What are some car-buying tips you have?

I really need a new car.
My parents are trying to help me decide.
They are trying to talk me into ugly cars that I do not like.
They made me get the ugly car that I have now, back when I was a teen. I got ripped off because I went to a place my dad told me to go. A place he's been getting cars.

It's many years later. I do not want to be ripped off again.
I know that I'd need to put a good amount down, in order to have cheap car payments....
I really don't want to finance a car, because I think paying interest is stupid.
I know that if I pay the car off quickly, I'd pay less in interest.

I have thought about getting a cheaper cash car, but then that would come with more miles, which most likely means more car problems. Problems that I most likely won't have if I buy a newer car, around $10k , which is still alot to me, but I want a good car with no car problems for at least a few years. So sick of having car problems. My current car is 15 years old and will not pass inspection (unless I get x,y and z fixed)..

🤦🏾‍♀️😖🚗

*oh, and i do have a trusted, personal mechanic whom I will consult before purchasing anything.

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SatyrService · M

Japanese Cars, honda, nissan toyota, are long lasing, and if maintained, can be very reliable, even cheap to run, even 120,000 miles has LOTS of time on it yet.
volvos are tanks, in good shape they can last forever.

before you by, web search the car, see it it has notorious problems.
some do, sometimes just one year or model

all used cars will need [i]something[/i]. use that mechanic pal of yours.

Craigslist can be sketchy, many fake adds claiming EBAY motors.
but i HAVE found good cars thru c list.

see if some one you know, has a car to sell, more honest [i]usually[/i]

DOnt be stuck on ugly, or cute, the car is not YOU it is not YOUR FACE
it is transport in safety, choose that way first!

bigger does NOT mean safer, often the opposite.

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@SatyrService Yes, I'm looking into those brands. My dad sucks,he has told me to look on C list.
I'm not stuck on cute but if I'm paying 10k, can I at least like the darn thing...

SatyrService · M

@iamnikki can yu say what part of the world you are in?
it is amazing how the same search i just made in 2 parts of the US came up so different

consider a car that costs only 5 K?? or even, [i]whatever cash you already have[/i] do a carfax search if you are going to spend that much.
if you MUST finance, talk to your own bank, those [c=#008099]we finance[/c] joints over value the cars,, and are not big on quality

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@SatyrService I have thought about getting a cheaper cash car, but then that would come with more miles, which most likely means more car problems. Problems that I most likely won't have if I buy a newer car, 😐️

what do you mean? im unclear
if you MUST finance, talk to your own bank, those we finance joints over value the cars,, and are not big on quality

SatyrService · M

@iamnikki dealers that finance are more likely to give yo a loan, bigger than you should have, and over value the car.
your own bank will be very clear about the value of what you will buy, and will not encourage you to get more than you can handle

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@SatyrService so you are suggesting I borrow the money from the bank, instead of just making payments?

SatyrService · M

@iamnikki if you are just "making payments" you have gotten a loan, [b]from the dealer.[/b]

see what that car sells for online, use that number as a guide

BRING your mechanic,

don't be in a hurry.

a good way to find the cars value is to go to your bank and ask how much they would loan on it,

dealers can be Very Tricky, many use emotion and such to get you [b]In the car today![/b]

test drive a few. city and highway. at dealer prices you can so do that.

SW-User

@SatyrService TRUE Toyota is best

iamnikki · 31-35, F

@SatyrService okay, and that is interest...got it. I will drive the car TO my mechanic, since that's what he asked me to do

SatyrService · M

@iamnikki not a bad idea. but get some idea on how much THAT cr should cost in your area, that carfax thing is usefull too.