buying used

[bibiboo]

Hi all
i know you guys are probably getting bored of this topic but Im just posting to see if i could get some opinions and suggestions

I'm plannin to spend around 15k financing for a used car cos after reading all the info on this forum it seems like spending money on any new car = wasting money.
Im young and going to be 23 this year. I havent got my G license yet and i will get it before i get a car. Everything will be paid for by myself, the car, the insurance, the gas etc.

I dont mind sedan or sports, 2dr or 4 dr, as long as it wont die on me after just 2 or 3 yrs of driving cos i would plan on keeping it for some time, but I would like to find somehting that has a little luxury touch to it on the interior. I hate domestic cos they are ugly cars ^^
Now for my selections:
1. 2001-2002 IS300
Many have complemented on this lexus on this forum and since I've liked it's look too when it came out, it naturally became one of my choices. It's downside is that the interior is leather(good) but seats and steering wheel looks little old fashion and price might be a bit over my budget if i want a better condition car(eg. 2002-2003)
2. 2002-2003 RSX
For the same price, I could get a younger car that could last longer. Especially its a honda which has good reliability i assume. Needless to say it's sexy look.
3. 2003 TSX
This is another of my favourite car, but it also seems to be over my budget.
4. 2003 G35 sedan
Over my budget again and the steering wheel looks dumb =D

I havent test drove any of these cars before.
Another question I have is, if i buy from dealer, would they let me take the car to a garage for a full checkup before i buy the car? and who would pay for it? Also, is it better to put down more down payment if i want to finance teh car and finish in 2yrs or so.
Please feel free to give your opinions and suggestions onto this, thanks all!

[bibiboo]

added selection
5. 2002 Mercedes C230 Coupe
This car has enough luxury to it to fit my requirement and its nice and sporty, but dont know about maintanence on old mercedes

[B0000rt]

Hi all
i know you guys are probably getting bored of this topic but Im just posting to see if i could get some opinions and suggestions

I'm plannin to spend around 15k financing for a used car cos after reading all the info on this forum it seems like spending money on any new car = wasting money.
Im young and going to be 23 this year. I havent got my G license yet and i will get it before i get a car. Everything will be paid for by myself, the car, the insurance, the gas etc.

I dont mind sedan or sports, 2dr or 4 dr, as long as it wont die on me after just 2 or 3 yrs of driving cos i would plan on keeping it for some time, but I would like to find somehting that has a little luxury touch to it on the interior. I hate domestic cos they are ugly cars ^^
Now for my selections:
1. 2001-2002 IS300
Many have complemented on this lexus on this forum and since I've liked it's look too when it came out, it naturally became one of my choices. It's downside is that the interior is leather(good) but seats and steering wheel looks little old fashion and price might be a bit over my budget if i want a better condition car(eg. 2002-2003)
2. 2002-2003 RSX
For the same price, I could get a younger car that could last longer. Especially its a honda which has good reliability i assume. Needless to say it's sexy look.
3. 2003 TSX
This is another of my favourite car, but it also seems to be over my budget.
4. 2003 G35 sedan
Over my budget again and the steering wheel looks dumb =D

I havent test drove any of these cars before.
Another question I have is, if i buy from dealer, would they let me take the car to a garage for a full checkup before i buy the car? and who would pay for it? Also, is it better to put down more down payment if i want to finance teh car and finish in 2yrs or so.
Please feel free to give your opinions and suggestions onto this, thanks all!

I'm also looking for a car in the exact same price range.
1) Also looking at this, but horrible gas mileage for a 6cyl, takes Premium and expensive parts is a downer for me. I thought the IS300 had suede interior surfaces, not leather..
2) Not considering Honda
3) See 2
4) Null Pointer Exception thrown ;)

5) Mazda 3 GT? You might beable to score on with factory warranty remaining.. I plan to buy extended if I'm able to find a decent one!
6) 04-05 WRX or RS, interior isn't that good looking though
7) ~03 Maxima Lots of power, also comes in 6speed Manual, a bit large, and styling not liked by some
8) VW Mark 4's, reliability is suspect but I'm sure you could find a GTI for the price you wanna spend


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Edit, didnt' see that you're gonna finance, and wanted luxury interior, strip 6 from the list, and heck if you're gonna finance then go for the G35! Who cares if it's over budget, you'll just have longer payments :D

[jhan]

Nice, I'm planning to finance an used car in $15K range as well!
However, I don't understand how the cars you've mentioned fit your price range. I haven't done an extensive research yet because of exams, but aren't those cars above 15K price range?

I was thinking along the lines of 02 Altima/Accord/RSX type of cars.. are IS300/G35/RSX/TSX that cheap right now? I would assume these cars cost something like 20K min.

[B0000rt]

Nice, I'm planning to finance an used car in $15K range as well!
However, I don't understand how the cars you've mentioned fit your price range. I haven't done an extensive research yet because of exams, but aren't those cars above 15K price range?

I was thinking along the lines of 02 Altima/Accord/RSX type of cars.. are IS300/G35/RSX/TSX that cheap right now? I would assume these cars cost something like 20K min.

There are some IS300s that go to the 16s and 17s. I'm sure he figures he can haggle down abit more.

[bibiboo]

ya i did mention that lowest price for G35 and TSX are near 20k and out of my price range

As for IS300, their 2001 and 2002 are around 15k to 18k which is still affordable
My best bet now is C230coupe and RSX which are well around 15k that I should be able to afford. But I'm thinkin if its better to get a sedan if I want to keep the car for the long term

anyone know any site that has ppl posting for ppl to take over their finance term? that might be an option for me for RSX and C230coupe

[kcorscadden]

A coupe is great when you are young and single. It is when you get older that the coupe becomes more of a hassle and you wish you bought a sedan. That is just my experience. If you are going to be the sole person in the car and not going to be hauling people around for the duration of the ownership, then go with a coupe.

Before you consider buying these cars, you are going to want to look at insurance premiums first. What may seem like an amazing deal, the insurance rate usually kills that fast. Your list of cars I would imagine would have to pay a good chunk of $$$ to insure.

I don't know of any finance websites, but there is www.leasebusters.com for people who want to get out of their leases early.

[tidus888]

IS300 is a nice car.. but one thing u have to consider is the RWD...

RWD + winter = not that great.

but then.. RSX would be nice actually.. as u can get body kits and accessories for that car cheap right now =)

like 500 bux can get u the whole body kit..

Altima is a good buy.. but u will have to live with the cheap interior..

and even if u decide to go with altima.. get the 3.5 =) nice engine!

[jhan]

Wow, I had no idea IS300 and C230 were that cheap right now.. maybe I should reconsider. I've been driving for 3 years, have G, with a clean record so insurance should be reasonable I think.

I currently drive 99 Altima and love its reliability, but if I can buy IS300/C230 Coupe then I'm going to have to go with those instead of newer Altima/Accord..

[hOrnizuka]

Are you financing 15k through the dealer or bank(loan)? I believe dealer's interests is a lot higher than the bank. So getting a loan from the bank could be a better option.


Good Luck!


PS. Currently I'm doing some research as well. I'm getting a used car this year.

[jhan]

How easy is it to get a car loan from the bank?

[bibiboo]

can others post their experience with getting loan from bank for financing their car or financing/leasing thru dealer?
thats one concern i have also since i havent had any experience before.

Also anyone know any well known issues or reliabilities on these cars?
RSX
IS300
C230coupe

[B0000rt]

can others post their experience with getting loan from bank for financing their car or financing/leasing thru dealer?
thats one concern i have also since i havent had any experience before.

Also anyone know any well known issues or reliabilities on these cars?
RSX
IS300
C230coupe

I did some research on the IS300 and apparently the CD player conks out pretty fast, and the O2 sensor does too. clublexus.com

[bibiboo]

i have a friend's friend offer of selling his RSX TypeS 03' 95km for around 17.5k
Silver colour with some minor mods with suspension and lip

anyoen has experience with rsx can tell if the price is reasonable? I've looked up some prices online but still not very sure. It seems the price is a little over, anyone can confirm?

[thephenom]

i have a friend's friend offer of selling his RSX TypeS 03' 95km for around 17.5k
Silver colour with some minor mods with suspension and lip

anyoen has experience with rsx can tell if the price is reasonable? I've looked up some prices online but still not very sure. It seems the price is a little over, anyone can confirm?

That sounds about right. The only thing slowing down the sales might be the mods. A lot of people think a modified car means a beat up car. ;)

[Spray]

In that price range, I'd pick up an off lease 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero. Most reliable european sedan, 250 hp, FWD with TCS, leather/ventilated seats, xenons, etc etc etc just fully loaded and a GREAT car to drive.

[thephenom]

In that price range, I'd pick up an off lease 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero. Most reliable european sedan, 250 hp, FWD with TCS, leather/ventilated seats, xenons, etc etc etc just fully loaded and a GREAT car to drive.

SAAB? Reliable?

My neighbour who used to work as a mechanic at SAAB warned me to NEVER get a SAAB.

[Spray]

Cant argue with fact's...the 9-5 is the most reliable european sedan.

Some saabs are reliable, others aren't. Being part of the saab community for years I can tell you the 9-5's are as reliable as cast iron stoves.

SAAB? Reliable?

My neighbour who used to work as a mechanic at SAAB warned me to NEVER get a SAAB.

[thephenom]

Cant argue with fact's...the 9-5 is the most reliable european sedan.

Some saabs are reliable, others aren't. Being part of the saab community for years I can tell you the 9-5's are as reliable as cast iron stoves.

While it could be true, but how does the most reliable european sedan go against the reliable japanese sedan? :D

[hOrnizuka]

ne1 here rely on black book to do the price negotiation?

[Spray]

hehe I'd say with the 9-5 it's fairly close. My friend has 250k on his already, they're pretty reliable as long as they're taken care of. And an off lease with 80,000 km is a nice opportunity imo. It was high on my list when I chose the legacy. 250HP/250 tq while getting 30mpg is just phenomenal. The ride is quiet and luxurious as well.

While it could be true, but how does the most reliable european sedan go against the reliable japanese sedan? :D

[malaco0219]

Cant argue with fact's...the 9-5 is the most reliable european sedan.

Some saabs are reliable, others aren't. Being part of the saab community for years I can tell you the 9-5's are as reliable as cast iron stoves.

http://www.saabcentral.com/

This site has a lot of information for those interested in Saabs.

Not known to be the best for reliability, but every company has their issues. And honestly, some people complain for the slightest things, like a light bulb going out. DIY, and you can get it done for 2 dollars or so from your local Canadian Tire.

Tidus888 previously suggested Altima. If you do go with a used one, do get a 3.5 as he suggested. 2.5 are known to have problems with the 4 cylinder as mentioned in other threads here on RFD. I would say the interior isnt CHEAP, but pretty good for the price you pay, and the sound system is above average.

[bibiboo]

i checked www.vmrcanada.com and the retail price for the rsx that i listed was 16.6k, so should i try to aim for this price in the negotiation?
(TypeS 03' 95km manual leather)

anymore comments on the reliability of rsx, is300 and c230coupe??
and experiences with obtainin car loan from bank?

[hOrnizuka]

i used this black book thingy and it gave me a value of 15.3k for retail for your Type-s.

http://www.usedcarsontario.com/blackbook.php