[karanddd]

Hello everyone!

I am moving to Houston in October as my girlfriend is starting a PhD there. I have lived in the US before, in New York, but did not need a car because of the excellent public transport there. The same is not true of Houston and I feel that a car is absolutely necessary to have.

We're only planning on being in Houston for 3 years and the budget for the car is very tight. I've earmarked $6k, but could go up to $8-9k for something good. I am not very mechanically inclined and although I've been trawling through Craigslist listings, I am not sure how well I can adjudge the mechanical health of a particular car. I am basically only looking at Japanese sedans from the early 2000s, due to the belief that they're probably more reliable than their European counterparts.

I have seen a couple of 2001-05 NB Mazda Miatas listed (but not in Houston) in that price range, and I am very tempted to get one because I don't know when else I'll have a chance and small, analog sports cars like that are on their way out. The Miata loses out on practicality in a big way, just two seats (so no way to even ferry guests around), but I've never driven or owned a convertible like that before and the draw of the Miata is huge. We don't have kids so possibly this is the best time to own something like this. But flying somewhere to pick up the car without knowing much about it seems like a challenge.

The car market in the US is huge and I am sure there are many options I haven't begun to consider. Something cheap, reliable, and as fun or interesting as the budget allows is what I am looking for. I am hoping that people who have much more knowledge than I have will surely be able to help me out.

PS I have a New York driver's license, does that affect anything wrt. registration, insurance etc.?

[no_fear]

Can't quote much about cars, but you need to switch your license to Texas. You can use your NY license for max 90 days after moving to Texas. If the popo catches you, you may get a citation or a warning, asking you to change your driving license. A trip to DMV with address proof and your NY license will have you sorted.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/dr...e/moving-texas

[Jeroen]

I have seen a couple of 2001-05 NB Mazda Miatas listed (but not in Houston) in that price range, and I am very tempted to get one because I don't know when else I'll have a chance and small, analog sports cars like that are on their way out. The Miata loses out on practicality in a big way, just two seats (so no way to even ferry guests around), but I've never driven or owned a convertible like that before and the draw of the Miata is huge. We don't have kids so possibly this is the best time to own something like this. But flying somewhere to pick up the car without knowing much about it seems like a challenge.

I am all for following your dream and buying cars on emotion alone. And the Miata is a very nice and very robust little car.

There are however a few buts….. A Miata is at its best on windy little roads, top down, cool breeze and enjoying the scenery.

You will be in Houston Texas. Which gets blistering hot, has no windy roads at all and no nice scenery at all. In fact, there are virtually no nice twisty rural roads in all of Texas. Texas is essentially in blazing hot dessert. They build a few towns in it to accommodate shopping malls.

My brother in law lives in east Texas and he bought a BMW Z3 many years ago. He still has it, but has yet to drive it top down.

Mechanically the Miata is bomb proof. The hood is something that can start to leak and apart from replacing there is not much you can do about it. A soft top car really needs to be kept in a garage or at least a car port. You have to make sure the AC is in top condition and blasts out tonnes of really cold air!

You can try to arrange for a purchasing test/check over. Best have it done by a Miata specialist before you commit.

But to be honest, at your budget you will be able to find a decent car, but it won’t be perfect. So a purchasing test is always going to show a few things. You then need to get it fixed or worry.

Alternatively, you can just fly over, take the car for a good test drive. If you feel comfortable go ahead and buy, if not enjoy the rest of the day and book a flight back home.

There is an excellent Miata club scene in the USA. You might want to look them up. They will have buying tips for new members.

You might want to stretch your budget a few more thousand dollars and buy something from CarMax or the likes of them. You are less likely to end up with problems. Also, if you pick up the car from outer state you will have to register it yourself in Texas. Can be done, I did it twice myself but it varies from state to state. If you buy from a car dealer all that will be arranged for you.

Good luck

Jeroen

[irdevanand]

Try Carvana.com to get an idea of the prices around that Zip Code. I tried 77015 and got this https://www.carvana.com/cars/filters...VzdFByaWNlIn0=



Regards
Dev

[karanddd]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

I am all for following your dream and buying cars on emotion alone. And the Miata is a very nice and very robust little car.

There are however a few buts….. A Miata is at its best on windy little roads, top down, cool breeze and enjoying the scenery.

...

There is an excellent Miata club scene in the USA. You might want to look them up. They will have buying tips for new members.

...

Good luck

Jeroen

This is very helpful. Thank you so much. I have seen a couple of motorcycling Youtubers from Texas who manage to find windy roads here and there, but on the whole things do seem quite grim driving wise. Thing is, there's no chance that I move to northern California or somewhere like that at all, so if I'm going to have a Miata, it has to be in Houston. In my head I'd thought the milder winters there would mean top down driving year around. But guess not.

As for the Miata club, I'll be sure to look that up. I did come across a Miata owners forum online and found a quite nice looking 2002 Miata for around $10k listed in Florida. I've sent the owner a message asking for more information. In case I do hear from him, do you mind if I send you a message on here and ask some questions regarding what I ought to look for?

Thank you no_fear and irdevanand for the replies. I'll have a look at these options too.

At the moment I'm most tempted by Subarus, and finding some decent condition Impreza wagons and Foresters for $8-9k. Anyone know much about these? They seem quite good reliability wise and with AWD can handle snow if we take trips up north. Also I like the styling more than Hondas and Toyotas. Also thoughts on Acura, Infiniti and Lexus? Some of them are very nice to look at. Do early 2000s models hold up well mechanically, say with 100-150k mileage? I am finding a lot of those listed.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by karanddd

I've earmarked $6k, but could go up to $8-9k for something good. I am basically only looking at Japanese sedans from the early 2000s, due to the belief that they're probably more reliable

Your budget and your thoughts around Japanese options of the 2000s are both very sensible targets. I helped people twice find their dream cars in the US, although I've never lived there. My recommendation to you would be a Toyota Corolla from 2003-2010 or a Honda Accord of similar vintage. For a full size option, the Lexus ES330 is a good one to go after.The following threads should help you in making an informed choice.

1. Lexus ES330 (Used 2006 Lexus ES 330 – Virtual evaluation & a beautiful ownership experience)

2. AcuraMDX (Adversity to opportunity during the pandemic | From a new Kia Optima to a used Acura MDX)

[akash_v12]

Originally Posted by karanddd

Hello everyone!

I am moving to Houston in October as my girlfriend is starting a PhD there. I have lived in the US before, in New York.

Take a look at Autotempest, I found a few brand new 2021 Ford's on Auction at very, very cheap prices on Ebay Motors. I don't know how legitimate this deal is, but seems pretty good + it's a Ford dealership.

Ford Explorer

Ford Explorer

Cadillac CTS

AutoTempest

Originally Posted by irdevanand

Try Carvana.com to get an idea of the prices around that Zip Code. I tried 77015 and got this

I wouldn't recommend Carvana. Too many bad experiences have been discussed all around on YT and over the internet. They charge a slight margin over the normal dealers too.

[Amrik Singh]

You have set a Budget and preferences. All appear to be fine. Search the Toyota Dealers and set the Filter with your requirements.
Setting Budget at 10K, I found Corolla 2012.
As an example



There are many dealers and large selection. You will definitely find your choice

[landcruiser123]

The prices of cars are too high now! :( I'd say Ford Fusion (I own a 2012 version) is a good buy. I bought mine exactly 2 years ago for $8k and have put 25k miles with one (nearly) cross-country trip. Low-profile tires are expensive(relative to what the car is worth), but it is overall a great car. Just watch out for the issues with the 6F35 - it has a mixed record of reliability - some people love it, some people hate it. My theory is that people who drive hard and have the 3.0 V6 burn the transmission out. Also, I'd advise not sticking to the 150k mile transmission fluid change interval.

Stick to simple cars with 4 cylinder engines - Corollas/Civic, Accords/Camry, etc. If you must get an older Nissan or Mazda, get a manual. Their automatics won't last 2-300,000 miles.

If you don't mind low MPGs, get a Ford Crown Victoria (or Mercury/Lincoln equivalent).

[karanddd]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I feel as if I am going to end up with a Corolla/Camry or Accord/Civic, unless some miraculous Miata purchase works out. I'll keep the thread updated with whatever comes up.

[gthang]

Houston can get hot, humid and quite a bit of rain. Not sure if a Miata would be a good year round choice. I would recommend getting a regular daily driver and try rentals for out of town trips. A good weekend drive to San Antonio with a brand new convertible of choice would be fun. Grocery trip with Miata might not be that much fun.

As the saying goes, when in Rome. Consider a pickup for your daily driver. Guaranteed you will appreciate its utility within a month of usage. Lots of crew cab options now available.

Or take the safe route and get an Accord or Camry. Can't go wrong with those.

Cheers

[Amrik Singh]

With your query on selection of Car well answered, concerning your Licence, one thing is for sure that you would need your current US address on the Licence. It needs to be changed with every change in address. Your NYC D/L may facilitate getting D/L in Texas subject to fulfilling of their conditions.
Eligibility to obtain a Licence would depend on what Visa you would be holding. It has to be any Residence Visa.

[karanddd]

Originally Posted by gthang

Houston can get hot, humid and quite a bit of rain. Not sure if a Miata would be a good year round choice. I would recommend getting a regular daily driver and try rentals for out of town trips. A good weekend drive to San Antonio with a brand new convertible of choice would be fun. Grocery trip with Miata might not be that much fun.

As the saying goes, when in Rome. Consider a pickup for your daily driver. Guaranteed you will appreciate its utility within a month of usage. Lots of crew cab options now available.

Or take the safe route and get an Accord or Camry. Can't go wrong with those.

Cheers

You make a good point. If I pick up a cheap motorcycle at some point while I'm there that could also take care of the fun to drive side of things. And I am definitely tempted by trucks. Are there any you particularly recommend? And what's the reliability like for mid 2000s F150s with 150k odd miles? I'm seeing a fair number of those in this kind of budget.

Originally Posted by Amrik Singh

With your query on selection of Car well answered, concerning your Licence, one thing is for sure that you would need your current US address on the Licence. It needs to be changed with every change in address. Your NYC D/L may facilitate getting D/L in Texas subject to fulfilling of their conditions.
Eligibility to obtain a Licence would depend on what Visa you would be holding. It has to be any Residence Visa.

Thank you for the heads up. My address on file right now is of the place I last lived in in 2017. I believe I can take my NY license and a proof of address to the Texas DMV and get a Texas license. I only have a student visa, but that should suffice to get a license.

On the whole, do you guys recommend taking a chance with a Craigslist or FB marketplace car, or going with a certified pre-owned car, which can easily cost 4-5k more for similar models?

[Amrik Singh]

Originally Posted by karanddd

On the whole, do you guys recommend taking a chance with a Craigslist or FB marketplace car, or going with a certified pre-owned car, which can easily cost 4-5k more for similar models?

Your NYC address is meaningless as you do not reside there. Your current address and NYC Licence should manage Texas Licence.
I would not prefer FB or Craigslist purchase for :
1. You would be running from one end to another for checking a single Car.
2. If it was worth its price, probably, you would be too late and is already sold.
3. Dealership have their own overheads, but the Vehicles are checked against major defects, legit documents and vast selection available under one roof.
4. If required, you could make a down payment and drive off, with loan, for which instalments can be worked out.

[k_kumar]

Originally Posted by karanddd

Hello everyone!
...I've earmarked $6k, but could go up to $8-9k for something good...Something cheap, reliable, and as fun or interesting as the budget allows is what I am looking for...I have a New York driver's license, does that affect anything wrt. registration, insurance etc.?

Hello karanaddd, you can surely get a reliable used car in that range - stick to Civic/Corolla or Camry/Accord (arguably Toyotas are a bit more reliable than Hondas but neither will be interesting). Check used car prices on KBB and you'll have a fair idea about the market in Houston. Please note that both buyers and sellers set prices based on what kbb suggests.

Your best bet will be buying from a private party as dealer's prices will be much higher (at least $1000 more plus about $500 dealer handling fee). Don't buy useless warranties from a dealer for such cars for another 1500-2000 bucks. Just to put things into perspective, four new tires will set you back by about $500 while most of the expensive repairs cost less and nothing is likely to fail during your 3-year ownership.

You'll need to frequently check Craigslist and FB marketplace postings. Please be aware that most of the postings will be worth ignoring but you'll have to act fast if something good is posted else it will be gone within 24 hrs. Before going out to check a car ask whether it has clean title, no accident, no hail/flood damage and always ask for the carfax history. Finally, get it inspected at some place like Firestone. Don't hesitate about minor work like replacing belts, brake pads etc.

Finally, your old, perhaps expired, NY license will help keep the insurance cost lower compared to what you'll pay if you get your first US license today.