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[BlackNMild2k1]

This doesn't have to do with leasing or financing, but it does have to do with buying a car. I can't make a new topic yet so I'm gonna put it here, hope you don't mind.

I am buying a used car from a private seller tomorrow and I just want to know everthing I should know about making the transaction complete and not getting screwed.

any help/info/advice would be appreciated

 

[iapetus]

Seems like a good question, though it doesn't really belong in the leasing thread. I assume you're in the USA?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

get a mechanic to look at it.

 

[Nerevar]

get a mechanic to look at it.

this is the most important thing you can do before buying a used car. If the owner won't let you do that, don't buy the fucking car. End of story.

 

[heavy liquid]

get a mechanic to look at it.

this is the most important thing you can do before buying a used car. If the owner won't let you do that, don't buy the fucking car. End of story.

This really can't be emphasized enough. Other than that, check out Kelley Blue Book and make sure the pricing seems right.

 

[BlackNMild2k1]

thanx to whoever created this for me, I don't have access to the option yet

Yeah I'm in the Bay Area in Cali, I'm buying a '99 Lexus GS300 in perfect condition for $14,500 - kbb @ $15,100

Now I just wanna know what I should look out for, check up on and make sure gets signed. I want to make sure this is a smooth deal and that nothing goes wrong.

I had a friend look at the engine and every thing had looked fine, but he is no mechanic, I want to have another friend look at it too though.

 

[Ecrofirt]

what is kbb, and how do I find out what the kbb price is?

I first heard about it in a renting thread a few weeks ago, an I've got no idea where to go to find the price.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

thanx to whoever created this for me, I don't have access to the option yet

Yeah I'm in the Bay Area in Cali, I'm buying a '99 Lexus GS300 in perfect condition for $14,500 - kbb @ $15,100

Now I just wanna know what I should look out for, check up on and make sure gets signed. I want to make sure this is a smooth deal and that nothing goes wrong.

I had a friend look at the engine and every thing had looked fine, but he is no mechanic, I want to have another friend look at it too though.

that certainly ain't no beater. For that much, you should DEFINATELY have someone check it out.

 

[iapetus]

what is kbb, and how do I find out what the kbb price is?

I first heard about it in a renting thread a few weeks ago, an I've got no idea where to go to find the price.

http://www.kbb.com/

 

[Lemurnator]

My stepdad gets a magazine every once in a while about retirement lolz. AARP Magazine.

I saw a big article on how to avoid getting a lemon. Tests you can do yourself. One that I remember after reading it out of curioisity was to drive and let go of the steering wheel and if the car jerked in one direction there was major steering problems.

Also something about some kind of fluid supposed to be pink and not orange. Little things that are big indicators.

 

[Nerevar]

thanx to whoever created this for me, I don't have access to the option yet

Yeah I'm in the Bay Area in Cali, I'm buying a '99 Lexus GS300 in perfect condition for $14,500 - kbb @ $15,100

Now I just wanna know what I should look out for, check up on and make sure gets signed. I want to make sure this is a smooth deal and that nothing goes wrong.

I had a friend look at the engine and every thing had looked fine, but he is no mechanic, I want to have another friend look at it too though.

it's not just the engine they need to look at. The whole frame should be looked over by a professional. If the frame is in any way bent it will only get worse over time as the car puts on more miles, and potentially damage other components of the car (your tires especially due to uneven wear but it can even affect your axles and drive train). Plus a good power cleaning can clear away any evidence of an oil leak, but a mechanic should have dye they can put in the engine to see if there are any "hidden" leaks anywhere. Lots of other things mechanics do when they give a used car a checkup.

Also, get the carfax report. It can sometimes be quite helpful (although other times it can be worthless).

 

[Ecrofirt]

http://www.kbb.com/

1. Your price goal, regardless of model, is KBB wholesale. Not private party, not retail. Wholesale. Trust me. If you hold your ground and don't let the salesman's BS throw you off, you'll be shocked at what you can achieve.

So what at this site would be the KBB wholesale price?

 

[Ecrofirt]

bumping. Maybe someone can help me with this kbb wholesale price issue?

 

[fart]

step 1: get a carfax
step 2: get all maintenance records from buyer (if they don't have these and/or they don't seem very trustworthy, walk away now)
step 3: get an inspection by someone you TRUST to be knowledgeable and fair. you want to be looking for: evidence of a previous collision, powertrain condition, all other mechanicals. reference the maintenance receipts/records while you do this, and look on the net for a guide of common problems for the make and model.
step 4: check out edmunds.com TMV, kbb price (this is the least realistic), nadaguides.com price
step 5: if everything checks out, haggle like a motherfucker and buy the car.

i'm guessing that's still under warranty, so you're also going to want to run the VIN by a dealership to check its warranty status and see if they can give you any other information on the car (recalls performed, etc.). do this before you by as a sanity check

if everything does check out, congrats, that's an awesome car.

to complete the transaction you'll probably want to have the seller put together a bill of sale, signed by both parties, exchange the monies, then transfer the title.

here's the DMV page: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr32.htm