages' he jsut go the one packagae that had AC & a cd player ( for the A/c not the C/D player).

He didn't care if it had floor mats, power windows, a cigarette lighter, etc.

boobobunny Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:00 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Posted by shamrock12472

Why not look at one of the hybrids that Honda and Toyota make? They aren't terribly expensive and you get a decent tax credit for your 2005 taxes.

I actually spoke with a few people who sell these hybrids and 2 of them did some math and actually found that you will need to own the car 5 years just to break even....since the Hybrids cost more money than their non hybrid counterparts.

don424 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:01 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

jenn, is yours and doug's credit good.

i would shop around to all the dealers in the area, queens have alot of them. If your credit is good, go in there and tell them what you can afford per month and have them work with you to get a decent car (new or used) that won't cripple you on the monthly payments.

marymoon Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:01 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

I'm looking at toyotas. I looked at kias also. Doug's parents own 2 hyundais, and they actually JUST bought one, so maybe we can get adeal form wherever his mom just bought hers.

If it helps, we're looking to finance, we need automatic transmissions, A/C, preferably power everything and as cheap as posisble..that's not too much to ask, is it?

I'm hoping well luck out on a recent grad or first time buyers deal

tourist Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:08 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

Posted by marymoon

I'm looking at toyotas. I looked at kias also. Doug's parents own 2 hyundais, and they actually JUST bought one, so maybe we can get adeal form wherever his mom just bought hers.

If it helps, we're looking to finance, we need automatic transmissions, A/C, preferably power everything and as cheap as posisble..that's not too much to ask, is it?

I'm hoping well luck out on a recent grad or first time buyers deal

Power everything might cost you. It seems odd, I thought it was standard, but DH's Nissan & previous aturn didnt' have pwer locks or windows. It isn't standard & he didn't want too may for the upgrade package.

don424 Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:09 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

jenn, toyotas are reasonable, we bought a 2004 camry last sept and the monthly payments are very reasonable
and we are financing

dpli Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:10 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

I still drive my 1991 Saturn. It was the first model they made. It was not that expensive and has been a great car for me - drove it cross country twice!

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 25, 2005 03:10 PM

Re: WORST weekend EVER - We need a new car..PLEASE suggest a CHEAP car

the Scions are SUPER cheap, even with ALL the extras, Cehvy Aveos are cheap but small. The Chevy Cobalt is a GREAT new car (it is replacing the Cavalier)