Aren't old volvos appreciating in value? I guess I am a bit of a noob when it comes to boxers, but I still prefer inline and v engine layouts. --- Post updated --- He's being sarcastic.
Ones round my area, no rust, 100,000 miles, great condition=$700 I can go buy a couch at ikea that's more than twice that....
Buy a 1996-1998 Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma. Buy a 4x4 model. Best bang for your buck you'll ever have. I own one. Mine is a 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Auto with 4x4.
An old (1990's) truck should fit all your specifications. Trucks are high up, easy to maintain, slow, reliable, lots of 90's trucks came with cruise control and AC, lots of cargo space. . . Hell yeah, American trucks have nice big cabs, and many are automatic. I have a 1990's Chevy 1500, it is not really any harder to drive than a Honda Accord. Plus, you can pick up a pretty nice one for under 5000 dollars.
Well, my easy to work on is cars from the 50s,60s and 70s but knowing the average person something like a Honda Camry would work for you.
I've driven a 4runner and didn't really like it, it felt a bit cramped. Huh, I thought last time I time I checked I saw most american trucks from around that time having much higher prices, maybe I just misread before because I checked again and now I'm seeing them for much more reasonable prices so maybe a truck isn't out of price range.
Essentially anything with a naturally aspirated GM 3800 V6. Impalas, LeSabres, Park Avenue, Regal, Grand Prix, etc. They're mid-to-full sizers and get pretty decent gas mileage. I got 19 city 28 highway on my Regal. The 3800s are also good slow cars unless you punch it, then it goes. Insurance is reasonable, interior and trunk space is reasonable. They are easy to park and are great highway cruisers. I've heard of them lasting 400k+ miles and lasting longer than the body themselves in rusty states. If you change the oil every 3000 miles, wash it often, and make those things your babies, they will be the best car you've owned. I just wrecked my Regal 3 days ago at 133k, but I have family members in the high 300s.
I had a '97 4Runner Limited as my first car I bought, I kinda miss mine.... But anyway, the best advice in getting a first car, used or not, is take a test drive of it whether it be new or used/second hand, see how it drives, how things work on it, ask the seller if it's been in any accidents, or ask for a CarFax or any kind history report. The last thing you'd want is a car that looks to be in decent shape on the first impression, only to have issues later on. Preferably, including several others who had posted before me, I'd go Japanese, Toyota and Honda's up at top with reliability since their engines last forever, given you find one that has been taken care of, and hasn't been molested by shitty mods or half assed repair work. Nissan is good as well, but depends on which model you're looking at, Mazda as well, though I haven't driven/dealt with any recent models. Mitsubishi, well, I can't say much. You could go Korean with Kia and Hyundai, but, be wary with older models, I know a classmate who drives a 2002 Hyundai Elantra, and even though it isn't really a "lemon", she's had engine problems ever since, and the least to say, it's shitty. The newer cars are, alright, but be prepared to be faced with tons of plastic. But like I said, regardless of any car but referring more to used cars in general, do a Test Drive, ask about the car's history or if there's a CarFax, if there isn't, and even if you have bought the car and is unsure if everything's alright, take it to a mechanic or anyone who knows their way around cars, and have them check it for you.
Thanks for the advice, and I wouldn't say 2002 is considered an older model, probably newer than whatever I'll end up getting, and what about the reliability of american cars? Both of my parents have had American trucks and SUVs and I dont recall them having many problems with them.
Well, like I said again, if you find one you like, take it for a test drive. I can't say much since I haven't dealt with American cars as much, the "closest" was driving a relative's Lincoln and my Titan, considering it's built in Mississippi.
They might be cheap and reliable but they'd probably cost quite a bit to get fixed if something didn't work.
I would reccomend a 1970's Mercedes W123 that is a diesel,since they are tough and reliable,but if you want American,get a 1971 AMC Matador,it's a large and tough car and reliable.
I don't mean to offend but are actually serious suggestions? Both are classic cars that I wouldn't be able to afford if I could even find them for sale and I don't even know how hard it would be to maintain them. Cars like that are meant to sit in a garage, not be driven frequently which is what I'll need a car for, so despite my love for old 70's cars unfortunately that will remain just a dream. I'm also unsure on if I'd be willing to risk getting a Mercedes given what I've heard about them, as I said before I want something that would be cheap to maintain.
