[rev_hard]

Hello everyone,

@ All t-bhpians already in USA - Inputs would be really really helpful.


Have plans to move to states in last week of September. Will be in Miami for a week or so (Mustang rented for 1 week through payless!! ).

First week of October, will be making a move to Seattle, Washington. One of the immediate purchases to be made there is, ofcourse, a mode of rapid transport for the next 1 - 1.5 years.

I have a limited and FIXED budget of USD 4000. Have absolutely no clue what to expect. Are there any web-sites giving indicative prices of pre-owned vehicles for sale across USA?

Thanks to all in advance.

regards

rev_hard

[mohit]

try New Car Prices | Used Car Values - Official Kelley Blue Book Site. It can give you some idea about pricing based on models trim and mileage. You will need a zip code of the place where you are going.

[tsk1979]

For around 4000$ in california you can get a 7 year old Corolla/Accord/Civic type of car with around 70K miles on the odo.
If you go for an american car you will get a newer car.
Seattle rates are similar to California. I suggest you visit used car lots and haggle. Its easy to get 15% off the marked price. Company certified vehicles cost 15-30% more in the used car market.

The best thing for you would be a 2000is honda civic with around 70K miles on the odo. The spares are cheap and readily available.
Make sure you check the tranny. Tranny repair is around 3000-5000$$ and its the only thing which goes wrong with a slightly abused honda or toyota.

Also when you decide on the car, google for all the recalls issued and lawsuits etc,. filed on that model. If there was a recall, make sure that it was availed.

Also by paying 30$ or so you get a Car report called carfax which has the vehicle history(All accidents, services etc., etc.,)

[mohit]

Another linky... am sure you will find this useful
craigslist | cars & trucks

[rr_zen]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

For around 4000$ in california you can get a 7 year old Corolla/Accord/Civic type of car with around 70K miles on the odo.

Am afraid your expectations are a bit far-fetched. For $4000 it is very difficult to get any one of those cars you have mentioned above under normal circumstances. I spent more than three months before I bought my car and have made quite a bit of research on this one, if not extensively.

I bought my 1999 Civic with 72K on the odo for $7000 (excluding taxes, titling & registration)

Also, if you come across a car for a price you have quoted, am sure that there would be some problem or the other with its title or history. Again, as you rightly said, a subscription to carfax will take care of that.

[vikrantw1]

My suggestion would be to look at a pontiac grandam - 2001/2002 models - in 2005 a 2002 grandam was going for around 6K so that could be available for 4K or less.
Kelley Blue book is your best bet though

[tsk1979]

Bay are is the silicon valley, with lots of yuppy engineers. So you have lots of these old cars for sale.
My friend has a 1997 honda civic done 100,000+ miles for which he is getting only 2800$.
So you have to look very very hard.
I am sure Seattle will also have a bigger market than the rural US

[ashwin_seattle]

Here's the link to get a honda within $4000 in seattle:
seattle-tacoma craigslist > cars & trucks: search for "honda"=

you can get something like this which is not bad at all:
1997 Honda Civic DX sedan, 127,300 miles. 5 speed, runs fine.

for a toyota, something like this:
TOYOTA CAMRY LE 1996

You can also start looking here:
Cars and Trucks - Windows Live Expo - Free Online Classifieds

Simple funda: if you plan to stay longer(like 1 +year), extend your budget and go for a 1998+ car with less than 100k miles on board.
If short term, the above cars listed in the links work.