Don't buy from this guy.............or anyone who even remotely looks like him................
Posted on 07/02/2024 10:48:30 AM PDT by 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.
Carsforsale.com is a good place to start.
Might I recommend an older truck? I have a 4Runner (model years 1996-2001), and she is fantastically sturdy and reliable. A lot less than a new truck.
The Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix are great little hatchbacks that can be found with AWD if your friend decides to go that route, but their last model year, I believe, was 2005.
Absolutely
I’ve also learned to hold back on bidding, because some will bid just to top you. Join the online auction and don’t bid. Sometimes, if you sit it out the car you are interested in will not have much interest, so it is better to not make a bid. If a car you are considering buying is still within your budget 5 minutes before the auction closes, that is the time to nid on it. If you leave too much time, many people will have noticed your bid and will bid you up to try and get the car.
I also like to find for the salesman that looks like if he doesn’t sell a car soon he’ll be fired.
Go down to Ernie’s Auto Sales & Lawnmower Repair. Ernie’s not there because he died of COVID, but his son Earl Ray can help you. Tell’em what you’re looking for and they’ll snap one up at the next auto auction. They even let you make weekly payments at the lot. Piece of advice...don’t miss any payments. Earl’s other son, Bubba Ray drives the repo truck. You don’t want Bubba Ray coming to repo the car. Bubba Ray don’t play.
That’s all well & good, but a breakdown getting close to happening my not show itself at that inspection. If you buy the extended warranty then you are covered if that breakdown takes a year to actually happen. Your repairs are being paid for in your monthly payment.
Carvana is a disaster.
lots of people wait months for titles for out of state cars, and never get them.
Carmax is way better of the two.
Many good suggestions have been posted.
If you have a trusted mechanic, buying a used car with a salvage title that you have the mechanic check out first can be an inexpensive way to go.
But if so, plan on driving the car into the ground, or give away when you are done with it. You will only get a token amount if you try to trade it in at a dealer.
Don't buy from this guy.............or anyone who even remotely looks like him................
If the truck she has is usable, then keep it going as long as possible. The marketplace is in collapse and is nowhere near the bottom yet. This gives her time to be picky.
Not knowing her financial situation limits any advice you can get. Also, who does she have available to help as far as getting usable information.
A great place for used cars is the church bulletin board or newsletter. Don’t look for something particular but something that’s a good deal. A twenty-year-old luxury barge from a retired couple may have as little as 20,000 miles and cost as little as $2000. I’ve owned several Town Cars and even given a few away to people in trouble.
Network, network, network.
If you have a mechanic you trust, you can find a car on craigslist and have them meet up with you at the mechanic.
If they won’t, that’s a red flag right there. Have the mechanic you trust inspect it.
If you need help finding a trustworthy one, you can message me and I can get one in your area from my part supplier.
Also, if you have a mechanic who also has access to a local auto auction, you can get a good deal.
Make sure you get a Carfax or other title search reports if you are buying a used car. It will give the entire history of the auto.
Most dealerships will already have one. Especially on something that is less than ten years old.
Anything listed on the internet will state whether it has a CLEAR/CLEAN title or not. This means is has not had any major accidents. Sometimes it will list that it has had a small accident. Like a fender bender that has been repaired. IF it has a SALVAGE title that means it was in a major accident and the insurance company declared that the value of the vehicle was less than the cost to repair it.
This can also happen in the case of a flood like a hurricane. A friend bought a brand new Saab Convertible years ago that had a Salvage Title. It had been flooded during a hurricane in Texas when it was brand new at the dealers lot. He bought it for a huge discount. He replaced the carpets and drove it for 250m miles. He and his wife drove it and all three of his kids.
Bump4later
It’s all about preventing 80% of the problems for 20% of the cost. But I think you will prevent 90% of the problems paying a mechanic to look at the vehicle on the lot and then, if you win, take it to be inspected by professionals.
I agree if you want the best guarantee, then buying it from a dealer is best.
I recently bought a used vehicle. Overall I’m happy, did most things right, but I could have done better. Your friend can benefit from my experience. Here are some pointers.
• Know the kind of vehicle you need.
• Find a vehicle inside a budget you can afford and stick to it.
• Find a dependable brand for the kind of vehicle you want.
• Locate reputable dealers.
• I used cars.com for a lot of research.
• I recommend low mileage over late model.
• I do not recommend an electric vehicle.
• I recommend having a reserve of funds after your purchase.
• Check out the Carfax report or the like for the vehicle you want. If it doesn’t have one, I’d keep looking.
• Secure financing from your bank.
• Visit a dealership at your convenience.
• Only test drive vehicles you’re seriously thinking of buying.
• Get the advice of trusted friends. Maybe have one with you even when you’re just looking.
• Buy when you are ready to buy. You should be happy and looking forward to finally getting the car you want.
• Be patient. Vehicles are everywhere.
I’ll bet other FReepers will offer far better advice. These are just some tips I’m sharing from my recent experience.
I just sold a car on autotrader.com - seemed to be a good experience for both me and the buyer.
Carvana - I’ve heard about chaos in their system, customers receiving a vehicle but NO TITLE, leaving them with the car payment but not being able to insure, or consequently using, it - taking MONTHS to resolve.
I recently bought a BMW M3 Convertible, found it at a used Honda dealer :)
I use kbb.com and autotrader.com to get an idea about what value any given car has.
#1 do your homework, especially on reliability (I would *never* buy a CVT - continuously variable transmission, like a Nissan Rogue).
If you buy from a business and they offer a warranty ask about the details. Some places will offer to pay 50% or some fraction of repairs for some duration but this typically locks you into using their shop for warranty repair at whatever price they set. I personally would consider that worth $0 but your mileage may vary.
That is the butt ugliest thing on the road.
If the inspections included a scoping of the engine, transmission, & the rear end differential, perhaps, but of course they don't do that.
Best to just invest in the extended warranty.
Our recent experience was also that you could see pictures of the salvaged vehicle, as to dents and damages, etc. I once had a car that had substantial damage, but not quite enough to be totaled (was Tboned on a downtown street). It was repaired, and I ended up keeping and loving that car for another 10+ years. Just supporting that some salvage vehicles might actually be good buys, but get 2nd and 3rd opinions as to the damages and repairs.
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