1st time used car buyer, what should I know?

Question

I'm planning to buy a used car perhaps under 10k, what should I pay attention to n is there any good website for shopping used car? ThX.

Answer 1

Have a trusted mechanic go over any car before you commit to anything, get a carfax on any car you decide on before the sale, Auto trader.com is a decent site

Answer 2

carfax - you can get history of any car that you have a VIN number.  It will tell you some basic things such as number of owners - if it looks like the odometer has been messed with. If it has been in an accident (perhaps - I guess it could have been and not show up on carfax).

There is a cost - but if you are spending $9,000 or so, what's another $25 or $30.  Get the "unlimited for 3 months" or whatever it is unless you find the one car you will buy.

Drive the car both in town and on the highway.  See how fast it can accellerate getting on the onramp - worse than you would normally drive, just to make sure.

Does all the accessories work - all lights, door locks, open all the doors/windows, radio, wipers, etc.

ASK the seller abouts its history - do they have any knowledge of it being in a wreck, flooded (don't buy if it has been in a flood), maintenance record, number of owners, etc.

Take it to a trusted repair shop and ask them to look it over. If it is one you already use, they might do it for free.  Other will run diagnostics on it for $100.00 or so.

Look on web for reliability issues with the car of your choice.

If you find what you like, check bluebook value.  Look for simular car at other used car lots.

Answer 3

Kick the tries and if nothing falls off you're ok..

Answer 4

Pay attention to the engine, the tires, the interior seating, take a test drive and check out the handling, speed up a little and then brake, making sure they work, check all the lights (exterior), and make sure all the dashboard lights work. check the oil, and fuel mileage. You should get a Carfax report. As long as the car works fine for you and you don't have any problems, you're good to go.

A good site for used cars is Carmax.com

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Do a carfax report on it!!!! It really is worth the money...

Answer 6

Find a friend or someone you trust to help you look. The smell of the car is very important ( mildew) don't buy it.

Check the engine oil and if auto trans check the trans oil

trans oil should not be brown in color and should not smell burnt if it is don't buy it. Buy a standard trans they are most often in good condition check the clutch does it grab near

the top of the pedal if so it may need a clutch. Make sure the engine is cold, start the engine and listen. Does the engine

run smooth or does it miss or run rough, are there any knocking noise's if so don't buy it. Look under the car is the under side rusted or in good condition. Look at the tires are they wearing on the inside or outside are they under inflated.

if so it may need some suspension work. The body any rust

or bubbled up spots look at them carefully rust is always worse than it looks, always. Drive the car does it pull to the side does it accelerate smooth ,does the steering wheel vibrate or shake back and forth. When braking does the car lunge or brake smooth any grinding noise. Check all equipment for proper operation windows,lights etc.If you have driven cars at all you may have experienced some of these problems. Carfax can help some but it does not say a whole lot. Do not buy a car that is modified engine wise it most often shortens the life of the engine. Common sense I can't say enough about that. Japanese is your best bet a family car is your next best bet. Also if your gut tells you no listen to it don't  let someone talk you into anything.