Need insight on buying used cars

[yrba1]

In a couple of weeks, I'll likely be buying a car so I'm just wondering what factors to consider when observing the current state of a vehicle. My parents are those people who judge the book value by its odometer and freak out over high mileage vehicles but I'm well aware that relatively high mileage cars with a good maintenance history are better than low mileage cars with questionable maintenance.

What factors should I consider when looking at a used car that's worth purchasing? All I got so far are listening to the sound of the engine while driving and stopped, clean filters, leaks, routine oil changes (preferably 3000 miles), and faulty parts.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Take it to a trusty mechanic and have him check it out.
A cylinder compression check is a great idea as well.
3000 miles doesn't necessarily mean much of anything. Ford recommends 10000 between oil changes for my truck. I usually go 5000 if driving on dirt roads. Clean oil matters more than the mileage on it.

If you can't take it to a mechanic, drive it for a while. Not just around the block. Hit some open highway and go through the gears at running temperature. Make sure it shifts well.
Listen for misses and exhaust leaks. An exhaust leak can bend valves.
Have a friend follow behind you on the highway. It's important that the vehicle tracks well. A bent frame is bad news.
while back there they can also check for excessive exhaust. Especially at acceleration. Not good either. Either one of these and keep looking.

I'm sure you'll get more good advice here.

Good luck.

 

[RhodyRams]

Absolutely have a mechance check it out.

Pull the dipstick out..make sure the oil is clean.

Crawl underneath if possible. .look for any signs of abuse. .dented oil pans..wired up exhaust etc.

If you can't have a friend drive behind you like @Dodgersrf suggested, see if you could follow behind the owner while he drives it

 

[Dodgersrf]

Absolutely have a mechance check it out.

Pull the dipstick out..make sure the oil is clean.

Crawl underneath if possible. .look for any signs of abuse. .dented oil pans..wired up exhaust etc.

If you can't have a friend drive behind you like @Dodgersrf suggested, see if you could follow behind the owner while he drives it

Also smell the oil on the dipstick. It shouldn't smell burnt. If it's burnt it wasn't doing its job.

 

[LazyWinker]

What are you looking for? When I shop for cars I figure out what I want and go from there. If it's something that retains it value well and it's in your budget consider buying new.

 

[Mister Sin]

I buy and sell quite a bit, odometer absolutely matters for bargening, right or wrong, it's gonna effect the resale. That's 1. If your paying cash, then it's up to you to judge if it's to much for that money. I use a local bank and deal directly with them instead of financiers. The bank certainly wants to know the mileage.

If they say they recently replaced anything, ask for receipts. Did they do it, did a certified shop do it or was it a shade tree job?

Get on the Internet and look up the biggest issues with that years drivetrain. Ask if those issues have been dealt with. ie. A 6.0 Powerstroke is a great torque making motor, but if the head studs haven't been changed and they haven't deleted the EGR your asking for problems. Just things like that are important to me.

Also, last but not least. Don't fall in love with a low price. You often get what you pay for.

 

[Mister Sin]

I should elaborate on the mechanic thing I said. Shade tree, or driveway work is not necessarily a bad thing. I couldn't tell you the last time I paid someone to work on my truck. I would rather do it myself, it allows me the option to purchase high end parts and still save a bundle. But...I trust me. I don't trust anyone I don't know. So don't just assume it's bad or good. Just use it as a bargening chip.

 

[yrba1]

What are you looking for? When I shop for cars I figure out what I want and go from there. If it's something that retains it value well and it's in your budget consider buying new.

Nothing special, I prefer used cars 2005 or later. Particularly a sedan, been looking mainly at Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi. If you have any good recommendations, I'm open to listening.

I buy and sell quite a bit, odometer absolutely matters for bargening, right or wrong, it's gonna effect the resale. That's 1. If your paying cash, then it's up to you to judge if it's to much for that money. I use a local bank and deal directly with them instead of financiers. The bank certainly wants to know the mileage.

If they say they recently replaced anything, ask for receipts. Did they do it, did a certified shop do it or was it a shade tree job?

Get on the Internet and look up the biggest issues with that years drivetrain. Ask if those issues have been dealt with. ie. A 6.0 Powerstroke is a great torque making motor, but if the head studs haven't been changed and they haven't deleted the EGR your asking for problems. Just things like that are important to me.

Also, last but not least. Don't fall in love with a low price. You often get what you pay for.

I'll be pulling an auto loan from the credit union. I'll definitely look at the notorious issues on certain models. I'm not necessarily looking at low price, just something that could last me a good 5 years or more between $3000-$8000 without paying a king's ransom on repairs.

 

[Mister Sin]

Most lenders that I've dealt with have gone off of NADA value when purchasing from a private party. So don't let some fool try to get you on some KBB bull shit. Craigslist is amazing man. Good luck to ya

 

[yrba1]

Most lenders that I've dealt with have gone off of NADA value when purchasing from a private party. So don't let some fool try to get you on some KBB bull crap. Craigslist is amazing man. Good luck to ya

My credit union (Schools First FCU) is open to financing with private sellers, I've been looking mainly at Craigslist for a used car.

 

[Mister Sin]

Then I would be checking NADA values. KBB over prices shit in a bad way and makes people think they have gold mines. It gives you an idea of where u should be. You may get lucky and find someone trying to sell for immediate cash, they tend to negotiate better. If someone doesn't need to or want to sell, they are typically stingy. A buddy of mine got an 03 Ram 1500 with a 2" lift and new 35s on Mickey Thompsons with all LED tented lenses for $2500. Really good deal cause the guys wife was about to have a baby that week and they needed it gone. Good luck man

 

[Legatron4]

Mazdas are nice reliable cars. 2006 or earlier. I had one and it ran great. Sold it to a family member and still runs solid with 115000 miles. As long as it's taken care of the car will be fine. Toyota Camrys are nice. They're a little more expensive but totally worth it. Corollas, eclipses, civics, Mazda 3 or 6, Rav 4 or anything like those are recommended. They won't give you problems and will run you a long time. Find something with 70k miles on it and you'll be fine.

 

[LazyWinker]

Nothing special, I prefer used cars 2005 or later. Particularly a sedan, been looking mainly at Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi. If you have any good recommendations, I'm open to listening.

I'm not a sedan guy. I did drive a Camry for a weekend While my truck was at the dealer. It was the easiest to drive vehicle I have ever driven. I kept thinking it would be a great car for an old folk because it's so easy to drive.

 

[snackdaddy]

I bought a couple new cars over the years. I won't do that again. You overpay for new cars. I would rather buy one between 1 and 2 years still under warranty. You save thousands and still get a good car.

 

[Ramhusker]

I've always been lucky finding cars about 4 or 5 years old with 40k to 6ok miles on them. Many of these are leases. The good thing about most leases are they have fantastic maintenance records and most people that lease really try to take care of vehicle because they don't want to pay penalties when turning them in. A vehicle with low mileage isn't always a good thing. It may mean it was in the shop often, or sat for long periods of time. (worst thing in the world for a vehicle in my opinion) A carfax isn't a bad idea either. I've found vehicles for sale with mileage rolled back with carfax that I otherwise wouldn't have known about. Carfax used to have a package that you could run as many queries as you wanted for 30 days. If you are ready to buy, 30 days is plenty of time to find your ride. Good luck man.

 

[yrba1]

I've always been lucky finding cars about 4 or 5 years old with 40k to 6ok miles on them. Many of these are leases. The good thing about most leases are they have fantastic maintenance records and most people that lease really try to take care of vehicle because they don't want to pay penalties when turning them in. A vehicle with low mileage isn't always a good thing. It may mean it was in the shop often, or sat for long periods of time. (worst thing in the world for a vehicle in my opinion) A carfax isn't a bad idea either. I've found vehicles for sale with mileage rolled back with carfax that I otherwise wouldn't have known about. Carfax used to have a package that you could run as many queries as you wanted for 30 days. If you are ready to buy, 30 days is plenty of time to find your ride. Good luck man.

Interesting take, my parents bought a Mini Cooper two years ago that was formerly leased (had 40,000 miles at the time) and now it's currently having some serious maintenance issues. Luckily they're under repair warranty but it's made me really skeptical about buying or leasing used cars without a detailed analysis on its anatomy inside and out.

As for Carfax, I'll definitely look into it with the unlimited reports deal, and it's actually 60 days

 

[Rmfnlt]

One word: CarMax

The last new car I bought was in 2006.

Since then, I've bought 4 cars from CarMax, ranging in age from same model year to 4 years old. Mileage varied from a low of 4K to over 40K. Not one bit of trouble with any of them. Their prices are fair (in line with NADA and Kelly Blue Book) and the transaction is painless.

My GF has also bought 2 cars from them and no problems.

Now, my sister bought a used Mini Countryman from them and no problems.

I dunno.. just me... but I would never buy a car from someone I did not know who had no support behind them... watched too many People's Court shows.

Best of luck!!

Oh, one last thing... Consumer Reports. If you don't subscribe, maybe you know someone who does. Lots of info on brands and reliability.