Trying to purchase a small suv?

Question

My car got hit about a month ago and the other persons insurance said my car was a total loss....go figure anyways i have a newborn and a 12 year old and basically I'm looking to purchase a small suv something between $4-5.000..but it's really hard for me to find anything on the streets...I'm looking for an independent seller no dealers. Does anybody know of a website with just independent sellers? I'm in California and i really need to get me a vechicle...Please help...Thank you

Answer 1

You should look at the on line auto trader or Craigslist. The wise thing to do would be have a car savvy friend help by going with you to check out potential vehicles. Before purchase have your choice checked out by a mechanic. Some comments made by another about clean oil or a clean engine hiding something do not mean anything. If someone were to check my oil, it would be clean as are all my engines. It just means I maintain my vehicles.

Answer 2

You already decided to go with private sales.  GOOD!

The answerer said Craigslist. Also good.  So here's some info you can use on buying a use car.

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...

Answer 3

98-99 Nissan Frontier or Pathfinder

Answer 4

craigslist