Hola. Please help me buy a car.

[brett701]

Trying to buy some cars, but they keep going quickly.

Here are some new options. Let me know what you think. I'm going to set up appointments to meet with a handful of cars tomorrow.

Thanks guys.

CAR 1A
98' Black Toyota Corolla with Inspections
This guy is going to relist at $1200 and has texted me to come check it out after I showed interest. I can probably get for $1000. I don't know if the rattling is anything to worry about. I just have a headstart on offering for this car.
CAR 2A
2000 Toyota corolla
Dirty car, weird coloring on car. I don't trust it as much as the above.
CAR3A
2000 Honda Civic Ex
Decent car and mileage isnt too high. "it is drivable" makes me curious.
CAR4A
2002 Honda Civic - $2300 (Maplewood)
I kind of like this one bc/ it's in a nice neighborhood, not that it means too much.
CAR5A
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback
Still looking at this just bc/ i thoguht they were solid options.
CAR6A
96 Corolla
Not sure about this.
CAR7A
02 SATURN SL 5spd PERFECT CONDITION!!
I kind of like this one because I trust it. I'd like the price to be lower like 2100 max.
CAR8A
2000 saturn sl1 FOR SALE
The front is a bit hoosier and beat up. Maybe I pay $1400? I don't know how hard it would be to get a new bumper.
CAR9A
2002 Saturn SL
Don't know how big of a deal the coolant leak is. Car is in a more trustworthy area.
CAR10A
tlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4848240269.html
Decent car, Id like to pay 1650 max for this? the car is close to my house so that's a plus.
CAR11A
1998 Toyota Camry LE
automatc, 4 cycliner, a lot of miles...Id pay 1500 maybe?
CAR12A
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4833072456.html
Needs muffler... I find this risky since it might have further issues. Owner is asking 1200. but has very low miles.
CAR13A
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4848240269.html
CAR14A
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4850621450.html

[MobilOne]

My choice would be the $2900 Saturn. My impression from the ad is that the seller knows cars and took care of it. Go check it out with 25 $100 bills. Make one offer, then keep quiet. First one to talk has lost bargaining power.
The coolant leak car says BEWARE to me. I think that the seller knows what the problem is and even though the fix "should be simple", it will be expensive. Just my 2 cents.

[ME_Andy]

2000 Insight, $2850
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post465240

[brett701]

Originally Posted by MobilOne

My choice would be the $2900 Saturn. My impression from the ad is that the seller knows cars and took care of it. Go check it out with 25 $100 bills. Make one offer, then keep quiet. First one to talk has lost bargaining power.
The coolant leak car says BEWARE to me. I think that the seller knows what the problem is and even though the fix "should be simple", it will be expensive. Just my 2 cents.

Aren't you worried about the low coolant indicator going off?

[MobilOne]

No, I agree with the seller, probably a sensor. What else would cause the warning?

[brett701]

Originally Posted by MobilOne

No, I agree with the seller, probably a sensor. What else would cause the warning?

I have no idea. I don't know cars very well.

[MobilOne]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to quiz you. It was just a rhetorical question. Coolant leaks are a problem. They must be addressed or one is running the risk of damaging the engine. Over the years, I've f'd three engines this way. (84 Camry, 81 Delta 88, 78 Malibu). But if I got a coolant low warning and I checked and the coolant tank was fine, then I would diagnose it as a bad sensor, sensor wire or connection, loose or corroded.
On the other hand, If it were me trying to sell that car, I'd fix the problem so that there would be no question.
I still think that it is the best of the bunch, BUT, I have no Saturn experience.

[brett701]

Originally Posted by MobilOne

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to quiz you. It was just a rhetorical question. Coolant leaks are a problem. They must be addressed or one is running the risk of damaging the engine. Over the years, I've f'd three engines this way. (84 Camry, 81 Delta 88, 78 Malibu). But if I got a coolant low warning and I checked and the coolant tank was fine, then I would diagnose it as a bad sensor, sensor wire or connection, loose or corroded.
On the other hand, If it were me trying to sell that car, I'd fix the problem so that there would be no question.
I still think that it is the best of the bunch, BUT, I have no Saturn experience.

No problem. lol. I am just trying to be careful since I don't want to get into a bad situation given I don't know what I'm doing.

If so mechanical why wouldn't he fix it? I guess well see. I will contact the owner. I am debating this car and the insight right now, but like he said it's fragile which worries me.

[MobilOne]

Brett, Say you get the Saturn, or a Corolla or a Kia and you need work done on it. Where do you go? Answer: any competent mechanic. And you can find them at any independent repair facility. Say you get an Insight and you need work done on it; where do you go? Answer, any competent Insight mechanic. And where do you find those? Most likely only at a Honda dealer.
Have fun today, got to go do some work. Kurt

[brett701]

Originally Posted by MobilOne

My choice would be the $2900 Saturn. My impression from the ad is that the seller knows cars and took care of it. Go check it out with 25 $100 bills. Make one offer, then keep quiet. First one to talk has lost bargaining power.
The coolant leak car says BEWARE to me. I think that the seller knows what the problem is and even though the fix "should be simple", it will be expensive. Just my 2 cents.

I ended up doing what you said and got the car. However I only went with 20 $100 bills and 25 $20 bills.

I didn't get it inspected or anything. I was basing all of it off of the individuals personality. I met him at his work. He is a mechanic at Toyota (a newer mechanic) & I went to his apartment to do paper work.

Anyways, Thank you all for your help I appreciate it & couldn't have gotten a good car without all of you. I will keep you posted as to the MPG that I will be receiving with this Barebones 2002 Saturn SL 5 speed.

I've only used a stick twice before this so I'm sure my mpg will be a bit off. Today 94 miles was 3/4 tank. I think the tank is 12.1 gallons & I ended up getting 32.13 mpg for the 1st 1/4 of a tank.

NEXT STEP
Get safety& emissions
Get new insurance
Get new plate

Figure out which add ons are attainable and within my scope of skill.

Also, the tires need pumped. I need to learn how to drive a stick properly before I start trying to drive more efficient.

Thanks again to everyone that suffered through my confusion.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4855359884.html