Buying a daily driver/appliance advice

Quick background, my truck was totaled week before last and my wife lost her job in March.  Luckily, I'm getting a payout from insurance (I was still making payments) and it'll be enough to buy me an appliance for the time being.  I need to pull the trigger quick because we're down a car and she's doing job interviews while I'm headed to work.

My automotive ADD has kicked in, so I'm bouncing around with hundreds of options.  Like do a get another truck (probably not), a Honda, a Toyota, a Hyundai, a Lexus, a Crown Vic, etc.  I'm leaning towards more of the econobox route and understand to buy the best I can find.  Trying hard not to gravitate towards something more fun and increase the risk of issues because I'm blinded by the fun factor.  (quick note, my rear is too fat for a Miata.... )

How do you guys do it?  I've got a few cars earmarked on craig's that look promising, but, of course, they're all over the area.  Should I just plan on spending a whole day driving around and look at everything?  Should I jump on the first thing that seems promising?  I'm a bit concerned because I won't have a bunch to spend (trying to keep it under $3k) and really need to stay away from a project because I just don't have the time to fix something.  I guess I'm just freaking a bit that there's only so much I can look at an really can't afford to buy something that will drop a cylinder a week after getting it.  I know the risk of buying used, just a little panicked at the moment.

And why do so many cars on the owner search of craig's have temp plates?

-Rob

I try to stay away from temp plates. Usually they are being dumped soon after purchase for a reason.

Grab what seems promising and you dont hate. Do the best inspection you can, or take it to someone. Ive bought lots of cars in that price range and rarely been bit too hard.

Buy the first thing that makes the most sense.  

What are your local buying costs?  Here is Ohio, if I buy a car, I will have to pay 6.75% tax on the "self stated" purchase price.  So, for me, if I buy a beater and it turns out to be more trouble then I was then I need to sell if for 6.75% more than what I paid for it if I want to break even and start over with another choice.  

Most of CL "owners section" seems to have gone to small dealers as CL is charging a slight fee to make a listing in the dealers section.  Most private sales have gone to FB Marketplace.

Try to narrow it down to brands you can trust (Honda, Toyota etc.) and will have good parts availability and good resale value in case you don’t own t very long. And with the two (and others) brands I listed, I’d be comfortable buying a higher-mileage example: lower cost. 

I kinda figured the temp plates were more likely dealers based on the images with other cars in the background.  The cost thing make sense.

I'm leaning toward a Honda or Toyota or Hyundai, but I'm fighting my car guy impulse.  For example, I've almost convinced myself that a standard is better than an automatic (less likely to go wrong and, in theory, someone who bought a standard had to look for it and might have taken better overall care), but is that my car guy talking or does that make sense?  I'm considering a Hyundai Accent, but that's purely based esthetics because I like the shape of the hatchbacks from '06-'09.  Too damn many interesting choices.....

For example, there's a standard transmission Fit for $2795 (small dealer) that looks clean, and way down south, and with 190k miles.  But there are two 2000 model Civic hatches, not riced, with the same miles for $2k that are much closer.  Is newer better for the miles or does it not matter as much?  There are a few Crown Vics, but I think I'd be happier in an econo and the gas would be much better.  Big factor for me here in Texas is working A/C. 

Aaaackkk....  I'm probably overthinking it which I why I posted. 

-Rob

I think the 2000 Civics have the shrapnel airbags in them.

A buddy of mine has one of these, same year, etc. and he's just done routine maintenance on it and nothing else. I think it has a timing belt- at that age, it would absolutely be overdue if it hasn't been done.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-hyundai-sonata-low-miles/6587824616.html

Mazda3s are fun to drive slow. They're not a Miata, by any means, but in stock form they'll do.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-mazda3/6595377145.html

Protege5 o protege ex if you can find one. They're damn near cockroaches and fun to drive 

With that budget the answer is just the nicest Civic/Camry/Focus, etc you can find for your budget. 

Brett_Murphy said:

I think the 2000 Civics have the shrapnel airbags in them.

A buddy of mine has one of these, same year, etc. and he's just done routine maintenance on it and nothing else. I think it has a timing belt- at that age, it would absolutely be overdue if it hasn't been done.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-hyundai-sonata-low-miles/6587824616.html

 

Mazda3s are fun to drive slow. They're not a Miata, by any means, but in stock form they'll do.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-mazda3/6595377145.html

 

 

My 2013 BMW had to have the airbag recall when I got in January, there are literally millions of cars on the road with them.

Getting a manual is probably a good idea. It’s simpler than an auto and more reliable in the long run. In the price range you’re looking at they will get better mileage too. 

A $2000 Fit is a steal. I remember them having weak AC systems so I would look into that if you’re in Texas. Fun and practical cars though.

rob_lewis said:

For example, I've almost convinced myself that a standard is better than an automatic (less likely to go wrong and, in theory, someone who bought a standard had to look for it and might have taken better overall care), but is that my car guy talking or does that make sense? 

A new clutch is generally cheaper than replacing a worn automatic, so that sounds perfectly logical to me.

Any real requirements besides A/C? Functional back seat, for example?

In the $3000 range, I'd buy on condition rather than age. My daily driver is a 20 year old Buick Regal that I found in your price range with about 120K on the clock. Pervious owner had taken the maintenance seriously, and it's held up reasonably well, just had the usual GM intake manifold gasket problems.

There is a non-zero chance that a decent Civic hatch will go up in value while you own it.  I haven't seen one near me for $2000 in any condition.

Keep in mind that unless you want to keep this beater forever, an automatic trans car will be much easier to sell when you're done with it.

I'm also in Texas.

Civic. 

20-3000 will buy a decent Civic all day long, every day of the week.

And it will carry you around as long as you want to own the thing while getting 35mpg. When it breaks, it's cheap to fix.

Fun cars are exciting, but when you absolutely have to turn the key and get to work, Honda is the answer.

Y'all are awesome.  Some follow up:

The buying costs are 8.25% down here.  Something like either blue book value or purchase, whichever is higher.

Four seater over two would be cool, but don't really care too much.  I'm not worried about resale too much either.  If it's something kinda fun, I may just keep it to enjoy.  If I sell it and lose $500, not a big deal either.  A/C is about the only critical thing.

Glad to know I'm not nuts with the standard v. auto.  Sure, resale might be harder, but it's probably working towards my advantage right now.

I totally get the whole "buy the best you can find", but the crunch factor to get it purchased quickly hurts that.  I'd like to get it done in a couple of days.  Supposedly, the check will be here tomorrow and I'd like to have something by Monday.

There was a single owner Protege5 standard up about a week ago for $1600 that I seriously wanted, but I didn't have the cash yet and it's long gone now. 

I looked at the Mazda and Hyundai posted above.  The Hyundai's in a little sketchy part of Austin, so I might avoid it.

Here's three that are on my, (really not that short) list:

https://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/cto/d/2007-honda-fit-sport/6607833214.html  But way, way south of me.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/08-honda-fit/6604868965.html Really like this one, but I start to question the price.  It's a deal or it's a problem.  I'll have to go see it

Then there's the Civic that I found that, for some reason, hit the "fun" buttons.  (Looks like the other one's sold)

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-honda-civic-ek-hatch/6603227613.html

Quick aside, things being equal (price, miles, etc) would you buy from a dealer or an individual?  Dealer knows more about cars, so maybe less like to grenade itself, but if they're selling at that price, they got it cheaper so it may be worse off.....

Don't get me started on the equivalent Toyota's, Hyundai's, Ford's, etc.   I'm probably working myself into a frazzle at this point.

-Rob

Cousin_Eddie said:

I'm also in Texas.

Civic. 

20-3000 will buy a decent Civic all day long, every day of the week.

And it will carry you around as long as you want to own the thing while getting 35mpg. When it breaks, it's cheap to fix.

Fun cars are exciting, but when you absolutely have to turn the key and get to work, Honda is the answer.

This. Or an old Accord. That is all I have to say.

BTW, I'm posting links not to ask "what should I buy from these options" more from a which direction would y'all go?  I'm liking the Honda idea much better or feeling better about it.  Acura's fall into that too, like this one:   https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-acura-tl-detailed-oil/6599720370.html

But ever time I search, I fall deeper down the rabbit hole of options....

-Rob

No one is shopping for a Saturn Ion with manual trans. I would! 

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-saturn-ion/6609095415.html

John Welsh said:

No one is shopping for a Saturn Ion with manual trans. I would! 

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-saturn-ion/6609095415.html

You're not helping by adding to my options.....    Because there's about 50 more I could post, but I'd be car shopping for a month to look at them all.....

-Rob

Get a manual.  Even automatics with a good track record will eventually have issues as they age.

Don't let the Texas sales tax thing get under your skin. My current daily beater is a 2000 Civic. When I did the title work, the state said it was worth 700 dollars on the books, so I paid 42 dollars worth of sales tax (tax is 6.25% in the DFW area). 

Cousin_Eddie said:

Don't let the Texas sales tax thing get under your skin. My current daily beater is a 2000 Civic. When I did the title work, the state said it was worth 700 dollars on the books, so I paid 42 dollars worth of sales tax (tax is 6.25% in the DFW area). 

I was enjoying your buildup of that car knowing I'd be in the same boat, soon.  I was guessing the sales tax because John asked. 

Full disclosure that I forgot to mention.  I'm kinda bad about buying cars I want that can be a bit of a money pit, so just talking about buying something has made SWMBO a little nervous.  Bought my son a MINI last year for $3k that was OK, but not perfect and supposedly the transmission was rebuilt (bought it from girl who's dad owned a small shop).  Tranny popped about 4 months later.  Might have been the boy, might not have.  Never figured out what was wrong.  Had a Tahoe that I knew was a bit of a project (for, interestingly $3k) that ended up needing a transmission 6 months later, in addition to a new radiator, new shocks and various other things over that time.  I'll admit it make me nervous, too.  But, I keep trying to convince myself those were cars I "wanted" vs. "needed" and am trying to stay away from things I like now.  

-Rob

I like the Saturn Ion idea from a “hit ‘em where they aren’t looking” standpoint, at least when it’s not a CVT model.  In SW Ohio, it seems like you can get a lot better condition car for yourself if you skip over Civics and Corollas.  Nissans, Infiniti G20s and I30s, Hyundais, 1st and 2nd gen focuses (can usually find one with a manual) are what come to mind.  Late 90’s -early 2000’s Camrys even seem to be bottoming out, and the 4 cyl versions of those are about as reliable as an anvil.

Again, y'all aren't helping by expanding my options even more....  :D

But, honestly, because I was expanding it already myself is why I asked.  Trying to narrow it down.  I almost started a learn me, but realized I'd fill up the first page with different makes/models.

If it's still around when I have the cash, this is probably the most tempting, but it makes me wonder if going Hyundai is a bad idea since it's so cheap.....

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/2007-hyundai-accent-3dr-hb/6594377782.html

It's a drive from me, but might be worth it.

-Rob

If you're considering a Hyundai, keep in mind the Kia's. They're the same vehicles but in some markets worth 10-15% less than their Hyundai counterparts used. It's how we picked up her 4 year old Forte with 40k miles for $7500. I'm not sure what price range you're looking at, but we have a FANTASTIC network here. I'd be perfectly happy/safe having a member her check out/pick up a car for you and go pick it up. It's amazing to me how different resale is on different cars in different locations.