Used car buying?

[corilannam]

Hello, Flist,

Do any of you happen to have experience buying a used car? Do you also happen to have any advice to share with a potential used car buyer? Tips, tricks, things to look out for, private buyers vs. dealers, warranties, loans, etc?

Help?

Comments

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

I worked for 8 years at a car dealership and man, do I have some info for ya. I made a huge post with tips and stuff to watch out for a couple of years ago. I'm going to see if maybepossibly someone on my flist saved it to memories 'cause I can't seem to find it in mine. I'll provide linkage for ya when I do.

If I can't find it, I'll email you with a list of stuff. Especially for used cars -- those sales people really can be vicious.

[reginagiraffe]

I can recommend CarMax (there's one in White Marsh and I think there's one down closer to you). They don't haggle. They give good deals. The cars are guaranteed for a period of time and they're all inspected and everything before they're sold. The salespeople are very low pressure. And the selection is very good. You can go online and see what they have and if you find something you like, you can go then and test it. It's a pretty good place.

[nestra.livejournal.com]

Several car companies now offer "certified" used cars through dealerships. These come with general warranties, though you should look at what the warranties cover. For example, I bought a used Accord. It had a seven-year powertrain warranty, which basically covers big things like the engine and the transmission. But do be careful to read the details of any warranty closely -- what does it exclude? What are the conditions? What are the limitations? Will they cover a rental car if your car is undriveable, and for how long?

[barkley.livejournal.com]

You can go cheaper if you cut out the middle man, but it's always a risk that you're not getting a good car. I don't think you're trading in an old car, so you don't have to decide on trade-in/sell yourself.

I bought a used Toyota from a Toyota dealership and I got a five year warranty with it. I recommend getting the warranty if they have one. (I got a good deal because the owner of the dealership knows my parents.) I've had no problems with it, and had it for 4 years now. But it feels good to know that it does come with a warranty if I need it. (And look at the warranty. Some of them cover bumper to bumper. Some only cover drive train.)

Most of them will try to get you to finance it through them and give you financial incentives to do so. It's up to you to do the math and figure out if it's worth it.

I think you should invest in a '67 Chevy Impala because they are totally cool and practical.

[chelseafrew.livejournal.com]

I second the vote for the Impala, because whatever she gets, I will be in it a lot, and I will look cool by association riding around with someone who drives a '67 Impala! *G*

[thalia]

Consumer Reports has great buying guides for both used and new cars; I'd definitely recommend checking them out for your first car purchase. They're on-line (probably for a fee), or you can go to the library and start with last April's issue. That issue also contains reliability ratings for all makes and models of cars for the last several years.

[hafital.livejournal.com]

I second Carmax, which is where I boughty my car - I started by checking out their website, which will show you what they have in store, the prices, etc, before you go down there. Also, I haunted edmunds.com.

[meri-oddities.livejournal.com]

I have always heard really good things about CarMax. If I was going to buy a used car, that's where I'd start.

[bthebuff.livejournal.com]

I have bought 3 used cars and one new, so my experience is not vast or educated, but here it is anyway. I had a great experience with Honda and their loan program is very good, so I might start there.

1) If the post from sithdragon shows up, for sure take all that advice.
2) Take a calculator and figure out the total of your payments over the life of the loan, if you finance through them. Even if your math isn't exact, it will make them think twice about trying to screw you. Talk to your bank before you go about what they can give you for interest rates.
3)Take a penis owner if one is available. Sad, but true: they think we are easier to scam than men. My husband not only got $ knocked off the price of my new car, but also got them to fill the gas tank on *his truck* with premium gas.
4) If they draw a 4-square diagram on a piece of paper to explain your payments to you, that is a scam.
5) If they say "This might be a little too much car for you," or "For you, I will make (x) deal, sweetie..." or any variation of those, leave immediately.

Good luck!! Enjoy your new toy!!

[noelql.livejournal.com]

I've bought two used cars and feel like I got a good deal on both. I would never buy from a private party because of the potential to get screwed. You should always look up safety and reliability ratings before even shopping to know which cars are likely to be in the best shape as used cars. Do this BEFORE going shopping to avoid the "ooo, shiny" factor. Once you know what you car(s) you want, then look up the recommended sale price in the Kelly Blue Book to know what your target price range is BEFORE going to the dealer. Lastly, once you get there, you have to just forget all the rules you ever learned about playing nice with others. The dealers are out to take your money; the only one looking out for you is YOU. Screw up your courage, and go play with the big boys!

Other random factoids - I loved both of my used cars (the Subaru Justy and the Saturn). My Subaru was a tank - 3 accidents and no damage. The only reason we retired it was that it finally required a repair more than the value of the car when it was 12 years old. The Saturn was fabulous, and we have had several other friends who have driven their Saturns for many, many miles, plus the Saturn dealers have a policy of NOT haggling (which is much less stressful). In both cases, we bought the extended warranties, which in both cases more than paid off. Last piece of advice, I have financed two of my three cars through credit unions, which I HIGHLY recommend. Because credit unions are not for profit, the interest rates are always lower. The only trick is finding a credit union for which you qualify.

Good luck!!! I'll be happy to share my biased educated opinion on any other questions while you're here this weekend. Whee!

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

Found. :)

http://sithdragn.livejournal.com/447681.html

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thank you! I will definitely be studying this before I go into the lion's den. *g*

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's a CarMax very close to me, right by the Metro station. I've looked at their online selection before, and they seem to have a lot of nice cars.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm definitely learning to read all the fine print on everything with car dealers, especially the warranties!

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the advice! The '67 Impala is *definitely* on my shortlist.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Dream on, Sammy. *g*

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks. I remember look at their guide back when cheseafrew was shopping for her last car, and I've been meaning to pick up a new one.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I've definitely heard good things about them, too. They're kind of pricey, but I'm trying to figure out if the service and warranty make it worth it.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Great ideas! Thanks!

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll definitely pick your brain this weekend! And fortunately, I do have a credit union, and I'm definitely planning to use them. Several of my coworkers have gotten loans through them, and all have said it was a great deal.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

That was a great post, very helpful! I have one little question -- does the eagerness to sell during that last week of the year apply to used cars as well as new cars?

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

Used car salespeople don't deal with quotas set by the car maker (Ford, Chevy, etc.) like the new car salespeople, but they do have to meet the dealership quota. It doesn't get them things the car maker quotas get them (trips, spa time, etc.) so they're less inclined to bust their humps over getting you a deal. But they also make a bigger commission on sales than new car salespeople so they're more inclined to want to give you a deal in general. Still, I'd go the last week if you can, just in case.