So I am a first year college student entering my sophomore year. I have $2700 dollars to my name and would like to bring a car back to campus in august. My mother is currently at the end of her lease on a 2012 Chrysler 200 Lx Sedan with 107k miles. The used car market seems kinda bunk for such a low price range but I know the bad report on this Chrysler. To pay off the car it would cost me 2.1K plus a potential 500 down payment on my mothers new car (our deal). Should I go with this Chrysler or buy another used car with more miles? The Chrysler has been kept in relativity good condition, little to no rust and regular maintenance.
If it has been taken care of, I would say keep the car. With that money and the current market, I doubt you can find a good car.
Endless moneypit
How many years and additional miles (beyond the current 107,000 mile odometer reading) do you need it to last you?
Those were poorly made cars (Scotty even mentions one of the worst) and at 107,000 miles now you are really rolling the dice moving forward. If the engine or transmission goes on you (or you have persistent electrical gremlins), then you will be back to where you started looking for another vehicle - so I can’t recommend that vehicle especially if you plan to put lots of mileage on it. Unfortunately, it’s a tough time to buy a used car, so not sure I have a better alternative for you. Have you looked at some Ford Crown Victorias around you?
If that's the actual amount you'd have to pay, that sounds like the deal of the century. Are you kidding me?! Yes you should buy it if you need a car. You have $2700---look around---is there anything "better" in your area? Doubtful. Your mother owns the car, you'll know any current problems. Any other used car you have no idea. "Better the devil that you know..."
I highly doubt you will find a better car for $2100-2600.
The bottom line of any car is maintenance. If you really know that your mom's car was really taken care of, I believe it's in good shape for normal maintenance, which means oil change, brake job, suspension components, timing belt and water pump, transmission SERVICE (never do a transmission flush).
All of it is part of normal wear and you can do it on demand. Actually, if you want to extend the live of the car, do a timming belt change and a transmission service right after buy the car.
True, but maintenance only takes you so far. Quality, reliability, durability all have to be engineered/designed in from the beginning.
if the 200 still runs good, just keep driving it till the wheels fall off, you never know how much longer it will last.
