with all of these car talks lately which is.....

[Wduaqnug]

best method to buy used car. Car Auction? EBay ? newspaper?


I always had worse luck with newspapers always owner would hide some kind of big mechanical failure

 

[fastz28]

Only buy used cars where you (or your mechanic) can check it out first.

 

[Joyride]

Even though the price might be a little higher I would only buy a used car from a new car lot

Ya know what I mean?

 

[Ornery]

Newspaper ad from private individual would be most likely choice. First choice would be to buy from a friend.

Buy a car with a known good reputation. If you want a car that was only driven to church on Sunday by a liitle old woman, you're going to have to buy an old folks type car. If you're buying a "sports car" it WILL have been abused... count on it!

 

[Wduaqnug]

i am not looking for sporty looking something reliable and decent ok looking nothing expensive its my first car i wanna spend most 3k

 

[Ornery]

$3,000.00, sporty, reliable with no "big mechanical failure". Not asking much, are ya? :Q

You can rule out most big mechanical failures with a test drive. I believe quite a few of the newer economy cars use a fiber timing belt instead of a chain. Those have to be replaced periodically or they could cause a big mechanical failure! I'm not sure how you would determine the car you're buying does or doesn't need that done. If you buy a car that uses one, you probably ought to figure on replacing it no matter what. A $3,000.00 car is probably going to need a LOT of things done. Tires, battery, brakes, exhaust, steering linkage, shocks or struts, tune up, paint and body work...

I'm with you on buying used cars cheap, but I count on doing repairs. I prefer RWD, V8, body on frame because their parts are cheap, easy to find and easy to install. If you buy a used "economy" car, chances are the economy aspect of it is gone by the time it's only worth $3,000.00. To me, the boulevard cruisers are more economical at that point.

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Only buy used cars where you (or your mechanic) can check it out first. >>


Don't forget about carfax...

 

[Zenmervolt]

<< $3,000.00, sporty, reliable with no "big mechanical failure". Not asking much, are ya? :Q

You can rule out most big mechanical failures with a test drive. I believe quite a few of the newer economy cars use a fiber timing belt instead of a chain. Those have to be replaced periodically or they could cause a big mechanical failure! I'm not sure how you would determine the car you're buying does or doesn't need that done. If you buy a car that uses one, you probably ought to figure on replacing it no matter what. A $3,000.00 car is probably going to need a LOT of things done. Tires, battery, brakes, exhaust, steering linkage, shocks or struts, tune up, paint and body work...

I'm with you on buying used cars cheap, but I count on doing repairs. I prefer RWD, V8, body on frame because their parts are cheap, easy to find and easy to install. If you buy a used "economy" car, chances are the economy aspect of it is gone by the time it's only worth $3,000.00. To me, the boulevard cruisers are more economical at that point. >>

Actually, a lot of cars a switching back to timing chains instead of belts. Belts became prevalent because they were quieter than chains, but as chain technology improved, belts no longer have as much noise advantage so companies are moving back to chains. Still, most late-model cars will have timing belts.

$3,000-$4,000 can buy a pretty decent car, actually. My car is currently worth about $1500 if I sold it to a private buyer, but all it needs is some minor bodywork to patch a small (maybe 2 square inches) in the floorpan. A mid-1990's Civic should be easy to find in good condition for $3,000 to $4,000. You will have to look HARD though. I generally plan on a minimum of three months to find a vehicle worth buying. There are exceptions when you find something right away, but it almost always takes a lot of time. There are a few key things to remember; never rush, never buy a car that they won't let you test drive, and never, never, never buy a car without having a mechanic check it over 100% (unless you're buying a project car and intend to work on it).

ZV

 

[Cyberian]

At least consider a ~95 Escort or a ~94 Prism.
Not sporty, but decent fairly dependable transportation.
You should be able to find either one for under $3K.

Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[RossMAN]

<< Newspaper ad from private individual would be most likely choice. First choice would be to buy from a friend.

Buy a car with a known good reputation. If you want a car that was only driven to church on Sunday by a liitle old woman, you're going to have to buy an old folks type car. If you're buying a "sports car" it WILL have been abused... count on it! >>



Bingo.

3 years ago I helped my sister buy her first car, a nice 1990 Toyota Corolla with 67,000 miles in GREAT shape for $5,000 from a college student, it's funny how the seller found us. I placed a "WTB" (Want To Buy) ad under the Toyota and Honda sections looking for a Civic or Corolla. She called me saying she ran across my ad just as she was about to place her own "for sale" ad.

My first choice would also be to buy from a friend but you'll probably find the most private party results from your local newspaper's classified ads.