Your first USED car! Who helped you purchase it?

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Hyperglide

Hyperglide

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Hyperglide
Well when we all start out in the automotive world we aren't exactly the Socrates of car knowledge, wisdom, and experience. It takes a lot of time to become a used car buying guru.

I am in this position and very close to purchasing my first car, as I got enough cash saved to do that. However I fear of buying the proverbial 'lemon.' I don't know many people who know about cars to take with me (as others have suggested) to a car dealer, and i'm almost paranoid to buy privately (to much hassle with mechanics inspection, VIN checks, car records, etc.). I almost know enough on my own, but I still feel I won't be prepared enough to be confident i'm getting a car that will last me past a month, a week, hell even a DAY!

I'm also very excited, but I don't want to mess this purchase up and rush into it (it's not like going to buy a pack of gum). I've done research, about the type of car i'm going to get. But regardless of that each and every used car has it's faults and all need to have the same general check up and run around.

Does anyone have any tips for a new used-car buyer to help.

Who helped you? What suggestions did you get?

Thanks, GTPlanet!
 
Hyperglide
Who helped you?
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No-one. And since I bought my first used car in 1996 I've purchased fifteen total, pretty much representing the entire spectrum of automotive makes, though I've never owned a Chrysler product, a Korean car, or a Japanese-brand luxury car (Acura, Infiniti, Lexus)

Hyperglide
What suggestions did you get?
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Everyone told me "listen to M5Power."
 
My Dad helped me buy my first 6 cars. I bought my girlfriend a Continental on my own. I bought my last car('03 Cobra) on my own. In the next few months I'm buying another car my own.

Whatever car you end up getting, just check it over really good, and have a mechanic do the same. Also do a ton of research on the type of car beforehand.
 
I plan on buying my first car, well, as soon as I can find a good one that fits my taste.

I really want a '92 MX-3 GS...first year, rare emblems. I'd like a dark blue one, or a silver one. Colors I really don't want are red, black, or white.

I'll have my dad help me with the purchase just because, well, he's the Mazda Master tech, he knows what goes wrong and what to look for. That said, I really don't care if the engine is trashed because I plan on doing the 1.8V6 to 2.5V6 swap, having a trashed engine would make me less depressed about removing a perfectly fine engine. :)

I should mention that of the 35+ cars my family has bought over the many years, only 1 was bought new(an '80 Corolla hatch, kept till '96).
 
Josh
My Dad helped me buy my first 6 cars. I bought my girlfriend a Continental on my own. I bought my last car('03 Cobra) on my own. In the next few months I'm buying another car my own.
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Is it a supra like xAkirax2004 says?
 
xAkirax2004
It better be a 1998 Supra...*Shakes fist*
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Damn right. I should've bought one back in February instead of the Cobra. If I can't find a decent Supra I'm going to just say **** cars, and buy a house. It's a much better investment, anyways.

I drove the Cobra again yesterday, and today. The first time I drove it since May 12th. All I can say is it's fast as ****, and that's about it. It's got all of the problems that go wrong with the '03 Cobra's. It pulls to the right, it vibrates above 80, the rear end cluncks real loud if you don't shift just right, and now I have the infamous "tick." It's loud, and quite embarassing. Nobody knows the cause behind it, but it's suspected that it's either a warped valve guide from insufficient cooling to the #7 & #8 cylinders, or it could be the teflon coating rubbing off of the pistons. Ford's answer is to keep replacing the driver's side head until it comes back, then they replace it again, and again, etc. It's also got a ****ed up TOB(throwout bearing). I guess the TOB retainer is ****ed up, and now it's chirping/squeaking really loudly. Ford's anser is to replace the whole tranny/clutch assembly. It also has the "stall." The damn things have something wrong in the computers which causes them to stall occasionally. I've had it happen quite a bunch just pulling out of my neighborhood, and quite a few times when slowing down from 130-150mph. Scary stuff. With all those issues, if they decide not to cover it under warranty I'm looking at literally $10,000+ to fix it all. I don't think so.

The '03 Cobra is probably the worst car I've ever owned. I would never, ever buy one again. I've never regretted something as much as buying the Cobra. I sort of feel bad about selling it to my Dad, and passing the heap of **** onto him, but unlike me he can afford to fix all of the problems if Ford won't. Plus he really loves the car.

pimp racer
Is it a supra like xAkirax2004 says?
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Yes, most likely, unless I can't find one I like.
 
Try this site to help you choose.
You can get pricing info, look up any recalls, etc.
www.intellichoice.com
also run a carfax report on the car. There's nothing that says once you choose a car that you have to buy it that day. Copy down the VIN and run it thru carfax. It will kick back any insurance claims made on the vehicle in question.

Look at used trucks.
If you have $10,000 There are any number of good near new used cars that you can buy.
If you have a decent job, that 10K can serve as a down payment on a lots of new cars, with fairly low payments on a 2-3 year loan. If you can afford it you don't really want to go any longer than 3 years on a car loan.
By that time, you'll likely be ready to trade up.
Happy hunting.
 
Hyperglide
Well when we all start out in the automotive world we aren't exactly the Socrates of car knowledge, wisdom, and experience. It takes a lot of time to become a used car buying guru.

I am in this position and very close to purchasing my first car, as I got enough cash saved to do that. However I fear of buying the proverbial 'lemon.' I don't know many people who know about cars to take with me (as others have suggested) to a car dealer, and i'm almost paranoid to buy privately (to much hassle with mechanics inspection, VIN checks, car records, etc.). I almost know enough on my own, but I still feel I won't be prepared enough to be confident i'm getting a car that will last me past a month, a week, hell even a DAY!

I'm also very excited, but I don't want to mess this purchase up and rush into it (it's not like going to buy a pack of gum). I've done research, about the type of car i'm going to get. But regardless of that each and every used car has it's faults and all need to have the same general check up and run around.

Does anyone have any tips for a new used-car buyer to help.

Who helped you? What suggestions did you get?

Thanks, GTPlanet!
Click to expand...

Well hopefully I plan on buying my first car at the end of summer, as long as the right one comes along in the right price range. Help me out...I think im all alone on this one.

What type of car you planning on buying?
 
Hiya! :D :O :lol:

My parents bought me a 4th Generation 1993 Camaro Z28 during this March. I wasnt there at the time my parents bought it for me, but they told me why they bought it for me. The tips here were told from my parents to me of how they went to pick one. Plz srry if it might offend a bit to some. (this was used to buy from a person, not a dealer) :

1. The kind of area the car being sold. Parents say to buy from middle-high class people because it is likely the condition of the car is in a MUCH better shape than poor area.

2. How clean the car's interior and exterior is. Cleaner is better. This is not really a good one since you would obviously get the car clean as much as possible to impress your customer and it wont give a good idea of how clean the owner kept it in reality.

3. What kind of mods are placed in, if there are any. Mods is likely to mean that this person could be a street racer. Parents dont want a used car that gets its engine used heavily or aggresively on the street. Want one that was used by a very calm owner who took the car easy. Very gentle plz! :O

4. Very important! Test Drive!!! my dad believe this part although my mom disagrees. My dad thinks that if the owner doesnt let you test drive the car, then it is likely that the owner must be hiding the car's driving ability on the street, so he thinks its a "NOT BUY!" Its up to you to decide if test driving is important to you.

5. Engine check! Its good to look around at the engine to look for any kinds of things such as dents or leaks. Dad says it took him 20 minutes to look at the engine since he was making sure if he was going to buy his baby gurl a car, it have to be a one that will work like an Angel! :O ooOOoo daddy makes me so happy! :O

Well, thats it!:O that is if you are going to buy from the house or private owner instead of the dealer. I would myself follow the same steps as my parents to buy a used car for myself in the future, but I plan to buy a new car instead unless I really want a car but can only obtain it in used condition. There is always a way to get them by special ordering them from the dealer though! :O
 
My first car was bought with help from my parents. A total piece of crap. Lasted abotu three months.

My S14 was bought from a fellow enthusiast, who kept it in really good condition and knew what he was doing with it, so I didn't have to go through a lot of trouble getting it checked out.
 
I'm hoping to buy my first car (1990/1991 Skyline GTS-4) by the end of this year.
 
Takumi Fujiwara
My first car was bought with help from my parents. A total piece of crap. Lasted abotu three months.

My S14 was bought from a fellow enthusiast, who kept it in really good condition and knew what he was doing with it, so I didn't have to go through a lot of trouble getting it checked out.
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See that's exactly what I have to fear. And you HAD help with your parents.

MclarensAngel thanks for the post. Pretty helpful. I knew most of those strategys and the area of purchase demographical tip was an interesting one. I'll definetly have to remember that if I ever go private sale purchasing.

Hanker
What type of car you planning on buying?
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A first generation Dodge Neon Sport/Expresso with the 150 bhp DOHC 2.0 or 2.4L engine, depending on the year.

Or a Mazda MX-3 Precidia GS 1.8L V6 with approx. 130 bhp. I've heard problems with Mazda's lack of parts though if they do break down (hey it could happen. Even with pretty reliable Mazdas).

That's about what i've narrowed it down to with the $$$ I got to spend, the cost of gas and insurance all factor in as well. Otherwise i'd probably get something a bit more reliable or fast.

M5Power
Everyone told me "listen to M5Power."
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lol, if only I could afford one. *dares to dream*

M5Power
No-one. And since I bought my first used car in 1996 I've purchased fifteen total, pretty much representing the entire spectrum of automotive makes, though I've never owned a Chrysler product, a Korean car, or a Japanese-brand luxury car (Acura, Infiniti, Lexus)
Click to expand...

Pretty ironic considering my main choice is a Chrysler product. Any hit's or misses with the 15 cars? What was your best experience, and how much did you pay?

Oh another thing I meant to ask but neglected too. It's aobut obo. Did you guys pay the actual suggested price or knock down the price?

Say for example I was to hypothetically buy a '1998 Dodge Neon R/T for $5000, with 100k km's, manual, certified, emissions tested, half the usual emenities, a replaced clutch, new tires, women driver, with obo.' Would you consider 5000 grand a reasonable price (canadian funds, i'm a canuck), or would you talk the price down? In other words how do you know when to barter or negotiate? Obviously finding problems with the car and comparing them to others found in an Autotrader is a good place to talk prices down. But you guys/girls got any more tips?

Thanks a bunch btw. Lots of great posts so far!
 
Hyperglide
Or a Mazda MX-3 Precidia GS 1.8L V6 with approx. 130 bhp. I've heard problems with Mazda's lack of parts though if they do break down (hey it could happen. Even with pretty reliable Mazdas).
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No. I have to get one first. :grumpy:

There's no lack of parts. There's still parts for my 323, and that's from 16 years ago. the MX-3 ran from '92-'97, Mazda doesn't obsolete parts from just 7 years back. Becides, there's junkyards. :)
 
MazKid
No. I have to get one first. :grumpy:

There's no lack of parts. There's still parts for my 323, and that's from 16 years ago. the MX-3 ran from '92-'97, Mazda doesn't obsolete parts from just 7 years back. Becides, there's junkyards. :)
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Move to Ontario. ;) Lots in my region. Although unfortuneatly most are also the piddly 1.6L V4's with auto gearbox's.

I was at epinions.com and read about how unreliable MX-6's are. I was looking into getting one of those but I hear their 170+ HP V6's are weak (MX-6's are pretty big), and that they are unreliable.

323's are different. They are an economy car. You can still get parts for a K-car too if ya wanted. Doesn't mean i'm going to buy one. Yes you can get parts for Mazda cars pretty easily (junkyards as well). They are expensive as hell though too. At least from what i've heard, due to supply and demand.
 
Josh
Damn right. I should've bought one back in February instead of the Cobra. If I can't find a decent Supra I'm going to just say **** cars, and buy a house. It's a much better investment, anyways.

I drove the Cobra again yesterday, and today. The first time I drove it since May 12th. All I can say is it's fast as ****, and that's about it. It's got all of the problems that go wrong with the '03 Cobra's. It pulls to the right, it vibrates above 80, the rear end cluncks real loud if you don't shift just right, and now I have the infamous "tick." It's loud, and quite embarassing. Nobody knows the cause behind it, but it's suspected that it's either a warped valve guide from insufficient cooling to the #7 & #8 cylinders, or it could be the teflon coating rubbing off of the pistons. Ford's answer is to keep replacing the driver's side head until it comes back, then they replace it again, and again, etc. It's also got a ****ed up TOB(throwout bearing). I guess the TOB retainer is ****ed up, and now it's chirping/squeaking really loudly. Ford's anser is to replace the whole tranny/clutch assembly. It also has the "stall." The damn things have something wrong in the computers which causes them to stall occasionally. I've had it happen quite a bunch just pulling out of my neighborhood, and quite a few times when slowing down from 130-150mph. Scary stuff. With all those issues, if they decide not to cover it under warranty I'm looking at literally $10,000+ to fix it all. I don't think so.

The '03 Cobra is probably the worst car I've ever owned. I would never, ever buy one again. I've never regretted something as much as buying the Cobra. I sort of feel bad about selling it to my Dad, and passing the heap of **** onto him, but unlike me he can afford to fix all of the problems if Ford won't. Plus he really loves the car.



Yes, most likely, unless I can't find one I like.
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Wow. I'm kinda suprised at that. Then again...FORD - Found On Russian Dump.


Well, to get your search off to a ok start...1997 Supra (Yeah, It's not a '98.) Manual, of course, And bone stock, Non-smoker, etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6447&item=2482003525&rd=1

EDIT: Found a 1998 bone stock manual Supra in quicksliver. You would probably would like that better. I know I would.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6447&item=2482212914&rd=1
 
xAkirax2004
Wow. I'm kinda suprised at that. Then again...FORD - Found On Russian Dump.


Well, to get your search off to a ok start...1997 Supra (Yeah, It's not a '98.) Manual, of course, And bone stock, Non-smoker, etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6447&item=2482003525&rd=1

EDIT: Found a 1998 bone stock manual Supra in quicksliver. You would probably would like that better. I know I would.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6447&item=2482212914&rd=1
Click to expand...



Why is there an almost $16,000 difference between the two cars?
 
Hyperglide
Pretty ironic considering my main choice is a Chrysler product. Any hit's or misses with the 15 cars? What was your best experience, and how much did you pay?
Click to expand...

The biggest hits were my current Mercedes CLK55 AMG coupe, which I bought online in Florida with a few thousand miles on the clock and probably my first used car, which was an early-90s or late-80s Toyota Cressida that was purchased in about 1994 and lasted into 2001. I also made a profit on three months of ownership with a 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS, so that's definitely a hit.

The worst used cars I ever bought were imported SUVs - a 1996 Land Rover Discovery I had was unreliable trash, and a 1999 Mercedes ML430 was even worse - in fact, I swore then that I'd never buy another Mercedes. And I held that up for about a year and a half. 👍

In other words how do you know when to barter or negotiate? Obviously finding problems with the car and comparing them to others found in an Autotrader is a good place to talk prices down.
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Always talk prices down. Say, "I'll give you $4800." If they won't budge at all on the price, they're a jackass - you're supposed to set prices a few hundred dollars over you want, assuming that a) people will attempt to negotiate and b) if people don't negotiate, you can make a few hundred dollars more than you expected.

But you guys/girls got any more tips?
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A few recommendations - if I were in your price range, I'd look 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima, 1995-2000 Ford Contour V6/Mercury Mystique V6, 1992-1994 Acura Vigor, and - especially - 1991-1996 Infiniti G20.
 
To find out if you are getting a fair price, check www.intellichoice.com.
This site let me in on the fact that I'm getting an awesome deal on my '96 Ranger.
I'm saving about $2,000 over "blue book."

Also check the condition of the rubber on the pedals. That will give you fair indication of how many actual miles are on the car. If the odo says 50,000 and the pedals are beat all to hell, you know that there may be some mileage discrepancy.

Clean oil is usually a good sign. There are those out there that will change the oil before selling so buyers think the vehicle has been well maintained.

After you've decided on a model, and options, and such, use the intellichoice sit4e to see if the price is a good one. You can also use the site to pull up any recalls. And it has a link to Carfax.
And do other internet research to find out the bigger problem areas of your chosen car so you know what's likely to be wrong.
 
Gil
I'm getting an awesome deal on my '96 Ranger.
I'm saving about $2,000 over "blue book."
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I don't know - $2000 under Blue Book on a mid-90s domestic small/midsize truck is a deal, but I don't think anyone pays Blue Book anymore. When I was growing up (and probably when you were, too) Blue Book was the absolute standard - nobody bought a car without looking at one and under-Blue-Book prices were deviations and meant to be taken advantage of. But today a quick trip to the Internet finds ten or fifteen cars under Blue Book.

When I was shopping to replace my wife's car a few weeks ago, I checked the Blue Book value on the car I wanted - that price was beaten in ninety percent of the ads on cars.com, and the only prices that didn't beat it involved extreme low mileage.
 
Hyperglide
Move to Ontario. ;) Lots in my region. Although unfortuneatly most are also the piddly 1.6L V4's with auto gearbox's.

I was at epinions.com and read about how unreliable MX-6's are. I was looking into getting one of those but I hear their 170+ HP V6's are weak (MX-6's are pretty big), and that they are unreliable.

323's are different. They are an economy car. You can still get parts for a K-car too if ya wanted. Doesn't mean i'm going to buy one. Yes you can get parts for Mazda cars pretty easily (junkyards as well). They are expensive as hell though too. At least from what i've heard, due to supply and demand.
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MX-6s unreliable?! WTF. They're great. My dad has a Probe GT(same as MX-6 LS) and it's got over 200,000 miles on it and it's perfect. Runs great.
I've honestly never heard of a problem with the 2.5 KL V6. In fact, Mazda used it in the MX-6 LS, Millenia L, MPV('98-'99), Probe GT, Contour, and others, with good results(though the MPV was considered underpowered).
 
Nice post Gil thanks.

Mazkid don't believe me? Goto Epinions.com and find out for yourself. There's lots of unreliable MX-6's out there.
 
Or there's lots of poorly maintained cars.

Anyhoo I have personally not seen chronic problems with the KL, and I don't care to read from E-pinions.

1 way to check the validity of this would be to read reviews on the other cars that use that engine.
 
I went out with my mom but I know more than her about cars so she was just there to do the haggling(she's a pro). It was an '87 and I did the usual visual checks before taking to a mechanic for a full inspection and I've had it for around 2 years now and I haven't had a major problem with it.
 

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