I am looking to buy a car (after 4 years of using my family's extra one, it finally died for good). I will buy used of course. So do any of you fine people have any tips or suggestions?

What type of car are you looking to get?

Small. Like a 4 seat car. Good MPG. Have not thought about it much more then that.

Best MPG I ever had with a car was in the early '90s I had a Ford Festiva.

It was like "wow... it's March... I guess I should put gas in the car".

 

We just bought a new loaded 6 bang Nissan Altima. It's a good car but I do mail marketing for the dealership.

They knocked 10k off the price for us. So take everything in consideration.

Also, the higher the value the higher your insurance will be. Drive careful and make alot of money.

How hard are older cars to maintain. I have been using a '97 (I think) LeBaron, but did not really have to do much in the way of maintenance (besides obviously oil and fluids).

I have seen Toyota and Nissan's go over 300K miles with regular oil changes and tune ups without breathing hard.

All depends on how well they are taken care of.

You may wish to check out a new Kia... I think they come with a 10 year warranty and that's off the chart.

I found my brand new car was 50%cheaper to insure than 2nd hand cars. Insurance can be strange.

 

What's the minimum size, cost, mpg you will accept and compare the models that meet that criteria.

I would go with a Dodge Neon but that's me I have one it gives me good gas mileage 

I found my brand new car was 50%cheaper to insure than 2nd hand cars. Insurance can be strange.

 

What's the minimum size, cost, mpg you will accept and compare the models that meet that criteria.

 

The only criteria I have is under 12k (used, so I know that varies a lot). And over 17-18 MPG, but would prefer if it was higher.

Wow that is a low mpg...I run around at 45mpg (about 40 US) in my hatchback.

Wow that is a low mpg...I run around at 45mpg (about 40 US) in my hatchback.

 

They don't have to worry as petrol (gas) is so damned cheap over there! (We pay about $9-10 per gallon on this side of the pond!)

 

 

If you want good mileage get a hybrid.

 

However the most important thing when buying second hand is to read the cars maintenance logs. It's worth asking the dealer if you can get an independent mechanics review of the car and/or if you can test it for a week so that you can run it for a week and see if there are any size issues parking it, or any odd noises etc you pick up on.

If your looking for good gas millage. Go Honda. I'm a deliver driver, and trust me, at a workplace where I see other employee's use differn't cars, and while I travel a good distance to get to work + deliverys and sometimes arrends for mysellf, I only have to fill up my car every 6-9 days. (Summer Time). Winter Time, Honda's are not ideal on gas. (Every 3 days to 4 in the winter/). Honda's are usually reliable and don't require much maintenance. Just the older the car, the more you check your Oil and transmission fluid. Only thing that can ruin your MPG is oil. Less oil, you use more gas. 

 

Though, If my job was closer, I'd look at honda's if looking for anouther car, but want something in particular also. If I could get it cheaply, and in excellent condition, I'd go for a Mazda rx7 or 8. Idk MPG for these cars, but just like the pure look of them. I'd be a happy man if I had one of those.