Need a car in a pinch

[TheHammer24]

My girlfriend is interviewing for a job that, surprisingly, requires a car. She really wants/needs the job, so strategically did not bring up the "oh yeah i don't have a car," because it would hurt her chances at getting the job. She plans on getting one, but doesn't have a lot of money to spend. Where should we start to look for something affordable but adequately reliable?

[JS©]

define not a lot of money

[mac5155]

I'd start asking friends. Friends of friends of friends are your best bet. Or if you feel like getting a decent one, finance one that she would be capable of making payments on with her new job salary.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

stealing might be a good idea.

[columbia]

She should wait until she gets the job (but do the proper research just in case).

[MRandall25]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 4833&Log=0

Used cars within 25 miles of the 15237 area code between 2000 and 7500 (since you didn't specify $$$)

[TheHammer24]

She should wait until she gets the job (but do the proper research just in case).

Certainly the plan.

[TheHammer24]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=15237&endYear=2013&startYear=1981&listingType=used&sellerType=p&numRecords=25&searchRadius=25&maxPrice=7500&minPrice=2000&showcaseOwnerId=74833&Log=0

Used cars within 25 miles of the 15237 area code between 2000 and 7500 (since you didn't specify $$$)

This was my starting point. There are some reasonable options (it appears).

[steelhammer]

Talk to user Joopen. He's an expert in this area.

[mac5155]

really cant go wrong with like a 2000 civic with ~100k miles.

[TheHammer24]

really cant go wrong with like a 2000 civic with ~100k miles.

At nearly 27 years old, I have never owned a car so my experience is driving my folks' car (that was principally available to me) when I was still in high school and college. It was a Dodge Pickup that never stood a prayer at lasting 100k miles. But it's my understanding that the Japanese Sedans can manage this quite well?

[columbia]

If she buys the car, make sure that driving to get some good pizza is on top of the to-do list.

[mac5155]

basically any vehicle now should last to 100k miles if properly maintained. and by that i mean oil changed every 5k miles. I have a jeep liberty that has 212k miles on it and still runs good.

[TheHammer24]

If she buys the car, make sure that driving to get some good pizza is on top of the to-do list.

Hahaha. I originally thought this was a misplaced chauvinistic comment, until I recalled our previous conversation.

[columbia]

If she buys the car, make sure that driving to get some good pizza is on top of the to-do list.

Hahaha. I originally thought this was a misplaced chauvinistic comment, until I recalled our previous conversation.

[JS©]

really cant go wrong with like a 2000 civic with ~100k miles.

At nearly 27 years old, I have never owned a car so my experience is driving my folks' car (that was principally available to me) when I was still in high school and college. It was a Dodge Pickup that never stood a prayer at lasting 100k miles. But it's my understanding that the Japanese Sedans can manage this quite well?

definitely.

Toyota, Subaru, and especially Honda/Acura seem to last well into the 100ks

[PensFanInDC]

[shafnutz05]

Would she be interested in driving the FedEx 11 car?

[TheHammer24]

Would she be interested in driving the FedEx 11 car?

I find it somewhat ironic that, given my love of NASCAR and motor sports, I don't even own, let alone have the slightest understanding of, cars. Maybe that's why I like the Toyota drivers.

[Shyster]

basically any vehicle now should last to 100k miles if properly maintained. and by that i mean oil changed every 5k miles. I have a jeep liberty that has 212k miles on it and still runs good.

My ’03 Hyundai Elantra has 145,000 miles and still runs fine. I’ve being using Mobil 1 synthetic and premium oil filters since its first oil change (I like the Purolator PureONE filters). I use the factory-recommended oil-change interval of 7,500 miles. In those 145,000 miles, I’ve never—not once—had to add any oil between oil changes, and the line on the dipstick never moves. Other parts of my car might fail, but the engine itself still runs like new.