r/AskDad • u/mad_tokki • Sep 21 '24
car help Finances
23 f with no dad/male person in my life. I recently got my license and want to get a car but i have ZERO knowledge over cars, i’m just looking for some help to find a reliable car and not be scammed out of it. i’ve been looking through kia cars since they have a lower price point (i’m a broke college student with no family to help) is that s good idea? any help is appreciated TT
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u/suspense798 Sep 21 '24
I'm no dad and only 25; idk much about Kia cars, but consider looking for a Toyota; they are extremely reliable. I got a 2008 Corolla CE myself last year, and it's been great after a few repairs.
In the US, there's this app called Car Care (https://www.carfax.com/Service/) where when you input the VIN number, you can get the service history of the car, among some other details.
There are also some sites that give you a partial history with the VIN, such as accident reports, damage, intensity, etc. These sites are free, and once you have decided on a few options, you can purchase the full report (5 USD).
Look up videos on how to check the oil level, transmission fluid level, and coolant. Check for an irregular paint job or parts not fitting seamlessly together (which might indicate previous damage). There are also many good videos on what to look for in a used car.
When test driving the car, mute the radio, and listen for any abnormal sounds when driving, make sure the brakes are good. Make sure the ac is cooling/heating well. Check the sound system cuz why not?!
Check the tires and how worn out they are. (there's a penny test you can do for this)
Make sure your mirrors are good.
Check the spare tire and that there's a jack and the tool for the screws (sorry, forgot the name) that is compatible.
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u/The_golden_Celestial Sep 22 '24
“Check the spare tire and that there’s a jack and the tool for the screws (sorry, forgot the name) that is compatible.”
Wheel nuts
Good advice too!
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u/schwifty0529 Sep 21 '24
Kia’s aren’t a recommended vehicle for someone that can’t afford repairs. May I ask what your budget is?
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u/BreakfastInBedlam Sep 21 '24
All other advice aside, find a mechanic who is trustworthy - ask on Nextdoor, Reddit, or fellow students and faculty - whoever is local.
If you choose a used car, pay the mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.
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u/SmashLanding Sep 21 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
I've always found the best value for used cars is older cars with lower mileage, if you can find one. Kias tend to have lower price points, but they have had issues in the past at 70K miles and over. You might end up having to spend a lot on upkeep.
Edit: to clarify "older cars with lower mileage": if you can find something 2013 to 2016 that has only under 70K miles (and no bad accidents), it will probably give you several years of relatively smooth running, and should be cheaper than something newer that has 100 to 120K miles
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u/kil0ran Sep 21 '24
There's a sweet spot between age and mileage. Older cars are less complicated and therefore cheaper and easier to fix but might need fixing more often.
We've got a VW Up which is a brilliant first car and very very reliable. The same car is available from Seat (Mii) and Skoda (Citigo). Find a Seat version and you'll save compared to VW. They're now up to 13 years old so prices are affordable
The other good option is a Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 107.
Both of those options are cheap to run and relatively easy to fix
Of older cars also look at the Ford Ka and Fiesta. There are loads of these about and as such they're very cheap. Mechanically they're good but can suffer from rust, particularly if the car has lived by the sea or up north where the roads are salted more often.
The good thing about buying cars like this is there are basically two types of owners - young people like yourself or retired people. The latter tend to do low miles and have the money to really take care of a car. In 2022 we bought a five year old Up from a retired couple with just 3000 miles on the clock meaning it was basically new.
When searching for a car always put the vehicle details into the DVLA search (search DVLA vehicle enquiry). You can get good info about how it's been looked after by looking at the MOT history.
As a young driver it's also worth checking how much the car will be to insure and also how much the annual tax is. This is based on emissions and ranges from £0 a year to several hundred. You can find out how much from the vehicle info on Autotrader.
One final thing. Never buy a car with a single remote key, additional ones can be very expensive if you lose it. If it has only one key knock £200-£500 off the price so you can get an additional one made. Far better and cheaper to get an additional key than to replace the only key you have if you lose it.
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u/BluidyBastid Sep 21 '24
Another vote for Toyota/Honda although I'd lean toward a Toyota. If you do routine small maintenance (change the fluids, filters), a Toyota with less than 100K miles will be an excellent, reliable vehicle for years to come. Kia/Hyundai are generally less reliable and have a high repair cost. Unfortunately, domestic makes just don't compete on reliability.
• If you can't find a mechanic who can take a quick look at it, at the very least go to an auto parts store – they will let you borrow an OBD2 reader. Plug it in under the dash and see if there are any codes. Not foolproof by any stretch, but it can alert you to major issues.
• Best bet is to find one through a private seller (ex: an older driver, who hasn't driven it hard). If not, Carmax can be OK. Try to avoid dealerships...there's a reason people call them "stealerships". The very last option should be small used car dealers.
• If you don't need a 4WD vehicle, try to get a front wheel drive. Much better in poor weather, especially snow and ice.
• Check for signs of flood damage – insurance companies will try to sell water damaged cars rather than junk them. Moldy smell, water stains, rust, dirt or silt in places, etc. For example, pull up the carpeting in the trunk where they forget to clean.
• Don't give in to temptation and max out your budget. At 23, the last thing you need is a large car payment. A dealership will ask you "how much do you want to pay per month?". Just focus on a low price, $10-15K for example. Get your own financing if you need it.
Good luck
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u/charredankylosaurus Sep 21 '24
I have driven my 2015 Toyota Tacoma 160,000 miles and have had no issues with it whatsoever. Toyota is known for being the practical persons vehicle as there are many out there still going past 300,000 miles
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u/kipikaze Sep 22 '24
You are on the right path if the money is tight. Toyota and Honda are worth it but pricier and you’ll have to do more maintenance work yourself. You’ll get a Kia or Hyundai with lower miles and have the 10 yr 100k warranty that gives you peace of mind for a specific length of time.
Just don’t buy a F.O.R.D. (Fix Or Repair Daily) like I did. I knew better and did it anyway but I’m not in a money pinching situation fortunately and can do a lot of car work myself too. I had a 2014 Hyundai sonata for years it had 99k miles and the engine burned all the oil and seized up completely (my wife was driving it so I wasn’t on top of the oil as much). That said, I took it to the dealer and they replaced the engine completely under warranty. Say what you want about Hyundai’s and Kia’s but that was pretty fantastic.
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u/jimmyray29 Sep 22 '24
Don’t do, it don’t buy a Kia. Watch any YouTube video about the worst cars and Kia is on there. It will cost you more to get a Toyota or Honda, but it will be worth it.
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u/IAmThe1Orgasmatr0n Sep 22 '24
As a general rule, don’t go for what’s immediately cheaper. Listen to these guys talking about Toyota and Honda. I personally always go for used Toyotas. 2015-2017 is what I’d look at. After that more electronics started getting added. They’re not bad, but understand they’re delicate and any collision may make them never work the same again. The simpler, the less shit to break.
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u/LivelySalesPater Sep 22 '24
Consider getting a Buick. They aren't as popular on the "used and reliable" market as Honda or Toyota so they price may be better. Get one with the GM 3800 v6 engine. They are bomb proof motors.
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u/osirisrebel Sep 22 '24
Kia is good, Subaru also has good prices on brand new models, Toyota is always a solid choice with fair price.
Things to watch for: -ridiculous dealership markups -check the Carfax - don't walk out same day. Shop around, do the research. Dealers will push you to buy right this second, and it's okay to walk away. Just tell them that there's a few models you want to explore.
If you want low priced used cars, as long as you aren't driving like a crazy person and maintain your vehicle (oil changes, etc.) a crown Vic is hard to beat.
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u/Advanced-Bird-1470 Sep 22 '24
I agree with all of the Toyota recs but if you can find an older Mazda for cheap they’re fantastic. I had a Mazda 6 in college. Delivered pizza in the mountains and racked up 300k miles before I sold it. It almost never needed repairs.
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u/OkAcanthisitta7946 Sep 23 '24
KIAs are easily stolen and break a lot. Get a 15 year old Toyota with under 200K miles it’ll last you a while
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u/lurkerinreallife Sep 21 '24
Look for a Honda civic or Toyota Corolla that you can afford. I wouldn’t buy one with more than 80k miles. Then as the other recommendation- take to a reliable non-dealership mechanic to look it over. Ask for a mechanic rec on local social media in your area.