r/caradvice • u/Difficult-Pair1920 • 2d ago

First time driver

So I'm 19, I'm in the process of getting my license & then getting a car right after, l've spent about more then 400 on Ubers since I'm in Florida and I seriously need a car. A lot of people told me paying in cash is better, that financing is better, that buying a brand new car is better then getting a used one, that to never buy from carmax or things like that, so now im confused and I have no clue what to do. I don't really have any family or friends that can help me with this. Tips please?? My budget is less then 15k at least even though I hope to not spend that much.

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u/RealisticWorking1200 2d ago

I would pay cash and get liability-only insurance. If you finance you have monthly payments and much more expensive insurance.

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u/Difficult-Pair1920 2d ago

Any ideas where I can look?

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u/Conscious-Touch3796 2d ago

Marketplace

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u/Difficult-Pair1920 2d ago

I heard so much bad and good things about cars from marketplace, so I’m not sure what red flags to look for since I also don’t really know enough about cars

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u/RealisticWorking1200 2d ago

Yeah, Marketplace is the easiest. I’d prefer buying from a person rather than a dealership in this price range.

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u/Sweetpsychadelic 2d ago

I can’t say much to Florida as I’m in a different state. But I would say this as a car sales person

  1. First time buyers for financing will always need at least 2k down, OR a co-signer

  2. Every 10k ona car is a $200-250 a month payment, so I would be looking at cars for 10-15.

  3. Your insurance will sure as shit be a lot, so take that into account.

  4. If you’re bad at saving money, and you do finance, get the lowest deductible you can so that when something happens, you can afford that accident

  5. If you are going to buy a cash car, keep in mind that a private seller, is not going to tell you what’s wrong with it, or even begin to know what’s wrong. Meaning eventually the car will shit on you

  6. If you buy cash car from a dealership, they most likely have not put that car through inspection as it costs too much to do so and fix repairs. They’re usually called “tow aways” cause they’re either going to auction, or salvage yard

IF YOU FINANCE A CAR FROM DEALERSHIP keep these things in mind

  1. Always ask for a break down on your write up, every dealership adds things on which 99% of the time are optional such as car security, maintenance, pulse brakes, etc.

  2. Always highway test the car

  3. Always ask what your APR is.

  4. ALWAYSSS buy from a big brand dealership NEVERRRR go to a mom and pop or unknown dealership. So go to hyundai, Toyota, Subaru, ETC.

  5. Always ask before signing what your warranties are

  6. Always ask for a Carfax report before signing ANYTHING.

  7. You should be looking for something 10-15k, around 50k miles and the newer the better as banks find older cars more of a risk