Quote Originally Posted by Lady's Human
Just FYI-

Catalytic Converter.........between $200-300 installed. A Cat will cause numerous problems with the engine, if the cat is damaged the engine won't be able to breathe.

Starter..........Between $100-400 installed.

One hell of a lot cheaper than a new/used/leased car.

Pay a good mechanic a little money to go through it (NOT A DEALERSHIP!!!!!!!!!!)
Find a local mechanic who people trust.

FIgure out what is critical to the car, and figure out cost. Chances are it will be cheaper by a short ton of money than buying or leasing anything.

Thanks Lady's Human for all the infromation. I already know the prices and such. I had a mechanic look at it and give me prices (although it was in my own drive way and just estimates). When we first bought the car it broke down within 2 weeks of having it. So I replaced the started ($250) which was what the problem was at the time. I drove it for another week, it broke down, yet again. We were able to jump it and get it going only to have it break down the next day. My headlights dim from bright to almost no light at all while I'm driving. So they think my alternator is bad. I forget what its called but something like a spin wheel? I'm not sure, it some kind of fan in the engine. They think that it may also be broken. You can't look at it without takeing the starter out, but when you go to start the car all you hear is that wheel going round and round and nothing happeing. When we could get my car to start every time we turned it on it sounded like metal grinding on metal . So, my car is currently broke down in my driveway and we can't get it anywhere without a tow truck. To me it seems like one problem after another after another. So lets say I fix these few hundred dollars worth of problems and go home with a nice "fixed" car. My mind set is whats gonna break next? I really need a reliable, usable car. And to me this car is not it.

Quote Originally Posted by Cookiebaker
My last 2 vehicles I have purchased like that, and I have only paid $4500 each for a 3 year old car.
so in eight years, I have had 2 nearly new cars for $9000, and I am so far ahead of the game.
That’s a really good deal on such a new car. I really need a car in 6 weeks though for a class I’m enrolled in. However, I do think that maybe I could work something out until I could save up enough money to buy a car for that price. Is that a normal price for a car like that? Or did you get really good deals?


Thanks everyone! I really apreciate the opinions and suggestions. Keep them coming.

Ashley