The
cost of new transportation is expensive. However, there
are several used vehicles that you might want to consider.
The following vehicles all have good ratings and current
market forces have made them available at very reasonable
prices.
Four vehicles worth your consideration:
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|
2000
Toyota Camry LE |
1.
The Toyota Camry
has been one of the best vehicles
in America for years. The new Camry LE costs between $18,500-$25,000.
Now that the redesigned 2002 Camry is circulating in
the market, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a used
2000 Toyota Camry LE with 25K-30K miles for under $11,500.
I consider this car to be an excellent value for this
price. This vehicle can be driven for hundreds of thousands
of miles.
2. The Honda Accord
has also been one of America's best
selling automobiles. New Accord LXs cost $18,500-$26,000.
You can find a 2000 Accord LX with 25K-30K miles for
about $11,500-$12,500, if you shop around enough.
3. The Mazda 626 has also been a reliable vehicle. The new 626 LX costs $17,500-$24,000.
The 626 redesigned for 2003 and renamed the "Mazda6". Mazda does not quite
have the name of the Toyota or the Honda. A 2000 Mazda
626 LX with 25K-30K miles for about $9,000-$10,000 is
a good deal. This vehicle can provide many years of dependable
transportation.
4. The Nissan Altima
is also a pretty good value. New Altima 2.5s cost $17,000-23,000.
The 2002 Altima was redesigned to be a much larger car
than the previous model. If you are on a transportation
budget, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a 1995 Altima
GXE with 60K-75K miles for about $3,500-$4,500. At this
age and mileage, the vehicle will likely not include
any remaining manufacturer's warranty. However, the
Altima is quite reliable and economical to drive. This
car can provide a number of years of good transportation
service.
If you are in the market for a vehicle, do your homework.
Consult Consumer Report's automotive issue. Also, be
sure to read a couple of archived new vehicle road tests
(review road tests that were conducted at the time the
vehicle was new) on the used vehicle of interest in
auto magazines (many are archived at local libraries)
or Internet sources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend,
Road & Track, or MotorWeek. Information from the
road tests will allow you to zero in on which will be
the best for you.
For example, if you prefer a softer ride consider the
Camry. If you prefer a stiffer more European ride, consider
the Accord. However, if price is the major consideration,
consider the Mazda or the Altima. Last, but not least,
if you are going to buy a two- to three-year-old vehicle, try
to get the 2000 model rather than the 199... model.
Years down the road when you want to sell the vehicle, the 2000
model will be worth more than the "past century"
vehicle.
About the Author: Kyle
Busch has over 300,000 miles on his 1986 Volkswagen
Jetta - a used vehicle that he bought in 1991 for $2,600.
Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price:
How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle,
or Minivan and Save Money. 1 800 839-8640 or www.drivethebestbook.com.
The web site accepts all transportation questions. |
