buying my first car, what do i need to check?

Question

its not long before i will buy my first car..
what do i have to check, before buying it?

i like sport cars, but i cant afford a super car, i found the toyota celica 1994 model i like.
what other cars can i passably afford? around 5000-7000$

Answer 1

I'd suggest looking for visual clues...stuff you can see. Are the tires worn evenly? Is there a mountain of rust underneath? Are the hoses and belts in reasonable shape, or so ragged they look like crap? Is the engine filthy with oil? Pull the oil dip stick and wipe it off with your fingers...feel the oil, has it got dirt in it, or does it feel like oil? Smell the oil...if it smells like a dead rat, something is wrong.



Take the car to an autoparts store, and have them check the battery, starter AND alternator...this can be done in about 10 minutes without removing any component...



If you have time, take the car to a shop and have them do an "old fashioned" compression test...where they remove one spark plug at a time and actually hold a pressure gauge on the hole...this will cost a little, but it is the one test that will reveal more than any other.

Answer 2

Toyota's are great cars. We wouldn't own anything else! My husband is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician with 33 yrs exp. He said to watch they haven't been beat up on-it happened a lot with those cars. (It will happen for any sports car, though)Pay to have it checked out by a Toyota dealership-it may cost about $50 but it's well worth it! My son has a 94 Celica and won't get rid of it-he's got 300K miles on it. My husband had '87 Celica GTS with 400K before the body went south (we were in NY-lots of salt!) Go Toyota!

Answer 3

Not to be facetious, but check everything, INCLUDING THE TITLE and the ID of the seller from seller's current photo ID, preferrably drivers license, if private sale.



Get the VIN and search it online thru multiple sources.



You mite want to get a '98 or later bc they use the current OBD II electronic diagnostic system.



Get the cooling system pressure tested to lessen the risk of a bad head gasket, or cracked head or cylinder: very expensive to fix.

Answer 4

While it's running, put a dollar bill over the hole of the tail pipe. If the muffler is good then it will blow air out but if its bad it will try to suck the bill in. Also check the oil and other fluids such as brake and transmission fluid.

Answer 5

How about a late 90's Mazda Miata. They are a fun car and can be found cheap these days.



As far as what to check, take it to a mechanic which you use and have them check it over.

Answer 6

The best thing is to save money until you get the sport car you like. But if you desperately want the car, you could buy a Suzuki Escudo, its a stationery sport car, or a Rover MGF its a sports car and its exactly $6999.

Hope this helped you make your decision.

Answer 7

This web site has lots of tips n' advice for buying used cars: http://www.edmunds.com/used-cars/

There is just too much to sit here & write a novel about. G'luck!

Answer 8

Look at the fluids. See if they are clean. Oil , antifreeze (green) and transmission fluid. Look at the tire wear. If its worn on one side you have problems. Look at the general condition of the car. It will tell you if they fixed things.

Answer 9

Get like a Honda Civic off Ebay

Answer 10

united statese r / G u . s . , y o united statest i l l R e a d i n g ? I g o t t w o 2 m o r e Q u . s . I O N s a million ] w h a t i s t h e c a r ' s f u e l t y p e o r e n e r g y s o u r c e ? 2 ] i s c a r - o w n e r s h i p r e a l l y j united statest i f i a b l e i n t h i s i n s t a n c e ?

Answer 11

If you like sports cars, I don't know why the hell you're looking at a Celica.



All you need to do is make sure it's American.



If you do that, you will not have any problems.



* * * * * * * * * * * *

Merry Christmas!



I HOPE ALL YOU TOYOTA OWNERS GOT A LUMP OF ****ING COAL!



-TOYOTA SUCKS

Answer 12

nice buick cross the street for 3500 , only 57k miles , clean too

/ its in ahoskie , n.c.

Answer 13

Check and make sure its not a chevy

Answer 14

kick the tyre.