Comments on: How To Buy a Used Car (without sipping lemonade)

By: Aunt Cloud

Aunt Cloud — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:33:02 +0000

Glad to find like-minded Subaru fans. Our almost-brand-new Outback is parked outside – very gently used, this year’s model, and I fully expect it to drive me to my kids’ university graduation (they’re in elementary school).

We also have a 2005 Corolla which was bought new, is lovingly maintained and carefully driven, and is not going anywhere soon. I’m still a little grumpy about having to buy a second vehicle because our workplaces have changed, kids are growing and have their activities, and taking public transit or biking to work are not always feasible.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:11:40 +0000

I havn’t bought used in years, but apply the same ideals to buying new. In 2001 we bought a new civic and as we got down to it, I told the saleman straight out if he didn’t come back with the price on the I wanted he’d see the back on my jacket leaving toot suite (however they did try for another $300 they didn’t push to hard) and in the end messed up as they couldn’t locate the colour, so they put us into a rental car, in 04 we went back and bought an Odyssey and used the same saleman as we where returning customers the sale went very smoothly. Now my daughter is driving that same little civic, and we bought an 09 ranger, for this I did look used but because the market was so soft it didn’t make sence to buy used when we could have new for almost the same price. This time I was hit in the face with add on’s including the dealership fees, stood my ground and and after about 3hrs I got the truck for a little less then the sale price, without any extra fees. So in short do your homework, research what you want to buy and be prepared to walk away…and you’ll find the process isn’t so bad!

By: Neal

Neal — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:48:48 +0000

My experience is keep the car until it has to be towed to a junk yard! I did this with a Mercedes 180 that I bought in Vancouver (it is not sold in the States) it was in the price range of a Chevvy. It had to buy it because my Plymouth totally disintegrated, and it was gutless, the upholstery was peeling off the ceiling and the front seat was broken. It burned oil and was gutless. I had a VW diesel that oil penetrated the overhead valves and once in a while it would belch a mass of oil fumes that drove other cars off the road, I did not stick around when this happened. Then I got “lucky”, it was totaled by a gravel truck, no one was injured but the car was a total loss. My current car is 15 years old and it runs great, a Subaru Outback. I figure that it will be around until it has to be towed to the junk yard someday. KEEP YOUR CAR UNTIL IT REALLY DIES!

By: Joan Jobs

Joan Jobs — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:24:07 +0000

I do buy used cars for convenience and of course I can save a lot of money. I always consider dealers or stores that are credible. It will be better if you will buy a used car from a person whom you trust. Nevertheless, there are many reputable stores and car dealers wherein you can buy a used car that looks and performs as a brand new one.

By: Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:08:56 +0000

Just go to Carmax, if your car has issues they take care of everything for you as long as you get their extended warranty. Then you have a huge company standing behind the car if something happens as opposed to a private party who wont pick up your phone if something happens after the sale.

By: Thicken My Wallet » Blog Archive » Effective negotiating strategies: using deal fatigue against you

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:55:41 +0000

[...] Deal fatigue is a term often used to describe negotiations which tend to drag on and, having lost all patience, one side or the other gives in. Deal fatigue is often a good opportunity for that most despised negotiation tactic- trying to renegotiate or slip in new terms at the last minute (as Squawkfox found out when buying a used car). [...]

By: Susanne

Susanne — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:53:48 +0000

I bought a used car from a small local garage. If you live in a small town, just ask around, you will find out who sells lemons and who knows their cars.
I have a 1992 Acura Integra with 225K on it. Though I’ve replaced the rusty drivetrain/muffler/fuel components, this car just keeps on giving. I’m only the third owner and I’ve put almost 100K on the car.

and yes, push the dealer’s buttons. Years ago I bought a Honda civic, the dealer wanted almost $10 000, I laughed at him, offered him 6 and walked away.
A week later he called to say the car was being moved off the lot and that I could have it for 6500.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:24:57 +0000

@Doctor S So sorry to hear about your car woes. Can you get a second opinion? Sometimes one mechanic’s “worst ever” is another mechanic’s “whatever”.

By: Doctor S

Doctor S — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:38:31 +0000

haha thanks for using my thoughts, I never thought they would come in handy!

I am in a weird pickle now, the car I bought 3 years ago has had some issues lately. One mechanic told me he has never seen more rust underneath a car in his life. I wish i did a better job of inspecting the underneath of the car when I first checked it out. I did not think to ask them “Can you guys get this car up in the air so I can take a look at the undercarriage?” Not sure how that would have flown with the dealership.

I hate cars.

By: Jude

Jude — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:34:02 +0000

Kerry-

My dad swears by the car buying process here: http://excarsalesman.typepad.com/

I haven’t tried it yet, but I might because it looks good. However, I’m probably not going get a car for a long, long time.

Jude K.