Buying Used Car

[SHEEDI]

Hi All,
i am looking for buy used car to get around in city, i have Z4 but my wife cant ride in Z caz of bumpy roads 5 boroughs and she is also 6 weeks pregnant. i am looking to buy used car under $6000 and will keep it for few years. i am not sure what to look for,,Toyotas,BMWs, Hondas,Benz, Subaru etc. i am looking for come cushy ride, i am not sure what brand, what model to look for, open to all your faithful suggestions


Thanks

[Huz-Z]

Why not a 2003 (or newer) Honda Accord? I think that year they changed the body style and you should hook one for under $6K. very reliable if mileage is under 60,000. Toyota Camry is also hugely reliable, but there is the Toyota "uncontrolled acceleration" issue to worry about.

[ANUSTART]

In January I sold my 2000 Honda CRV SE AWD for $6000. That car was fantastic. I wish I could have kept it. Was very reliable, safe and got through the snow like it was nothing. You should be able to get a good Accord around that same year for around that price as well. I always tell friends, if you don't have much to spend and don't want a beater you have a to fix all the time, get a Honda. Any other car in that price range you may have to put some money into from time to time.

[Finnegan]

+1 on both posts above.

[SHEEDI]

i dont have garage so i will park it on street thats why dont want to buy new car,something i dont care if i park it on street. are the Accords comfy???

[ANUSTART]

Comfort is subjective, but I think so.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Soomro

i dont have garage so i will park it on street thats why dont want to buy new car,something i dont care if i park it on street. are the Accords comfy???

We have two Accords - a 2001 and a 2009. My wife still prefers the 2001 over the 2009 for comfort. And, we used that car in 2002 when she was pregnanat with our son. I don't recall any complaints from her about the 2001 Accord being uncomfortable during that time.

[SHEEDI]

Thanks Huz, i will look for used Hondas,my budget is under $5000. max milage i should watchout?

Thank you all of you

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by Soomro

Thanks Huz, i will look for used Hondas,my budget is under $5000. max milage i should watchout?

Thank you all of you

Good luck finding a 03+ honda for under 5000 dollars that's got <100K miles. If you can't find one, the 98-02 are very similar (some say they're even better looking) driving-characteristics wise. Stay away from the V6 models---their transmissions have a higher failure rate (as compared to the 4 cyl) at high mileage.

I have an 05 V6 accord...very reliable car. Never had any problem with it. 88,000 miles so far and still haven't had to change the brakes (60% highway driving). Good luck.

[SHEEDI]

lol , i didnt say im looking for 03 honda under $5000 but yes i will look for something between 98 to 02

Thanks all of you.

[ANUSTART]

For most Hondas of that era, there is a big maintenance at 105k. Costs around $1000 and replaces the timing belt and water pump. You can find an over 100k 2000(ish) Accord for around $5000. Just make sure that maintenance has been done.

[santov]

I've had 3 Honda Civics and 2 Honda Accords through the years in my family. Each one was very reliable. My last 1998 Accord EX was a bit of a beater since it was neglected by the previous owner. I bought it with 140k and sold it with 178k miles. It ran like new. Here's the things I learned:

Stick with Honda ATF fluid. There's magic in that bottle and generic brands can make it shift harsh.

Timing belt should be replaced around 90k. It's a huge job, but not impossible. Thank gawd theres plenty of youtube how to videos. It took me about 6 hours, but it was worth it. The scarry part was lining up the crank and cam shaft to keep their timing in sync. Water pump wasn't too bad to replace. Just go slow!

The AC belt and power steering belts are cake to replace.

Valve adjustments are suggested every XX miles, but check clearances before adjusting. I pulled the valve cover and found the engine was in perfect spec after 140k miles.

Go easy on torquing any bolts in the aluminum block. I discovered one bolt had already been stripped and it took an extra hour to run a tap and use some gasket maker to fix. It held fine after that.

If you're looking at an Accord stick with an EX that has rear disk brakes. Drum brakes suck. The V6s have more torque, but aren't that much faster and suck much more gas. Stick with a 4 if possible.

The only parts that I replaced that weren't "consumables" were the front and side motor mounts. Made out of solid rubber they get old and crack. I think one was $12 and the other was $28.

The Accords will always be built better. After I gave that Accord some TLC and replaced all maintenance parts and fluids, including timing belt and water pump I wouldn't hesitate to drive that car across the country.

[ANUSTART]

+1 on all of the above. Absolutely true. Thanks for the correction on the maintenance mileage. And DEFINITELY use the Honda ATF. That was one of the first things I did and the transmission was smooth as butter. The Accord is a wonderfully good car especially on a limited budget.

[SHEEDI]

Thanks All of you guys for tips . just off the topic question,, how often Z4 engine valves should be adjusted?

1 more question, i was looking for used car and i saw

1997 BMW 328 iC
Mileage: 109,600
Exterior Color: Blue
Interior Color: Gray
what do you think of this Car.

[santov]

Your z4 engine has hydraulic lifters, so no valve adjustment. It's the Z4 Ms that need valve adjustments every 2 weeks.

I don't know if that generation had the trip computers, but those electronics died often. If you want reliability for wife and kids stick with the Accord. If you can give this 328 some TLC and change all the fluids etc I'd say go for it.

Looks like the inside needs a thorough detailing (carpets and dashboard seem crusty). I'd check under the hood, around the power steering box and tranny for fluid leaks. Wiper fluid pump is probably dead, easy to fix.

[CFoote]

For a car in that price range I would stick with Japanese....BMWs are great cars but we all know they like the dealer.

Chris