benn q


I’am buying my 1st car. It’s going to be a used car. Can anyone tell me what to look for so I don’t end up with something that will stop working after a few days?

6 Responses to “Any tips for buying a used car from a dealer or private?”

1. Amber on May 7th, 2009 7:38 am

   Either way, strike a deal with a seller that allows you to take it to an outside mechanic and have it looked over. If they don’t want to allow you to do that, there’s probably something wrong with the car.

   That being said, you need to find a mechanic you can trust, so ask around to family and friends and see who they recommend. It’ll cost your a bit to have the assessment done, but it will save you money in the long run.

   Also, check your local laws. Some places require that a vehicle be emission tested before you can register it and it’s best if the seller already has this done (it’s valid for 30 days from the date of the test). And it’s always best to buy a vehicle that’s been safetied, since that may also be a requirement to register your vehicle (and it’s just a good idea to save money and know the car’s reliable). Beware the vehicles that are selling ‘as is’ as there is usually something wrong with them.

   The rest depends on how much you’re willing to spend, obviously a newer car is probably more reliable than an older car, so figure out what to spend (and what insurance is going to cost you) then shop around to see what’s out there. Don’t feel pressured to buy the first thing you see and test drive as many cars as you see fit. Be sure to test drive them on a highway as well as city streets so you can get a good feel for the car.

   Good luck!

2. hdfw j on May 10th, 2009 12:16 am

   look at this one

3. smooch on May 10th, 2009 3:57 pm

   Pay cash, don’t overpay. Look at interenet sites to get a feel for the value of the car before you mention price. Don’t let emotions guide your decisions.

4. gill on May 11th, 2009 9:54 pm

   You also should compare car insurance quotes for different cars before buying one, for example here – carinsurance.yoll.net

5. ~ Floridian`` on May 14th, 2009 12:50 am

   Look around to see what you like, check consumer reports or other rating system, have an actual mechanic check out your choice before buying and shop around for financing & insurance well in advance.

6. Jr. on May 14th, 2009 1:35 am

   PRIVATE SELLER. sorry didnt mean to yell. a dealer will try to rip you off then find cop outs if anything goes wrong….they will lie or do anything to get you to buy a car, Especially considering the economy. With private sellers you have a 99% chance of getting more truth than a dealer. ** Cars and trucks sold by older or elderly people ** they are more likely to have taken care of the vehicle and be honest.Test drive the vehicle first, and i cannot emphasize ow important it is to take somebody who cares about your well being AND knows cars along with you to check them out. Craigslist.com is a good place to start. kbb.com is another. Good luck and use your common sense……Make sure to ask “what have you replaced on this car in the last 3 years?” thier answer will tell you problems that the car has had and may have problems with in the future. if they say “not a thing” they MIGHT be lying

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