InTransition951

idk if im writing this in the right thread but here goes

iam currently saving up some money right now with my budget at about 4.2k right now and i am predicting that i will get rid of my old 91 acura integra (about 147k miles) that i have been driving since high school within the next few years or so if i can hopefully get a job during that time.

so heres my main question,

what is the best and safest way to purchase a used car that is reliable for you?

i understand there are other costs to the car such as insurance and all that other stuff too.

but what are some factors that you would consider in purchasing your first car when you dont have a lot of money? i have never negotiated with a seller too so what are some things to do and to look out for? is there any way to look out for scams and to know if i am being scammed? what recommended questions would i ask the seller about the car?

i have never really done this before and i do learn a lot from mistakes. but im just hoping that i dont make any big mistakes.

anyways, any advice would help. thanks

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dippin

1- use carfax
2- if it is from a dealership, look around online if there are many reports of people unsatisfied with their used cars. If it is from a private seller, take it to a trusted mechanic.
3- check the web for the durability of the particular make and type.
4- Look at Kelly's blue book for your area to get a sense if you are getting a good deal.
5- Beware of deals too good to be true.

Willravel

I dunno about buying from a dealership. Sure you get the option of a warrantee, but the cars are marked up so high. I took my grandmother around to dealerships to look for basic transportation and the best deal I could find was a 99 Nissan Altima for what would have ended up as about $8000. I can find the same car on Craigslist for $3000.

I'd suggest using craigslist, but in order to protect yourself use carfax (dippin said it before, but it bears repeating) and also take it to your mechanic (also, as dippin said). Jeez, dippin, you kinda said it all.

kazoo

*sigh*

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There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

JStrider

If your unemployed/ dont have a lot money, you should probably keep your old car... and just drive it into the ground, or until you are in a better financial situation

at least just pay cash for the new one.

you should pick several vehicles that your interested in and call your insurance company and ask for estimates on what the insurance rates will be for those vehicles, thats something to factor in...

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-=JStrider=-

~Clatto Verata Nicto

Tully Mars

Good advice.

---------- Post added at 04:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 AM ----------

I'm not real found of dealers either and usually buy used when I can. My last vehicle, a Ford F150, I ended dealing with the dealer simply because I really wanted "newer" and due to the rebates available I found it cheaper at the dealer then through private ads.

When dealing with the dealers don't take any of the add on crap, under coating, extended warranties are crap IMO. And deal, deal, deal. I found what I was looking for at several dealers and told them what I'd pay. Everyone said "no way." I left my card and walked. Within a few days the phone was ringing. After several days of calls one dealer called me up and said "good news Mr. Tully! My manger's almost to your price. I think we..." I cut him off and said "Hey that is good news, tell you what call be back when he gets all the way there." And basically hung up. About 10min later the phone rang again and the voice on the other end said "Come get your truck."

While signing papers and the check they sent the "manager" in to tell me about the great add-ons I "needed." Went through warranties, fabric protection, under coating etc... When he got to some paint protection thing I was getting tried of the dog and pony show and pushed all the papers away and said "wait a minute is there something wrong with the paint on this truck?" "No, why?" "Well you're making it sound like without this "protection" the paints going to fall off in a few years, maybe I don't want this truck." He kind of sighed and said "enjoy your truck" and left the room. End bull shit.

---------- Post added at 04:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 AM ----------

Absolute best advice on the subject ever.

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abaya

What everyone else said. I just wanted to add that I don't like dealerships, either... have always bought and sold privately, and while there are different risks involved either way, I've been satisfied with handling things on my own (making sure that you have a good mechanic to go to, again). I tend to prefer print ads in the paper over Craigslist, just because people I've dealt with on Craigslist tend to be quite flaky... but see how it goes for you. Best of luck!

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for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
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Shaindra

I've bought new, used, private party, dealers. Here's my take:

1. Always, always, always get the car checked out by a trusted mechanic. I don't care if it's from a dealer or private seller. Do it.
2. Trust your gut. If the car seems fantastic, but you don't like the seller, walk.
3. If it seems too good to be true...it may still be true, but use your common sense about why. A seller liquidating an estate vehicle just wants it gone. Someone without a good, verifiable story for the low price...walk. And don't be stupid, nobody ships cars for $3500.
4. Make sure you understand total cost of ownership. Lower price now does not always equal the best deal in the long run.
5. Kelly Bluebook is a good start, but check out the prices on Craigslist for models you're interested in to get an idea of "real life" pricing.

Good luck!

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"Never regret something that once made you smile."

yournamehere

Kind of repetitive, but . . . . . .

Research the price of the car on Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds. These sources will give you the average price the dealer paid for trade-in, and what they'll most likely list the car at. I always figure that everybody deserves to make a living, so I usually offer $300 more than what I think they paid for it. That's not too bad for what should only be an hour's work - and the salesman, manager, and owner can split that $300 any way they want. After you make the offer and it is refused, give them contact information and leave - do not stick around and negotiate. Do this for about a half dozen vehicles. One or more of the salesmen will call you within a week accepting your offer. It helps if you shop near the end of the month - everyone has bills they want to pay.

Once you know it's the car you want, take it to a mechanic and have it checked out. Never buy a car that hasn't been independently looked over. If the dealer or seller doesn't want you to do that - walk away and don't look back.

Also, get carfax - if any of the previous owners lived in a flood-prone area, like Houston or New Orleans, be wary - and have the mechanic look specifically for water damage.

Finally - as has been mentioned, gas mileage and insurance are also factors in the true cost of the vehicle, so do your research.

Always remember - they want to get that car off their lot every bit as much as you want to buy it. They have to sell a few cars every week to make a living, and only have 30-50 to sell at any given time. You, on the other hand, have thousands to choose from. Car buying is always a buyer's market.

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Sherk

I wouldn't recommend eBay. It's hard to back out of a bad buy - if you're not local and can't go see the car, you can't back out later if you bid on it, even if it turns out to be a bad deal.

I bought an Accord with "71k" on it - I'm pretty sure that the mileage was rolled back. The car was in decent shape looking at it and the initial drive, but within 1k miles the new timing belt that was installed (and it did look fairly recent) broke. Not a very fun replacement... but I did it. Something was screwed up with the engine, as the 2nd new timing belt was going to wear through it's new cover, also... so I dropped a JDM engine into it. Add about $1000 in repairs to an already slightly under KBB value, and the car sucked.

snowy

One trick with dealers is to look for used cars on their lots that aren't their cars. My dad has purchased our last two cars (Volvos) from Chevy dealers. One had purchased the car at auction, the other had taken it as a trade-in. Both were looking to get the cars off their lots, and so my dad got a great deal.

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