?What's the best place to buy a used car?

[Pakman]

I'm in the market for a used car. I was thinking about Carmax? Are their prices really no haggle or can you still haggle down a price?

 

[milehigh]

Carmax is a ripoff in my opinion.

Call your bank's loan department and ask them for the 'black book' values of the year, make, and model vehicle you're looking for.

Your looking for the following numbers:
Loan value
Average wholesale (or trade-in)
Retail Average
Retail Clean

You should pay somewhere between the average wholesale and the retail value of the car.

Carmax will always hit you on the high end and it could cost you and extra $500 to $1000. On the flip side of that they are about the fairest out there in terms of your trade-in but even then you will never get more than wholesale regardless what they tell you (most used car dealers start $500 to $1000 below that number!!)

Check out www.carbuyingtips.com

To answer your original question, I don't think it matters where you buy the car from (carmax, dealer, private party) just know what the car is worth before getting into negotiations and stand your ground if you know your numbers are right.

And see my sig below if you're in the Chicago area!!

Good luck!

 

[Pakman]

cool... thanx!

 

[DietDrThunder]

The best place to buy a used car is from an individual not a dealer. If you know what kind of car you are looking for, you can check out these links for the blue book value(what they are really worth), Kelly Blue Book and Nada. Then call your bank and ask what the loan value is on the car your interested in. Then start looking in your local newspaper or in the Auto Trader. Once you've found the car you want, have the owner agree to take it to a shop of YOUR choice for an overall inspection at your expense(should cost between $75 to $100). Have the mechanic check to see if this car has been in any major accidents, if there are any major or minor mechanical problems with the car, and have him make a list of any repairs the car may need. Depending on where you live, there may be a service that will come to the sellers house or place of employment and will do this inspection there. If this car checks out O.K., negotiate a fair price based on the blue book value minus any repairs that are needed.

 

[milehigh]

I think Kelly Blue Book is VERY overpriced (dealer friendly!).

I'm selling my 1998 Honda Civic. KBB.com gives it a retail value of over $14000!
Though I've seen these cars on dealers lots for $13900 that is most likely not what they are selling for. I'm priced at $11600 now and am having trouble selling it!!

Don't overlook a dealer's lot if they have the right car. It's just crucial that you know what the car is worth and what the dealer's got invested into it.

ASSUME that the person who traded in the car you are looking at accepted less that the true trade-in value of the car and make your offer to the dealer based on what you think that number might be. Most importantly don't be afraid to leave. I've had a dealer call me back and even offer to paint the car for me if I would come back and take the car at the price they originally refused!

 

[DietDrThunder]

With the used car market being so flooded with cars at this time, I'll have to agree with you. This is also why I really recommend buying from an individual. The seller has probably found out what the trade-in value that the dealer was going to give them and was completely shocked. Both the buyer and the seller can get a much better deal.