Topic: What is the cheapest way to own a car for 18 months?

[Uncledan]

Long story short, my family need a 2nd car for around 18 months, what is the best/cheapest way to get one?
The car must be safe and worry fee.  Any suggestion?

[rrocket]

If you don't need it all the time??

http://www.zipcar.com/

Otherwise...a used Corolla, Yaris, Echo, Civic...something of the sort...Cheap and reliable. 

[ArticSteve]

Lease takeover OR what RRockett suggests, that being a low mileage recent compact Honda or Toyota which are easy to resell. 

[Rupert]

From what you read here resale values of Hyundai cars are low. If that is the case, a used latest Accent might prove to be a good buy. J D Power have rated this vehicle to be very reliable; which I can attest to for over 40,000 km and over 2 years anyway. Enough room for 4 people for all but the longer journeys and a half decent ride for a small car. Although the hatchback has more utility, the 4 door would be better for 4 people and it comes with a very ample trunk. A lot depends on the physical size of the occupants though. Good luck.

[ktm525]

Buy Bullet Blue's old 91 Volvo 240 and hope for the best. If it doesn't breakdown you will be able to sell it for what you bought it for.

[kard00d]

yeah try, leasebusters.com

[Arthur Dent]

Buy a beater with no collision insurance and sell for as much as you paid for it.

+1

[johngenx]

Go for the cheap beater.  Odds are you'll sell it for about what you paid for it...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Buy Arthur's Tempo!

[Dante]

Buy a Corolla or Civic beater.

EDIT: 8-10 years old.

[goodsonr]

quite a few suggestions for "buy a beater".  The original poster wanted "worry free".  I don't know about you guys, but it would take me a lot of legwork to find a beater that I was convinced was worry free. 

I vote more for rrocket/arcticsteve suggestion of around 4 years old honyota so major depreciation done but a long-way from beater status.

[johngenx]

New?  Lease a base Yaris HB 3-dr, NO options.  I think 24 months might be the shortest term, $289 a month for 24 months (plus taxes) is a total of about $7K for two years.  Hard to spend less on a new car...

[safristi]

STEAL ONE..................a GTR    perchance........ gotta outRUN tha FUZZ....

[Ex-airbalancer]

what is cheap?
5gs, 10gs, 20gs?

[barrie1]

I would suggest buying a North American built compact car as they are cheap to buy and usually run as well as the imports but for less money. Parts if needed are usually quite reasonable as well and easy to get.  The Neon,Tempo,Cavalier or Sunfire come to mind. 

[The Mighty Duck]

New?  Lease a base Yaris HB 3-dr, NO options.  I think 24 months might be the shortest term, $289 a month for 24 months (plus taxes) is a total of about $7K for two years.  Hard to spend less on a new car...

Buying a new Aveo for $12000 on the road and selling it 18 months later, even if you could only get $6000 for it, would put you further ahead.  Leasing would be easier, though.

[toolatecrew]

I would suggest buying a North American built compact car as they are cheap to buy and usually run as well as the imports but for less money. Parts if needed are usually quite reasonable as well and easy to get.  The Neon,Tempo,Cavalier or Sunfire come to mind. 

He said WORRY FREE.

Ever see a wory free used Neon?

Tempo is how many years old now? Even if its a paragon of reiliability (which it was not) a car that old is still going to require repairs simply based on age.

That is not worry free.

[ktm525]

You want worry free? Take the bus.

[safristi]

  Transit STRIKES and tha "SMELL".............

  try walkin' but wif a helmet and sensible shoes..........ya could re_tyre early....

[ktm525]

Nice legs Saf. Wouldn't have to stand long at the bus stop with those on. Rides galore.