How does one go about buying a used car?

7/2/24 | Me, Myself, and I

[EinNYC]

My friend's truck sustained a lot of damage from an exploding tire. She can't afford to fix it. I thought she should look for a hatchback car instead of a truck, as it would be cheaper. What would be some decent hatchbacks which would carry plenty of cargo and give her several years, at least, of service? How should she further research cars?

I was lucky, inheriting all my father's used cars until I finally bought my present car, which I bought new. So I don't have much experience in buying used cars or where to find a good one.

[Lazamataz]

1) Find someone with a car.
2) Convince him or her to sell it.
3) Give them money.

[Lazamataz]

But seriously: Carmax or Carvana is how I will be getting my next one.

[aspasia]

It’s a real challenge. The better choice may take up to a year or more to find.

[algore]

1) Find someone with a car.
2) Convince him or her to sell it.
3) Give them money.

exactly. although I might change #1 to

1) Find someone with a car you want.

[liberalh8ter]

I purchased a vehicle through Carvana. The entire experience was excellent and the price was very good when compared to what the dealerships around me wanted.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I bought my last three vehicles off craigslist and still have all three. That was before fundamental transformation. Used cars are now no longer plentiful.

[Hoboto]

Toyota RAV4/Highlander/4Runner
Honda CRV/Pilot/Passport
Subaru Crosstrek/Outback

All of the above are reliable and relatively affordable transportation for used cars.

Don’t waste your time with anything else unless you want to deal with maintenance hassles.

[cableguymn]

hatchbacks?

Mazda 3 hatch is my choice.

[equaviator]

Pay cash but as little as possible for something owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church and back. It helps to know something about cars too.

[DarrellZero]

There are a ton of car search sites on the web. Just google them.

Main thing is to get a mechanic you trust to check the car out thoroughly before you buy. Might cost you a hundred or three, but well worth it in the end.

[GreyFriar]

Ask your friends who may have recently purchased a used car about where they got it and their evaluation of the dealership they bought it from. Also look up the car on carfax to get its report, that is what I did when I finally replaced my 2001 Saturn L200 Station Wagon last fall. As for buying one from a stranger, I have no comment.

[Robert DeLong]

I recommend going to a dealer, because buying a used car from someone is fraught with danger, especially for a woman. Tell her to also get the extended warranty.

[The Louiswu]

Honda CRV. Wife and I are on our third one, we love them. Sturdy and reliable. Good mileage and a good amount of cargo space.

[cgbg]

We have two Subaru Crosstreks and got them new the first year they were launched—2013.

Both run great and their maintenance history has been very reasonable.

We could afford fancier cars but see no need for it—they get us where we want/need to go.

[Tell It Right]

When shopping for a used car, tell the owner that before buying it you'll take it to a mechanic to inspect it. After shilling out $100 bucks or so, if the mechanic doesn't find any problem you'll buy it. But if he finds a problem with it, you'll tell everybody you know not to buy the car. Tell the owner that proposal before you take it to the mechanic, so he knows the good and bad before you spend money to inspect it. But before you spend money for the inspection if the owner tells you straight up that it's a bad car with problems, then you'll keep hush hush about the car having problems.

It's amazing how many people will tell you the truth about a car when you give them that ultimatum.

Also, call your insurer and ask them about rates for the car.

[texas booster]

I would fly to Texas or Florida and buy there. Actually any southern state that doesn’t have as much winter as NYC does.

I used to take my used 200,000 mile cars to MN (family there) and sell them, many years ago.

No rust, maintenance records and I could make an extra $1500-$2000 per vehicle.

Buy a one way ticket to somewhere with a Carvana and drive it back.

[bigbob]

KBB.com is another good site. What you want to do is your homework - determine what you want, bracket the makes, models, years, and key features you want and then go to work online. All these sites have search tools that will let you narrow down the field and price range. Don’t expect super bargains but you’ll get access to far more possibilities than otherwise.

In my case I wasted a day with a bunch of jokers who I laughed at as I walked out the door knowing they’d call back in 15 minute begging me to return (sorry no!) Bought from a dealer who had the same vehicle with lower mileage, thousands less, and was the best car-buying experience I’ve had.

Takes an effort but well worth it.

[desertsolitaire]

I bought one with CarMax in February. It was seamless, painless, price was right and car performing flawlessly.

[IYAS9YAS]

Used cars, reliable ones anyway, are no longer cheap. She may be better off trying to get her truck damage fixed. It may actually cost less. Did she not have insurance?