I’m looking into getting a Honda Civic. Besides using Carfax.com and taking the car to a trustworthy mechanic, is there anything else that I can do ?
What are some tips that I should us when shopping for a used car?
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Test drive it.
A high mile car also doesn’t mean is worst then a lower miles cars since most high miles car are because of freeway travel…and thats better then low mile city driving because the engine doesn’t have to deal with constant reving there for is more relaxed.
take it for a drive and see what you think, or take some one with you who knows about cars
dont buy one with worn or wearing tires. check them out
while test driving. try trashing it a bit……(tight turns….accelerations…..locking the brakes……and listen for abnormal sound while you do so.
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 or by calling Carfax toll-free at 888-422-7329.
Have it inspected by a professional LOCAL(!) company in your area like this one: http://www.anti-lemon.com
You might want to read some used car buying guide. Here is a very useful link:
http://searchautoreviews.com/results.html?cx=006616979543893323550%3A3aew_r12l8e&cof=FORID%3A10&q=used+car+buying+guide&sa=Search+reviews
I think you have covered all of your bases. Now it’s time to choose a reputable dealership, like a Five Star one!!!
In addition to what you already stated, I would do a personal evaluation of the car. This can significantly help with decision making because it will expose the vehicles condition, upkeep, and value. It also will help you save money by eliminating cars with obvious problems, verses taking 3 cars to a mechanic. The program is free and was originally developed in 2003, but has gone through many updates. It has 7 printable checklists, so you can keep a record of each car and review the reports later if you get confused about which vehicle had what options.
Sometimes if you look at 5 or 6 cars, they all start to run together in your mind, so you might forget which one didn’t have a spare tire, or which needed tires. I hope this helps and you can email me with suggestions or questions. Good luck!