Is it better to look for car in Private Sale or Dealer?

Question

is it worth buying at Private Sale and just call up a Vehicle Inspection Company for check up (Australia - RACQ, NRMA) or to a dealer?

Answer 1

dealer. because the other cars might be stolen under finance. no warranty .with a dealer you have comeback if any of the other things were wrong. plus you can have piece of mind

Answer 2

This is for USA but I think it applies everywhere.

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.

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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...

Answer 3

PRIVATE SALE.  Then just find yourself a trusted mechanic... Dealerships, I think are exactly what people call them... "STEALERSHIPS".

Answer 4

USA ---- Used car dealers in some states have to by law offer warrantys if a car costs over a certain amount of money and also is under a certain age... If the car is real c**p you have legal recourse ---------- On the other hand private people can lie, lie ,lie about a condition of there car and if it something fails your out of luck.... Yes there certainly are dishonest used car dealers but I am actualy more leary of the dishonest public more..... ----- I hate to sound mean spirited but regular non dealer car sellers are the worst bunch of liars I have ever met. They know you cant touch them for not telling you theres a defect in a car..............

Answer 5

Private sale is the best way to buy a car, and the smartest! If you are wanting to trade your old car in to buy an upgraded one they will usually say your old car is worth close to nothing so that when they sell it they can get about $3000 more for it. My friend bought a new car last week from a honda dealer and she wanted to sell her car and he was prepared to pay her $1000. She sold it privately for over $4000. The Redbook car site is worth having a look at. It provides you with information on how much cars which you may be interested are going for.

This is from Australia

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/ind...

Answer 6

I am a car enthusiast and usually buy and sell 5/6 cars a year.

first, know the make, model and extras you want in a car, this also includes colour you want, then look for only those models.

Check local papers, internet and car sales in your area for price,

average for private and  retail.

Ok, say the vehicle you want has an average of $9000 for private and $12000 for retail

Find the cars advertised close to your home, and inspect them, if you have any mates who are good with cars take them with you, the more people going over a car, the more faults you will find.

Don't hesitate in asking to take the car for a drive, (If they wont let you drive, or offer to take you for a drive, walk away.)

Take a jack with you , (if you don't have a good trolley jack, buy one, it's the most useful tool you will ever own.)

you need to see underneath for oil or coolant leaks, also check metal components for scraping or trapped grass etc,(Signs that it has run off the road or been in an accident.)

Check tyres for even wear, especially on the front, at this price the vehicle should have a service history and low ownership, (1 or 2 owners.)and be under 160,000kms.

Check paint and trim thoroughly, especially watching for slight differences in colour from panel to panel, or over spray on rubbers around doors or windows.

If everything checks out, and he wants $9,300, discuss having an inspection and make him an offer subject to that inspection, (bad result, deposit back or re-negotiate the price.) then offer him $7000, wont accept less than $8500 go to $7500, never pay the asking price!

Don't overlook car sales either, they often trade on models they don't deal with at prices better than private.

As the RAA in my City takes up to 5 days to inspect a car, I won't accept a deposit and tell the buyer if someone buys it before the inspection, it's their loss! (No one has ever waited for the inspection, but have bought it on the spot.)

If this happens find a local garage that he doesn't use, (No bias.)and have them do an inspection as soon as possible.

usually same or next day.

And never, but never be in a hurry, it may take weeks to find and negotiate the car you want.

Never give in unless it's just too good to lose, if you can't reach an agreement on price, give him 24 hours to think about your offer, leave him with your number, if he rings, he may attempt to negotiate your offer up, refuse, tell him that's all you have!  If he's phoned you, he's ready to accept your offer.

out of my last 50 cars, I have always got the vehicle at my price, using these techniques.

There will always be cars for sale, often, you will move on from one you missed out on and find the next car even better, never get enthusiastic about a car your inspecting, if someone gets all excited about a car I have for sale, I wont negotiate, they will pay whatever I want!

Believe nothing, I once had a guy come to my house 5 days in a row increasing his offer by $50 each time, finally I felt sorry for the guy and sold it for $300 less than I wanted, a week later he drove passed my house with LPG fitted and a brand new set of mag wheels on it!

You are in charge, you have the money!

Answer 7

Hi,

Old question1

Trust no-one.

It's your money, it's their car.

Your money can buy anything. Their car can buy nothing.

You are not buying their car, they are trying to buy your money.

If you go there thinking that you are going to drive away with your car, you are totally screwed. You have fallen in love with a car that you know nothing about.

Now, do you want to find your car.

Well, don't work for it. Make it work for you.

What am I talking about?

OK

When you go to look at a car. Think about this.

I don't love this car, it is a hunk of iron that I am going to pay good money for, money that could be spent better elsewhere. Cars cost money to be repaired, what repairs are needed.

I'm a mechanic, I have a feel for these things. Perhaps you don't.

Call your friends, call your parents friends, call everyone and ask them who is the best inspection person. Hey, I don't know your local.

In other words, if you don't know what you are doing,go to your local Christian Pastor and ask for his recommendation. He should be more interested in people than money and profit.

Answer 8

At a dealership they have to figure in lot fees and commissions as well as profit.

That does not mean you necessarily pay more for the car.

A private owner wants top price always.

Dealers get them cheaper so the price could be the same.

As for honesty.  I sold cars for six years.  Now God forgave me so you have to.

I can tell you that I was lied to a lot more than I ever thought about lying.

a salesman knows little about the used cars they sell and can't tell many lies about them where the owner never wants to ad mitt the annoying habits of their car.

If buying late model it shouldn't matter much but if financing consider the payment of a new car can be lower than the shorter higher interest used car.  You can literally buy a new car for the same monthly as used.

And that leads to more of the story.  Email if you want to hear more.

I'm going back to the states soon and will probably go with a 2008 Hyundai Sanata because the trunk will hold my wheelchair and there is a $3000.00 rebate.  Believe it or not there are even new 2007 models out there.  $3000.  2009 just two thousand.

Answer 9

They both have good and bad points, Private sales are usually cheaper, but its a case of what you see is what you get. Dealerships are more expensive, but you can usually get a warranty and if you ask you can often get something extra, whether it be an accessory or registration for no extra cost.