Looking for help in buying a 4 door car.

[dwade1881]

[font="droid sans", sans-serif]I am hoping someone on here can help me. I am looking to buy a van around 2.5k to 4k. that is in really good condition and mechanically sound. no more than a 190k miles. anywhere in Texas, Arkansas, or Oklahoma. please send links or if you know any, please let me know the details. looking to buy.[/font]

 

[highdesertranger]

Mini or full size? 1/2 ton? 3/4, 1ton? 4cyl, 6, 8? More info is better. Highdesertranger

 

[juveraeh99]

My friend is not at all into cars; I'm interested in the mechanics of cars, but I know almost no consumer information. He currently is leasing a v6 mustang. He went to a dealership and said "I want a manual car". That mustang was the only one he could afford from their menu and my friend did no other research (dumb I know). Now his lease is nearly up, he doesn't like the car too much, and is now trying to actually put some work into finding a car he likes.

 

[bullfrog]

A Toyota Camry is rated as one of the most reliable cars sold. There were some years that had oil consumption problems if they were not well maintained 2007 - 2010 I believe but do your own research. My son has a 2006 and my daughter has a 2002. Both have put over 50,000 miles on them after purchasing them for less than $5,000 and they are still running well and expect to get 300,000 miles out of them before replacing them. Factory maintenance history is the most important factor in my opinion but as long as they received regular maintenance and are one owner they usually go 300,000 miles. Finding a reliable well maintained van for under $4,000 probably won't happen in this market.

 

[Morgana]

Research, research, research. These are tough times to be buying a used car — prices have gone way up, so be prepared for sticker shock — but even at the best of times, doing some hard-core homework is the only way you’ll be able to separate the flakes, charlatans, and lemons from the good ‘uns. You might get lucky and get a good tip or personal connection here, but you’ll “make your own good luck” if you also do your own digging.

Of course, you may already be doing that!

I went through this about a year ago when my beloved Camry finally died at 375K miles. Here are some of the online resources I found helpful:

basic how-to-shop advice:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/buy-used-car
https://www.kiplinger.com/article/cars/t009-c000-s001-how-to-shop-for-a-used-car.html
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/how-to-buy-a-used-car
https://www.carfax.com/blog/car-buying-checklist
https://www.realcartips.com/cardealers/360-dealership-ratings-reviews.shtml

researching makes/models, getting an idea of going prices, finding leads to local dealers:
https://www.edmunds.com/
https://www.kbb.com/
https://www.nadaguides.com/


While shopping I made heavy use of the Carfax vehicle history report
(https://www.carfax.com/vehicle-history-reports/).
This can tell you if the car has been in a major accident, had flood damage, or the like, and how well the previous owner kept up maintenance (important!), though it’s not 100% foolproof. Most reputable dealers will provide the Carfax for free (though you should double-check the VIN to make sure you’re seeing the right report).  AFAIK very few individual sellers offer this, but if you have found a vehicle you’re 95% sure of, it would be worth investing the money to get your own. (You can do this online with a credit card as long as you have the VIN.)

Your state DMV will probably have a website where you can plug in the VIN to make sure the title doesn’t have a lien on it. I think (could be wrong) that a dealer has to tell you about a lien but a private seller doesn’t. I had one try to slide an encumbered? title by me — was  very nonchalant, too, when I noticed it, the little rat. You certainly meet all kinds! It is worth checking this before you go to a lot of trouble to view a car. (Anyone who won't give you the VIN over the phone is not someone you want to buy from.)

There are other precautions you can take, too; those how-to articles cover a lot of them. And for sure get a good mechanic to check out the vehicle before you buy it. There are ways — including, but not only, the Better Business Bureau — to help you find a good one if you don't already have one. Between the mechanic and the Carfax you may pay $100–200, and nobody likes to pay that, but compared to spending thousands on a lemon! it’s worth it.

I have heard from several different mechanics that Toyota and Honda are the best bets for affordable but reliable high-mileage cars. Supposedly there is a Toyota truck out there that made it to a million miles.

Not a fun or easy task -- took me four months but I was happy with the result and I hope you find the right vehicle, too. Good luck!

 

[AlexGomez]

I know of some but apparently I'm not allowed to post links... I don't want to get in trouble but please private message me and I'll send the details. I think it's just what you're looking for.

 

[waky]

i read some this info tho a bit confusing i own well paying for a ford fusion from a ford dealer i have 3 more years to go and unfortunately it was with the income help of a friend that let me get it but i cant trade it in at the dealer my income alone isnt enough even tho i been paying on it for 2-3 yrs with their third party loan/baker. would i be able to trade it off to someone if they willing to take over the payments or whatever or am i stuck with it for the 3 yrs left.

 

[john*thomas]

i read some this info tho a bit confusing i own well paying for a ford fusion from a ford dealer i have 3 more years to go and unfortunately it was with the income help of a friend that let me get it but i cant trade it in at the dealer my income alone isnt enough even tho i been paying on it for 2-3 yrs with their third party loan/baker. would i be able to trade it off to someone if they willing to take over the payments or whatever or am i stuck with it for the 3 yrs left.

 This is likely a completely different topic but............They would have to get their own loan and pay yours off. The bank has your title (most likely) and you can't transfer it without paying the loan off. As a general answer goes. 
  
  If they simply give you what you owe, you then have nothing.

 

[hugemoth]

If a small 4 door car would do, the Nissan Versa is available with a manual transmission. The automatic transmissions are pretty bad but the manuals are reliable.Ive had one for 3.5 years with zero problems.

 

[brollins]

Another vote for Toyota Camry. It is a solid car, and the maintenance cost is not too high.