Need some advice buying a used car

Jan. 3, 2006 | Alouette

[teenyelliott]

So, you bought a crappy car instead of a fantastic car just because of politics?

I have two Toyotas, and will never buy anything else.

I had a Saturn once, too, and it was an absolute lemon from the time I drove it off the lot.

[discostu]

The key to buying a used car is having a mechanic you trust, any reputable dealer will let you take the car to your mechanic for a once over. There's lots of websites for looking up the history of the car by the VIN too, and most of the used car website (like cars.com) link to those sites so you don't even have to type in the visciously long VIN. Note most of those VIN lookup sites are pay to play, but a $30 1 month subscription can save you a lot of money down the road.

[TNCMAXQ]

The Saturn is not a bad car, it was just not as good as I expected. I wanted an American made vehicle anyway. My lease is up in 11 months and I won't go with another Saturn.

[teenyelliott]

My Sequoia was built in Mississippi.

And I am not kidding about my Saturn. It was a true lemon. The frame even buckled so that you could not open the front and back doors at the same time. I wrote tons of letters to Saturn. They did not care.

I promptly bought a Mazda after that, and have had Toyotas since then. I'll never go back.

[Colorado Doug]

I got a Oldsmobile I'll sell ya cheap. only driven off a bridge one time.

Ted . . . Ted Kennedy, is that you?

[KC Burke]

Who is trying to settle with you? If it is the other fellow's insurance company, I would tell them you want to pick out a top quality version of your car and have them pay to buy it. If it is your carrier, I would determine if what they are offering you (?) is all you want to spend.
Car's are relatively underpriced right now and gas costs have people worried. How many miles do you plan to drive per year and how much money over the settlement to you want to go, either out of pocket or by financing.

[middie]

As much as you may hate lawyers, there has been a class action that established the right of people in the same posture as you to: (1) get other estimates and (2) choose your own repair facility. There is a lawyer somewhere in your city you will be aware of the case.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Good advice. I would also add:

5) Whether or not you do care, you answer to "what color/options/model/trim level/engine/age/mileage do you want" is "I DON'T CARE."

(When they can narrow you down, they grasp the short negotiating hairs more tightly. Just be sure to call to make sure the model you found on the Internet is still in stock.)

[Rakkasan1]

hey,hey,hey! I put the 'ass' back in Mass.!

[Lawgvr1955]

Where were you guys a month ago? I am out $4,000 on my wife's Lincoln. You are right, the valves all get bent and you buy about half a new motor.

[Petronski]

I have two recommendations and one counterrecommendation:

Good:

Ford Crown Victoria
Honda Accord with a 4 cyl.
(both indestructible)


Bad:

Ford Taurus (flaky transmissions)



Ugly:

Pontiac Aztek (euhhhh!)

[Alouette]

I'm looking into government auctions. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations?

Damn, I loved that Pontiac! I'm still grieving. Who says that cars are inanimate and can't return love (like pets?) THAT CAR SAVED MY LIFE.

[carlr]

I have had great luck with Toyotas for almost 20 years now.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

What type of driving? City/Highway? Do you carry heavy loads? Hills or flat lands?

[PennsylvaniaMom]

We buy two year old lease trade ins (I am currently driving an 03 Explorer that came w/23,000 plus change mileage.) My husband buys our cars from the dealer who originally leased them out (you then have full maintenance history) and on the price, he negotiates down past the cost of the best extended warranty (above and beyond the Factory Certified warranty). We also go for the lowest deductible (you can get them to negiate on that as well) on warranty repair work. Right now, I am on my third transmission for my Explorer (a nightmare at the dealership) but, only had to pay $50.00 as a deductible (and they provided the rental too). Good luck...and go for 'Certified' by the manufacturer 'pre-owned' so you don't get a flood car.

[Alouette]

What type of driving? City/Highway? Do you carry heavy loads? Hills or flat lands?

Just regular driving, commuter Motor City, flatlands

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Check the honda hybrid
i think you also get a tax break if you own one. not certain.

[dougmilner]

I'm new here.
You may not take it but, I'll give you my opinion.

I have a vehicle sales broker license and have access to the car auctions nationwide. The best way is to give your order to person that can access these auctions - tell them what you are looking for in a car... be specific - but be open to other things. You also may have to wait a few weeks or even months to find the perfect car.

The broker/salesperson can research the cars, find out through carfax etc. any data and can test the cars for water damage, body damage, etc. prior to bidding on it.

I've done this for years and have many satisfied customers.

[Salem]

This is a picture of me in the early 80's with my DATSUN (before they changed the name to Nissan) truck.

I still own this truck. We use it as a spare and the paint is a little shot, but it still runs great; sings at seventy miles an hour, passes the CA. smog test, and costs pocket change for tags and insurance. Offers to buy it are pretty regular when I'm out on the streets with it.

Yeah, I'm still pretty attached to it. If it got totaled tomorrow I would probably be feeling like you are right now.

The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. The Lord will provide you with something just as satisfactory.

Nonetheless, all due honors to your snazzy Pontiac which has given itself to save your life.  

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh.. You can't fix a fender bender for $4K anymore and restore it to original.
The car's a total.