How safe is buying a car off Craigslist?

[Geocentricity]

Some of these cars are ridiculously low priced.... are most of these safe bets?

What are your experiences?

 

[Kirby64]

If you get to drive it and make sure he has the proper paperwork(IE: He actually owns it)... I don't see why not.

 

[alkemyst]

The ones that are too good to be true will usually try to have you western union them a deposit prior to seeing the car (which you will never find).

Outside of that it's no different than buying any used car if you only pay after you have inspected and verified title on it.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Test drive it and take it to your mechanic for an inspection.

 

[V00DOO]

Have a qualify mechanic do a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Depend on the type of car PPI should cost between $75-$150. Also do a carfax.

 

[miketheidiot]

i can't believe the people trust anything they find on craigslist.

 

[aceO07]

Let me know how it goes. I might consider that route too.

 

[Stifko]

find out if the seller is a dealer or not, and try to get an idea of who is selling the car on the phone. I avoid car dealers on cl, but you can find good deals from private sellers imho. try to see if the car has been on for a long time and reposted over and over and in different areas.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
i can't believe the people trust anything they find on craigslist.

craigslist has saved me tons of money. I got a brand new aeron chair for $375. not to mention i sold about $1k worth of electronics and furniture, w/o getting raped by ebay or paypal or shipping

it works, you just need to be careful, as with anything

 

[summit]

trust everything but the personals on craigslist. i just scored a f150 king ranch edition off craigslist cause the poor guy couldn't afford the gas

 

[Scarpozzi]

Cash and carry on CL is just as risky as anywhere else.

Just make sure you get legitimate paperwork (ie. proper seals/no forgeries) and check the vehicle for bloodstains and coolant leaks.