First time car buyer!
 

I am moving to the city and I need to get a car, I need a car that is good on gas and RELIABLE. Can anyone give me any tips on what would be a good car to get and how to go through the car buying process, what to watch out for and everything like that. My price range is between 15,000 and 25,000. Any tips/advice?

Cause your first car is ALWAYS memorable (Or so I have heard)

P.S. I thought about putting this in Tilted Motors but I guess it's a how to get a new car.

Buy from an individual, not a dealer. Get your car loan through a credit union. They have better rates. You should be able to get a good used Honda Accord in your price range.

screw used !!! if you can afford 15k - 25 k you can buy new.

sure depreciation sucks but good models arnt affected as much .

besides in many situations uness you are highly knowledgable
buying used = buying someone elses problem.


as to reliable \ good milage get japanese.


if you do buy used get a good warranty and get a mechanic to look it over. you might want a title search too to make sure the guy aint selling you his leased vehicle or something he doesnt otherwise own .

I am thinking possibly a used prelude? But I am somewhat worried because of the fact that it could get stolen, so I want something that won't really attract to much stealing/breaking in potential

Honda Civics are great, economy cars. I have a 2001 Civic, got it new, and I get around 32 miles per gallon, average. They are pretty cheap as well. ;)

Never Ever Never Ever buy new.. Why pay that much when a car 2 years old with 30,000 miles will be $10,000 cheaper?

Pretty hard to go wrong with either a Honda or Toyota. I'm still driving a '93 Corolla that runs fine. It ain't pretty - more generic, actually - but its long since paid for.

Thanks guys!

Do you guys have any tips to make my car less stealable(That isn't a word but I am tired!)?

For the best guide to buyng a car check out this site it has a long lisst of items to do when buying a car and is over several pages linked together but it will help you get the car you want at the price you want.

How to buy a Car

ive got a brand new accord coupe... you could go for one of those. gets 27/34 mpg, reliable as hell.... and the dash radio is integrated so nobody wants to steal it

for most of my car concerns, i usually check out emunds.com. If your looking to buy used, autotrader.com and cars.com are good sites as well as ebay.

Nissan Altima is a great car.

My fav under $25 is the Subaru WRX----may not be a good used car though.

....loh ya...check out cartalk....you know...click and clack

Thanks!

You guys are the greatest. I now know why this forum is so raved about!

I have a few cars lined up thanks to your guys help (And a little more reasearch) just depends whether I can get an indoor or outdoor parking spot

"Do you guys have any tips to make my car less stealable(That isn't a word but I am tired!)?"

use a club. to prevent break ins, keep nothing in the car but in the trunk instead, even a gym bag or shoes. keep coins in your pocket not in view. To further dicourage break ins, open the glove compartment, or any other knick knacks to show you got nothing for thieves to take. Sounds extreme, and some of it is, so take what you want out of it.

I have a Durango....always wanted one....
MPG Sucks - Trans Sucks, Dodge service Sucks

AHHHH Sigh......
Yugo may be the way to go... :(

I'd suggest a 1998-2000 Nissan Altima. Great interior room, peppy engine, great handling, though the only problem is wind noise when you go real fast. I love my Altima.

my best advice for buying a new car. No matter how sensible the undercoating or paint protection coating or etc etc etc sounds, especially when they put it in terms of "its only 10 dollars a month" just say no. That shit is not necessary for the enjoyment of your car, especially a commuter. remember, get the car with the options you want and say no to everything else.

i agree with some of the others, if you are ready to spend that, buy a new one so you have a warranty to fall back on. Even if you do find something nice used, you never know what has happened to it in the first few years. Buy something reliable and moderate if this is your first. Save the leather and sunroof for when you feel more comfortable purchasing something down the road.

I don't know if you've heard of click and clack, two car nuts with a radio show and useful website http://cartalk.cars.com but check them out. They rave about, and I agree, that buying a new car is pretty silly. As soon as you drive your $20,000 car off the lot it has dropped maybe $5000 in terms of resale value. The only new car I would buy if I could stand looking at it in my driveway is a Korean car. Kia and Hyundai have 10yr/100k warranties. For $8,000 you can get a gas saver that is guaranteed to have no problems for 10 years!

My fiance and I just bought a 2003 ford focus se. Its fully loaded with everything but the moonroof. After rebates and other financing deals it came to 12,300. Not bad for a new car. Good gas mileage, easy to get parts. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

I agree on the best under 25k being Subaru WRX.. mmmm well dunno about the best but its my fave. Nice cars. That or a VW Golf/Gti .. they run about 20k new and around 13-16 for a good used one. Good mileage and very fun cars to drive (MANUAL!!) =P good luck

Golf
www.vw.com/golf

Gti
www.vw.com/gti

wrx-wagon
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview

wrx-sedan
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview