Buying a cheap car in the US

Associate
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26 Mar 2005
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I've recently moved to the US and need a car quickly and I'm going to have to pay cash (no credit history). I'm looking at about $5k and most cars around that mark have done ~100k. I plan to get anything I'm considering buying checked out by a local garage but that costs about $100 so I don't want to be doing it for every car I look at.

A lot of the cars come with Autocheck reports for things like accidents and theft but in terms of maintenance I'll be looking for:

Timing belt - Check when should it be done for a particular model and when it was last done by owner
Oil/water/filters/etc - Changed regularly?
Shocks - Shouldn't bounce more than once on each corner
Rust - Shouldn't see any really
Tires - Uneven wear
Obvious signs of crash repair e.g. uneven paint near seals
Exhaust - No corrosion (lots of snow & hence salt here)

Any other obvious things to check for? I'd like to be able to open the bonnet and be able to spot more than furring on the battery at a quick glance.

Getting insurance is turning out to be just as exciting but it looks like US insurers will take into account my UK driving history, once I can get it from the DVLA.
 
Soldato
Joined
26 May 2009
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22,100
$5K is like £3k so factoring used cars in the states costing more than here I doubt your going to be swimming in bargains, just remember the Mondeo is called the Contour over there :p
 
Soldato
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7 Dec 2011
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10,401
Is there no way for you to get a lease without much credit history? Maybe a 6/9 + x month deal? Seems to make more sense in the States given the price of used cars
 
Associate
OP
Joined
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Is there no way for you to get a lease without much credit history? Maybe a 6/9 + x month deal? Seems to make more sense in the States given the price of used cars

Seriously doubt it - haven't even started my new job yet. Going to have a chat with the bank today anyway though.
 
Soldato
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Location
Santa Barbara, Californee
Do you have anyone who could co-sign a lease or loan or you over there by yourself? And are you over here permanently or temporarily as that makes a big difference!

If you are looking at leases, try and find a broker that specialises in ex-pats - on the Brits in LA facebook group for example they continually advertise a VW guy who specialises in sorting leases for ex-pats with no US credit history.

For $5k you are looking at private sales only, dealers will be selling complete rubbish for that price but privately you should be able to get a decent enough car for that.

As you say you're probably looking at about a 2002-4 car with c. 100k on the clock...or in the case of Honda/Toyota about 15 years old with 200k on the clock as they seem to hold their value ridiculously :p

I'd try and narrow down what kind of car you are looking at first, if you go 'unfashionable' you'll save a fair bit - look online and get the maintenance intervals and the approximate mileage of 'renewable' components like water pumps, fuel pumps etc - lif you are prepared to do stuff like spark plugs/wires yourself you'll save a fair whack on taking it to a mechanic to do it.
 
Last edited:
Associate
OP
Joined
26 Mar 2005
Posts
1,662
Do you have anyone who could co-sign a lease or loan or you over there by yourself? And are you over here permanently or temporarily as that makes a big difference!

If you are looking at leases, try and find a broker that specialises in ex-pats - on the Brits in LA facebook group for example they continually advertise a VW guy who specialises in sorting leases for ex-pats with no US credit history.

For $5k you are looking at private sales only, dealers will be selling complete rubbish for that price but privately you should be able to get a decent enough car for that.

As you say you're probably looking at about a 2002-4 car with c. 100k on the clock...or in the case of Honda/Toyota about 15 years old with 200k on the clock as they seem to hold their value ridiculously :p

I'd try and narrow down what kind of car you are looking at first, if you go 'unfashionable' you'll save a fair bit - look online and get the maintenance intervals and the approximate mileage of 'renewable' components like water pumps, fuel pumps etc - lif you are prepared to do stuff like spark plugs/wires yourself you'll save a fair whack on taking it to a mechanic to do it.

Thanks - I've slowly been figuring out that the dealers are no good for this kind of car. I've seen stuff like this:

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/2989819412.html

Ugly, unfasionable but should keep on running esp. with timing belt being done recently.

My girlfriend has been here 5 months so won't have much better credit than me. I'll phone around to see if anyone would let her co-sign.

rossk26 - I'm here permanently pretty much - dual citizenship. My girlfriend got sponsored for a Visa through her job though, however what she does is fairly specialist (requires Phd).
 
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