Buying a new (used) car

[copierfixerguy]

My old Caravan died the other day so I'm looking to buy a new (used) car for my wife. We are looking for a midsized car or minivan withing a budget of under $4,000. We are also trying to get the newest model possible.

After searching Craig's list, Ebay and Mlive we have found that most of the cars listed there are dealers pretending to be private sellers. I'm figuring if they are not being honest about being a dealer. Why would the be telling me the truth about anything else.

What I'm looking for is an idea about what is the best value and safest car/van in that price range.

Can anybody give me a good list? I would think this would help a lot of people in my predicament.

thanks in advance.

[Ray paulsen]

Interesting post, tell me what lead you to believe most vehicle's listed where by dealers pretending to be private sellers " post example " and what difference would that make in your opinion ?... Please note I am not trying to blemish your post, but looking for answers that I may consider for my website from a consumers viewpoint.

You are looking for a vehicle within a $4000. budget and vehicle being newest model possible ?.......... In this price range all that matters is CONDITION, not model year, Mfg make or miles,,, Ideally finding a vehicle that will last 2 years or beyond with just regular service in this price range will have served it's purpose.

Yes a lot of people are in your predicament and end up with a lemon because they never took the time to study the process how to buy a car, have you got the time ?

Study my website starting with this link when you have found a vehicle of interest http://www.usedcartips.org/TESTDRI.html

I would like for you to get value for your bucks, feel free to post further Q

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[copierfixerguy]

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I talked with his wife. She told me "I think that he said that it was his brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But my brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier than transferring the title into my name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by copierfixerguy

Thanks Ray for replying to my post.

Here is one example of what I have found looking for cars on Craig's list and Ebay.

The car that I was looking at was a 2003 Ford Taurus. The guy I talked to told me that his mother had been driving the car.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could.
The car looked nice. They had it "detailed". Ok. New brakes and rotors. Cool.
Engine looked steam cleaned. Neat. Opened the Trunk and looked in the spare tire compartment. The whole thing was rusted and still soaking wet.
When I called to meet up with him, he told me that he couldn't make it at the time we discussed but his wife could. No big deal. When I talked with her, she told me "I think he that he said that it was her husband's brother's car" . . . . Huh? Wouldn't you know if your spouse was selling his bother's car?

Red flags started popping up in my mind.

Another example:

Talk to a guy that was selling a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country.
When he was telling me about the car, he had all of the lingo. He knew exactly what I wanted to hear. So I flat out asked him "Are you a private owner?" He said "Oh yes, I am a private owner. But his brother (once again the brother shows up) is a dealer and the car is in his name. . . . . It was just easier that transferring the title into his name. . . I didn't want to have to pay the taxes".

Another example:

I called a lady about a 2002 Mercury Sable. Went to her house to look at the car. She said that her son flunked math class so she was selling the car that they had bought for him. She had another car there (a Chevy Malibu) in the driveway that she was selling. She was diving that one but would sell either car. They had a brand new Yukon and a BMW in the driveway also. The BMW is her husbands and the Yukon was hers. She was just driving the Malibu because of the gas mileage.

I may be gullible but jeez!

After those encounters. My wife started googling the phone numbers of the people selling cars and we found out that most of the numbers had multiple cars for sale.

Like I said before. "If they are not honest about being a dealer, why should I believe or trust anything they say.

I know that there are regular, honest, everyday people trying to buy and sell stuff on those sites but, you have to sift through the scammers to find them.

Sorry about the rant.

How'd you manage 6 repeat posts? lol

First example didn't make a ton of sense the way you told it. From what I could tell his wife just didn't know anything about the car. Including who owned it.

He could easily have been selling the car for his brother? Dunno lol. But either way (buying from a dealer or private seller) you pay sales taxes. Just a matter of if you pay at the dealer when you get the car or (if bought from a private seller) at teh DMV when you get your tags.

Just another side though on #2 there, the two brothers could very well live together, and the one who owned the car might not have been home. And if you live with someone that knows about purchasing a car then you'll more than likely learn as-well.

A lot of people have started buying cars for as cheap as they can find them (usually for 2k or less) fixing all the obvious problems, and then they re sell them for 2 or 3k more than they bouth them for. You can legally sell your car 7 or so times per year before you have to register as a dealer. Guy I got my Jeep from does this with his brother. (could be a situation for your #2 ex. as well)

[Ray paulsen]

Yes like shpuker said,,, how did you manage to get 6 repeat posts? LOL,,, you could have deleted 5 of them ?,,, but then again I am surprised checking the thread this morning that the moderated " peleton25 " deleted a current post by citrorm, reason spam, but yet did not clean up this thread ?

copierfixerguy,,, Thanks for posting your experience, what you have been dealing with is known as a curbsider, here is a copy/paste from my web page http://usedcartips.org/privatevsdealer.html
　
　
Buyers Beware - curbsiders thrive on free websites such as CRAIGLIST and KIJIJI
What is a Curbsider... curbsiders pose as private sellers selling stolen - rebuild - flood or frame damage vehicles to unsuspecting buyers, industry studies show upwards to 25 per cent of all automotive classified ads are placed by curbsiders, it's a reality these offenders continue to operate on unwary consumers. The term curbsider applies to anyone whom sell multiple used vehicles without a registered licence.
Having answered thousand of consumer questions through the Internet about lemon purchases I am stunned at the high percentage that are Internet related from sites like Craiglist - Kijiji and Ebay There are many good deals to be had, sorting them out is the problem as there are also a fair amount of scams, the number one question is finding out why buyer is selling and having trust in the sellers answer.

How to lessen your chances dealing with a curbsider " the public has to start asking the right questions from anyone selling a vehicle "
Most curbsiders have more than one vehicle for sale, when you phone about an advertised vehicle, say: " tell me about your vehicle for sale " if they reply which one it's most likely a curbsider with several vehicles for sale " however keep in mind that some polished pro scammers maintain one phone number per vehicle.
In a private sale always ask for ID and proof of title from the seller, if the two pieces don't match " walk away " don't listen to polished scam answers like, it belong to a friend whom is out of the country, or selling for a family member.
Curbsiders have a bad memory as to how long exactly they have owned the car, in many cases they will say they are selling or have bought from a friend whom have since disappeared from the face of earth " yer right

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by Ray paulsen

Yes like shpuker said,,, how did you manage to get 6 repeat posts? LOL,,, you could have deleted 5 of them ?,,, but then again I am surprised checking the thread this morning that the moderated " peleton25 " deleted a current post by citrorm, reason spam, but yet did not clean up this thread ?

copierfixerguy,,, Thanks for posting your experience, what you have been dealing with is known as a curbsider, here is a copy/paste from my web page http://usedcartips.org/privatevsdealer.html
　
　
Buyers Beware - curbsiders thrive on free websites such as CRAIGLIST and KIJIJI
What is a Curbsider... curbsiders pose as private sellers selling stolen - rebuild - flood or frame damage vehicles to unsuspecting buyers, industry studies show upwards to 25 per cent of all automotive classified ads are placed by curbsiders, it's a reality these offenders continue to operate on unwary consumers. The term curbsider applies to anyone whom sell multiple used vehicles without a registered licence.
Having answered thousand of consumer questions through the Internet about lemon purchases I am stunned at the high percentage that are Internet related from sites like Craiglist - Kijiji and Ebay There are many good deals to be had, sorting them out is the problem as there are also a fair amount of scams, the number one question is finding out why buyer is selling and having trust in the sellers answer.

How to lessen your chances dealing with a curbsider " the public has to start asking the right questions from anyone selling a vehicle "
Most curbsiders have more than one vehicle for sale, when you phone about an advertised vehicle, say: " tell me about your vehicle for sale " if they reply which one it's most likely a curbsider with several vehicles for sale " however keep in mind that some polished pro scammers maintain one phone number per vehicle.
In a private sale always ask for ID and proof of title from the seller, if the two pieces don't match " walk away " don't listen to polished scam answers like, it belong to a friend whom is out of the country, or selling for a family member.
Curbsiders have a bad memory as to how long exactly they have owned the car, in many cases they will say they are selling or have bought from a friend whom have since disappeared from the face of earth " yer right

^ this is a good point. It could still be someone pullin fix and flips though.

[Pauto.com]

This is also a benefit of doing business with a reputable dealer. Many dealerships have their "cheap lot" and because of regulations and a desire to maintain that reputation they will only sell cars they are confident in. In the information age, you can easily do research on these dealerships to find out who the good ones are in your area.

Given your current level of distrust with online classified ads, this just might be a good option. Another method to check out is sites like AutoTrader where people pay to post. Having to pay reduces the number of scammers... though may not entirely eliminate them.

[fincsher]

Originally Posted by copierfixerguy

My old Caravan died the other day so I'm looking to buy a new (used) car for my wife. We are looking for a midsized car or minivan withing a budget of under $4,000. We are also trying to get the newest model possible.

After searching Craig's list, Ebay and Mlive we have found that most of the cars listed there are dealers pretending to be private sellers. I'm figuring if they are not being honest about being a dealer. Why would the be telling me the truth about anything else.

What I'm looking for is an idea about what is the best value and safest car/van in that price range.

Can anybody give me a good list? I would think this would help a lot of people in my predicament.

thanks in advance.

My friend selling his car but the price is $4500.. Just add $500 in your budget.. PM me if interested and so I'll tell it to him. Keep in touch.

[Kelly93]

When looking for a second hand car, you should consider taking someone with you who knows about cars. Make sure you check all the documents and that the car has a valid insurance certificate.

[abigailpoul]

Most curbsiders listed for sale more than one vehicle, when you talk about an ad car phone, said: "I ​​tell you the sale of vehicles: "If they say which one is most likely with a few cars curbsider for sale, "but to remember Live, some crooks to maintain a pro-polished telephone number of each vehicle.