Finding a Quality Used Car
For most people, a car is the second biggest purchase they will make in their adult lives, second to a new home, so it makes sense that it is a complicated and difficult one. Do you want a used car or a new car? Sporty? Luxury? Spacious? Fuel-efficient? To try and unwind this, we’ve assembled a couple of tips to help you on your way.
Reliability
One of the things people frequently forget to calculate in their purchasing decision is the long-term cost of ownership of a vehicle. If you focus on getting a solid, reliable used car, you’re less likely to incur additional expenses as a result of breakdowns and regular wear and tear.
Economy
With the ever-rising cost of gas, it’s important for the savvy used car shopper to pay attention to the kind of fuel economy they’re getting.
Desirability
With all this talk of practicality under constrained budgets, it’s important not to forget that you should enjoy your car.
The good folks over at Kelley Blue Book recently compiled a list of the top 10 used cars for under $8,000, taking into account exactly these criteria; here’s what they came up with:
2004 Honda Civic, $7,970.
2002 Infiniti G20, $5,965.
2002 Toyota Corolla, $6,125.
2004 Pontiac Vibe, $7,630.
2004 Scion xA, $7,805.
2003 Ford Escape, $7,560.
2002 Toyota Tundra Standard Cab, $5,925.
2003 Mazda Protege5, $7,360.
2004 Ford Crown Victoria, $7,970.
2008 Kia Rio, $7,895.
A great list to start out with, but never forget that a little bit of research goes a long way. Make sure you know what you want, know what it’s worth, and know what you’re getting.