Hola. Please help me buy a car.

[darcane]

Originally Posted by brett701

As far s the vibe GT engine being too big. I like that it is an engine that lasts forever & I will be getting 38 mpg from it which I thought was good.

It's not "too big", it's just that it is tuned more for performance than economy. Both the Vibe GT and the regular Vibe have Toyota engines.

The standard engine makes about 126hp and is rated at 25/33mpg with a manual tranny:
Compare Side-by-Side

The GT engine makes about 180hp and is rated at 22/29mpg with a manual tranny:
Compare Side-by-Side

38mpg is possible in the GT, but it will take some effort on your part.

The same year Corolla with the same engine and tranny is rated at 28/36mpg:
Compare Side-by-Side
I posted one earlier, but it has an auto so it is rated for 25/34mpg


Also, go easy on the "forever". 200k miles is still an awful lot for a car, and starting there will greatly reduce reliability. Toyotas have better than average reliability, but they still have engine failures, especially if they are abused. I've owned three Toyotas so far, and all three I purchased because the engine failed. My boss's well maintained, low mileage Highlander is now running on 5 cylinders and is going to need expensive repairs. Don't believe that just because it's got a "T" badge on the nose that it's invincible.

[brett701]

CAR AA
2003 civic hybrid, low miles
Any good? battery is probably shot and probably needs a belt soon?
CAR BB
98' Black Toyota Corolla with Inspections
What if I offered 1100?
Does the rattle concern anyone?
CAR CC
2000 Nissan Sentra gxe
Maybe I offer $1700
CAR DD
1998 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L 5-Speed
Maybe I offer $1500
CAR EE
2003 Toyota Matrix XRS-WILL GO FAST!
lowball an offer of 2400?
CAR FF
Honda CIVIC '96
Don't know what a headliner is or how much it cost to fix.
I offer $1000?
CAR GG
2002 Honda Civic
Maybe i Offer $1700?
CAR HH
2001 Honda Civic EX
I'm scared of this one since 2001 is the problem year for civic. I also want a manual.
CAR II
96 Honda civic ex
Maybe I offer $900?
CAR JJ
2000 saturn sl1 FOR SALE
These have been known to get good gas mileage i thought???
Maybe I offer $1200?
CAR KK
1997 Saturn SL1
Maybe I offer $1550. This is a manual btw.
CAR LL
1997 Saturn Wagon
Donno if the wagon version gets good gas mileage.
Maybe I offer $1300
CAR MM
2001 saturn sl-1
Seems like he is looking to get rid of. I may be able to get for $800.
CAR NN
2001 Saturn LS for sale!
Maybe a good value on it & I offer lower??? I dont know.
CAR OO
98 Sentra
I actually have a lot of interest in this Sentra for some reason. I don't know why.

As you can tell I am looking for a value car at the moment. This may be a VERY temporary car, but it will keep me from spending money every week on my car. Who knows I might end up keeping the car longer than I think.

Thanks guys.

I will go to a mechanic have them inspect every car before I purchase.

[darcane]

Now this list looks like cars that are logically being purchased for financial reasons.

Of these I like, in order of preference:

CAR KK $2650 147k
1997 Saturn SL1
CAR DD $2200 153k
1998 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L 5-Speed
CAR JJ $2000 152k
2000 saturn sl1 FOR SALE
CAR LL $2200 140k
1997 Saturn Wagon
CAR CC $2500 182k
2000 Nissan Sentra gxe

Saturn S-series are robust cars as long as you keep the oil topped off. They tend to use oil, but as long as they don't run low it is fine. The single cam engines are more efficient (SL1, SC1, SW1) the dual cam engine are less so (SL2, SC2, SW2). The wagon looks clean. If it were an SW1 it would have been on the top of the list.

[brett701]

Originally Posted by darcane

Now this list looks like cars that are logically being purchased for financial reasons.

Of these I like, in order of preference:

CAR KK $2650 147k
1997 Saturn SL1
CAR DD $2200 153k
1998 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L 5-Speed
CAR JJ $2000 152k
2000 saturn sl1 FOR SALE
CAR LL $2200 140k
1997 Saturn Wagon
CAR CC $2500 182k
2000 Nissan Sentra gxe

Saturn S-series are robust cars as long as you keep the oil topped off. They tend to use oil, but as long as they don't run low it is fine. The single cam engines are more efficient (SL1, SC1, SW1) the dual cam engine are less so (SL2, SC2, SW2). The wagon looks clean. If it were an SW1 it would have been on the top of the list.

I think this could be a winnner even though it is automatic.
2001 Ford Focus, 183xxx miles, moving and NEED GONE ASAP

What about this one? Is it too risky?
Saturn

Maybe I offer for this?
1999 mazda 626

I offered via email $1100 for this one.
2002 Saturn SL

I am going to offer $1000 for this over text tomorrow. I always figure I can offer without committing myself.
2000 saturn sl1 FOR SALE

Not super economic & a v6, but I like the wheels & it looks clean. I can take the wheels and put on a new car if I ever had to??? Maybe not...who knows.
2005 Kia optima for sale

& still looking.

[darcane]

Focus is gone and I'd avoid the Kia... otherwise, any of those. I don't see anything obviously scary on the black SL1. I'd check that one out promptly.

[23baseball3]

I think with all of the input and all of the clashing opinions and speculations about preferences and criteria, it might be best to just take a step back and think about things yourself. Sometimes, 11 heads aren't better than 1. Rethink your criteria, simplify your needs and weed out your automatic no's (like if you don't like Kia, don't let someone pitch you to buy a Kia, you'll just second guess yourself and then the second guessing will never end). It might be time to sort the wants from the necessary. If you find everything perfect in a car, but it's a bright obnoxious green, maybe you'll just have to sacrifice that.

[brett701]

Originally Posted by 23baseball3

I think with all of the input and all of the clashing opinions and speculations about preferences and criteria, it might be best to just take a step back and think about things yourself. Sometimes, 11 heads aren't better than 1. Rethink your criteria, simplify your needs and weed out your automatic no's (like if you don't like Kia, don't let someone pitch you to buy a Kia, you'll just second guess yourself and then the second guessing will never end). It might be time to sort the wants from the necessary. If you find everything perfect in a car, but it's a bright obnoxious green, maybe you'll just have to sacrifice that.

I don't care what it says on the car. IF it looks decent and fits criteria I am happy. Everyone is helping me in here to learn and conclude to a better solution. I know it's messy, but its progress and if progress were easy everyone would be doing it. I'm going to continue to grind and find the correct car and then another correct car and so on & eventually I'll be able to maintain my own cars and maybe some day be able to give back to the community with what I've learned.

[brett701]

Here is a decent car. It seems weird that it says St. Louis on the bottom right. IT seems like a good price with minimal miles. It almost makes me think like something is wrong with it.
2007white Nissan Scrumptious Altima 2.5SE


I offered $1100 for this blue Saturn. The owner said that they could drop some money, but not too much. The coolant leak bothers me bc/ I know little regarding coolant leaks.
2002 Saturn SL

[brett701]

Originally Posted by darcane

Focus is gone and I'd avoid the Kia... otherwise, any of those. I don't see anything obviously scary on the black SL1. I'd check that one out promptly.

Aside from it having black wheels that look like hubcaps. It is in overland which is not a good area & it seems like the floor mat in the passenger side is in a sloppy position for a picture which shows a lot of lack of pride of ownership.

I have emailed the owner & we will see how he responds.

[MobilOne]

Ive had good experience with Toyota's, so the Camry would be my choice. Why not go look at some, when you see one in person, it may make your decision for you.