Overall, LA isn’t a pedestrian-friendly city, and more so for newcomers or travellers just visiting. A vast urban jungle is what LA is, it sprawls from all the way to Norwalk in the south to Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley. The point is after a while in LA, you realize how valuable it is to have a car. But not everyone has the budget for a brand new vehicle, much less a higher end one used. If you’re in this category, taking a look at our list of cars under $3000 might just be worth your while.
Where To Look
Somewhere between that slice of New and Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles on the lot are more affordable car options. Some dealerships have budget cars as well. Independent used car dealerships on the other hand will have a small hand-picked selection of owner vehicles you can get for less than $3000. Pro-tip: It never hurts to shop around and visit multiple dealers to compare prices and vehicle conditions.
Car auctions can be an excellent source of cheap cars. In Los Angeles, you can find public auctions run by various institutions like the government; they sell surrendered or defunct vehicles mostly at cheap rates so check the local auction schedule and go prepared to bid in one.
Sometimes it’s the people you already know. Post on Facebook to your larger group of friends (also think of people who live in or are from Los Angeles, and ask them to share for you), Don’t be shy let the family know. In fact, mention it at work as well. Everyone will likely understand from their past experiences and well you may get lucky and find that it’s a co-worker who is selling a car. They just might have a friend selling a car, someone near you who is thinking about selling this car. It’s worth a try.
What To Consider
Always make sure you get the vehicle history report which can be done through services like Carfax. This report states crucial information on the car’s past, like any accidents it was involved in, title status or record of maintenance. Don’t buy vehicles that have had major accidents or claim problems.
Cars with higher mileage often cost less as a trade-in but may need more service. Often times a car with higher miles that has been well-maintained can be a better value than one with lower miles that has been neglected.
It’s vital to have the used car inspected by a reputable mechanic before closing the deal. An expert inspecting the used car can identify many potential issues which are not visible when we take you for a test drive. It saves you from repairs in the later run.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. Many sellers price their vehicles with a margin of market freedom in mind. Use the results of the inspection as leverage to negotiate the price.
Take ownership costs into account beyond just the purchase price. Consider gas mileage, insurance costs, and possible repair costs over time. Sometimes a more expensive car can actually be more affordable over a longer period of time.
The Honda Civic combines durability with trustworthiness. Older models are known to last for ages and can often be had for less than three grand. They are reliable and fuel-efficient.
Perhaps the most famous and fuel-efficient car on the list is the Toyota Corolla. Corollas have a reputation for being durable, dependable, and typically a car that simply won’t quit. Even an older model; with soupcon of love and care, it would run almost as well as a newer version.
Ford Focus is a good balance of affordability and reliability. It is a major plus [that] parts are widely available and easy to come by, along with the running costs for the vehicle are inexpensive. Look for models that have been well-cared for or have had their service history kept up-to-date.
In this price range people seem to forget about Nissan Sentras. They press on, for many miles with great dedicated reliability Nissan has a strong record in this category.
