Comments on: How to Buy a Used Car

By: scott

scott — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:44:01 +0000

KBB always prices higher than edmunds and tends to be above actual market price. Recently I found a car through a dealer and was able to make an offer through email. We did all the negotiating before I ever got there, then just had to drive it and decide if it was worth the price or not. He gave me an out the door price before hand (includes tt&L) so we didn’t waste his or my time, and my wife’s stress level was much less maligned.

By: jerry

jerry — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:35:01 +0000

One of my secrets for buying used. I take it for a test drive and stop somewhere for 15 minutes with the automatic car in gear and let it idle all the while. It will find weakness fast.

By: Nchimunya

Nchimunya — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:51:55 +0000

Truly appreciate the advice from the main article as well as from the comments. Quite honestly, it’s too much to process for a novice like me considering I’m in a very different region and have to contextualise all that information. For me, it all sounds like do your best to get a good deal, for a good reason, at a good time, from a good source, with good advice, in good company, for a good value and good price, without being too good and all these are still not be good enough! I will add a prayer for guidance to make all the ‘goods’ best!

By: Creg

Creg — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 01:52:58 +0000

It’s important to get a used car report. I got mine from VinAudit. Just paid $5.5 after cash back rebate from http://www.dimedots.com.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:04:13 +0000

Ok now that I have read through the comments I know I won’t be re-posting advice. First I have NEVER bought a new car from a dealer. I have owned and maintained 17 cars since I started driving when I was 18 and I am 30 now. I have always bought used and come out with great deals. The average cost of a car that I pay for is 500-800. My total buying cost is just over 10K for all of the cars I have ever owned. Now for my advice to buyers when shopping private owner. When you get there check to see if the engine is warm. Did you call them and they knew you were coming so they went and drove the car or warmed it up to cover bad start ups or smoking or other problems that let you know it has not been maintained well. Have the owner start the car so you can watch and listen to the car start. Ask if there are any “speical” things you need to do to start the car. I have a 77 F150 that you have to pump the pedal first. That is normal with an old truck. Ask lots of questions but let them do all the talking. They may tell you of the story that they jumped the car that one time. Or how they drove to grandma’s house and hit that patch of ice. These are the stories to listen to. They will tell you more about the car then what parts they have changed. Also I sell about 6 cars a year that I buy and fix up. The 17 cars are the ones that I have personally owned and driven.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:25:56 +0000

1. I haven’t heard much talk of researching how well that make and model tends to last. Consumer Reports makes a guide to used cars.
2. Also, i’ve heard (Edumunds) KBB is the average price they’re offered for, not the selling price.

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:23:06 +0000

My biggest recommendation for buying a used vehicle is giving the prospective car, what i like to call, a “Auto Prostate Exam”.

This entails one wearing a latex glove, and running your finger inside the exhaust pipe.

If you see nothing but some fine rust or some light dirt, the engine usually is running pretty well, but if you get oil, sludge, or anything else, chances are, that the engine is burning oil, has a head gasket leak, or a possible cracked block.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:31:47 +0000

SMOKE SIGNALS: “Smoke” coming from a vehicle’s exhaust can indicate problems, based on the color: Blue = oil, Black = fuel; White = water (steam). Steam can be expected when a vehicle is started cold, as condensation in the exhaust system is burned off- But not during normal operation. Blue smoke just isn’t good. A little upon initial start-up mat indicate valve stem seals leaking. That can be lived with for a while. Lots of blue smoke means the rings are shot – major overhaul time. Black smoke can be simple or complex.

If there’s a “Check/Service Engine” light on, try to take the vehicle to a larger auto parts store. AutoZone will typically download the computer codes for free.
An empty coolant reservoir indicates a leak or lack of maintenance. A FULL reservoir may indicate an attempt to cover a lack of maintenance. The coolant level should be at or near the hot/cold level mark.

Move the vehicle and look for fluids that have leaked & dripped where it was sitting.

Go with you gut, not your emotions!

By: Al F

Al F — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 13:03:59 +0000

I spent about 2-3 hrs reading this article and all comments. It gave me confidence in buying a used car now. Thanks all!

By: jmorran

jmorran — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:09:14 +0000

Great info on buying a used car here, but if you want more than just text – see what you’ll actually need to do to uncover the vehicles true condition, you should check out vhound.com. They show you exactly how to do each step so you can easily inspect a used car yourself.

Good Hunting
jm