Buying a Used Car - Need Help.

[brannock_16]

Hello Everyone,


Today I am going out to all the used car dealerships in Boise and finding a car. With that in mind (and since I know next to nothing about mechanics) what should I be looking for when I am considering a car?


Here is what I have been thinking:


Visual inspection - make sure there are no major defects, leaks, etc.


Listen to start up and idle of car - make sure there is no knocking, rattling, vibrating, etc.


Feel for smooth ride - make sure there is no vibrating, listing, pulling, etc.


After test drive, open hood and smell for any burning smells.


Ask dealer about any incentives to purchase from them, after purchase care (from dealership), etc.


Is there anything else that I am missing? I just want to make sure that I get a reliable, solid car that won't crap out on me in a couple months. This is the first car I have ever purchased, and as such don't want to get hustled!


Thanks in advance,


Robert

 

[jlemoine2]

Hi Robert,

You'll want to do a brake check on your test drive. The brakes may feel okay when just putting around, but giving them a good emergency stop test will let you know if they are in good shape, or if they will need some maintenance. When checking the brakes, also try and feel if the rotors are out of whack, you'll feel a slight throbbing in the brake pedal.

You'll also want to check the tires, AC, heat, all the vents are blowing air, and the vent control knob (dash/floor) redirects airflow properly. It would also be a good idea to check brake, signal, and head lights. Some of these things may not deter you from buying the car, but at least you'll know what kind of nickel and dime stuff you'll be facing.

In the end, make sure you dicker on the price. Most of the dealers, especially the smaller ones, will have their prices jacked up a bit.

 

[returnofsid]

Once you've narrowed it down to one you like, spend the money to take it to a dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. Take it to an actual dealership, NOT a used car lot. As an example, if you've narrowed it down to a ford, take it to a ford dealership, honda...honda dealership. They'll do a pre-purchase inspection, letting you know almost everything wrong with it. This can cost between' $60.00 and probably $100.00 but is well worth it!

Use www.kbb.com when comparing prices and negotiating with the car lots. I like to push to use http://www.edmunds.com/used-cars/ because it's an actual true market value, but car lots won't use it. However, YOU USE IT, to determine the true market value of the vehicle, in your market area. This will be valuable, when negotiating.

 

[Eggs]

+1 on using kbb.com for pricing.
Depending on your time frame for purchasing, Consumer Reports comes out with an annual car issue usually in the Spring. There's a section on good used cars by price range, and used cars to stay away from.

 

[UFreefer]

Have someone start the car while you check to see if any smoke comes out of the exhaust and rev the engine hard to check again....This will check to make sure the piston rings and valve seats are in good shape not allowing oil blow by.

Also check to see how all of the doors close and meet up to the frame to check for bad bodywork. If one of the doors doesnt close easy as it should that's a good hint that its been in a wreck.

Drive the car fast enough to check for brake rotor "shuddering" at initial braking to check for warped rotors