I am going to go to a car dealership that sells certified used Hondas and Toyotas. I have $2000.00 to put as a down payment and I am shooting for a car that is about $12000.00 but I’m fairly flexible. I have never purchased a car on my own and my credit is young/kind of iffy. A few things:
1) Will I be taken seriously when trying to finance a vehicle if my credit isn’t that great but I have a down-payment of $2000.00 and a decent job (I make about $1800.00 a month and have low expenses)?
2) What sorts of cars should I look for, ie what years, mileage, models?
3) What questions should I ask?
4) What is insurance like for a 21 y.o. female with a fairly brief driving history, iffy credit, and a later model (I’m thinking 2003 and newer?) car?
May 30, 2010 @ 3:59 am
A honda civic is a good car, very reliable, and doesn’t break down easily. I don’t know much about credit, but it doesn’t sound too bad and insurance is good if your record is clear and your not too young you might get a good insurance rate.
May 30, 2010 @ 4:42 am
1. Females are generally never taken seriously which is why they are the #1 target for fraud by shady dealers. Take someone with you like your father, brother or a male friend that has purchased a car before.
2. Depends what you want.
3. Read this website at least twice: http://www.carbuyingtips.com... answers all your questions and even lists dealer scams to avoid.
4. Go to Geico.com and Esurance.com…. you’ll have a free online quote in 5 minutes without any obligations.
May 30, 2010 @ 5:19 am
1. Not likely. Cut your price in half and they’ll listen.
2. Whatever you can find for about $5000ish.
3. “Can I take this car to get inspected by a mechanic of my choice?”
4. That is a question your current insurance agent can answer by calling him/her for a quote.
Good luck.
May 30, 2010 @ 5:36 am
Even though you feel a little unsure of yourself in buying a car, don’t let the salesmen see that. They need your business a lot more than you need them.
Consumer Reports, a good buyers guide, likes used Hondas and Toyotas. For $12,000 you ought to be able to find a Honda Civic, Accord or Toyota Camry or Corolla with less than 75,000 miles on the odometer. There are plenty out there and they will last for over 150,000 miles with moderate maintenance and care. Shop around for a dealership that offers you the best loan deal. It’s a buyers market. Get a little more insurance than the minimum, liability, collision, property damage.
You might want to take the car that you’re ready to buy to an auto mechanic to get his opinion on it. But car deals are like subways, there’s another coming along in 5 minutes. Don’t be pressured into a purchase. Good luck.
May 30, 2010 @ 5:57 am
One of my friends asked me this sort of questions before,she found helpful here http://www.CarInsuranceFree.info/free-car-insurance.htm