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Cars and Saving Money |
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By: Kyle Busch - Monday, October 16, 2006
The cost of new transportation is expensive. However, there are several used vehicles that you should consider. The following vehicles all have good ratings and current market forces have made them available at very reasonable prices.
Five vehicles worth your consideration:
1. The Toyota Camry has been one of the best vehicles in America for years. New Camry LEs cost $18,500-$25,000. Now that the redesigned 2002 Camry has been circulating in the market, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a used 2001 Toyota Camry LE with 30,000-35,000 miles for about $10,000-$11,500. I consider this car to be an excellent value for this price. The vehicle should still have about two years remaining on the power train (engine and transmission) warranty. 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 buy (if you shop carefully) a 2001 Accord LX with 30,000-35,000 miles for about $10,500-$12,000. This vehicle can also be driven for hundreds of thousands of miles.
3. The Mazda 626 has also been a reliable vehicle.The 626 was redesigned for 2003 (renamed the "6"). A new Mazda 6 costs $17,500-$24,000
Mazda does not quite have the name of the Toyota or the Honda.However, you can buy a 2001 Mazda 626 LX with 30,000-35,000 miles for about $8,000-$9,000. This vehicle should have about two years remaining on the power warranty.
4. The Buick Century is also a good bet in used transportation. New Centurys cost $17,000-$24,000.
You can buy a 2001 Buick Century with 30,000-35,000 miles for about $ 8,000-$8,500. This vehicle can provide many years of dependable transportation.
5. The Nissan Altima is also a pretty good value. New Altima 2.5s cost $17,000-23,000.
If you are on a transportation budget, you can buy a 1997 Altima GXE with about 65,000-75,000 miles for about $3,000-$4,000. At this age and mileage, the vehicle will 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 April (automotive issue) of Consumer Reports. 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 your local library) 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 of the vehicles suggested above will be the best for you.
For example, if you prefer a softer ride consider the Camry or the Century. If you prefer a stiffer more European ride, consider the Accord. However, if price is the major consideration, consider the 626 or the Altima.
Kyle Busch is the author of the book “Drive the Best for the Price …,”
and his car has been driven over 437,000 miles. His auto web site:
www.drivethebestbook.com accepts all car questions.
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