advise on buying a used car

[utopia2004 2]

So ive had a REALLY frustrating time in the US (visiting). Should be moving here in 3-4 months.

We bought a used car Mitshibushi galant 2002 off craigslist it had 178k miles. Had it one month- had nothing but problems- it ran PERFECT when we bought it.

The timing belt just went and now the valves may be screwed- so may need a new engine. Paid 2500!!!

Husbands work is an hour away and he has to drive- using his old truck which is also on its last legs (reason we bought the car).

Transportation is virtually non existent in lebanon PA.

So any advise on buying a RELIABLE used car would be appreciated. I will have no credit and he hasn't got great credit.

What have others done?

Thanks

[SF2007 48]

Not sure about what you can do about your credit but if you want to check out a good car value for your needs, here's a handy website : http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com

Good luck!

[Inky 1,111]

Whenever buying a used car from a flyer, used car lot or craigslist add, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take it to a shop and have it looked at BEFORE paying for it!

Sorry you got a lemon. Need to be really careful on cars because people will sell damaged cars without even second guessing it because its not their problem anymore! specially cars that have been in floods or car accidents.

[Mononoke28 135]

You can also try to buy a certified used car from a dealer, not from a previous owner. A certified used car is more reliable since the dealer is certifying that the car is good to go. They will also give you a copy of the carfax which is a history of the car you'd be purchasing. You should never buy a used car without seeing a copy of the carfax, which is something many private owners do not do.

If you can't find anything you like at a local dealer, try to find a used car place in your area. There are many reliable places that sell used cars for a lot less than a dealer, you just need to do your research and again, don't purchase a used car without seeing the carfax beforehand.

Diana

[Inky 1,111]

You can also try to buy a certified used car from a dealer, not from a previous owner. A certified used car is more reliable since the dealer is certifying that the car is good to go. They will also give you a copy of the carfax which is a history of the car you'd be purchasing. You should never buy a used car without seeing a copy of the carfax, which is something many private owners do not do.

If you can't find anything you like at a local dealer, try to find a used car place in your area. There are many reliable places that sell used cars for a lot less than a dealer, you just need to do your research and again, don't purchase a used car without seeing the carfax beforehand.

Diana

Just a heads up, carfax can be altered by the dealers to read fake information to make it look better. Also not all dealers are truthful either. You just have to be really careful when buying used cars. Always get your own mechanic that you trust to do a full check of the car.

[rlogan 2,036]

So ive had a REALLY frustrating time in the US (visiting). Should be moving here in 3-4 months.

We bought a used car Mitshibushi galant 2002 off craigslist it had 178k miles. Had it one month- had nothing but problems- it ran PERFECT when we bought it.

The timing belt just went and now the valves may be screwed- so may need a new engine. Paid 2500!!!

Husbands work is an hour away and he has to drive- using his old truck which is also on its last legs (reason we bought the car).

Transportation is virtually non existent in lebanon PA.

So any advise on buying a RELIABLE used car would be appreciated. I will have no credit and he hasn't got great credit.

What have others done?

Thanks

The Alaska homesteader strategy is to buy the three hundred dollar car that runs, and when something major breaks down retire it for a parts car. Their value in parts is ten times that price. Some cars I've gotten for free, fixed something minor, and sold them for $1500 or something absurd like that. One car had a dead battery - that's how complicated it was. You can have back-up cars that way too.

It opens up a whole new horizon for you - screaming curse words when rusty bolts snap off, being baffled by incomprehensible service manuals, dirt and grease in your eyes, etc. Yes, it's work to do mechanics, but the value is extremely high.

[utopia2004 2]

We want to put a new (used) engine in it with alot less mileage. The buyherepayhere cars are really overpriced (no credit needed). And we dont have alot of money. The majority of private car sellers do not have a history of the car (serviced etc)- how can you find this out? I know you can search carfax with the vin number to find out about accidents.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Like Inky stated, best thing to do is take it to a TRUSTED mechanic. You can find some decent cars on CL, but take some time and reply properly to an AD. I only say that as I sold our Camry on CL last month and I got flooded with people with responses like: Sell me ur car now!! I love the color, must have it!! etc etc!! I responded to ads that sounded intelligent,lol and believe me, was not many,lol In the end she got a very good, wel taken care of Camry that I had all records of servicing.

I would try to stick to Hondas or Toyotas! And get it checked out by a mechanic!!!

[SapphireDreams 71]

I think one thing to consider is that you need to find something that doesn't have so many miles. You're last purchase was almost 10 years old with a LOT of miles. Obviously those will be a bit pricier, but you'll be less likely to run into problem so early on if you can find a car with less mileage.

[lostinblue 1,989]

I think one thing to consider is that you need to find something that doesn't have so many miles. You're last purchase was almost 10 years old with a LOT of miles. Obviously those will be a bit pricier, but you'll be less likely to run into problem so early on if you can find a car with less mileage.

There are a lot of forums on the internet dealing with cars. All makes have some models that are better than others.Do your homework. Understand what you are buying. A timeing belt is due at that age of car. Ask questions. Some autos are better to work on than others. Question a garage about what you decide to buy.

[daryl&lada 8]

Sorry to hear you are having such car wowes...The old timers used to tell us if you want a good used car, open your eyes and see what old cars are still going on the streets. Unless you actually watch someone put a timing belt in a car with 170000+ miles, you can bet it needed replacing before it was sold. No one will make such a repair without using the car because it is expensive to do and they aren't going to let it go without getting some use out of that repair. An engine transplant can sometimes work for you if you can get a competent mechanic who can perform the work, you get a good motor and all of the electrical plugs mate up to everything. Be prepared to have that timing belt replaced when the motor is changed regardless of what you are told. Good luck with it!

[sarah9 14]

I know exactly how you feel!!!

I am amazed at the price of absolutely awful cars over here!!!

I am from a family of mechanics in the UK, and although I could not fix a car myself, I have a really good knowlwdge about whether a car is any good or not..... in particular i can spot a car that has had accident damage repaired from miles away

We have about the same budget as you for a used car, and i have been hunting for 2 months - i still don't have one!

Good used cars are very rare at this price - but they do exist!!

I feel really sorry for the people who don't know much a bout cars, as it would be sooooo easy to buy a lemon!

I'm not sure what you want to do, but be very careful if you are replacing the engine - especially if its for another used one - you might find out that one is on it's way out a few thousand miles after it's replaced. I have not priced it out - but i would imagine it will cost a huge amount of money to get the work done by a professional, and it's certainly not the sort of thing i would let a novice do!

If you do decide to cut your losses and look for another used car, this is what i'm doing:

When your on a budget - be aware that dealers charge more for the same car as a private seller - and unless the car comes with a warranty (which is very doubtful for $2500) you are no better off than buying from a private seller - it could break down on your way home Certified pre owned cars are way above your current price range...... trust me i know! My hubby has poor credit rating, and I have to start again with mine - so no car loans for a while!!!

If you want a good deal from craigsist, or ebay classiefieds you have to be very quick - i watch the listings and call within half hour of anything i deem to be worthwhile - only 3 cars in 2 months - and i've missed out on all 3 because someone has beaten me to it!! You'll see the same rubbish being relisted every day - if the advert is more than a few hours old - don't even bother wasting your time - if it was any good someone would have bought it already!

In reality you'll be looking at a 1998 - 2001 car, with mileage between 80 - 130k for $2500.

Ask how long they've had the car - if it's a few months - walk away! They've clearly bought it & found out its problems

I know others have suggested to bring a mechanic along to check these cars out, if you don't have the money for that - bring your most knowledgeable friend to look for problems - and make sure you take it for a test drive.

Coming from the UK where I could easily find a reliable car with LOW mileage for less than $1500, I find it terribly frustating here!!! I'm in Michigan, and i honestly can't believe the complete wrecks that are on the road here...... an eye opening experience to say the least!!

Really hope you find a solution! Good luck

So ive had a REALLY frustrating time in the US (visiting). Should be moving here in 3-4 months.

We bought a used car Mitshibushi galant 2002 off craigslist it had 178k miles. Had it one month- had nothing but problems- it ran PERFECT when we bought it.

The timing belt just went and now the valves may be screwed- so may need a new engine. Paid 2500!!!

Husbands work is an hour away and he has to drive- using his old truck which is also on its last legs (reason we bought the car).

Transportation is virtually non existent in lebanon PA.

So any advise on buying a RELIABLE used car would be appreciated. I will have no credit and he hasn't got great credit.

What have others done?

Thanks

[Póg mo 1,749]

I would recommend buying a certified used Toyota if at all possible. Check out larger dealerships to see if they will give you financing, because often they will have many more financing options available. Be aware that the sticker price will not including title transfer, registration, gap insurance etc.

Don't even consider buying an older model American car unless it has an manual transmission. After a hundred thousand miles automatic transmissions are liable to pack up at any time and are really expensive to repair. Make sure to have any car you are interested in properly looked over by a competent mechanic who has a hoist. Try and avoid cars that have been driven in areas where the roads are salted during the winter also don't buy older cars with lots of electronic components. Manual everything is the way to go if you don't want to be spending lots of time and money on new parts and repairs.

Don't bother with the Kelly blue book for valuations. Most dealers I have ever dealt with have used NADA Guides to make car valuations. Also unless you buying your used car from a dealership in a small town and that they have interest in making sure your happy with your purchase I would avoid purchasing an older model unwarranted used car.