Should I buy an old used car from someone I trust or no?

Hi, I live in a major city but I need a car for commuting. My 1999 Nissan Altima has likely been totaled due to a recent auto accident.

I'm in a relatively well financial situation. I *could* buy a new car, but don't want to. I'd really like to pay cash, and that means I can't really pay more than $5000 right now. That being said, it's proving to be difficult to find what I want. I'd really like a Japanese car and I'd *really* like it to have under 100,000 miles. That's the kicker… It seems like even 10+ year old cars with well over 100k are going for a lot of $$. I must have gotten very lucky when I purchased mine 8 years ago, because it had under 100k miles and was less than 10 years old, and less than $5k cost.

Here's where I'm torn. A friend of mine is willing to sell me her car very cheaply. She is moving bought a new SUV. Here are the details:

2002 Honda Civic LX - 4 Door - White
Mileage: 187500

The Good:
- All maintenance receipts saved
- Spark plugs replaced September 2013
- Timing belt replaced November 2014
- Timely completed all servicing as per service manual (e.g., mileage, oil, tire rotation)
- Only highway miles - Eight (8) years daily commute, approx 70 miles

The Bad:
- Intermittent Air Conditioning (just started acting up)
- Front struts

Would it be crazy to purchase her car for less than $2000 while I save and think about a car I really want?

You can find something better for that much money. Sounds like she took car of that car, but that car is at the stage where it's going to start breaking down. If you were a DIY kind of person and knew how to work on cars then it would be different, but you sound like the kind that will have to call someone to change a flat tire. So i would advise yo to find something with lower mileage, even if it is not a jap car.

In my opinion I think you shouldn't buy your friends car. It sounds like it's been good to her but it also sounds like it's starting to nickel and dime break down. If you could buy a new car then I suggest you just finance something cheaply for 10 thousand. My mom bought a 2012 Honda Civic in June and it had 40 thousand miles for 10 thousand bucks. A tree fell on her old car and she didn't want a high car note so she put 6 thousand and financed 4 thousand and it's almost paid off now. You could do the same and keep the car for another 8 years.

Even you said you would like a car with under 100,000 miles and this one has 185,000 miles. What do you think? I think you are looking at a car that has pretty well been used up even though it has all maintenance records. The parts she has replaced isn't that big of deal because there's a ton other parts on if that could be going bad.

For less than $2000, you can hardly go wrong. Actually its an IDEAL used car, you know the history. It could last you years without a big problem.

But, it also depends on where you live.

In the deep south, it can get really hot for a few months if the AC goes out. And that could be an expensive
repair.

Spending hundreds on anything might not be advisable. Certainly not struts or AC.

Don't panic if it needs a minor repair. There are a half dozen things that could go out that are minor repairs.

I drive an old car and about once a year it needs something.

Buy used after a mechanic examines it.

150k miles is usually when certain things start breaking or get worn out. However, when buying a beater, a friend or relative is usually the first place you'd go and the maintenance records are a huge plus, though repairing the AC could potentially be expensive.

For $2000, it can serve you for a while, as you pull more money together to buy the car you really want. Do not put a lot more money into the car. The AC is likely just a recharge which can be under $50, and serve you for another year or two.

Put your $3000 back into the bank, for any sudden repair, and start making payments into the account - $100 per week. At the end of a year you'll have $8000, keep saving for the second year, at the end, you'll have $13,000 - enough to start thinking about a slightly better car, if it is starting to act up, or cost you much for repairs.

If you could afford $150 per month, in a year you'd have over $10,000, at the end of the second year, you'd have over 18,000 and ready to get something a bit nicer to drive, if you want.

The car isn't likely to last much longer than 3-5 years from the date of purchase, but it could buy you time to save for something better, without compromising your financial position.

Either way, have a qualified auto mechanic go over the car and let you know what they think the car may require to be fully functional, and safe on the road, over the next few years. If they seem to think the repairs are not going to cost much, and you can live with it, it could be a good interim vehicle.