Anyone Have Car Shopping Tips?

[arfink]

I'm in the market for a used car, and am looking at Ford Focus wagons in the 2004-2007 range. They're known to be pretty dependable but utilitarian cars with very large cargo capacity for a wagon.

 

I already know what these things should cost based on KBB and Edmund's price listings. But I don't really know how to haggle, and I find that most private parties and dealerships want between $700 to $1500 more than what the car should be worth, and a few want nearly double that.

 

Also, what other things should I be aware of when buying a used car?

[Nihil Obstat]

Gotcha covered:

 

How to Buy a Used Car:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2010/04/11/how-to-buy-a-used-car/

 

How to Haggle Like Your Old Man: 

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/05/11/how-to-haggle-like-your-old-man/

[CrossCuT]

Make sure its pretty

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

I'd also check Consumer Reports. They have a lot of information on the repair records of various models of used cars, etc. They also have a LOT of good information on the car-buying process. I don't know whether they will make you get a full-year subscription to get detailed information. Hopefully, they offer a free trial membership, or allow you join for a short time. However, since Consumer Reports information is so thorough and honest (CR is a nonprofit organization) that it might be worth the roughly $25 for a year's subscription, if that is the only option. You could easily save that much money by using their information. Plus, I look at CR for almost anything I purchase, so if you HAD to get a full-year subscription, you could use it for lots of things besides your car.

 

I wish I lived near you so I could come along with you. For whatever reason, I am VERY good at haggling for a good price on a car. A car salesman once told my ex-husband that I scared him (the salesman). I consider that one of the best compliments I have ever gotten in my life!! (Male car salesmen often have difficulty with a very intelligent woman who walks in with all the data and knows all about car financing, etc. Their weakness has proved to be my gain!)

[blazeingstar]

If you can ask around you can probably find one of those repair shop used car places all in one.  Usually they run much closer to margin and those with good reputations probably loose money on some of the cars they sell in hopes to have lifelong business.

 

I spent $11000 on my car, but $3000 was a trade in probably worth $500 bucks.  So about $8000 I could of purchased the car "off the street" for about $8000.  However, it had new tires, new brakes, transmission flush, new hoses & belts and a bunch of other things.  In the end, considering the car has need $20 of work in the past 2 years, it was worth it.

[OnlySunshine]

I'm in the market for a used car, and am looking at Ford Focus wagons in the 2004-2007 range. They're known to be pretty dependable but utilitarian cars with very large cargo capacity for a wagon.

 

I already know what these things should cost based on KBB and Edmund's price listings. But I don't really know how to haggle, and I find that most private parties and dealerships want between $700 to $1500 more than what the car should be worth, and a few want nearly double that.

 

Also, what other things should I be aware of when buying a used car?

 

Always use Carfax before buying a car using the VIN number!  A good rule of thumb is to get the car inspected by a mechanic you trust before buying it, too.  If the dealership won't let you (or private party), then walk away because they're trying to hide something.

[Nihil Obstat]

Never forget to kick the tires.

[Anastasia13]

I was able to negotiate my buyback value even though not the purchase price of my car.

[blazeingstar]

Always use Carfax before buying a car using the VIN number!  A good rule of thumb is to get the car inspected by a mechanic you trust before buying it, too.  If the dealership won't let you (or private party), then walk away because they're trying to hide something.

 

That said, even if they hand out the VIN it doesn't mean that something is NOT wrong.  These reports typically only list owners and reported accidents/damage.  It is VERY easy for something to have happened to the car that was never reported (like an owner causing unknown damage by driving through a flooded street).

[MIKolbe]

make sure it can handle your weight...

[Slappo]

A good rule of thumb is to get the car inspected by a mechanic you trust before buying it, too.  If the dealership won't let you (or private party), then walk away because they're trying to hide something.

This saved me about $1200 two years ago. Get the mechanic to not only inspect it, but give you the repair costs to fix the problems he finds. Those repair costs are an excellent bargaining chip.

 

They are asking $5,000 for the car but the mechanic says it needs $1,000 in repairs, boom you just knocked the price down $1,000 pretty easily. If you're feeling thrifty, buy the tools and do the $1,000 in repairs for a lot less.