I found a used car to buy... advice pls!!

[aijan 0]

Hi All,

After 2 1/2 years being in the US, I'm planning to buy a "used" car (hopefully, i'll go into practice with this car for a couple of months, before getting a new car B) ).

I found on the local Craig's List website a 2001 Hyundai Accent GL. The asking price is $1800. We're going to meet the guy this weekend to see the car and hopefully get it.

Please share wit me any experience, advice regarding buying a used car (what should we pay attention to, negotiation, avoid scams, mechanical situation, Hyndai Accent, etc...)

Many thanks in advance

[New Beginnings 32]

Hi All,

After 2 1/2 years being in the US, I'm planning to buy a "used" car (hopefully, i'll go into practice with this car for a couple of months, before getting a new car B) ).

I found on the local Craig's List website a 2001 Hyundai Accent GL. The asking price is $1800. We're going to meet the guy this weekend to see the car and hopefully get it.

Please share wit me any experience, advice regarding buying a used car (what should we pay attention to, negotiation, avoid scams, mechanical situation, Hyndai Accent, etc...)

Many thanks in advance

Ok, so there are a few things that I would do first before I even look at the car. Read the reviews about that particular make/model/year of vehicle on edmunds.com or kbb.com (kelly blue book). Understand what the issues with it are and what you may need to replace/fix at the mileage it's at. Also, ask the person for the maintenance history of the vehicle, make sure they did the oil changes and recommended fixes. Take the vehicle for an inspection at a mechanic of your choice, not theirs and see what's wrong with the vehicle. Get a Carfax report done on it... see if there's been any significant damage done to the vehicle.

Questions to ask:

How many owners before you bought the vehicle?

Have you been in any accidents?

What is the repair history?

When were the tires changed?

When were the brakes checked?

[movingsoon2 0]

Just a personal opinion, I'd buy a used Honda or Toyota, they last forever with little mechanical problems. huyndai's can be lemons - you might spend more time repairing them than driving them.

Anyways, just my personal experience.

[redglasses 1]

I would get the VIN from the owner and check the history with Carfax.

[kaffy 2]

I wouldn't buy a car off craigslist.. too many scams out there

[HoneyHummingbird 3]

I would agree with the other posters but at the same time if you are looking to only spend $1800 and keep the car for a few months, just make sure the car is in satisfactory mechanical condition.

My advice for the time period you would like to keep the car, would be to find an American car that is in good condition, which you will be able to find in $1800-$2500 price range. In addition, the parts cost less ($30-$65) compared to a foreign car ($100+)

Also, I purchased a new Hyundai in 1998 and it was a very good car. I had no major repairs with it. My dad is a mechanic and we rarely ever purchased new cars and I have owned most makes in 19 years. Most non-Americans will advise you to get a Toyota or a Honda. Yes, its true that they are very good cars but they can also give you a lot of problems and bring costly repairs, especially if you don't know a mechanic personally.

I currently own my 2nd Saturn and I sold my first one as the second owner with over 170,000 miles and the 3rd owner still drives it. My new '06 Saturn has nearly 70,000 miles and I haven't made 1 major repair.

Just concentrate on finding a good car because good cars are made by more than just foreign car companies.

[Dave and Helena 0]

I wouldn't buy a car off craigslist.. too many scams out there

We bought my car through craigslist. We got a nicer car than what we found at the dealers for less money. There are scams out there though, if something seems to good to be true it probably is.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I wouldn't buy a car off craigslist.. too many scams out there

We bought my car through craigslist. We got a nicer car than what we found at the dealers for less money. There are scams out there though, if something seems to good to be true it probably is.

Yes, like the man who would stick ppl up and take their cash...I think he finely shot someone because they didn't have the money he was expecting....

[Darnell 8,479]

you can find mechanic in your area, take any car to them for a 'check-out' - price range from 50 to 150 - mechanic will tell you exactly what is wrong with it, and what to do to fix it.

I always do that, when I buy a used car.

But I'm a bit picky, always get RWD Volvo wagon with some maintenance history.

[leith@Ievgeniia 8]

there are good unsed cars out there. as other said check on carfax and get mechanic to check out the car. if they are not willing to do that then move on. with the bad economy cars are becomming easy to find out there and should be cheep. also check at your church and see is somebody is selling something or they might have a car donated to them

good luck!!

[rmncm 0]

msn carpoint, nuff said

[MRStee 19]

Well I have a 2007 Hyundai Elantra and I absolutely love it, its great on gas. Prior to that I had a 2000 Hyundai Elantra. I like that too! Good luck to you..

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Check what it is worth after finding out the standard equipment and such. Banks go buy nadaguides.com....kbb.com will give you a good idea on what it is worth. I realize that you will probably pay cash for it, but it is still a good idea to know what the average vehicle is worth.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I wouldn't buy a car off craigslist.. too many scams out there

We bought my car through craigslist. We got a nicer car than what we found at the dealers for less money. There are scams out there though, if something seems to good to be true it probably is.

I think the golden question to always ask when buying from a private seller, before anything else, is: Do you have a good title in hand, today, right now?

If they can't answer that without stammering or giving you some ####### and bull story or saying that they are sure their sister/friend/rooster has it and can get it to you tomorrow, *click*.

I've bought and sold cars on Craigslist with no problem. If you are a buyer, also only seriously consider cars in the affluent parts of town, if applicable. Far less likely to be a scam and the owners, in my experience, are far, far more likely to have taken really good care of them. The only used car you want from a private seller is the one that has been babied basically its whole life. No more than three owners, unless you know personally who you are buying from.

[Dave and Helena 0]

The only used car you want from a private seller is the one that has been babied basically its whole life.

When we were about to buy my car we asked about the tires. The seller responded that he got caught out in the rain once and the tires seemed to be good.