1990 - 1996 Buick Century - Good, Cheap Transportation
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| This 1990 sedan as well as the 1991 model year cars aren't the most reliable of the Century's seven year run. It's best to look for V6 cars from 1992 on. (Photo: General Motors) |
Want a cheap, reliable car? I can relate. For years I drove beaters. I wouldn't spend more than $300 on a car at one point, the equivalent of a month's car payment or so I figured. If it lasted at least for 30 days I got my money's worth, with the odd chance it would last three months, six or even a year. As soon as it broke, I had it towed away and went out to 'invest' another $300.
Of course I got older, more settled and in so doing less inclined to go car shopping on a routine basis. With age $300 became $1,000 and rules were put into play regarding how much a repair could cost before I called the wrecker. Finally I just got tired of the whole thing and bought a brand new car with a $300 per month payment.
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| The 1989 and earlier Buick Centurys aren't all too different in appearance or mechanically than their 1990 to 1996 progeny, and if in good shape are much cheaper. (Photo: General Motors) |
But looking back buying used can be a savvy investment if you know what to look for, who to be wary of and when what seems like a tremendous deal is really a black hole of repairs.
With that in mind there are two reasons to buy. The first is for transportation, pure and simple. The second is for the love of the automobile, an emotional decision. The first reason is not necessarily better than the second. Just beware that the second can cost quite a bit more than the first and what was once an endearing love can end in a bitter dispute.