Hey guys, withing this next year, I plan on buying a used car. My budget is 10k, maybe a little more if needed. I just have a few questions about making a good purchase. My first question is, how many miles is too many? I am looking at '03 Mustangs but they all have 100,000+ miles. Is that good? Secondly, are there any specific things I should look for? I do not know too much about cars and maintaining them. Sorry if that is a vague question haha
Personally I wouldn't pay 10 grand for a car that has 100 thousand miles...especially a domestic one. I've owned a lot of cars both new and used, and I tend to look for a low mile preferably one owner import. I've had good luck with Hondas, they're easy to maintain, parts are cheap, and will easily do 275,000 miles with no major issues. I recently got a one owner 02 Civic with 60,000 miles in like new condition for $5200...runs great and gets a solid 35 mpg...
find a buddy who does know cars and bring him. Its really a gamble buying used if you dont know too much about cars because there could be something that is a big issue that you would never even think to check. A clean carfax doesnt say shit about a vehicle,especially a mustang....
Research. Research. Research. Then schedule test drives. Find a trustworthy mechanic. If the owner wont bring it to a mechanic of your choice there is a reason, so walk away. 10k will get you a clean WRX round these parts.. jus sayin.
Really depends on the Mustang. 100k is a lot for a mustang especially for 10k. If your really want a mustang check out the mustang forums for some better ideas of what you can get for your price. Also check out some other cars you can get for 10k+/-..wrx's, s2000, camaros..maybe even a used Porsche Boxster. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
If you don't know much about cars don't buy anything exotic, or even uncommon.....sucks to find out a brake job that would cost a couple hundred bucks is gonna set you back a grand or two.....
Unless he gets a Ferrari Enzo for 10K, I dont think a few thousand dollar brake job is any worry. My question is who pays a few hundred for $20 brake pads that literally take 10 minutes a side to change? AAaaanyway.......... 100K really isnt that much on a car anymore. This isnt 1970. Anything newer than 1990 should do 200K+ easy with proper maintenance. Find the car you want through research first. Being a car guy, and a mechanic, and thinking myself pretty sensible, after having done many, many hours of research myself, I have come to the conclusion that for comfort, safety, power, reliability, ease of maintenance, and price, (Which are my personal buying factors) nothing touches a Panther (Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car).
BUDGET IS 10K thats a good budget You could look at something for like 16 so you throw 9 or 10k down and make payments to boost your credit You could get something like 02-10 anything under 60k miles and you're good. if your just looking for 10k flat with no payments thats tough but you might find a steal depending what kind of features you need or want etc. I bought a 2013 lancer ES with 40k miles for 14k, threw down 10 and financed 4k. You could do something similar just depends. sold the lancer though n traded up for a Camaro lol
You could look at something for like 16 so you throw 9 or 10k down and make payments to boost your credit
I agree with the advice RESEARCH! Check out car complaints to see what problems that year and model car has most often, check the recalls, owner reviews etc.