Car/Truck shopping

dieseltrooper

dieseltrooper

Inactive
I still have no motorized transport, but I'm loooking at a $2500 tax refund to remedy that. I'm torn between buying something for cash and financing a newer ride using $1000-$2000 down. I don't like the idea of a payment around $300mo,but I have been unemployed since November because I can't get to OKC for work. We need something reliable, not a beater.
We need 4 doors, but also want a truck. I know, want in one hand...
I'm seeing 4-door Dodge 1/2 tons that we could finance in the 2000-2003 models. Older trucks for $1500-$2500 look iffy. Any words of wisdom? Would it be worthwhile to focus on a diesel (Dodge/Ford)?
The bottom line is this: I need a reliable truck to commute approx 20-25mi ea way.:shr:
 
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max_914

Contributing Member
How sure are you that you'll be able to find long term work very quickly to support a car payment every month? A lot of questions came to mind when I read your post. Do you have to have a pick up truck for your work? I think if it was me I would look for something reliable that I could pay for without a payment every month. Then once I was working again save up a while and get what I really wanted. Have you checked out craigslist?
 
dieseltrooper

dieseltrooper

Inactive
I love CL! Always check that and use it to sell as well. I think I'm going to fall back on a 4door Camry. We have to have 4 doors, but don't really need a truck. If/when gas goes back up, that will be critical for a 50mi per day commute. If I can find a 5 speed, that would be even better...
 
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Dazed

Guest
dieseltrooper said:
I love CL! Always check that and use it to sell as well. I think I'm going to fall back on a 4door Camry. We have to have 4 doors, but don't really need a truck. If/when gas goes back up, that will be critical for a 50mi per day commute. If I can find a 5 speed, that would be even better...
Click to expand...

Look for a few year old sentra as well. THey are like Camrys. Last forever, fairly easy to work on, and get great mileage. Used generally run a bit cheaper than camrys as well.
 
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ichoric

Senior Member
You should be able to get a great running used car for $2500.

Last year, we got rid of our spare car...about 6 months later, we needed another one. Budgeted up to $4000 for a used car with pretty simple requirements. Ended up getting a 2001 Kia Spectra with 90K miles for something like $2200. It's in perfect mechanical order - has a few small dents in it, but if you own a Kia, impressing people with a body in pristine condition obviously isn't a concern. =)

We found the car on CraigsList (private party sale.)

...of course, if you have your heart set on a Dodge diesel pickup, squatting down into something a Kia-type car may not be ideal.
 
dieseltrooper

dieseltrooper

Inactive
I did find a 1990 Toyota 4Runner on autotrader for $2000. Thats the first year if the 4 door body and it's a 4cyl/5spd for better mileage than the V6/auto. Hopefully it will still be around when I get w2s to play with.
 
dieseltrooper

dieseltrooper

Inactive
I found a 1985 VW Jetta diesel on CL for $1000. Now that sounds like a preppers commuter. It has 4 doors, but the backseat area is probably none to friendly for adult-size teens.:lol:
 
dieseltrooper

dieseltrooper

Inactive
:DGood to see ya alive and kickin C-Toy! I'm not shopping for now. My DL will be susp on Feb 18 due to no insurance. I'm a full-time Gary Fisher rider for now...:rdog:
 
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