r/whatcarshouldIbuy

like i’m sure most, my parents are on my back to get my first car. they say if i have at least half saved up, they’ll pay the other half for me (pretty sure i’ll be paying 3/4 though, but i don’t mind). but i have absolutely no knowledge on cars. the only car ik by name is a volkswagen beetle but my dad has already put a hard no on that (much to my disappointment)

i’m 17, first year uni student. i’m commuting to uni because i can’t afford a dorm (about a 20 minute commute). i currently have 1000$ in my savings and put 115$ in every paycheck (every friday). i currently work two jobs at the same restaurant. i make 12.50$ hourly for one of those jobs, and tips for the other job. i average about 50-70$ for tips for a 6 hour shift.

as for the car stuff, i don’t really have any hard preferences. color doesn’t matter to me, neither does make or model because i genuinely don’t know anything about cars. i’d prefer if it would be able to last about 4-5 years so it can last until graduation. i already know ill be on top of it with maintenance because im just that kind of person, so that shouldn’t be a worry on if it’ll last. the only real preference that i have is that its one of those cars that is short and not big and clunky. i’ll include a drawing that i hope makes sense. wants that i have are preferably white outside, bluetooth available, and something that i can definitely rely on because starting in august, ill have two jobs and uni, so i don’t want to have a bad car to worry about.

the questions i have:
how much should i aim to have saved up before starting car searching?
how would i go about searching, like what websites are reliable and what should i look out for when looking at cars? (like the mileage, the year, crash history, etc?)
what are some good cars i can possibly look into and what models and/or years are best?

i’d really appreciate any help because i have no idea where to start with this, and my parents aren’t really open to helping me. they just expect me to know how to do this.

It has 117k miles and I've heard great things about 90s Toyotas. I could go newer but I prefer the simplicity and design of 90s economics cars by a mile. $6000 is a lot for a car that old. It has decent maintenance history, will this car be a reliable purchase despite the age? Input from anybody who has experience with this era of toyotas would be most helpful

Keep seeing new cars (2024+) listed on marketplace for like 15k (civics especially) with a rebuilt title. This means the car got totaled and was… well "rebuilt" right? Ive heard its a toss up bc there could be obscure electrical issues, and it could be hell to insure, among other things. Im assuming the general consensus would be calling someone an idiot for even considering it, but wisdom comes with age ig.

New driver. I won't be driving much, just to work and back through suburban areas. Which one's gonna last me? Should I keep looking?

In order of appearance:

1. 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE / 130K / 40 combined mpg / 2 owners & taxi history
2. 2016 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring / 100K / 33 combined mpg / 4 owners
3. 2018 Mazda 6 Touring / 130K / 29 combined mpg / 4 owners & corporate fleet history
4. 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT / 150K / 118 combined MPGe / 2 owners

Each car is around $10k. I'm looking for something reliable with minimal upkeep outside of the usual maintenance. I'm also particular about it being a fast, zippy ride that handle regular speeds of 70mph with minimal struggle accelerating. With those requirements in mind, in what order would you rank each vehicle I listed?

So I test drove both and they both feel good, a couple notes, the mazda felt more powerful to drive and has a better aesthetic, the civic had some useful features like the hud showing the current speed and the speed limit of the road and the lane assistance. The civic was quoted more expensive by about 3000$ to me. I really am torn. I will mostly be driving it to work and back which is only 15 mins in the high way but once in a while I’ll go on road trips a couple states over.

Two weeks ago I asked for your advice on a great sounding affordable convertible. Last weekend I drove three hours to pick up this 2004 Z4 3.0!

It’s been owned by a retired couple for the past 16 years, always garaged, and has just over 50k miles. It’s in amazing condition for a 20+ year old car, and I managed to buy it for just $11,000! 

The car is a 3.0 inline six paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Whoever ordered it checked every option - the sport package with drive modes, heated leather seats with power adjustment and memory, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, cruise control, brushed aluminum trim, auto-dimming mirrors, and a power soft top that still works perfectly. 

Coming in well under the 15k budget I was aiming for, I have some cash leftover for the routine maintenance that any car of this age is in need of. I’ll be replacing all the fluids and filters, as well as the shocks and struts.

Anyway, thanks for all of the comments on my original post! You guys had some great suggestions, and a few terrible ones (I’m still thinking about you, LS430 guy). Anyway, I’m excited to enjoy some topless cruising over the summer! 

I'm looking to buy a new (used) car, and I came across this 2012 Skoda with a 3.6l vr6 engine. I test drove it and fell in love with how it sounds and how smooth it is. The car has 130,000km and I could buy it for a really cheap price because of the high road tax here. My question is, how reliable would this car be (especially since I live in very humid climate)?

First time buying a car.

Will be moving states soon and start a job. Commute will be about 20m each side so not so bad. Still, i want to save on gas mostly to reduce the hassle of refilling.

Looked a bunch into toyota's with hybrid and honda fit but they are surprisingly expensive for old cars.

At least until paychecks start coming in, I wanted a reliable oldie with at least ok mpg that i hope to drive until i tire of it or i replace it with something nicer.

Budget under 5k but the lower the better.

I prefer manual transmission. Gotta live a little.

Near me and fitting the description i found this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/336669960980?hash=item4e6317eb14%3Ag%3AYiYAAeSwRZpqR%7EMm&customid&toolid=10049

Car looks fun.
I saw it and it has minimal rust. No obvious problems. Wheels not old and wear is uniform. Lotsa superficial wear inside and out (car is 20 years old).

The guy at the lot drove the car there for me to see it so i didnt get to see him "cold start". I'll go again soon to start the car first time myself.

I also sat inside for 10m with AC on. The guy was outwardly hostile and demeaning about my tests and that i am interested in it to begin with. Started telling me its leaking and that it wont make the rides i need it to.
I saw no sign of leakage but also didn't get to test drive it yet.
He also said he has no clue anything about the car or previous owners.
Looking at images, i think the alternator was replaced.

Thoughts? Am I making a $2000 mistake?

I've also been considering 2005 Honda element manual for 4k for its spacious design, a Honda fit 2013 manual for 5k, and I'm open for suggestions in either Atlanta or Chicago areas.

I am thinking of getting either a BMW 120 or full equipment Corolla hatchback. The price is similar, my needs are mainly city driving with about 20% highway driving. Don't have family, so I mostly drive alone or bring 1-2 additional people occasionally