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New Car Buying Guide
Buying a car, truck or
SUV from a private seller.
Buying a used car from a private seller can be a hit or miss
proposition. There are a few advantages and disadvantages, let's
look at them.
Advantages:
-
You can get a good feel
for how the seller treated the car. Look for maintenance
records and receipts for major repairs.
-
No high pressure sales
tactics.
-
You can get a better
deal most of the time.
Disadvantages:
-
Sellers can be dishonest
and hide major flaws with little liability after the sale since most
used cars sold privately are AS-IS.
-
Most sellers will not
let you take an extend test drive overnight like dealers do.
-
No warranty is provided
unless there is an existing warranty and it can be transferred.
To
combat the disadvantages we now have online solutions to help you.
Find out is a seller is honest by getting a vehicle history online at 
CARFAX Reports
.
If the seller has a factory warranty or an
aftermarket warranty on the used car, make sure you check with the
company to see if it can be transferred. If it can not, check our advice
on warranties.
A few tips on finding a
used car from a private seller.
-
Look to local papers,
auto locator publications, thrift papers, local bulletin boards, and
friends who might know someone selling.
-
Be courteous of the hour
when you call. Many people are in bed by 10:00pm. If the
ad states a time to call...... follow it. If not, I would not
call before 10:00am or after 9:00pm.
-
Have pen and paper handy
when you call the seller. Write down key facts like mileage,
asking price, directions, how long have they owned the car and why
they are selling.
-
Research the car online
before you go to see it. Having the "Blue Book"
value in your head can give you a starting point for negotiating.
-
Have a mechanic look at
the vehicle. Most local mechanics will be happy to put the car
on a lift and do an inspection for you. Expect to pay for this
service, but if you have a good relationship with you mechanic he
may do this for free.
-
Take a long test drive.
Make sure you do some highway driving and also some back road
driving to get a feel for the car. Some suspension problems
will not show up on the highway but as soon as you hit a bumpy road
they will appear.
The best online used and new
car quote service I have found is Car.com I used them on my last
car purchase, and they really saved me a lot of time and money. A
local dealership will email you their best deal on the car you are
looking for. No hassles, no gimmicks, no time wasted going to
dealership to dealership. Just the lowest price on the vehicle you
are looking for.
One other thing to consider
is additional insurance costs. You better check the price of
insurance on that car you are wanting, you might be in for a
shock?
Return
to the Car Buying Tips Index Page
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