Whats the best way to buy a used car? I want to buy a car in the price range of $1000-$2000.
2006-08-14 03:17:11 · 5 answers · asked by tell all your friends 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
Don't rush into anything. Do your homework first and research the cars your looking at. Get a blue book price for the car your interested in. But also look in your local papers & eBay to see what they actually are selling for.
Do a carfax report on the car once it is picked out. This will tell you if the car has been in a accident, how it was titled, etc. You don't want to find out later that the car was salavaged or a old service vechicle that seen lots of hours on the road or just idling.
Take this info with you when you go look at the car. This way you have some leverage for bargining or at least know if they are blowing smoke up your butt.
See if the seller will let you take it to a mechanic or if you know somebody that you feel confident about their mechanical aptitude take them with you to look over the car.
For that price range I would probable look at buying from a private owner & not a dealer. The odds are your not going to get much of a warranty and you don't need to be paying for a salespersons salary.
Don't rush into anything either. Remember there a bunch of other cars & trucks out there. If the seller has goodies on the car like rims, stereo, etc. Remember this stuff is used to. So it's their problem what they paid for it, not yours. So they put a stereo system in 8 years ago that cost them $1000 plus. That same item isn't worth that now.
On a final note a car in that price range your going to find things wrong with it. Even if it is a bunch of little things, they all added up to one big price to get fixed.
2006-08-14 03:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by acidcrap 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a mechanic who actually fixes cars to go with you. If none of your friends fit this description go hire one, that will cost you far less than it will cost to fix a lemon of a car.
Some people keep a car spotlessly clean but ignore the important mechanical maintenance.
Used car lots are good at cleaning them up to look better than they are.
If you are lucky you will find a car that is being sold by the owner and by looking at their property and talking to them you will have a good chance at knowing if the car was cared for properly other than having a wash and wax.
Try to find a car that is owned by someone in a small city, big city cars tend to be driven harder due to all the stop and go.
I wish you luck
2006-08-14 03:59:03 · answer #2 · answered by Harley Charley 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Avoid a car over 10 years old. Though they are cheaper, the rubber bushings and weatherstripping will be decaying, and other parts will be failing as well so you'll end up paying much more in repairs. If you don't care what you drive just find something with some cosmetic damage (scratches in paint, dents), but no structural or mechanical damage. Check ebaymotors.com and you may find something cheap. Good luck
2006-08-14 03:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
AVOID 10 YEAR OLD CARS???????? WHAT A HORRIBLE ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!
I BOUGHT A 15 YEAR OLD HONDA ACCORD AND DROVE IT 20,000 MILES WITH NOTHING BUT OIL CHANGES BEFORE SELLING IT A YEAR LATER. PAID $900 FOR IT AND IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST CARS I'VE EVER OWNED.
THERE ARE MANY 10+ YEAR CARS THAT ARE VERY RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE. HONDA CIVIC FOR EXAMPLE ARE GREAT TOO. LOOK FOR 1988-1990 HONDAS OR TOYOTAS. THEY USUALLY GO FOR LESS THAN $2000.
2006-08-14 03:29:40 · answer #4 · answered by Laff 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you can get a used car at champion for $1500
2006-08-14 03:28:34 · answer #5 · answered by Roxy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋