getting a second hand car

**mgoblue** · 03-15-2006, 07:12 PM

Re: getting a second hand car

you'll have to get the title transferred into your name, and you'll have to get insurance for it.

I've only had used cars, but would get them from reputable dealers, i've never personally gone through a person. I just drive it around, get a feel for it, see how I like it, because we've trusted the mechanics at the place we'd go, so we knew there wasn't anything bad. You could take it to a place and have them inspect it, make sure there's nothing drastically wrong/waiting to break, not sure how much more you can do.

**kuruption** · 03-15-2006, 07:53 PM

Re: getting a second hand car

Originally posted by FOXYboy

well tomorrow i'm about to meet this guy to check out this second hand 1999 VW beetle which is about 110000 miles on it. well any of you guys have nought a second hand car, this is the first time i'm about to check out a second hand car so i don't know the do's and dont's. well i'm about to test drive it tomorrow to see if the car is good for my girl. any of you guys have a beetle? how is it?
by the way if i get a car what kind of documents do i need, pink slip? any help guys, thanks a lot

... also make sure you have a mechanic check it out , dont buy it without a trust worthy mechanic running some test on it and making sure its not going to need major work soon.

i just checked it up on consumer reports and its states that car is horrible....

**pk500** · 03-15-2006, 09:56 PM

Re: getting a second hand car

Make sure you run the VIN number through carfax.com to ensure it's not a salvage wreck or a flooded vehicle from Katrina or other hurricanes.

Also, make sure you check the Blue Book value either at edmunds.com or kbb.com so you don't get ripped off. According to edmunds.com, a non-turbo Beetle with that kind of mileage should sell for around $4,600 from a private party -- if it's clean. If it's in average condition and needs work, you're down to about $3,500.

I wouldn't pay any more than that in either case. And why buy a Beetle with 110,000 miles? JD Power ranked the '99 Beetle at a 3 out of 5 in quality and performance. Chances are you would have much greater reliability with a high-mileage Japanese car like a Honda or Toyota than a Beetle.

Good luck,
PK

**CM1847** · 03-15-2006, 10:07 PM

Re: getting a second hand car

My experience with used cars: People wouldn't get rid of them if they still ran fine.

A little negative, I know there are some from good dealers you can get. But in general, people don't sell things that are paid off and in complete working condition.

If you can find one that is worth it, it is a steal because new cars are so expensive, but the tricky part is finding the deal.

I, obviously, have come up short on that end of things thus far

Good luck, listen to the other advice here, it is all sound. Knowing a good mechanic seems to be a must when buying used.

getting a second hand car

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