How to buy a used car... pl advise?

Question

I am still learning how to drive. But I will need a car so I can practice on it and use for short distances when I get my license. What features should I look for when buying a used car? How much will the cheapest car cost and which years model will be a safe bet??

ps- I do not know anything about cars! :(

Answer 1

OK a few things to check

1. tires are they bald or worn unevenly

2. Oil cap, take it off and look for moisture (will be white and milky if there is any) if you find any, RUN AWAY

3. Belts, are they cracked, if so have them replace it if everything else checks out OK.

4. Engine overall, make sure it's relatively clean, this is a sign it has been taken care of.

5. Little known fact, look at the brake pedal itself, if it's worn down, this car has either done a lot of city driving or the owner rides the brakes, try to steer clear of this.

6. GET A CARFAX if you can, has it been wrecked, it have a salvage title (insurance said it was a TOTAL LOSS at one time, NOT GOOD)

7. Make sure there is NO SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE (other than condensation)

8. DON'T BUY THE FIRST THING YOU LOOK AT, TAKE YOUR TIME AND FIND A CAR YOU REALLY LIKE!!

good car reviews here @ www.carsurvey.org

do your research!!!

Answer 2

I would buy a car from carmax.com

Answer 3

I have been in the car business for 22+yrs just call me when you get to the dealer or individual and I will speak to them and get the real values and ask you to check certain things.

Salesman to general manager of Lincoln mercury, I am sick of the riff raff and I now teach on speaking life into people.

I will do this for free! Its all about giving!

cell 970-218-8337/ hm 540-622-2651 My name is Robert Green and married 22 yrs with 2 children.

P.S. Take heed to the other answers they all have value, but you need a friend in your corner. Just say I have a friend in the car business I would like you to talk to before I make a decision.

Answer 4

Well, first off, it all depends on what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend.

Your best bet would probably be a Honda (Accord or Civic) or maybe a Toyota (Camry or Corolla). They're cheap, safe, get good gas mileage, are reliable, and you can get them repaired most anywhere.

One thing that you will want to look for is low miles. Cars with lower mileage will generally last you longer and have less wear on the engine, transmission, drivetrain, etc.

As for the year, the older the car, the cheaper it will be.

I highly suggest checking out www.edmunds.com for information on the car. It will give you a review and specs on car by make, model, and year.

To get an idea of the cars for sale in your area I recommend using www.autotrader.com.

If you have any more questions, just email me at [e-mail]

-Boater90

Answer 5

I guess you should also check insurance quotes for the car before buying one, for example here: http://carquotes.fateback.com

Youn1st time drivers usually have much higher rates than others. And it depends from car.

Answer 6

As you know cars come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes you get a cherry and sometimes a lemon.  Right now with gas being so high you may want to go for a smaller car.  One thing I did that helped me from getting into a bad situation was I called my one of my friends who was a mechanic to come with me to look at a car.  He saved me a lot of money, because the car had a problem in the wheel area.  I wouldn't have never known this if it wasn't for him, because like you I'm no so good with cars.   So one suggestion is  that if you have any mechanics in your family or family friends that you might ask them to look at the car with you.  Generally if it's family or a close friend they will tell you if something is wrong.

Answer 7

MSNBC had a news story on where is the best places to buy used cars. The used car dealers were on the BOTTOM of the list. They are pros at negotiations (and you and I are rank amateurs), they are pros at hiding problems on their cars, etc.

The private sales (newspaper, etc.) were the best places. The seller will not tell you all the problems, but they don't know how to hide them.

And a private seller are at MOST they are equal in negotiation skills to you and me.

===

My 94 Civic can get 41 MPG (and I was doing 72 for the mileage test - so I can do even better at 55). The engine + tranny + suspension runs like new. It ain't no beauty but it is rock solid. If I had to sell it, I would not get more than few thousand dollars. This is the kind of car you want to look for.

Just take your time, as good old used cars are cheap but hard to come by.

Good Luck...

===========

Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car

(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.

(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.

(3) test every button, k**b, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can).  Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc.  then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc.  Test the high beam, low beam, etc.  Test (flip) the visor.  Test the alarm.  Test all 4 doors.  Test the rear defogger.

  *****   TEST EVERYTHING.

(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up.  Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).

(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.

(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc.  It is normal to see some oil and grease.  But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.

(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something.  If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).

(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection.  He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious.  Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer.  They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com.  Just more expensive.

good Luck...