Anybody in/near Troy, MI who's willing to guide someone through buying a used car?

[LeeH]

Yeah... a longshot, I know. One of my clients has a friend in MI who needs to buy a used car. Sounds like she has no experience with the car market and is ripe for being ripped off. She's looking for a $5000 Toyota Corolla type car, so she's shopping in a very competitive market. Anybody?

[Neilk]

Post a hot picture of a nearly naked woman and say it is her. Chance of getting her the help she needs will increase 100 fold.

[Zeke]

Kaisen?

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Post a hot picture of a nearly naked woman and say it is her. Chance of getting her the help she needs will increase 100 fold.

Exactly what crossed my mind when my client asked if I knew anyone who could help her friend. Did't think asking would go over well.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Yeah... a longshot, I know. One of my clients has a friend in MI who needs to buy a used car. Sounds like she has no experience with the car market and is ripe for being ripped off. She's looking for a $5000 Toyota Corolla type car, so she's shopping in a very competitive market. Anybody?

$5000 Toyota Corolla type car!? Oh man. Competitive market is an understatement. This is back to school time, so every good parent is looking for a $5000 Japanese car. Let me guess, with under 100K miles, automatic, no issues, from original private owner, with clean CarFax and all the records, right?

Good luck with that. You're going to find Hakemed selling his 'friend's' hastily painted 2003 Corolla that really has 254K miles but swapped ECU showing 96K, no airbag light (anymore) and steering wheel stuffed with newspaper. Still smells like curry and gunpowder.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Exactly what crossed my mind when my client asked if I knew anyone who could help her friend. Did't think asking would go over well.

Well, don't let one jerk ruin the idea.

Originally Posted by kaisen

$5000 Toyota Corolla type car!? Oh man. Competitive market is an understatement. This is back to school time, so every good parent is looking for a $5000 Japanese car. Let me guess, with under 100K miles, automatic, no issues, from original private owner, with clean CarFax and all the records, right?

Good luck with that. You're going to find Hakemed selling his 'friend's' hastily painted 2003 Corolla that really has 254K miles but swapped ECU showing 96K, no airbag light (anymore) and steering wheel stuffed with newspaper. Still smells like curry and gunpowder.

Funny as hell. So, what would you have the girl buy?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by milt

So, what would you have the girl buy?

I'd say raise the budget just a thousand or so to stop competing with the high school and college students. Look for a 2002-2006 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder with relatively high miles.

For under $5000? Ford Focus with Zetec 16v motor, Pontiac Vibe (Corolla underpinnings), high-mile Pontiac Grand Prix (04-up) or Impala LS with 3800 V6, 2000-2002 Saturn SL2 with low miles (should be WELL under $5K), 2000-up Subaru Legacy with lower miles, 2001-up Honda Civic, there are others....

The trouble is trying to find a good one. It's VERY difficult for someone who doesn't know cars. I'm astonished at what's out there.

[john70t]

I have no experience with the Fords, though I've seen a (Michigan, undented, 7yo) drain pan rusted though and heavily leaking oil on a Focus sport model.

Th Saturns(the OLD ones) will last forever with their ABS panels and timing chains.
New ones are complete junk after GM reabsorbed Saturn.

Buying a newish American car will knock a few thousand off the resale price, but could add it back on in parts many years later.
Or throw it away in the trash.

[Heel n Toe]

Find Your Car: Used Toyota Corolla Listings Near Troy, MI 48085 - AutoTrader.com

Autotrader

[Laneco]

Troy, Michigan?

Wouldn't an awd Subaru be a much better idea?

angela

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Troy, Michigan?

Wouldn't an awd Subaru be a much better idea?

angela

For $5K? Okay, I'm game... just modifying the search...

Search Results

We found 0 used listings within 75 miles of Troy, MI .

Find Your Car: Used Subaru Impreza WRX Listing Near Troy, MI 48085 - AutoTrader.com

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=used&distance=75&address=48085&marketZipError=false&body_style=SEDAN&make=SUB&model=SUBOUTBK&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2012&min_price=4000&max_price=5000&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=8&certified=&advanced=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&systime=&sownerid=64871921&dma=DETROIT_NW&rdm=1314655843262

[mudman]

I don't watch the 'corolla type' market much but I would initially agree with the above sentiment.

If she is looking at private sales DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT let her look at any cars in Dearborn or Dearborn Heights. They are all (well, all the ones that look like even a decent deal) repaired garbage.

I spent an entire day looking at nothing but non-American cars in that area, all private sales, all quick repair jobs, all lame ass 'my cousin sold it to me a month ago, I don't really know anything about it' and 'it is my friend's car but he moved and asked me to sell it for him. Insanely bad alignments (panel fit and suspension), patched together interiors (panels/trim didn't fit right/oddly faded/didn't quite match), and leaky heater cores.

[mudman]

Jeep Cherokees (XJ, not Grand) are a great bargain IMO around here.

[Laneco]

John - probably not going to get a good WRX Impreza for 5K... And a WRX Impreza is quite a bit different than a Corolla. Think normally aspirated wagon, forester, etc. Not Impreza WRX...

I just picked up a one owner Forester for my mom. It's a 99 with 78 on the clock, one owner, clean history, zero issues, ice cold air, etc., awd, auto, PW PL CC, etc., for $3,800.

Entirely useful little appliance.

angela

[Heel n Toe]

Yeah, I'm just not familiar with the entire Subaru line of AWD vehicles... a search for Foresters turned up three under $5K within 75 miles of Troy...

Find Your Car: Subaru Forester Listings Near Troy, MI 48085 - AutoTrader.com