I have 20, I just got my license. You’ve never had a car before and I was wondering how I can buy a used car without getting ripped off. Also, what is the best way to get a safe and sure not going to put in the hole. All the help I can get is greatly appreciated. I only work part time and I have the luck to get 40 hrs. instead of 2 weeks. So I need a car that is reliable and cheap.
Can anyone give me some tips on buying a used car?
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where are you? i mean which country?
Take any car you are considering to a trustworthy mechanic and have him check the vehicle over for you before you buy it.
check the kelly blue book value. That should give you a good idea of the price. Next test drive it and take it to a mechanic for a compression test. Befor you buy it do some research on it. I almost bought a 2000 cougar but these cars have all kinds of problems so i didnt get it. Just know what you are buying and make sure it comes with a warenty.
As for insurance, get several different quotes from different companies & pick the lowest. As for car questions & pricing, this is the best car website on earth:
look for blue or black smoke coming out of the exhaust.
look underneath the car for any fluids that might be leaking. If you don’t see any fluids, make sure the car hasn’t been moved recently.
Look for frame rust under the car. a car with a rusty frame should never be bought. Look on the drivers side when looking for a rusty frame, it gets more exposure to the elements and tends to corrode faster.
Check the exhaust as well, a rusty exhaust can be costly
When looking at the engine, look at how clean it is. Listen for grinding sounds when it’s running. Look for smoke. Look at the hoses to see if they are old and cracking.
Do the tires have good tread and are they in good condition?
Never count on the person selling the car to be honest with you. If you don’t know what to look for yourself, have a reputable mechanic look at it.
Also, never lie about the price you paid for cheaper tax purposes when transferring the paperwork. You can get screwed if you ever have to take the seller to court.
provide us with how much you have to spend, but as a starter car i recomend honda civic maybe a 2001 or 2000, they wont cause you trouble plus there very reliable you wont be in the shop for very long and a 2000-2001 honda civic will go for approx $4,000 i think? and its gas efficent
..take somone with you when you look at a car..pref a mechanic..NEVER go alone…ring a few insurance companys FIRST befor you look for cars,,they will let you know how much a certain car group insurance will be..no piont buying a lamborgini if you cant insure it?
Look at the Honda and Toyota line of vehicles, they are very reliable and great on gas.
Whether you buy a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:
Examine the car yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car.
Test drive the car under varied road conditions – on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
Ask for the car’s maintenance record. If the owner doesn’t have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.
Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history.
Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
You can find out a used car’s history, which is a must if you’re buying a used car that is not certified, by logging on to http://www.carfax.com
There is a complete used car buying guide here:
http://thestealership.com/usedcarguide1.html
check it out… should answer all your questions.
Well I used to work for Carmax it’s a used car place, not sure where you’re from, but this company is amazing and has a pretty good amount of locations. I have bought two vehicles from them, (I upgraded from one to another) They are online at carmax.com check them out, they don’t do haggling for prices and they are very thorough with checking these vehicles out and making sure they are dependable.
Get a check list of the things to consider when buying a new car. Here is the Used car buying check list.
http://janatanews.com/2008/jan/what_to_do_when_buying_an_old_car.php