Tips for buying a used vehicle

[Tristicus]

So, I know ATG has had some experience buying used vehicles. It'd be great if some information you may have learned from past sales or deals could be passed on to people buying a used vehicle. Things about what to look out for, how to get the best deal from a dealership or private seller, what small things can be easily overlooked, etc. I know there are lists around the net, but perhaps there are specific things that they don't mention or that you have had good luck using (tactics) and getting the best deals possible.


Even as a floor salesman myself, I get nervous for some reason (probably a bit giddy), and tend to look over things if I go look at a used vehicle.

 

[kornphlake]

Figure out what you want first then go shopping. Salesmen will try and push you into whatever you test drive first, even if you don't like it.

Before going to the negotiating table make a list of the items you see that need repairing or are in less than excellent condition, write them down and present the issues with your counter offer. If possible bring your own print out of the KBB price.

Don't be afraid to walk away, another deal will come up next week.

 

[Tristicus]

Figure out what you want first then go shopping. Salesmen will try and push you into whatever you test drive first, even if you don't like it.

Before going to the negotiating table make a list of the items you see that need repairing or are in less than excellent condition, write them down and present the issues with your counter offer. If possible bring your own print out of the KBB price.

Don't be afraid to walk away, another deal will come up next week.

What if you found the vehicle you want, say a few hours away, and you travel to see it and it isn't exactly what you thought it may be? That seems like a problem for some looking for a specific vehicle with specific options and such.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do your research before going to look at cars.

Know what you want, what you can afford, be realistic but don't be a sucker, and above all else, know what the cars you are looking at are worth. Adjust accordingly for condition, look for complete service history, carfax report, check tire tread and estimate how much longer before you'll have to replace them.

Walk away if you don't feel you are able to make a deal you can be happy with.

It helps if you have multiple quotes on similarly equipped cars of the same model and year. Print this stuff out and bring it with you.

I was looking at 2008/2009 Mercedes-Benz E350's on Autotrader.com the other day and within 75 miles of me there are pages and pages of these cars for sale ranging from ridiculously overpriced to reasonably priced.

 

[ShawnD1]

Places that sell those Chilton auto repair manuals often sell a book about how to buy used cars. It's a book about how to look for damage, repairs, things that can be covered up, etc.

It might also be a good idea to search the internet for common problems specific to that car.

 

[Vette73]

What are you looking for? (generic like 2/3/4/5door?, sports, suv, etc...)

Do you do any work on your car?

What are 3 things that you like or want on a car. (like size, gas milage, power seats, etc...)

Anything that would be a deal breaker? (My wife made me find a CTS that did not have the wood interior, it was a deal breaker for her)

 

[Tristicus]

I'm meaning as in you've already found a vehicle or two you've narrowed down, and then the process of getting the best deal and looking for stuff really. Not someone just looking to buy a car and having done zero research.

 

[kornphlake]

What if you found the vehicle you want, say a few hours away, and you travel to see it and it isn't exactly what you thought it may be? That seems like a problem for some looking for a specific vehicle with specific options and such.

If you're traveling long distances to find the vehicle you want I suspect you're looking for something very specific and you're going to pay close to the advertised price. If the seller knows you've driven a long distance he'll realize that you're pretty serious about buying the car, at least serious enough to pay within a few dollars of the full asking price or it wouldn't have been worth the trip. If you are driving a couple hours for one car you've pretty much decided the trip is worth while even if you end up paying the full asking price before you even leave home. You're not likely to negotiate as hard because in your mind you've already accepted the asking price as a good value.

If you travel a few hours and the vehicle isn't exactly what you thought it would be you either buy a car that you don't want so you don't feel like the trip is a waste or you walk and the trip is a waste of time and money. If you insist on purchasing a vehicle that isn't locally available it's probably in your best interest to make several phone calls (text messages and email don't count) ask for specific pictures of specific parts of the vehicle that you are specifically interested in before you make the drive, possibly make arrangements to have the vehicle delivered to a third party mechanic for inspection before making the trip, giving a mechanic $60-100 is about what I'd pay in gas for a round trip to the next nearest big city, the mechanic may not save you money, but he could potentially save you some time if the car doesn't check out. Collectors of classic cars often make trips across the country only to be out bid by a few hundred dollars at an auction, it's the price they pay for their passion.

If you're looking for the best deal, you need to start by looking for a vehicle that is available from more than one seller. When many sellers are competing for few customers prices come down.