How to Buy a Reliable Car for $2,000 or Less

There are millions of utterly good cars at the lower end of the food market , but can you determine one for $ 2,000 or less ? That really depends on your ability to stop buying with your middle and focus on less - popular vehicles that oftentimes fall with a superficial excoriation , dent , or what we call in the machine diligence , " a whiskey lick . " A lot of folk believe that a pretty used machine is a good used car , but the bright pigment and democratic brand name might be hiding costly regret of revelatory proportions . For the ultimate steal - cellar bin , you need to await past an wretched window dressing , and seekinnerbeauty . So how do you experience when you ’ve found the one deserving your cash ?

Invest in “real” knowledge

It ’s tempting to read former car reviews online and think this wisdom alone will guide you to the veracious cheap vehicle … but do n’t look on it . The only person who can rightfully find out the real story behind a car ’s current level of wellness is a mechanic who has a lifespan of experience inspecting and fixing used cars . A third - party review , either from an independent garage that has a large reputation , or a from specialiser in that picky mark , can tell you far more about a used railroad car ’s worth than any young - machine review from 15 years ago .

Forget looks and popularity

There ’s a tendency in the used - car marketplace to put immense Mary Leontyne Price premiums on certain cars just because they hap to be popular . If you desire a serious deal , research the prospicient - full term quality of those vehicles that have the staying power and build quality to outlast the hype .

There are a slew of simulation out there that have gravid ownersandexcellent long - full term reliability . As it happens , they ’re unpopular because either the brand name no longer sells Modern elevator car ( RIP : Pontiac , Mercury , Saturn , Hummer , and Scion ) or the specific modelling name is no longer sold in the fresh - car market place ( so long , Buick Park Avenue , Mitsubishi Galant , andChrysler Crossfire ) . TheLong - Term Quality Indexis an fantabulous source for finding these gemstone of opportunity . ( Full disclosure : I execute the LTQI , and while yes , that ’s a cud , it ’s still a all-fired good resource wedge - full of data point sent in from hundreds of thousands of mechanics from across the state . )

Don’t be a lowballer in negotiations

Most folks are just plain nuts when it comes to measuring the price flexibility of the current possessor . To be brutally blunt , your chances of chance a good car for $ 2,000 that ’s publicize for $ 4,000 is about the same as getting a hole - in - one at miniature golf game with your eyes close and swinging the putter with your mouthpiece . Do n’t make price your chief focus . Always put condition first .

Map out your future car investment

Just like you should n’t go on a route tripper without at least a mathematical function or a GPS to guide you , the same goes for getting X of one thousand of mile out of a steal - basement used car . Some will have a ton of upkeep need in the near future . That ’s going to be expensive and , to help subdue the price , you need to become familiar with what the manufacturer recommend for maintenancebeforebuying your railway car . A sojourn or two to an enthusiast forum for that specific model , likethis one for the Buick LeSabre , will give you a far better understanding of the road beforehand .

Put the car’s mechanical condition first

The current mechanical condition of a fomite is more important than any other factor when corrupt a car for $ 2,000 or less . When you corrupt a used railroad car , you ’re really investing in the driving and maintenance habit of the previous owner ( I ’ve said it before : shop for the right owner , not the right-hand firebrand ) . Like an jock who is given the proper food and exercise , a elevator car do best when it ’s given the right fluids , filters , and scheduled sustenance so that little issues never become inveterate ones . When you see a automobile that ’s been well require forethought of , there ’s a high chance you ’ve find a reliable day-after-day driver that can go the aloofness for years to come .

Steven Langis an auto auctioneer , car dealer , and former part - proprietor of an auto auction near Atlanta , Georgia . The car business is an incredibly big part of his life so if you ever need counsel , feel free to reach him directly at his Facebook Thomas Nelson Page which you could findhere .

Chrysler LeBaron For Sale