What would be a good running and attractive car for my first car for about $1500-2000?

(2011-10-27 14:25:05)

1. Roslyn Says: I really wanted a vw bug, but I haven't had any luck.

2. Jared Says: For that amount of money you have to REALLY do your homework on what is available in the PERSONAL market. IE: Go to the gas stations, etc.. and buy the latest "auto-trader" it is a magazine listing the local cars in your area (even get the ones from neighboring states if available).

Obviously go online to autotrader.com (and other sights like it).

Check the classifieds of the newspaper.

Point is to become familiar with the average, low, and high prices of all the common cars in your price range. This way you can select the best cars , for the best price, in your range.

Trust me.

Now as for what car -- This is something you have less ability to decide if you want to find the most reliable and best running car for 1500-2000$. Luckily the economy is not great, and people are selling.. and having to sell lower than the actual value. So buyers get more for their money right now.

I have to encourage ANY Honda product (Ie: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, etc).

Following this Toyota.

In *general* you want to buy a foreign brand vehicle , especially given for your price it will be considerably older. IE 10+ yrs. American made cars are MUCH better now.. but they still don't match the quality of many foreign manufacturers, which in terms of reliability means alot.

Nonetheless -- you come across an american made car that is being sold for 2200$ and has 50,000 miles, and is CLEAN, runs well, etc. BUY IT. ;)

Try to ignore your wish for looks as much as possible when considering ALL the vehicles you look at. Trust me when I say an 'ok looking' car that runs, beats a sexy good looking vehicle that is broken down any day of the week. ;)

For the year range I suspect.. I would look into Honda's primarily. You asked, I deliver something specific here. Honda's especially the Accord and Civic (the civic is the lower end/economical model..) have been some of the best cars on the road for over 20 years now.. quite a track record.

I'd further encourage a car with the best gas mileage -- even economy (gas mileage) over looks wins. Why? Gas is expensive, and I know you know that -- but until you have to constantly go to the gas stations and pull a handle and watch 20$, 30$, 40$, 50$, 60$ and so on roll past on the machine on a regular basis you don't quite appreciate 'gas mileage' for what it is.

I know I didn't when I was a teenager. (I'm 30)

I personally don't like the "Beatles/Bugs" -- but I DO like VW. So I encourage and VW product... the Germans know how to make a car.

Good luck! Exciting times!