Buy Used Car From Owner

Q.What do you look for in a used car? Any experiences?

A.to answer your question of what to look for in a used car, would be a broad, generic effort that probably wouldn't help a great deal. But, I can relate to you what my experiences have indicated is the best way to purchase a good used car, that can be reliable. I have found that there is a marked difference in one-owner cars versus others, such as trade-ins on a new car lot. You CAN find a good trade-in that is a one-owner, but beware if the dealer cannot put you in contact with the previous owner so you can ask quesetions. Second, try not to buy a wreck or repaint. They will eventually have paint problems, rust, malfuctions, and they tend to sit for a while before they are repaired and returned to service, all things that reduce service life. If you find a wreck that looks like a quality job, never pay more than about 80% or so of what appraisal books say it is worth. This is a good way to save money, but only if you realize that the car will not perform/last like a non-wreck, all other things equal. Third, try to find a car that is locally owned or purchased. This helps to verify that the car is indeed a one-owner, never wrecked car. Fourth, establish why the car is being sold, and only proceed if it is reasonable. I have pruchased cars from individuals that were selling only because the car was out of warranty, and had more miles on it than the owner was comfortable with. Fifth, another way to save a great deal of money is find a high-miler that is a one-owner, never-wrecked, never painted, never-rebuilt car. Now you might say that it would be better to buy a car as such with the trans/engine already rebuilt. But, I have found that rebuilds seldom last as long as that from the factory, probably because of poor workmanship on the part of the rebuilder, despite his claims. Many mehcanics think they do a good job, but repair is not something that can replicate a new factory condition in many cases. And lastly, when I buy a high-miler, I make sure I can purchase the car cheap enough to absorb a few minor repair costs such as tires, or air conditioning, and one major repair such as engine, transmission or the like. The high-miler route is not for everyone, but I have had great success at owning older high-mile, one owner, never wrecked or repainted luxury cars and trucks, at much less than half the costs of new equivalents. I currently own a 83' Ford truck (160K+ miles), and two mid-seventies GM sedans with 140K and 120K miles, all supposedly the worst cars Detroit ever made. Total costs on them, including repairs to date are truck - $6400, car1 - $4500, car2 - $4600. I drive 25k miles a year in car1, and my wife is going to trip 60k miles for 1995 in car2. No plans to trade. Of course, these are my experiences, and as such are isolated opinions.

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