I'm Looking for Tips When Buying a Used Car

[hermes_1]

Hi, I'm in the market for a used car. I do mainly urban driving, about 6K a year.
I'm looking for a mid sized model. I'd like to get something for about $10K - $12K. I was thinking a 2005 Honda or Toyota, but for what I want to spend I don't think that's going to happen. Any suggestions for a make/model/year car? Moving from an old Saturn so I'd like a little luxury. What do I need to look out for? I know CarFax is a good idea what else should I do to protect myself?

Thanks,

Hermes_1

[craig34]

Are you trying to buy a car online or at a local dealer? If you shop around you may could find a 2005 Honda for that price.

[hermes_1]

Originally Posted by craig34

Are you trying to buy a car online or at a local dealer? If you shop around you may could find a 2005 Honda for that price.

I'd like to buy from a private party or a local dealer. I can't imagine buying a used car online.

What should I do, besides Carfax, to ensure I don't get a lemon or a car w/ a history or damage or neglect?

[Ray paulsen]

If you were to buy a brand new car then the Internet is a good start, as for used, your 100% right, buying through the Internet is a nonoooo, shopping used through sites like auto trader for whats available in your area will be a good start.

As for type of vehicle we all have diff taste buds, whats fits yours lifestyle may not fit mine, it really is an area with a few test drives and just a bit of homework you will make the right choices.

There are hundred of sites on the Internet that will guide you how to buy a car or not how to end up with a lemon, the more you read the more confusion, I would rate edmonds.com as the best provider with information for buying cars.

You can also study my website for a few pointers to help you along with your purchase

[hermes_1]

You can also study my website for a few pointers to help you along with your purchase


Thanks, I'll check out your links

[H.L.Dillon]

look you really never know that real past about a used car.
thats why i buy them at auctions.
i bought 2 work trucks that i put about 500,000 miles on both of them.
and they both cost about $5,000 eatch
so i got my money's worth out of them

i think you should check them out atleast because you can save money

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by H.L.Dillon

look you really never know that real past about a used car.
thats why i buy them at auctions.

Huh? Why buy something you know nothing about at an auction, when you have a chance to look at a vehicle's history by Carfax or Autocheck BEFORE buying making an informed decision about your purchase by doing some research?

Originally Posted by H.L.Dillon

i bought 2 work trucks that i put about 500,000 miles on both of them.
and they both cost about $5,000 eatch
so i got my money's worth out of them

i think you should check them out atleast because you can save money

More often than not I have seen many people go to auctions and buy something because they became emotionally attached to it, and knew nothing about it,(prior history, any known issues,) and then got stuck with repairs that ended up costing more than the vehicle was worth, or could've taken that money and bought something more reliable through a private sale or dealer.

[H.L.Dillon]

the 2 trucks i bought wre like new and and not all the cars in an action have problems.
i had more problems with a ford that i bought at a dealer than any other car i ever bought

and if your buying a used car your taking a chance anyways

[spytearbite]

When looking for a use vehicle... I:

1. Ask first thing is have a compression reading done and pay for that out of pocket.
2. When looking at any engine type transportation, I ask the engine not be started or make another schedule so that car will be cold when I get there.
3. I now ask the owner to start the car. I am in the back of the car watching any sign of exhaust smoke or oil smoke is I walk once I see that puff be it slight or a cigar chomping tail pipe, she is a can smoker.
4. I sight down the body. Lift the hood. Open the trunk and see if there is any, over spray. Then I know it has been hit and I walk from that car as well.
5. If the owner refuses the request of his no/charge compression test, I again, walk from the deal.

[easymuny]

Hello Hermes_1,

I would suggest looking through your local newspaper classified ads and other advertising publications in your area.

Also look through the online classifieds, there are many of them. Don't discount the smaller online classifieds, there are very good deals on used cars in those mediums.

You will find several car selling sites on my website along with a mountain of information that will be to your benefit.

Good luck,

[hermes_1]

This afternoon i stopped by Anderson Honda in Baltimore City where i drove a 2005 Honda Civic with cloth seats, manual windows, and a terrific radio/cd player, cassette player w/ 61K miles. The sales guy gave me a CarFax report stating it was a one owner Enterprise Rental car. List price was $13,995.00 but he'd sell it to me for $12,995.00 w/ no interest in financing it.

If the car had power windows I may have bought it.

Do you think that's a fair price?

Another thought - none of the review sites or books I've found on used cars discuss the cost of maintenance. The sdales guy told me Andewrson Honda charges $93.00 per hour. I'm asking all the dealers I go to what the charge per hour and how much cetain maintence tasks cost.

[easymuny]

Hermes_1,

Go to kbb.com and get the "private party value" for the 2005 Honda Civic. If the price he quoted you is lower than the private party value, then it is a good buy.

If the private party value is lower than what the salesman quoted, then offer him the private party value or less.

The private party value is what the car is worth if you sold it. I would never pay retail for a car. Unless I was rich and liked the salesman.

Retail value is the most a bank will loan on the car, provided you have excellent credit.

Cheers,

[danm123]

,


If you want to make sure you are buying a good pre-owned car look at the the video http://www.easi.info/new-car-buying/careducator,inc about used car buying , you can find it at www.car educator .com, good luck, and follow the advise on the video it helped me.

[peterr2008]

[left]Today every one want to buy a car specially luxury car Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles. But the most difficult thing now has become is to get loan for a car. Many a times we are not able to fulfill the formalities for getting a loan. Luxury car makes driving comfortable for both passengers and the driver.
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Peter
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