5 replies to this topic

[correamichelle]

1. When ever negotiating, keep in mind it's not always regarding price. Try for road tax, warranties, as well as full tank of fuel or set of carpet mats

2. When you are buying and selling, perform quite a few analysis about costs, but keep in mind you will not get what it is on the forecourt for. There needs to be a mark up, and also you are not responsible just like a dealer is for mechanical problems. Use Kelly Blue Book, keep in mind that it's a guide, not a bible.

3. If you do not feel comfortable negotiating costs or checking used vehicles for mechanical issues, consider using a car buying service.

4. Never purchase a vehicle that is being advertised as using a new coat of paint. It may have been in an accident.

5. If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, check to be sure any associated lien on the vehicle has been paid off by the seller.



Editied to remove links in signature

Edited by Chris V., 21 November 2011 - 01:01 PM.

[Elite_Deforce]

correamichelle, on 11 November 2011 - 04:30 AM, said:

1. When ever negotiating, keep in mind it's not always regarding price. Try for road tax, warranties, as well as full tank of fuel or set of carpet mats

Fuel in the tank? Carpet mats?

I thought you said used cars??

[2007DBR9]

To be fair, when buying a new car I would always ask for it to have at least half a tank of petrol in it. As a seller I would do this anyway as it shows the car has not been run on a shoestring!

An HPI check is a must, also checking for any overspray on the paintwork, checking all the panel gaps, and looking at the underseal on the bottom of the car as all can indicate repairs.

Check under the oil filler cap for sludge too as that is a very common symptom of head gasket failure.

Also (might be being a bit pedantic) I would be very wary of buying a used car with cheap / non matching tyres. That to me says that the owner skimps on maintenance and doesn't really care about the car.

[Elite_Deforce]

At the end of the day, the list of checks to run if you are looking at a used car is extensive whether it is dealer or private sale.

I came across this wonderful guide on rx7club by a dedicated rotarhead that is a good idea of what such a list would look like...

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

[Isorseovesy]

In it something is. Thanks for the help in this question, the easier, the better …




edit: removed advertising links

Edited by Chris V., 02 December 2011 - 08:35 AM.

[Cliffy]

Due to my budget, if a car is 'out of the red' in the fuel stakes, I'm ecstatic, lol.