Looking for used car buying tips & car selection advice

[JCH13]

This. Seriously, OP. Consider a used Prius. They have very high satisfaction rates out of any vehicle. Also, they have great fuel economy and emissions. Perfect for city driving too.

If I was going to shell out up to $15k for a car, needed something with good gas mileage, and was doing significant city driving: Prius the whole way. But, I wouldn't buy from a dealer. :/

I'd stay away from the diesels. They have worse smog emissions.

Why not?

 

[WackyDan]

If we were going with a new car, I'd want 8-10 years out of it, 5-6 year old used I'd keep till its at 8-10 total years.

You'll easily get 8 -10+ years out of a new car and even if you don't keep it 10 years you'll have better resale value out of it.

 

[kitatech]

I got my 05 Camry with 100k miles and expect it to go another 10 years/100k...well, I will keep it going as long as repairs don't kill me 1st.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

UPDATE:

Did plenty of research and found 5 comparable Civics (trim, mileage, year, color, etc) from local dealers. Went and test drove a couple and ended up buying the third one. Got a CPO Civic with 30k miles for $13.6k, less than $15k including TTL, so no money down for us, so I'm pleased.

Since I had trade-in prices (average and clean) + Edmunds TMV & Black Book retail prices I got some aggressive pricing. First offer was 4k below off window, then we basically met in the middle. I don't know what they bought it for, so they likely turned a decent profit, but I didn't pay any more than I wanted to and got a car I wanted (CPO to boot!), which leaves me happy.

Thanks for the help & suggestions.

 

[Mermaidman]

Congrats on achieving your goal.

I must say I kept returning to this thread because "Wonderful Pork."

 

[Wonderful Pork]

You'll easily get 8 -10+ years out of a new car and even if you don't keep it 10 years you'll have better resale value out of it.

I agree that a new car will get 8-10 years and have a better resale. A major factor in the decision to go used was that she isn't an experienced driver. I didn't want to spend the cash for a brand new car and have her get in some minor fender benders in the next year or so which would hurt resale more. We'll probably drive this car into the ground unless we need to move to something larger when we start a family.

So, we opted for a used car, since it already has its share of "weathering" and won't need to be treated with kid gloves.

Congrats on achieving your goal.

I must say I kept returning to this thread because "Wonderful Pork."

Thanks! Wonderful Pork was the name of a menu item at the local Chinese place in college. I don't think I ever ordered it, but the name stuck so I used to when registering here.

 

[TridenT]

Why not?

Dealers are >= shady as private owners. Seriously. I've gone to big name dealerships that sell thousands of cars every year and their used car sales tactics are just as shit.

One guy was like, "oh this xyz, blahblahblah. Perfect car etc." I just did simple things like smell and testing the heater... Heater was broken. Car was being covered up in every freshener and cleaner imaginable, but the smell was unresolvable. Bunch of shit like that, man. They are pretty bad. :thumbsdown:

Private owner; cheaper and easier to see through the bullshit. Most of private sellers don't have a professional shop at covering up mistakes.

 

[JCH13]

Dealers are >= shady as private owners. Seriously. I've gone to big name dealerships that sell thousands of cars every year and their used car sales tactics are just as shit.

One guy was like, "oh this xyz, blahblahblah. Perfect car etc." I just did simple things like smell and testing the heater... Heater was broken. Car was being covered up in every freshener and cleaner imaginable, but the smell was unresolvable. Bunch of shit like that, man. They are pretty bad. :thumbsdown:

Private owner; cheaper and easier to see through the bullshit. Most of private sellers don't have a professional shop at covering up mistakes.

I am sorry the car dealer you went to had a shady salesman or two.

I have had plenty private sellers lie to my face too.

There are several good dealers, large and small, that I have dealt with. To lump all dealers into one group and never go to any dealer for a used car is irrational. To pass your paranoia and prejudice onto others is downright irresponsible.

I'm not saying all dealers are great. I'm not saying all private sellers are dick-heads. I'm just suggesting that you use a little common sense and not write off every dealer because you had a bad experience at one or two.