Question about buying a used car.

[W_HAMILTON]

I have no clue where to begin.

I was looking to buy a certified used vehicle from a dealership since I am looking for something reliable, but there are some pretty good non-certified deals. Of course, my thinking is that if there wasn't a problem with the car, wouldn't they certify it so they could make more money?

I've never really bought a used car before, and I'm worried about getting swindled. There's so much information out there, I know nothing about cars, and I'm a passive person so the "used car salesman" stereotype could chew me up and spit me out. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[blueknight]

1. hello

do you have a friend or family member that could give you some advice? but first, decide how much you want/have to spend and stick to it. try to find something with low miles, i would look toward honda, toyota or nissan. they are proven to be very dependable over the years.

[W_HAMILTON]

10. Hi.

I am interested in a Nissan Altima. I have looked into leasing, because I am mainly just looking for something to get me through the next couple of years until I start my new career. At that point, I'd like to purchase a new car. But I don't mind getting a used car either. I'm just interested in getting a reliable car that I won't have many problems with for the next couple of years, and preferably keep my monthly payments under $300.

I don't really know anyone that knows a lot about cars. Well, maybe some, but I'd like to try to do this on my own instead of having to rely on someone else for the rest of my life.

[MicaelS]

15. Altima's are great cars, I love my 2008.

Nissan in Texas is offering an UNLIMITED powertrain warranty with only a $150 deductible for as long as you own the car. That means engine, transmission, CV joints. This is on new and certified used Nissans. If you can't afford new, the certified used is the way to go. If you want to discuss Altimas further send me a PM.

One option to get if it all possible is heated seats. I'm not kidding, after you have them, you will never have another car without them.

[Dr Morbius]

2. Select from among your friends the most car-knowledgable.

Someone who changes his own oil. And go with him.

If you're on your own, look at the underside of the car for rust. Check everything you can think of: tires (lots of tread, even wear), lights, wipers, brakes, taillights, headlights, et cetera. Drive it. Hit the brakes hard (on a side street!). That sort of thing.

You are much less likely to get screwed going to a Carmax, in my opinion. You are also much less likely to find a "bargain". Your best option is to go with someone who really knows cars, or at least knows a little bit. And the really small used car lots? Avoid.

[old mark]

3. Find someone to help you - it is too complicated to really explain here...

Ask friends or neighbors for advice and help.
If you know someone at work or a neighbor who has experience buying a used car, it is best to talk with them and ask if they know anyone to trust...or to avoid. It is best to have someone with you if possible who can help you get a good car-it is sometimes a difficult thing to find.


mark

[Richardo]

4. Carfax

It's a $20 (?) investment, but I've used it for every used car I've bought. Run the VIN and see if it's been totalled, flooded, how many owners it's had, title history, etc.

That said, I have not dealt with a dealership for a used car in many years - I always get mine through private party sales.

[arbusto_baboso]

6. Everything Richardo said. Plus....

With a private party sale, tell the seller that you'd like to take the car by your mechanic to check it out really quick, and that you're ready to pay cash NOW if the mechanic finds no major flaws.

If the seller is on the up-and-up, he/she shouldn't have any qualms about the mechanic thing.

[W_HAMILTON]

11. How does Carfax work?

I've checked out a few, and it always seems that there are no problems with the car. Are all problems reported? How reliable is the service? Outside of the obvious (like you said, totaled, flooding, etc), what are some warning signs I should be on the lookout for?

[MicaelS]

16. Carfax and Autocheck are not 100% reliable...

My last car a 1999 Malibu. It was totalled out by my insurance company after a hail storm, and I bought it back (body damage only). Later when I ran a Carfax AND Autocheck report on the car, there was nothing about the car being totalled out.

There was in the info that the car had been sold new to Avis, and I already knew that. When the car's electrical system starting going bad, the Chevy dealership told me the car had been underwater at some point in the past, and showed the rust inside the dash. Nothing on the reports about that either.

[Lance_Boyle]

5. Go through a private seller, and have your mechanic check out the car before you

hand over any $$$. Any seller who refuses to let you take the car to your mechanic for several hours for a once-over is not to be trusted. Pay your mechanic for however many hours of labor s/he needs to look things over. If problems are found, have it documented. Use it negotiate the price down, or as a reason for not buying, but do inform the seller as a matter of courtesy.

[W_HAMILTON]

9. Thanks for all the advice, guys.

With a private seller, I'm worried that I won't have any recourse if the car turns out to be a dud. As I said, reliability is my #1 concern. If I take the used car to a good mechanic, can he really pinpoint any problem that is likely with the car?

[nickinSTL]

7. get a Carfax report and research in Consumer Reports

Carfax will tell you if it's been in an accident and rebuilt.

Consumer Reports will give you an idea if the particular year/make/model is reliable.

[Phentex]

8. and get your financing in place before you shop...

know how much you can spend and understand your interest rate if you plan to finance.

[Old Troop]

12. It can be a good deal. Decide what you can pay then take

the vehicle to a reputable repair shop and have them check it out.

[marzipanni]

13. If you'd like to see owners' reviews and recs for cars and their mechanics

Car Talk's website has some good stuff- perhaps find a good mechanic to check out a car you might buy.
http://www.cartalk.com/index.html

[Inchworm]

14. National Automobile Dealers Association is a good place to "ballpark"

Get book prices for the condition etc.

It is worth a read.

http://www.nadaguides.com/

G'luck!

:hi: