Quote:
Originally posted by javadog
I wouldn't suggest a Taurus, or any American car.
JR
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Over the long haul, maybe. But short term (Todd said 12 months) I'm not sure you'd see a significant difference. Both American and Japanese would be a crap shoot. Most $3000 cars are on the market because their owners have finally decided not to invest $X to fix it. They are selling it knowing it needs $X. If it didn't need $X, they wouldn't have the need to get something different. The challenge is to find the exception.
As most of you know, including Todd, I still believe that American cars are as good (per dollar) as foreign cars.
But Hondas and Toyotas bring more dollars for the year and/or miles. In other words, you could buy a newer and/or lower mile American car for the same money.
If you're just going to flip it, it might not matter too much. If you pay $3000 and fix something for $500 then sell it for $3000, it cost you $500 to drive the car, plus a relatively small 'opportunity cost' (interest?). If you pay $8000 to buy a nicer car and fix nothing and sell it for $8000 then it was free, plus a larger opportunity cost. Just buy something you think you got a good deal on, that has a large enough market where you'll recoup your money fast when it's time.
E