Things to look for when buying a junker car

Well the time has come to put my 93 Grand Marquis down. The electric windows stopped working, theres no ac, it needs new brakes, and it needs almost as much oil as gas.

So I am scouring Craigslist for a new junker. This will be the first car I am buying myself so I am pumped about that. No I am not a balla just a poor college student looking for a car to last at least 1.5 years until I graduate and can think about car payments.

So I am pretty set in the 2k range, seem like there are some decent cars in the 100k miles range that should hold up.

Probably going to go take a look at a few tomorrow.

Anyone have any general advice? I am going with my dad who knows a lot more about cars then I do, but all the info I can get is good.

Hopefully take a look at two 95 Ford Escorts if anyone knows how well they hold up.
A 97 Eagle Talon and a 00 Dodge Neon.

DO NOT GET THE ESCORT. FOR GOD'S SAKE. DO NOT.

just get an old toyota or honda. srsly.

Tomorrow I am looking at a Hyundai Elantra 98 with 120k miles on it, and the 97 Eagle Talon.

From reading reviews of Eagle Talon seems pretty good, the Elantra not so much.

Main problem for both seem to be more with the interior which I dont really care about, I just need an engine to get me from A to B.


Whats so bad about the Escorts?

I'd just try to find a high mileage, newer amercan small car if you're just looking to get 1-2 years out of it.

You should be able to find a 2001 ish cavalier/ sunfire/ neon with 100 - 120 k miles for $1500 or so ( I sold my 1997 sunfire in 2002 for $2500 and it only had 70k miles).

I'd stay away from the imports because being from the north, the body is more than likely going to be shot and the mechanical maintenenace will be more expensive as well, especially if you have state inspections in MI.

Google XXXXreviews whatever you are looking at obv.
Definetely spend the $20 on a CARFAX report(unlimited)
Honda or Toyota are the best used cars.
Check the tires for even wear all around
Make sure the engine coolant looks good.
Check the Oil/Trans fluid too see if it is burnt
Check the rugs too see if they are wet, if they are =water leak somewhere which is a big pain in the ass.

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Originally Posted by ProZachNation

Tomorrow I am looking at a Hyundai Elantra 98 with 120k miles on it, and the 97 Eagle Talon.

From reading reviews of Eagle Talon seems pretty good, the Elantra not so much.

Main problem for both seem to be more with the interior which I dont really care about, I just need an engine to get me from A to B.


Whats so bad about the Escorts?

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The Elantra will probably not disappoint, depending on the previous owner. The Talon would be a score. I know two people that have had Talons from new and had them for over ten years and were a little sad to let them go.

When it comes to Junkers it's all about hte motor and tranny. Buy nothing with an engine that has been recently cleaned, they are hiding oil leaks. Buy nothing that doesn't shift from Reverse to Drive and back again smoothly, no clunks. Also, no wierd smells. Don't spend twenty minutes talking to the seller and then start it up for 30 seconds and shut it off. Start the vehicle and let it idle. Idling is the hardest thing on a vehicle, when something is wrong, it will shake and stutter more at this time, especially a cold engine.

oh yea, test drive, it's important, unless you really trust someone, and on Craigslist, I don't trust anyone.

honda/toyota/nissan iyam

boost, wtf does iyam mean?

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Originally Posted by bode

boost, wtf does iyam mean?

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if you ask me ldo

(I had to look it up, google is a neat thing)


buy Toyota or Honda for sure, they will both run FOREVER

I dont know what it is either not a lot of Honda/Toyotas for sale in my price range or at all. Living in the suburbs of Detroit a lot of pressure to buy American because everyone knows somone working for one of them.

I have two uncles and a good family friend all working for different car companies, now if I was buying new I would buy American, but buying a used POS doesnt really make a difference.

Today I looked at like 7 cars, test drove the elantra and Talon. Elantra did not run that great and needed tires and brakes in the near future. The talon ended up being pretty shady. 57k miles on it but it was a 97 looked like the engine had a lot more than 57k miles. The guy who was selling it seemed shady as well on how long he had had it and stuff like that. It also died pulling into his driveway lol

So the search continues, I think it is 50% luck and 50% persistence to just keep looking and eventually get lucky and find a gem.

Add to the list if the car has a Enterprise Used Car sticker do not buy it lol

Ninjas

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Originally Posted by sandstorm

Ninjas

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perfect response

Is it true if you have a foreign car in Detroit it'll will get destroyed by the locals when you leave it alone?

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Originally Posted by Galapogos

Is it true if you have anything nice in Detroit it'll will get destroyed by the locals when you leave it alone?

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fyp and yes.[/b]

my mom just sent me this coincidentally. i havent read it yet, but yeah.

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnnm/080702/070...pf=family-home

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Originally Posted by will641

my mom just sent me this coincidentally. i havent read it yet, but yeah.

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnnm/080702/070...pf=family-home

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I think I may have to bump my range up to 3k+ nothing but shit out there.

buy a Honda, it'll never stop running.

check consumer reports annual car issue for models/years that are good/bad. Can even get a one month subscription on-line for like $6 or a year for $26, or find it for free at the library.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/755769313.html

Does this seem particularly cheap for under 100k miles and a 99?

Or it could be a find!