Not (yet) in the market for a used car, but probably some day not too far off will be looking for a 2nd car. Thought I'd start a thread to throw in what I've learned from my own experience, and also gain some new knowledge from the contributions of others. So to start things off, here's what I've learned (through mostly good experiences, and one major mistake which was my previous car) - these are no particular order of importance:
- don't rush the buy. The only mistake I ever made when used car shopping was when I was between wheels and let my impatience get the better part of me. Regardless of how badly you feel you need something right now, you have to check it at the prospective buyer's door.
- decide your price range, and shop within it. This is probably second only to the first tip in importance. Also take into account the likelihood that any used car is going to need at least some work (most seller's decide, at least partly, that they are going to sell anywhere up to a year or two before they put the car on the market; once that mindset has set in, if something 'should be' repaired or maintained, but doesn't need to be for the car to continue running, there's a good chance it won't be).
- once you've established your price range, and added in some headroom for licensing and registration, plus some likely repairs (hopefully minor ones if you've approached the sale right), look at the adds for your area to see what the hot sellers are in your price range. Be realistic and take the above into account. Once you've determined what your budget can buy, start trimming the list by determining what you want from this car. If fuel efficiency is a big factor, eliminate the gas guzzlers. If you need something for hauling equipment around or towing, eliminate the candidates that aren't up to it. By the time you've finished you should have a reasonable handful of models from specific model year ranges to consider. Now's the time to do the homework on that model; not after you've contacted the buyer or gone to look at it - by then you're either too rushed or its too late to properly research this car. Aside from running your potential candidates through the usual sources for reliability ratings, recalls, and known issues, you should also find the car's forum. Every popular car (the kind of thing the ads are going to have lots of) has its owner forum. See what the owner's are saying, though take everything there with a grain of salt. You may see a lot of questions about a variety of issues, but keep in mind most people only post on these sites when they have a problem they need feedback on. But by the same time, if the biggest threads and majority of the posts are about one or two serious issues, its probably not a good sign. Read some posts as this is where you'll find the least biased information about the car; the people who are on these sites are owner's, the enthusiasts, the modders, the DIYs.
They tend to be pretty candid with each other. Look at the tone of their posts - do they seem like otherwise happy owners, with no major issues; or does it resemble more a self-help group for owner's so frustrated that the forum looks like a group therapy site, or place for them to voice their displeasure. Based on this, you can scratch a few more and then you're armed with the info you need to begin the hunt, including common things to look for and ask about.
- never look at a used car at night, or in poor light. Darkness and shadows conceal, or understate, not only minor blemishes and dings, but also signs that a half-baked accident repair was done, as well as rust and corrosion.
- the more you're spending the more extensively you should be looking the car over. At a minimum, this would include a full walk around to visually inspect every inch of it, getting on the ground to have a peak at the exhaust system and everything else you can visually inspect; a thorough look under the hood to inspect all fluid levels (and conditions (a good indicator of not just potential problems, but how well its been maintained), and a look under the oil fill cap.
- make sure your test drive includes some highway and WOT acceleration (doesn't have to be from a dead stop). Some potential problems only show up under heavy acceleration or at highway speed (weird engine noise; shaking or vibration felt in the wheel; rattles; etc).
- treat the seller as though you're interviewing him for a job. Don't be afraid to ask about whatever crosses your mind. This should include whether or not he's (or her) is the original owner, only driver, where the car is serviced, does he have his service records, can you look at them, etc. Pay attention not only to what he says, but how he says it and his body language. Look for signs of defensiveness or evasiveness. If he's either, there is more to the picture than the inspection and test drive has revealed.
- Never appear eager. No matter how much you want the car, never show any sign of it. Treat the potential sale as though the car's value needs to be proven to you, and so far its missed the mark. This will show in your body language, and is not just good as a negotiating tactic, but is more likely to get the seller to start revealing some details he's up til now left out (best adopted after the test drive); he will think you've discovered something wrong with the car, and if explanations are going to come, this is when you're most likely to get them.
- Always trust your gut. If at any point you get a bad feeling about the car, or a bad vibe from the seller, walk away. Your car is out there, it just isn't this one.
-Spyder
- don't rush the buy. The only mistake I ever made when used car shopping was when I was between wheels and let my impatience get the better part of me. Regardless of how badly you feel you need something right now, you have to check it at the prospective buyer's door.
- decide your price range, and shop within it. This is probably second only to the first tip in importance. Also take into account the likelihood that any used car is going to need at least some work (most seller's decide, at least partly, that they are going to sell anywhere up to a year or two before they put the car on the market; once that mindset has set in, if something 'should be' repaired or maintained, but doesn't need to be for the car to continue running, there's a good chance it won't be).
- once you've established your price range, and added in some headroom for licensing and registration, plus some likely repairs (hopefully minor ones if you've approached the sale right), look at the adds for your area to see what the hot sellers are in your price range. Be realistic and take the above into account. Once you've determined what your budget can buy, start trimming the list by determining what you want from this car. If fuel efficiency is a big factor, eliminate the gas guzzlers. If you need something for hauling equipment around or towing, eliminate the candidates that aren't up to it. By the time you've finished you should have a reasonable handful of models from specific model year ranges to consider. Now's the time to do the homework on that model; not after you've contacted the buyer or gone to look at it - by then you're either too rushed or its too late to properly research this car. Aside from running your potential candidates through the usual sources for reliability ratings, recalls, and known issues, you should also find the car's forum. Every popular car (the kind of thing the ads are going to have lots of) has its owner forum. See what the owner's are saying, though take everything there with a grain of salt. You may see a lot of questions about a variety of issues, but keep in mind most people only post on these sites when they have a problem they need feedback on. But by the same time, if the biggest threads and majority of the posts are about one or two serious issues, its probably not a good sign. Read some posts as this is where you'll find the least biased information about the car; the people who are on these sites are owner's, the enthusiasts, the modders, the DIYs.
They tend to be pretty candid with each other. Look at the tone of their posts - do they seem like otherwise happy owners, with no major issues; or does it resemble more a self-help group for owner's so frustrated that the forum looks like a group therapy site, or place for them to voice their displeasure. Based on this, you can scratch a few more and then you're armed with the info you need to begin the hunt, including common things to look for and ask about.
- never look at a used car at night, or in poor light. Darkness and shadows conceal, or understate, not only minor blemishes and dings, but also signs that a half-baked accident repair was done, as well as rust and corrosion.
- the more you're spending the more extensively you should be looking the car over. At a minimum, this would include a full walk around to visually inspect every inch of it, getting on the ground to have a peak at the exhaust system and everything else you can visually inspect; a thorough look under the hood to inspect all fluid levels (and conditions (a good indicator of not just potential problems, but how well its been maintained), and a look under the oil fill cap.
- make sure your test drive includes some highway and WOT acceleration (doesn't have to be from a dead stop). Some potential problems only show up under heavy acceleration or at highway speed (weird engine noise; shaking or vibration felt in the wheel; rattles; etc).
- treat the seller as though you're interviewing him for a job. Don't be afraid to ask about whatever crosses your mind. This should include whether or not he's (or her) is the original owner, only driver, where the car is serviced, does he have his service records, can you look at them, etc. Pay attention not only to what he says, but how he says it and his body language. Look for signs of defensiveness or evasiveness. If he's either, there is more to the picture than the inspection and test drive has revealed.
- Never appear eager. No matter how much you want the car, never show any sign of it. Treat the potential sale as though the car's value needs to be proven to you, and so far its missed the mark. This will show in your body language, and is not just good as a negotiating tactic, but is more likely to get the seller to start revealing some details he's up til now left out (best adopted after the test drive); he will think you've discovered something wrong with the car, and if explanations are going to come, this is when you're most likely to get them.
- Always trust your gut. If at any point you get a bad feeling about the car, or a bad vibe from the seller, walk away. Your car is out there, it just isn't this one.
-Spyder
