What car buy for first time?

[Mger]

I am 28 international scholar, and today got my DL, I have no any experience.
I'm very careful, but I don't want to spend a lot, cause afraid to lost in the case of accident. So I am trying to find car up to 2-3K. What can you advise me?
There is also some car (Saturn SEDAN 4-DR, 25kmile, looks good, $3000). Is it worth to buy if I will check with mechanic and there will no problems?
Also I am temporary in US, so may be need to move after half year or one and half.
The main reason I want to buy car to earn an experience for future, cause in my city (Durham, NC) I can satisfy by buses also.

[speediva]

I would advise finding something more along the lines of a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Both can be found easily within your price range and are likely to have much better reliability. The problem with Saturn is that car company is no longer in business so you will have a harder, more expensive time working on any fixes it needs since they are not as common.

Keep us posted on your search!

[DMS49]

Mger, speediva's advice of a Civic or Corolla is excellent. You can find a very seviceable one of those for $3000. Just be sure and let a good mechanic check out anything that you find. That can save a lot of heartache.
Much good luck to you.

David

[Ray paulsen]

Originally Posted by speediva

I would advise finding something more along the lines of a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Both can be found easily within your price range and are likely to have much better reliability. The problem with Saturn is that car company is no longer in business so you will have a harder, more expensive time working on any fixes it needs since they are not as common.

Keep us posted on your search!

I agree buy a Honda or Toyota,,, but in that price range you will have to be blessed with a little luck,,, it will be like trying to drive a Bronco through a Steel Curtain,,, so my prayers are with you today

[speediva]

Originally Posted by Ray paulsen

I agree buy a Honda or Toyota,,, but in that price range you will have to be blessed with a little luck,,, it will be like trying to drive a Bronco through a Steel Curtain,,, so my prayers are with you today

It's not too hard. I bought my 97 Civic with 190k miles with pretty much every imaginable maintenance item replaced by the previous private owner (WITH RECEIPTS) for $3000 last December. Some of it was luck - but with the willingness to travel a good hour out of my area I found it pretty easily.

Have you found anything yet, Mger?

[DMS49]

Originally Posted by speediva

It's not too hard. I bought my 97 Civic with 190k miles with pretty much every imaginable maintenance item replaced by the previous private owner (WITH RECEIPTS) for $3000 last December. Some of it was luck - but with the willingness to travel a good hour out of my area I found it pretty easily.

Have you found anything yet, Mger?

Agreed. My brother recently bought a super clean ninety something Civic Hatchback with around 120,000 miles for $3000, and it was a pampered beauty. He drives it at least 80 miles a day.
Keep on the hunt Mger, but don't jump on something too quickly.
BTW, of course prices will vary greatly in different parts of the country.
Good luck,
David