used car market?

My g/f got into an accident last night, messed the car up pretty bad 91 cavalear 133000 miles the car was on a downward spiral to the boneyard, but now we are looking for a decent used car. I know im going to get alot of opinions but what are some good reliable cars and that are known for to be a good car. I know joe and marturo and many others here get to hear and learn what are good cars and what have continually been lemons. we're looking in the ssame size car range dont want anything to big.what do check when getting ready to make a decision on a car, I can visually check a car to see if any problems but what might I do to find the not so obvious ones? thanks

 

You have to establish your budget first and what you want to spend on a vehicle. You might be able to swing a new car for the price of a good used one. All depends. Also, how long you plan to keep it.

Might shop around on the Internet and at various dealers to see what comes in off of lease. Pick up a low mileage one and do a carfax.com report on its history for 15 bucks.

Check alldata.com for any known bulletins on the car. Check the internet for reviews done on the car. Consumer Reports. Get any warranties in writing from the dealer you buy it from. Have a mechanic go over the car completely from end to end before you buy it.

Just some ideas. Probably you are better off just telling us what cars you like/want/find and post back and we'll give our .02.

Good luck!

 

Compact: Toyota Corolla [Drove my '86 125k miles and sold it for $2500 to family friends in 1997; they're still driving it]

Mid-size: Toyota Camry [My wife's '95 currently has 130k miles on it; runs like it just came off the showroom]

Period.

[Can't believe I got my picks in before Joe started pushing rear wheel drive GM products! LOL]

 

Lol. Not EVERYONE likes (but should..lol) rear drive older GM cars.

I agree with your choices. Toyotas are utilitarian things that get you from A to B. Sometimes that's all you want.

In the realm of foreign cars, I find them to be the best overall.

 

Well thanks for the info, and I do have to say that the foreign market has a good grab on reliability over cars made in the states, but I am a union electrician and I try to buy everything made in the states, well we looked for awile and she settled on a new 2002 saturn sl2, just the right size for her. In the research I found saturn was more reliable, and in it for the long haul plan on running her till she dies, which I hope is a couple hundred thousand miles, heck 95% of the parts for the car was made in the states. Thats the best % I could find! thanks P S dont misunderstand me because of the foreign thing, everyone is entitled to the opinions, thats what america stands for

 

I like your attitude Bryan, lol! Keep those dollars in the USA!

 

I agree with Cheese. I think the Saturns are improved since the 1993 we have.

It could have been better on some of the details but it's pretty easy to service in most cases.