Any tips on buying a used car for the first time?
By Cars & Motorcycles on Mar 22, 2009 with Comments 7
Rachel asked: I’m 16 and have been saving up for a while and have almost $4,000. I’m looking to buy a used car, and my parents aren’t really helping me a whole lot. I know to look for low mileage and a pretty recent year, but that’s just about it. I always hear that Hondas and Toyotas are the best, but what are some others that also have a good reputation, yet not too expensive? What other key things should I keep in mind when looking around?
Filed Under: Buying Used Car
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sure type into search box
how to check used car
will get you a checklist following cgheck list wil help you not buy a lemon or junk car that needs work and mileage last thing one look at that not a good way to pick a car you can find one that has low miles but drove at drag strip on weekends and be junk and findone that has 400,000 miles and be better mileage not a good sign of any thing but miles way to check a car is by looking for signs of problems and knowing model of car and what problems that model has i cant tel you how many mile on either one of my cars but i can tell you what shape its in or what problems it has and thats what you look for
The single best thing you can do is have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice BEFORE you lay down your cash. If the seller is not agreeable, walk away, the car has problems, and the seller knows it.
As a 16 year old, you will need your parents to help you. A minor can not legally contract for non-necessities (food clothing and shelter).
Several things to consider. One is the cost of insurance. It will be cheaper if you can add the car to your parent’s policy that to get a separate one. Some cars cost more to insure than others. A 4 cylinder 4 door car will be less than a V8 2 door.
You want to have any car you purchase checked out by your own mechanic (a shop, not just someone you go to school with who claims to know about cars) Have a vehicle history check done (CarFAX)
Lower mileage is better, but condition matters a lot. Sit down ans talk to your parents and ask then for their help. They may not want you to buy a car yet, and as a minor, they have the power over you to veto your purchase.
You say that you have $4000 saved. Do you have the money to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, and still save for the future (college)? Insurance can easily cost 100 per month or more.
Good luck
- here’s a good website to look for real cheap quality car from government auctions!
I bought my car for just $1250 with a milage of 5,270!
And it’s been already a year I’m riding my car and it’s still doing well!
The two biggest tips are:
1) Get a qualified mechanic to inspect any car you think you want to buy BEFORE you buy. Do NOT take a seller’s word about the condition of a car.
2) Know your prices. Use kbb.com and nadaguides.com to get fair market prices for any car you are considering so that you know whether you are getting a good deal or not.
Here’s a couple of web sites that might help with your other concerns:
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Yes Honda and Toyota are the most reliable cars by far. My favorite is 98 to 02 Honda Accord 2 door Coupe. 4 Cylinder Engine Only! The 6 Cylinder Engine seams to cause Transmission problems because it is too powerful.
Here are some tips to help you.
1. Get a Vehicle history Report, but don’t pay the 30 Bucks for them, i will tell you where to get them for $2.25
2. Check out the car for Accident Damage. Check for Hidden VIN #s on each body panel there are approx 11 in total.
3. If it is Automatic, put it in drive or reverse, if it takes longer than 2 seconds to engage especially followed by a jolt or jerk, the trans is toast, walk away.
4. Check the tires on the inside of the wheel where it is hardest to see, if you find fine metal wires protruding, the car is unsafe to drive, have the owner replace the tires first.
5. check all the dash lights come on when you start the car and then go off after a few seconds. if any lights don’t com on, or they stay on after the car has started then walk away. Lights you need to really look out for are Air Bags, ABS, Check Engine
6. Check the engine oil for Black sludge or Mayonnaise, if you find these RUN away…
7. Push down on each corner of the car a couple of times “firmly”, if it bounces like a basket ball, the suspension is gone and it is unsafe to drive.
8. Pull really hard on each seat belt, if it stops instantly it is safe, otherwise, walk away. The seat belt is Kaput and will not save you from flying through the window in an accident!
9. Check in the cigarette lighter holder for Penny’s, this is a fire hazard a can cause the car to burn to the ground or will continuously cause major problems like alternator burn outs, fuses blowing, or even complete electrical loss.
10. Get some Expert Help and Advice from people that know Exactly what they are talking about. Every thing listed above and by the other people on the page is really good stuff, but to effectively buy a used car without getting ripped off you need to cover all your bases and this can not be done with a few simple answers!
For Free Videos, Free e-Book, $3 Vehicle History Reports, Simple Vehicle Crash Tester and way more good stuff visit;
Kindest Regards and Good Luck!
When purchase a care for $4,000 you might have better success find a better deal from a private owner instead of the dealer. You have to realize that most dealers will make at least $700 on a car priced at $4,000. Of course make sure you do a car-fax on the car. If your able to take the car to the mechanic and have them test drive it. Make sure there are no noticeable problems (leaks, funny engine noise, frame damage etc..).
You are right, Toyotas and Honda’s are some of the most reliable cars that can last for a long time. Some other cars that you may want to consider are nissan (Maxima’s, Altima’s), Acura (Intregra, CL), Volkswagen (Jetta, Rabbit) and suprisingly the Chevy Caveliar is a considred pretty realiable even though its American made.