Dear grassroots community,
I am interested in purchasing a car that I may have to sell in one or two years. I am only staying in the US (Pittsburgh) for about three years top, so I was looking for a cheap used car that I can purchase and resell within that time period, so that I don't lose too much money.
I would only use the car to move around the city, do groceries, etc. No long trips. Also, the car would be parked outside most of the time (including winter with snow, etc). Ideally, I was looking for a second-hand car under $10K that I can resell for, let's say, $5-6K. While I understand that may be too optimistic, I also don't want to invest too much in something I need for so little.
My first thinking was second hand cars, but I am a bit worried about being scammed with a car that dies shortly after I buy it, or that I have to take to the mechanic a lot, etc. I also considered leasing, even renting, or purchasing a new one (say, for 20K) to resell it after. However, I still think the second-hand car is my best bet cost-effetively, if I am not too unlucky. Any advice you can give me about cars I may look for given my situation? Automatic transmission and backup camera are about my only specifications aside from it being a healthy usable car that I don't need to take to the mechanic often. I've heard great things about Toyota's.
Thanks so much,
Joel
In reply to JoelAvada :
I'd go to FB Marketplace and find the nicest Toyota that meets your driving needs and price point. My wife drives a Scion xB that was purchased new in 2006 and we've had to do very little to it over the last 17 years.
An easy answer is: Corolla
Where will you be entering the US? I ask because The Sate of Pennsylvania has annual vehicle safety inspection. One of the things that these inspections focus on is too much rust. That becomes a hard one given that Pittsburgh is very much a rust inducing climate.
If at all possible, buy a car in a southern, non rust prone climate and bring that car to Pittsburgh. The car then, no matter how old it is, will come to town with no rust. Three years later it will still be rather rust free and will command a price premium when you sell it. This should then allow you to buy a 2008 Corolla somewhere rust free and 3 years later sell that rust free car in Pittsburgh for the same price you paid for it.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
after driving an Avalon for a week, I concur. Camry would probably be my recommendation. Also depending when you arrive I'm a few hours from Pittsburgh and sometimes have cheap decent cars for sale
Also, PittRace (the racetrack) a treasure.
So I recommend an NC Miata, so you can enjoy the track a bit while you're in the area!
You also won't be too far from summit point, another great track!
Mndsm
MegaDork
11/19/23 12:27 p.m.
John Welsh said:
An easy answer is: Corolla
This was exactly my thought. Buy the nicest used 5+ year old corolla you can, depreciation should be near 0.
I'll sell you my 2010 Mazda6 Grand Touring (heated seats!) for $5,000. It has the v6 with he 3.7 liter 275 hp. I'm in Pittsburgh. 165k miles. New tires last year with tons of tread. New calipers on the rear today because the old ones were a mess. New PA Inspection. It's a Pittsburgh car so it does have rust underneath if you're not used to that. Body is pretty clean save for driver door.
Drive it for 3 years and re-sell for cheap. May be a better plan than buying for $10k and re-selling for $5k. Knowing the state of Pittsburgh cars, a $10k car is not what it once was.
Send me a PM if you're interested.
Thank you all, this is all super useful information.
I did not know about the rust, for instance, or the Corolla. And I am currently in Pittsburgh. I am taking my time to make a good choice, so all this information is pure gold to me.
Thanks again,
Joel
Yeah pittsburg is going to be rusty. No ifs, ands or buts about it.
In reply to JoelAvada :
Welcome to Pittsburgh! I hate the weather here which contributes to the rust and horrendous state of the roads, but otherwise it's a good town with a little something for everyone.
