Need A Car - Help Me CP!

[Nehkara]

Hey guys!

So, I have been looking for a car constantly for the past few months without being able to find something I like.

I am quite picky so I know that I am probably part of the problem, but I thought if I asked this huge and awesome community of ours that I might get some good ideas.

I am looking for a Japanese car with the order of preference for make being:

1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Mazda
4. Subaru (only because they are expensive)
5. Nissan
6. Mitsubishi

I am looking for a 4 cylinder car (small SUV would also work), my budget is $3000 to $8000 but I would prefer to be $6000 and under if possible.

Looking for an automatic transmission, no rust or body damage if possible (or a small enough amount that it could be easily repaired), mechanically sound, preferably under 180,000 km.

Only colour I won't buy is gold/tan.

My car finally got bad enough that I had to take it to Pick-N-Pull last week, so things have become a bit more urgent.

Thanks for any help/ideas/advice anyone can give.

[STeeLy]

You won't find much in the $3 range. But you can definitely find something that is $6k or under. Civic, Corolla are all going to be around/under that much. There will be some Mazdas, but I would urge you to stay away from those because if they're not rusted now, they certainly will be soon.

You could probably get a used Subaru Impreza for around the $5k-6k mark as well, but it will likely be in the late 90s, early-ish 2000 range.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

You won't find much in the $3 range. But you can definitely find something that is $6k or under. Civic, Corolla are all going to be around/under that much. There will be some Mazdas, but I would urge you to stay away from those because if they're not rusted now, they certainly will be soon.

You could probably get a used Subaru Impreza for around the $5k-6k mark as well, but it will likely be in the late 90s, early-ish 2000 range.

Is that better?

I've been looking for a long time but it is hard to find a good car that isn't rebuilt, or doesn't have some kind of mechanical or body damage.

I would like an Impreza definitely but finding a Sedan (don't much like the wagons) that is automatic is proving difficult.

I have been told my multiple people to stay away from used car lots. Dealerships are better but have very little in my price range.

I'm just frustrated, I need a vehicle soon and finding a good one is hard.

I have been checking Kijiji, Autotrader, Craigslist, and my work classifieds, as well as dealer websites/inventories.

[4X4]

Maybe you're over thinking this purchase a bit and being too picky. You're not going to find something in perfect condition for under $8000, but you should very easily be able to find something presentable, and mechanically sound. Find one you like, get it inspected, and then haggle the guy down 10%. It's just a car. No need to get frustrated.
Kijiji is your friend, btw.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Maybe you're over thinking this purchase a bit and being too picky. You're not going to find something in perfect condition for under $8000, but you should very easily be able to find something presentable, and mechanically sound. Find one you like, get it inspected, and then haggle the guy down 10%. It's just a car. No need to get frustrated.
Kijiji is your friend, btw.

Yeah, definitely 4X4. Thanks.

[STeeLy]

@OP: http://autocatch.com/used-cars/2005~...vic~834818.htm

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ383120854

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ383103898

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ383048695

There's really quite a few out there.

[GGG]

If you want to get the best deal on a used car look for week old adds on Kijiji without pictures. No one responds to adds without pictures and people who can be bothered to even put up pictures arent trying to maximize their value so they will be very willing to negotiate on price.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ382627111

Says price is firm but he didnt put up pictures so it isnt.
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ382307377

No pics and the price is screwed up. Although probably out of your price range
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ380761930

This guys add is two weeks old, never deleted it

[zamler]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You're not going to find something in perfect condition for under $8000, but you should very easily be able to find something presentable, and mechanically sound.

Perfect is a relative term, but for 8 grand you can find a very nice used car. I've noticed the desirable cars sell very quickly on Kijiji, especially if the price is right. Yesterday there was a 1997 Camry with about 130K, car looked really nice they were asking $1700, car is no longer listed. The car would normally sell for 4k+, like these:

Kijiji link
Kijiji link

1992-2001 Camry IMO is the best used car out there, downside is people tend to completely ignore regular maintenance and drive them until they die, which is almost never. So you could end up with a car that needs quite a lot of work like suspension, timing belt etc.

[Nehkara]

Yeah, the EXACT car that I wanted was posted on Kijiji a few days ago, down to every last detail and it was even in my part of the city.

It was gone 3 hours after it was posted.

[Travis Munroe]

You can get a older G35 in your price range... I used to have one and loved every bit of it.