All of the online automotive channels. A willingness to look within a 1000 mile radius has served me good. Like the other poster state a willingness to travel can net you a positive but buying used is a gamble period. No way around that. I've traveled far before only to find out the vehicle (motorcycle at the time) wasn't what it was advertised at. I have no idea if it will be worth the paper its written on but I'm paying for a $3300 mechanical breakdown contract. If your vehicle is expensive or hard to service that could be an option. Otherwise skip the extra cost. I just went from central MO down to Dallas TX last month for the Navigator. I engulf myself into OEM brochures & manuals to learn about vehicles I'm interested in. Seems to help understand what to look for too when it comes time to look at it. Obviously, buying local is much easier & may be worth the added cost since there is less travel expense if it doesn't work out.
Where/How Do You Buy A Used car?
- Thread starter amateurbob
- Start date
My Fiancee and I have had a couple houses get sold before we can take a look at them... she said " we may have to make an offer before seeing the place"
my reply was along the lines of "I know people buy cars- sort by cheapest, sight unseen off the internet- but I'd rather not with a house"
to which she replied " it might be the only way with our work schedules"
We MIGHT get one day off together per week, and she works 4a-12:30p, me 7:45a-4:15p... we work together... but she's currently living 45 min away, and in bed by 6pm.
I REALLY want to get an inspection before we make an offer ( My Nephew is a licensed inspector, and he'll do ours for free)
Fort Thomas- Where I bought my C43 (Mercedes-Benz of Fort Thomas); I had driven up a few weeks prior to look at another C43 but it sold just before we arrived. I developed a relationship with a salesperson so when another C43 popped up that I really liked I immediately called and placed a deposit on it.
Chicago- 318ti Club Sport; Munich was only building 200 of them- a friend and fellow BMW Car Club member who was a salesperson at Fields BMW called and told me she had a few open build slots. She was even able to get it built without the supposedly optional sunroof.
Cincinnati- 1. My wife decided that she wanted a 318ti and I knew a salesperson at the BMW Store who told me one was inbound- so I put down a deposit.
2. Mazdaspeed 3; in July 2007 that car was hot and Cincy had the nearest dealer (Kings Mazda) that didn't play the asinine games that the Louisville dealers were playing.
3. M235i- I saw it online, knew the GM at BMW of Cincinnati North and drove up and bought it.
Memphis- M6; my wife and I were visiting friends in Memphis and I dropped by the Roadshow BMW. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to take a test drive. The rest is history.
The 318tis and the Mazdaspeed were purchased new. The C43 and M235i were CPO. The M6 was a four year old one owner car with a full dealer service history but with no warranty. I flat didn't care.
Ya know the '15 Subaru I recently worked on (with 97k mi) was given to the lady. She worked home healthcare and some clients gifted it to her.
ANYWAY, my last purchase was used at a dealer. I never used to be that guy but private party has gotten worse. Plus on something like a 2nd Gen Tundra the market is tight. Sometimes the best you can hope for is $500 to $1000 difference. Dealers have set hours, clean the cars and don't flake on meeting you. You also don't have to meet in front of the PD for fear of a dealer jacking you.
I have sold cars to other BITOGers.
A lot of you may remember “Project Corolla.”
My sister drove the car for 34 months and 17,863 miles.
She experienced zero breakdowns. I did replace the starter due to a solenoid issue, but this was something I noticed before it became an actual reliability issue.
The car was sold to another BITOGer. I will let him identify himself if he chooses to. I think the car served its intended purpose and I hope it serves its new owner well.
My sister drove the car for 34 months and 17,863 miles.
She experienced zero breakdowns. I did replace the starter due to a solenoid issue, but this was something I noticed before it became an actual reliability issue.
The car was sold to another BITOGer. I will let him identify himself if he chooses to. I think the car served its intended purpose and I hope it serves its new owner well.
Actually that reminds me a lot of dealership sales people list on MP as though they personally are selling the vehicle. Of course if you contact you find out they just work at a dealer.
I find that disingenuous.
Private party is hard because flipping is now a profession and if they land on FB marketplace the good ones(price/car) get snagged up . It’s sheer luck you connect, communicate and meet quickly with someone. You also can’t ask too much and have to show up and expect to be disappointed.
Every car unless really lucky has work lurking . Expect at least a couple thousand there. I bought a FB $4900 beater and needed $1000 out of gate.
Every car unless really lucky has work lurking . Expect at least a couple thousand there. I bought a FB $4900 beater and needed $1000 out of gate.
People there are dying to sell their cars.
My good FB marketplace find was priced higher and guy was stubborn on price drop selling sons Acura ILX. I overpaid by $1000+ and needed $500 work during Covid with some suspension that would not pass NH inspection and also topping of AC Freon.
The car has been absolutely flawless and inexpensive to maintain. Not a single issue outside brakes and maintenance in 4 years from 90k - 148k at present. I uses a thirsty for size/power 2.0 CRV related motor coupled to simple 5 speed auto.
In short fancy Civic that is super cheap to insure unlike Civic.
The car has been absolutely flawless and inexpensive to maintain. Not a single issue outside brakes and maintenance in 4 years from 90k - 148k at present. I uses a thirsty for size/power 2.0 CRV related motor coupled to simple 5 speed auto.
In short fancy Civic that is super cheap to insure unlike Civic.
You need to always be looking and be ready to pounce on a deal. That’s how you can find great deals. Extending the search radius to several states also helps.
I like the idea but I have no idea how to do that--I stopped going to the one shop I had been using and haven't gotten around to figuring out who to use going forward. Plus it was always a case of dropping off my car the night before, I would think getting an inspection is something I'd have to book a week in advance, unless if things are slow.
Yup, and have cash sitting around in a safe place when you're shopping so you're not limited by ATM limits on weekends/ holidays.
It is a great idea however if a in demand car an agreeable seller becomes harder. Anything Euro it’s easier and required step as they rarely have demand used.
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My '18 2500 that I traded in was sight unseen and so is my new to me 3500. eeeeeeeeeee
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
I’ve bought three used cars and two used boats. The first boat was from a newspaper classified. This was in 1991 so there was no other avenue. The second was 2017 off Craigslist. My three used cars were Craigslist (2021) and 2X Facebook in 2024. Two of the three were dealers. The Craigslist one was curbstoning but the FB one advertised as such. The other FB car was my Rustoleum Scion that was owned by a corporation.
Craigslist is almost dead now, but there are a lot fewer scammers.
Craigslist is almost dead now, but there are a lot fewer scammers.
