'$500 Used Car – Cheap or Too Cheap?'

$500 Used Car – Cheap or Too Cheap?

By Brian White at 05/31/07 09:10

You might need a new everyday driver, a second car for good measure, or something to lug around the bigger things in your life, like shrubs, appliances, garbage or animals. Buying a whole new car isn't affordable, but how cheap is too cheap?

$500 is cheap, but it may be so cheap it's expensive. Here are a few considerations:

Reasons Against

• It can't be reliable, so if you simply can't break down on the side of the road, beware. Still, carry jumper cables, starter fluid and antifreeze.
• It's not going to be the most efficient, so expect a difference at the pump.
• It ain't gonna be pretty.
• It may not pass emissions check.

Reasons For

• As long as you keep up on the maintenance, you'll be able to sell it for the same price you bought it for. That means it may cost you very little, or just about nothing, when you're done.
• If things go horribly wrong, you can "throw it away" and still be out just $500.
• If your primary car needs a [404 Check: was link to http:/ / amber -kay. livejournal. com/ 65871. html , anchor: jump start] , or a day at the mechanic, you'll have something to drive.
• If you need to carry yucky things, you've got it covered.

When a car costs $500,..it is worth only $500. There's no such thing as too cheap. Try selling a 1986 honda civic.

Here's what needs to be done to a bunch of them cars:

http://www.shameyourride.com

I was given a car, a 1990 Nissan Sentra, that cost $450. I have been driving it for about 6 months and it runs reliably (hasn't broken down). I took it to get looked at by a mechanic and it came back with several suggestions as to what to fix. Overall the cost of fixing these items is $500. Was I "had." Is this normal? Should I expect that the (valve cover gasket, exhaust center piper, oil pressure sending unit, oil pan and gasket, transmission pan gasket and hinges) items should have been in better condition?

im a college student and work two jobs and cant affort an expensive car at this moment all i have is $500 to spend on a car any info please i need to know.....

i want any car as long as its 500 dollars or under. thanks

i had got a 97 cutlass supreme i pay'd 300 cash for drove it home fixed the rear suspention and drove it for almost 1 year then the head wint and it was 1100 for the labor so now its in car haven or a cube lol. got a 96 grand am for free fixed lower intake gaskets for the bottem end to go. had a 95 cutlass supreme got it for free and the crank snaped in to its what i used to fix the 97 suspention its a cube by now

im a mother and i cant really aford a car but i do have $500 to spend could you help me out please

im 13 years old but i have to save up now for a first car because were that poor

hey um im lookin for and type of car that is runnen and looks good!

need a cheap car cant afford one and really need transportation to work

Hi im 16 years old and my parents just took my car away and i really need a car so i can keep my job but the only problem is i think im going to have to buy my own car now and i cant aford much right now just somthing i can rely on till i graduate. I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me out.

I bought a 1991 Honda accord 7 years ago for 700 dollars and it still runs great u cant even hear the motor running. I thought about selling it but still haven't made my mind up. It now has 250,000 miles on it.I replace the timing belt,water pump,new distributor, battery, and had the ac converted over not because it broke down because it didn't but because I had put so many miles on my car I felt it was time. I also just had a new radiator put on it. I have my car services every 3000 miles and it my dependable baby. I just put some 17 inch rims on it and recently repainted it candy painted blue. Its so pretty. Once again the point i am making is it is not always about the price but how you take care of it make all the difference in the world.

16 years old, really need a cheap car to keep my job and get me places.

am 18 and a college student and need to find a car 500 dollars or less if any one can help me i live in tn

I THINK THAT IT IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR THE ONES WHO CAN NOT AFFORD NEW CARS CAN HAVE A BREAK AND GET A GREAT CAR AT A VERY AFFORABLE PRICE. THANKX

I just left my husband, I have two kids. Our feet are getting us around as of now. But I was hoping to find a cheep car. I only have $500 as of right now but I am saving and hoping to have more soon.

Hello. I am in desperate need of a car and I can afford up to at least $1000 for it. My 27th birthday is coming up and I am really tired of having to put up with public transportation everyday to go to work. I need help.

im 16 years old and i really need a car. i have up to $500. i mainly need it to get me to and from my job. but i need it to take me other places too. can you help me?

I'm 18, I live in Heartland Tx, I just Moved here (from portland) to live with my dad, I have exactly 516$ to my name. I need a car to get me to and from work. Does anyone have any idea where I could find something in this range?

Im getting ready to turn 16 and Im also in the same boat, the most my parents will offer is $500. I would get a job but I live out in the middle of the country and dont have a way of getting to and from work, so I need a car before I can do that!

i need a car really bad!!!!!!!!!!!!thank you

I need a car really bad and all I can afford is $500 I don't care what it looks like or what it is I just need a car! Please help me!

Looking for any car - no matter what it looks like - just as long as it's under $500, to get back and forth to work and for basic necessities. Single parent.

ihave500 to spend i need a car really bad i just had a baby.im so trie of take the bus

ineed a car really bad i just had a baby and so tried of walk. i have 500 to spend pleasd someone help.

Really need a car to go back home me and my B/F are splitting up i have 700$ to spend please email me if you can help i am desperate

Hey I'm a college student and really need a car. 750 is about as high as I can go. Email me if you can help. I live in Clemson btw.

I'm moving to Sealy, Tx. and need a car to go to school... I have 500.00 just need a good car to get back and forth with. please contact me thank you

HEY I WOULD LIKE TO BYE THIS FOR $500.00 DOLLARS OR LESS

HEY IM LOOKING FOR A CAR FOR $500.00 OR LESS

HELP ME PLEASE

hey i am a mother two of kids and lost car last summer and need a car for kids school to drop off and pick up everyday and job, visit my family ..hope help me get good car or family van plss contact me soon

thanks

Hey im curently looking for my first car but all i have is $500 to get a car can anyone help me????

im looking for a neat car or truck just for an estimated price of 1,000 - 1,500 i need help quick.

need a cheap running car by Mar 18th Thanks

im 58 yearsold a d dont have a car to go buy food or go to the doctor can u please help me ......thx patsy

I live in the clinton, tenessee area, and I need to get a car by the end of the month, or the person i'm living with will kick me out. I have 1500$ im willing to spend on it. Greatly appreciate any assistance.

is this a site for searching cars or a site to leave comments

@Geno's comment

lol

Need a car to get to work and around town &go shopping and to visit my aging parents, dont have alot of money working short hours

I am going to Miami/Florida, the end of maj 2009 for

2 month and need a car!

all i say is go to a police impound... they have cars that run (mostly) for like $500 i got a civic there for 700 so yea

MY B/F AND I ARE MOVIN TO AZ SO HE NEEDS A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH FROM WORK PLZ PLZ HELP US WE REALLY NEED A GOOD CAR AS LONG AS IT RUNS AND HAS NO PROBLEMS AND ITS 500 OS LESS

I really need a car but only have $500. I get a job and then they don't hire because I don't have a great means of transportion

hey I live in the hialeah i Need a car to get to work and around town &go shopping all i have is $500-600 to get a car can anyone help me????

Hi i'm jasmine and iam looking for a car under $500 dollars.I was wondering if u can find me toyota carmy i would really like it if u can help me out.I live in Denver,Pa thanks.

P.S Is there anyway else i can look for used cars under $500 dollars.

im looking 4 a 1st or 2ed gen eclipse for under $800 I need it to be running well and fast

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