Tips on buying a used car

Dinthug · 03-26-2008, 10:32 AM

Alright, I'm looking to buy a 2006-2007 Civic. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to just get a baseline civic, Hybrid or an Si; but I know I'm going to end up with a Civic.

I'm not sure if I want to deal with ebay, everyone's telling me not to deal with used car salesmen and try looking for a private seller in the newspaper or papershop nearby but it's going to be hard finding someone nearby that has the model, price, year, paint etc. that I'm looking for. I want to see the vehicle, drive it and have it inspected by my mechanic before I buy it, but how am I going to do that if I need to go 1-2 hours away just to check the car out? I don't mind driving the distance to check the car out myself, but I work 6 days a week so unfortunately I don't really have a lot of time to play with.

How am I supposed to accurately price a car? Should I pay the kbb value or be looking for less? If I do deal with a used car salesmen, how should I go about it? If the car is in less than perfect condition, how should I figure out how much I should take off the kbb value (minor things like scratches, dings, less than perfect interior, etc.)? Any tips would be appreciated.

kegkilla · 03-26-2008, 12:21 PM

kbb is pretty accurate... with some models it can be off but with new civics it'll be pretty spot on. i wouldn't expect to get it for less than the kbb, since thats what most sellers go by too.

not sure how you're gonna manage the mechanic thing, never done anything like that. though i'm fairly sure you could buy the car, then get it inspected and if theres anything wrong with it threaten to sue if he doesn't take it back / pay for any repairs.

Dennadyne · 03-26-2008, 12:32 PM

I'd just buy from carmax if you don't want the hassle. They aren't the best prices but they also don't mess with you like most salesmen do. That and if they don't have the exact model you want, you can have one shipped from elsewhere in the nation for a pretty reasonable fee.

Use KBB for pricing the vehicle and then take a look at carmax. I *think* they basically do a kbb and tack on their profit $. Maybe someone else here on the boards knows more about it but /shrug.

edit: oh and I could be wrong but don't most states have a law that says you have like 48-72 hours to reneg a car purchase? I think we have 72 hours here in Fl

Tolanin · 03-26-2008, 01:13 PM

My car atm is used and its run fine for like 6 years so I am happy (its a CLK320) My first car was a used nissan sentra and it was a little rice burner but always got the job done and ran fine. Im a big fan of used cars since cars in general depreciate so quickly you can really save alot of money and get a type of car you might not have been able to afford otherwise, plus most modern cars are built well and last alot longer than they used to.

My advice would be to have a mechanic you know inspect the car, before you buy it if possible.. ask the dealer to get you a carfax report as well. Im not sure on the inspection thing but I would try to get it done before you buy it, buying it and then trying to return it seem like you are just asking for trouble... any dealer who isnt shady as fuck and trying to scam you should be willing to let it get inspected.

I wouldnt worry to much about price, kbb is a good guideline but unlike with new cars the biggest thing to focus on when getting a used car is that you dont get fucked. Dont let the sales guy pressure you into buying it that day.

Daerath · 03-26-2008, 06:19 PM

It's as simple as this.

Do you want to buy from a dealer or from a private citizen?

If you want to buy from a dealer, try to find one that also sells vehicles you like. I'm a fan of Acura, so if I were going to buy a used car I'd go and buy a used Acura or Honda since they're the same company.

Carmax is a good bet as well.

If you want to buy from a private citizen, only consider those who let you get the vehicle inspected at your own mechanic. If they won't, walk away.

Regardless of where you buy your vehicle, make sure you see a Carfax report for that vehicle (and compare the VIN on the report with the car to make sure they aren't trying to trick you).

Twobit Whore · 03-26-2008, 06:36 PM

And make sure you get a CarFax report. Most dealers will give you a free one, a private citizen will not and you will have to get the VIN and pay 30 bucks for it.

Infemous · 03-26-2008, 11:29 PM

Just got myself an 05 Civic EX SE Coupe for 13k from a dealer a few weeks ago. I paid for a month's worth for Carfax in case something shitty came up and I wanted a different car(worth it), checked KBB, test drove it for an hour, and whatever else I'm forgetting. Tis quite the sexy ride. The newer design for the 06 and up are just...too round.

03-26-2008, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dinthug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 753	Tips on buying a used car Alright, I'm looking to buy a 2006-2007 Civic. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to just get a baseline civic, Hybrid or an Si; but I know I'm going to end up with a Civic. I'm not sure if I want to deal with ebay, everyone's telling me not to deal with used car salesmen and try looking for a private seller in the newspaper or papershop nearby but it's going to be hard finding someone nearby that has the model, price, year, paint etc. that I'm looking for. I want to see the vehicle, drive it and have it inspected by my mechanic before I buy it, but how am I going to do that if I need to go 1-2 hours away just to check the car out? I don't mind driving the distance to check the car out myself, but I work 6 days a week so unfortunately I don't really have a lot of time to play with. How am I supposed to accurately price a car? Should I pay the kbb value or be looking for less? If I do deal with a used car salesmen, how should I go about it? If the car is in less than perfect condition, how should I figure out how much I should take off the kbb value (minor things like scratches, dings, less than perfect interior, etc.)? Any tips would be appreciated.

03-26-2008, 06:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Daerath Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,026	It's as simple as this. Do you want to buy from a dealer or from a private citizen? If you want to buy from a dealer, try to find one that also sells vehicles you like. I'm a fan of Acura, so if I were going to buy a used car I'd go and buy a used Acura or Honda since they're the same company. Carmax is a good bet as well. If you want to buy from a private citizen, only consider those who let you get the vehicle inspected at your own mechanic. If they won't, walk away. Regardless of where you buy your vehicle, make sure you see a Carfax report for that vehicle (and compare the VIN on the report with the car to make sure they aren't trying to trick you). __________________ Lukas: it is, he used his own logarithms that he wrote for the shadow system in doom 3 which was simply not needed. Eomer: logarithms huh? Fuck you are an idiot. Lukas: algorithms, sorry mr english teacher Kan: lol that goes beyond misspelling thats just plain retardism Lukas

03-26-2008, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,189 -14 Internets	And make sure you get a CarFax report. Most dealers will give you a free one, a private citizen will not and you will have to get the VIN and pay 30 bucks for it. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

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03-26-2008, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
kegkilla Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: killadelphia Posts: 2,519 -205 Internets	kbb is pretty accurate... with some models it can be off but with new civics it'll be pretty spot on. i wouldn't expect to get it for less than the kbb, since thats what most sellers go by too. not sure how you're gonna manage the mechanic thing, never done anything like that. though i'm fairly sure you could buy the car, then get it inspected and if theres anything wrong with it threaten to sue if he doesn't take it back / pay for any repairs.

03-26-2008, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dennadyne Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 396 -1 Internets	I'd just buy from carmax if you don't want the hassle. They aren't the best prices but they also don't mess with you like most salesmen do. That and if they don't have the exact model you want, you can have one shipped from elsewhere in the nation for a pretty reasonable fee. Use KBB for pricing the vehicle and then take a look at carmax. I think they basically do a kbb and tack on their profit $. Maybe someone else here on the boards knows more about it but /shrug. edit: oh and I could be wrong but don't most states have a law that says you have like 48-72 hours to reneg a car purchase? I think we have 72 hours here in Fl

03-26-2008, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tolanin h8 Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,365 -34 Internets	My car atm is used and its run fine for like 6 years so I am happy (its a CLK320) My first car was a used nissan sentra and it was a little rice burner but always got the job done and ran fine. Im a big fan of used cars since cars in general depreciate so quickly you can really save alot of money and get a type of car you might not have been able to afford otherwise, plus most modern cars are built well and last alot longer than they used to. My advice would be to have a mechanic you know inspect the car, before you buy it if possible.. ask the dealer to get you a carfax report as well. Im not sure on the inspection thing but I would try to get it done before you buy it, buying it and then trying to return it seem like you are just asking for trouble... any dealer who isnt shady as fuck and trying to scam you should be willing to let it get inspected. I wouldnt worry to much about price, kbb is a good guideline but unlike with new cars the biggest thing to focus on when getting a used car is that you dont get fucked. Dont let the sales guy pressure you into buying it that day.

03-26-2008, 11:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Infemous Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Location: Location: Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 38 -1 Internets	Just got myself an 05 Civic EX SE Coupe for 13k from a dealer a few weeks ago. I paid for a month's worth for Carfax in case something shitty came up and I wanted a different car(worth it), checked KBB, test drove it for an hour, and whatever else I'm forgetting. Tis quite the sexy ride. The newer design for the 06 and up are just...too round.