Cash for Clunkers ruined the used car market. I looked & looked & looked for used. CarMax, Autotrader, Craigslist, you name it. And for daughter driving back and forth to college 250 miles each way . . . while yes even a new car can break down.
I’d say go for something ZERO or very near zero, 0.9% financing. If his credit can get those rates. Go new. Go basic model. Upgrades are expensive.
Otherwise in today’s market you can’t touch much of anything for 10K with less than 100,000 miles on it.
We bought daughter a Honda CR-V last August, about 21K, 0.9%.
Almost got an Escape . . . but in the end got the CR-V. Either one by time up go up a level or two you wind up with a 30K car . . . basic is good enough . . .JMO
And for us, NO GM or Chrysler products. And living in the Southeast, this is our first non-Ford product, but with all the production going on in TN, SC, AL & GA . . . I don’t feel guilty at all. :)
I’m trying to point him to a 5 year old or more Toyota or Honda.(that’s what I drive)
Of course, he wants a 300 Chrysler.(like ‘Walt’ had in Breaking Bad)
Yes, I know he’s an idiot.
The one-year-old vehicle I bought in early 2008 was a one-owner (leasing company). I have never had a problem with it.
Recently, the dealer sent a broadcast email wanting trade-ins.
I checked the pricing at Bluebook.com. The vehicle is worth almost as much today as the price I paid in 2008.
I was going to say the same thing. My son was lucky that I gave him my 2006 Sonata when I bought a new one. Now I wish I had kept the old one. (: Still going strong.
I have had good luck so far with USAA for car insurance.