Ever had a bad experience buying a used car/motorcycle?

Question

Trying to figure out what the odds of buying another lemon are. thank you for your answers!

Answer 1

I have had too much bad luck with small lot dealers and used lot dealers. I would suggest that you go to a offical dealer. For example, Ford, GM, Toyota. Get yourself a new or at least a certified used car with a warrany. You might look at the price at first and say ouch. If you buy a used car and 6 months down the road you have problems, then you will be saying OUCH! Nothings worse than a broke down car that you are still paying on and can't get out of. If you are deciding to buy a used car from a small dealer, I would suggest a buy here, pay here dealer. They don't check your credit and accept a down payment, such as $1000 or $2000. You pay about $50 a week. If you decide to get out of just return it, it does not hurt your credit, but the downside is that you will lose all the money you have invested.

This is my personal story on a car I had financed at a small dealer. It was about 1997 and I found a good looking 1988 Grand Am SE. It drove great and look nice inside and out. I gave $3000 for it and thought it was a great deal. About 3 months later the head gasket blew and found out the head was warped. I had the head work done and it cost me $1800. The head caused the short block to weaken and it had to be replaced as well. This cost me about another $2800 with labor. So the great deal I thought I was getting actually cost me about $7600. I could have gotten a better car from a dealer at that price.

So be careful and remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for".

Answer 2

I bought a used car about 15 years ago. Didn't know the engine block was crap until the 50 weight oil (xtra thick) they had put in eventually burned-off.

Nowadays, with the help of computer chips you can check to see if anything major is wrong but it is still a crapshoot. If you have some friends in the automotive business, ask them to take a look with you. Or ask if you can take the car to have it checked before you buy it; if the answer is "no" I think I'd look elsewhere.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Too many times to list, both myself and many customers I dealt with at my shops (Auto and Motorcycle). Buyer beware!!!! You sometimes get what you pay for. I will link you a site Kelly Blue book.
Great place to start when looking to see how much things are worth.
When in doubt, you can take any vehicle you are looking to buy to a local show to do a general ===>....Pre-purchase inspection. Should cost you $55-85. It WILL save you $$$$$ in the long run. If someone says they will not take it to the shop....YOU choose, there is something wrong/ fishy with that vehicle. If you are looking soon, or now, go out and ask your local shop, some local gas stations have shop attached. Ask how much they charge for a PRE PURCHASE Vehicle inspection. Compare it to other shops. DO NOT go a shop the seller wants.....EVER. Good Luck to you! Check out the link below!


>......Jimmi

Answer 4

YES!! A 1966 SCOUT, The seller lied to me about the Motor in it and had to have it rebuilt> $350.00 Dollars!!! Buyer Beware!!! The best way to avoid this is take it to a Mechanic for an evaluation before you purchase it!!!! I learned the hard way!!! I won't get burned again GOOD LUCK and HAPPY TRAILS.....

Answer 5

i have only bought one used car, and it was a very sour lemon!
what i suggest is to drive the car, not just around a block , but for atleast 15 miles in one direction,,,,,,,,, while that might not show up all problems, it sure will some
what happened to me was the old "there isnt much gas in this thing" i should of went to the gas station and got some and drove it more
the little test drive went fine,,,
bought car, got it home, on next drive it overheated, brakes were no good,,,,,,, etc etc

Answer 6

yes a cadillac