topic Re: Used Car Questions in Electronics

Used Car Questions

focksie — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:35:18 GMT

I didn't know whether to post this in Electronics or For The Home, so here it is.

I went out with the intention of buying a new car, but quickly discovered what I want is a bit over my budget by about $2,000. I don't actually need a new car but it's time. I just thought it would be best not to wait until I'm totally without.

The dealer was very nice and it seemed like she tried very hard to meet my budget. When it was clear she couldn't, she suggested a used car. That never crossed my mind but now it has. The used car I want is at my budget and has 880 miles on it.

My questions are:

1) Is 880 miles considered negligible mileage so that I don't have to have my mechanic check the car over? When I asked that, the dealer said they could "run me a CarMax" instead. I felt stupid asking what that was and I didn't want to come across as too stupid so I wouldn't be taken advantage of.

2) Any other tips or suggestions on how to buy a used car?

3) What's the deal with TrueCar.com? The dealer laughed when I mentioned that their price for the new model was $3,500 less than what theirs was. She said you never get those deals.

Tx.

Re: Used Car Questions

ennui1 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:39:20 GMT

Why was the car returned with only 880 miles? What kind of car? Did you love it? I never buy a car I don't love.

It's not Car Max, it's Car Fax. They run commercials on tv. www.carfax.com

Re: Used Car Questions

depglass — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:41:15 GMT

At 880 miles, it may have been driven by one of the dealership's salesmen. Ask. We actually did buy a truck one time that had been returned. It was geared to tow a trailer and the purchaser found out it wouldn't tow HIS trailer. We got several thousand dollars off and were very happy with the deal and the truck. If this dealer has a good reputation, ask friends, I think you will be just fine.

Re: Used Car Questions

focksie — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:42:30 GMT

Hi ennui, I don't know why the car was returned with that mileage - didn't think to ask. It's exactly the car I had in mind to buy new but it turned out to be more than I thought. Thanks for the correction with CarFax. Would that report be adequate instead of a mechanic checking the car?

Re: Used Car Questions

curlywhitedog — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:50:48 GMT

I won't tell you not to have the car checked out by your mechanic but 880 miles is really nothing. My husband bought a dealer demo with 2200 miles on it and got a great deal on the price. It happened to be the make and model he went into the dealership to look at in the first place. It might not have been the color he wanted (black) but it was dark and he was happy with it. That car lasted for years until someone rear ended him during a snow storm and the insurance company totaled it.

Good luck.

Maria

Re: Used Car Questions

Perkup — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:52:48 GMT

I'm no expert on automobiles, but I do know one thing - a new car is a used car once you drive it off the lot. I've purchased used cars all my life,and I've never had a lemon to deal with. My motto has pretty much become, drive a used car that looks new and pocket the cash you have left over!

CarFax is supposed to be a history of an auto. I've never used it, but certainly it should tell you if the car has been wrecked before, which is probably the most important fact. TrueCar is another avenue, but I have no idea what it can tell you or how accurate it really is. If you have a mechanic check it out, choose one from another dealership just to be safe.

Right now I have a Dodge Van - 2011 model, with about 44,000 miles on it. It's in perfect condition, handles well and looks identical to the current model. But it cost only about half the price of the new one. Unless I told someone the age, they would never know.

If you're shopping alone, see if one of your friends is knowledgeable about cars and ask if they could go with you to shop. Find a model and color you like and shop the internet to see if there's one out there for you. Happy hunting.

Re: Used Car Questions

ennui1 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:57:17 GMT

On 7/28/2014 focksie said:
Hi ennui, I don't know why the car was returned with that mileage - didn't think to ask. It's exactly the car I had in mind to buy new but it turned out to be more than I thought. Thanks for the correction with CarFax. Would that report be adequate instead of a mechanic checking the car?

I don't think the report would be a substitute. For myself, I've never had a used car checked by a mechanic, because I had car-guy friends go with me.

What year is the used car? Is the original warranty still in effect?

Re: Used Car Questions

123SuzyQ123 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 17:58:51 GMT

I have bought used vehicles the last 3 times I made a purchase. For many years, I ONLY bought brand new - but found that I could get much more for my money with a used vehicle. The last used vehicle I bought (a 2002 Lexus SUV) already had 48,000 miles on it when I bought it, and guess what???? It now has 113,200 miles and still runs like brand new!!!

People trade their cars in for various reasons - doesn't get good gas mileage, wasn't the color they really wanted, they decided they wanted more luxury, etc. etc. You never can tell. But 880 miles is nothing - I would consider that still a new car!!!

Re: Used Car Questions

ennui1 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:01:22 GMT

There was an article in the paper about buying used cars from rental agencies. Rental cars are well-maintained, and everything has to be fixed before the cars go out again. Most rental cars are driven from the airport to the hotel to the conference center and back again.

They discouraged people from buying high-performance specialty rentals, because those are usually driven pretty hard, but often the price discount is worth it.

Re: Used Car Questions

hckynut — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:18:05 GMT

On 7/28/2014 focksie said:
I didn't know whether to post this in Electronics or For The Home, so here it is.

I went out with the intention of buying a new car, but quickly discovered what I want is a bit over my budget by about $2,000. I don't actually need a new car but it's time. I just thought it would be best not to wait until I'm totally without.

The dealer was very nice and it seemed like she tried very hard to meet my budget. When it was clear she couldn't, she suggested a used car. That never crossed my mind but now it has. The used car I want is at my budget and has 880 miles on it.

My questions are:

1) Is 880 miles considered negligible mileage so that I don't have to have my mechanic check the car over? When I asked that, the dealer said they could "run me a CarMax" instead. I felt stupid asking what that was and I didn't want to come across as too stupid so I wouldn't be taken advantage of.

2) Any other tips or suggestions on how to buy a used car?

3) What's the deal with TrueCar.com? The dealer laughed when I mentioned that their price for the new model was $3,500 less than what theirs was. She said you never get those deals.

Tx.

It obviously is a 2014 or 2015 vehicle and if it has only the mileage you listed above? Seems like it should come with the same manufacturers warranty as a new vehicle. If the dealer won't give you the warranty? Something is strange in that auto-land.

Never take a dealers word on the price of a new car. Go to Edmunds dot come and price them out yourself. Don't know what "your budget" is, but I know the prices of some of the sub-compact cars on the market and if your "budget is on the cheap", that is the type of car that would be the best bet if you want one that is brand new.

I've always custom ordered all of my new cars so they came with exactly the equipment and color I wanted. I figure if I am going to buy brand new it is going to be exactly the car I want, not one a dealer might be pushing because it is eating up their insurance and not selling.

With a full warranty and that low mileage? What's to lose if it is a manufacturer's warranty? If they have it warranted with "a company" other than the manufacturer? That is a whole different story.

Re: Used Car Questions

KJPA — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:26:50 GMT

We typically buy used cars as well and that one sounds like it is POSSIBLY a good/great deal. But find out why is "used." If it was never sold and was simply driven by the dealer's sales team then technically it's a new car. We wanted to buy one of those with 2000 miles but the dealership was insisting it was "new" and wanted us to pay full price for it. No way am I paying for new car that they drove around for awhile. On the other hand, if the price was right I would definitely consider it. I'm sure you still get all the warranties but make sure.

If someone actually bought it already and then traded it in I would be leery. Did they discover something was wrong and then brought it back? Or did the person perhaps have a personal/financial emergency that required they turn it back in?

I would definitely have my own mechanic check it over if that's an option. If it's not an option I would pass.

Re: Used Car Questions

151949 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:39:11 GMT

Sounds like it was either a demo or a loaner car for customers who are getting repairs but need a loaner car. Check the carFax and if it is clear - i would jump on that deal before it disappears.

Re: Used Car Questions

lianne — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:41:56 GMT

You dont need to have a mechanic check it, its under warranty. 880 miles means its probably a salesmans car or demo car.

It should still hold the warranty.

Re: Used Car Questions

focksie — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:44:57 GMT

I appreciate hearing all the positive feedback about used cars. I never would have considered used before.

It's a 2014 Nissan Sentra. I don't need anything higher-end than that. I'm a low mileage person and it's just for running around locally. I've had two previous Sentras and love them. I don't know if I should also look for a less expensive make. A Hyundai??

I've had the same mechanic for 25 years, so I will take it to him if I decide on this one. As far as manufacturer's warranty? Again... don't know. I will ask. And I will find out why it is used and how.

I don't have any knowledgeable car friends who could come with me. I recently lost my partner.

Re: Used Car Questions

Hellodemocrat — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 18:49:25 GMT

I don't care that when you drive a NEW car off the lot, it's then an used car.

Nor, do I care that it loses it's value when you drive it off the lot.

I have had 3 used cars and Many new ones and I will take a NEW on ANY day over a used one. I am in the market now for a new one. I have had 4 Nissan Maximas (one of them was used because a man pulled out in front of me and totaled my first one). I want another one or a Rogue. My 2000 Maxima has 132,000 miles on it. I have never had a car with that many miles on it, (i am 64) !!

I we are planning on getting a new one probably the middle of next year.

Go to the dealership at the end of the month, or better yet, at the end of the year. They are really trying to get rid of them at those times.

Re: Used Car Questions

123SuzyQ123 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:49:42 GMT

On 7/28/2014 focksie said:
I appreciate hearing all the positive feedback about used cars. I never would have considered used before.

It's a 2014 Nissan Sentra. I don't need anything higher-end than that. I'm a low mileage person and it's just for running around locally. I've had two previous Sentras and love them. I don't know if I should also look for a less expensive make. A Hyundai??

I've had the same mechanic for 25 years, so I will take it to him if I decide on this one. As far as manufacturer's warranty? Again... don't know. I will ask. And I will find out why it is used and how.

I don't have any knowledgeable car friends who could come with me. I recently lost my partner.

Focksie, the Hyundai is a great vehicle with very good warranty. My son has had 3 of them and their warranty helped him out a couple of times.

Re: Used Car Questions

Caitlinh429 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:01:01 GMT

Nissan has a 36 month/36,000 mile warranty, so you are good to go with the warranty. As far as value: look at Kelley Blue Book & enter all the cars info, that will give you a fair trade value for dealer and non-dealer pricing. Also, ALWAYS get a CarFax. CarFax will tell you if the car was involved in an accident (& also oil changes, etc) however and can't tell you the current condition of the cars mechanics, etc. You can always take it to your mechanic, personally I would just to be sure even if it only has ~900 miles.

Last year I was car hunting and I came across the newest model of Nissan Maxima with less than 100 miles. Of course I still got a Car Fax and still brought it to my mechanic. Car was fine but I wanted to be sure. The car brand new was over $30,000 and I got it under $20,000. Great deal!

Re: Used Car Questions

Theoriginallacey — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:09:33 GMT

$2000 is not much of a stretch. Is this the first dealer you have been to? If you let them sit a while, they usually call you in a couple of weeks and try to deal with you. In my experience used cars are very expensive now. I'd rather just buy new unless I was getting it from someone where I kind of knew the history of the vehicle. My husband just trade in a 2003 Avalanche we bought used in 2006. It had almost 300,000 miles on it. I can say he took especially great care of it as it was a work truck. If you're keeping the car a long while, I buy new.

Re: Used Car Questions

ennui1 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:42:46 GMT

On 7/28/2014 Rocker said:
I don't care that when you drive a NEW car off the lot, it's then an used car.

Nor, do I care that it loses it's value when you drive it off the lot.

I have had 3 used cars and Many new ones and I will take a NEW on ANY day over a used one. I am in the market now for a new one.

Are you in the market for a new car because you refuse to drive the used car that's sitting in your driveway?

Re: Used Car Questions

kivah — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 21:53:06 GMT

First, u should go thru Costco.com or AAA.com or other sites like CarsDirect.com to buy a new car at fleet price. You pay a few hundred dollars for this service and they purchase the car u want with a big discount. The service goes directly to the manager of the car dealership in ur area - so the salesmen's commission is saved. You don't get involved. You are very uneducated about buying a car (like I and most people are) - so I also suggest u go with a friend or family member who knows a lot about cars. You would go to a car dealership in an outlying area to see the car ur interested in, prices, model, color, etc. Once u know what u want - then u would go thru the service. Always have a used car checked out by another body shop - I recommend u go to one of the AAA body shops. Locations are listed on their website. They hook up the car to a machine and it tells u immediately what's wrong. CarFax is never up-to-date - so it's a guide but many problems are never listed - like if the car was in an accident on in a flood (hurricanes), etc. Remember - salespeople are always nice when u want to buy - once u buy and get a lemon, they're not ur friend. I own a Honda Accord, 1987, and it's still going strong. I luv Hondas.

topic Re: **Used Car Questions** in Electronics

**Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

Re: **Used Car Questions**

topic Re: Used Car Questions in Electronics

Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions

Re: Used Car Questions