Looking for Used Car

[ApS]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

The issue is whether to buy a car at that price with mileage that will basically make it a throwaway (and potentially less reliable) or spend a bit more to get something in the low hundreds, which would most likely be more reliable and have a tad bit of residual value in a few years...especially since "L'il" Buddy won't be driving a ton.

Even as a throwaway, it would have some value as a tax deductible donation.

For my first year at college, my Dad bought me a year-old sporty-car in order to make Christmas- and Thankgiving-trips from college. (I must have scared my folks when I bought a motorcycle--cheap).

Within six months I commuted the nine-hour trip homeward bound. During a heavy rainstorm, a sad-looking pickup truck crossed the median without looking. The T-bone collision wasn't bad for the pickup, but my car couldn't be driven.

So now, with the clock ticking, I was waiting for repairs and nine hours away from college. Fortunately, I was able to make the return trip without impacting anyone else's plans.

In short, inexperienced drivers shouldn't expect a pricy car.