Buying Used Car

[slickdtc]

Looking at used cars to buy. Just looking for something to get from Point A to Point B (i.e. to work, to school, to the store) so I don't need anything extravagant, as if I had the money to afford anything extravagant anyway.

So I'm looking in about the ~3000$ range. Obviously at this pricepoint, you get a mixed bag and a lot of BS. I don't know the first thing about cars, so I'm looking for something that's as reliable as possible. A few friends of mine, who do a lot of car buying and selling, fixing and repairing, have helped me compile a list of cars off of Craigslist, AutoTrader, Cars.com, and EBay Motors.

I'm new to the whole buying a used car thing, though, and seeing as how I'm going to be dropping a good chunk of change, I can't afford to get ripped off.

So anyone got good tips and/or advice on buying off sites like Craigslist, AutoTrader, etc and just buying used cars in general. I know the obvious stuff like you want to test it before you buy it, but anything else? Just trying to cover all of my bases.

Thanks all.

[ScoobySnax]

Personally, I would stay off of Craigslist due to potential shadiness. Local dealerships usually have a "bargain bin" which are trade-ins that they will sell at an auction if not sold at the dealer in certain period of time. You can't go wrong with autotrader.com though.

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[Bullit]

Re: Buying Used Car

Whatever place you decide to buy from, DO NOT buy anything without a mechanics inspection. Most Dealerships will do it for a very nominal fee if not for free. Or better yet if you have a local mechanic have them go over it. This will protect you from buying something that will explode two days after you it.

Also this may seem cheesey but get a Car Fax on any used car . If you can't get one then pass on that particular car.

One last tip that may seem a little weird but works for me. Sometimes older is better. I am a very serious petrol head as some on here can testify. I have several cars and spend a lot of time at the track as well. Newer cars are very technilogically advanced and therefor will cost big bucks to fix or maintain.Even A newer used car is going to have computer and advanced electronics that are going to need work, especially in your price range. An older model is easier to self maintain and you can usually get books on them that detail most repairs that can be done yourself. For an example the brakes on my BMW M5 at dealership is about $1000 or between 250 and 500 if I do it myself. The same job on my 1970 DOdger Charger is about $200.

So my advice is just to be picky. Test drive everything and get it looked at. If they wont let you don't buy. Anything esle I can do just pm or whatever, I will leave it now cause I can talk all day on this subject.

Good Luck

[8]

Re: Buying Used Car

I'll echo the Car Fax point. It will let you know a lot about the car, where it's from and any "reported accidents" etc.

[slickdtc]

Re: Buying Used Car

Appreciate it guys. This is a big moment for myself, it's my first car, so I want to do it right. Can't afford to whiff on this.

It sounds like a lot of it is just doing your due diligence and using common sense, which I was picking up on just from browsing around anyway. There's just so much crap to wade through, especially at the pricepoint I'm hovering around.

[aukevin]

Re: Buying Used Car

Be sure to look at the tires. If you they are worn, you'll turn around with another pricey expense in a few short months. If they are worn, try to get the price lowered to take in account tire replacement.

[legendkiller5]

Re: Buying Used Car

Also this may seem cheesey but get an autocheck on any used car . If you can't get one then pass on that particular car.

Good Luck

I'll echo the autocheck point. It will let you know a lot about the car, where it's from and any "reported accidents" etc.

Fixed your posts.

[Lava]

Re: Buying Used Car

What's the difference between autocheck and car fax?

[KingV2k3]

Re: Buying Used Car

Two words:

"Retirement Car"

Older folks have a propensity for purchasing semi-luxury sedans, maintaining the heck out of them, while not actually driving them much and then...

Their kids unload them for next to nothing when they pass, because the cars are unhip, gas guzzlers...

I've purchased Caddys, Crown Victorias and Grand Marquis this way, always for around 3k and have gotten years of low maintenance mileage out of them...

What you end up spending at the pump is more than justified by the low initial cost, and minimal upkeep costs...

Oh...

And if you find one you like, make sure you bring along a mechanic to check it out or get them to allow you to take it to one before purchase...

Things like bent frames are tough to notice after repair work's been done to the untrained eye...

[legendkiller5]

Re: Buying Used Car

What's the difference between autocheck and car fax?

Autocheck is better imo and it seems to be the consensus of posters I see on the bimmer and Infiniti forums I visit. I'm trying to find the video I posted on here awhile back comparing the two.

Edit: found it.

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...eo-inside.html


http://www.operationsports.com/forum...ts%2Fmain.html