Help with Buying a Used Car and Selling a Used Car

I used to work for GMAC and I saw so many people get ripped off by buying a brand new car and then driving it off the lot and getting in a wreck. IF you decide to buy new, or make payments, then I recommend GAP insurance! I covers the difference between the price of the car on the lot and what its worth once you drive it off. I am pretty sure they offer it for used cars as well. If you want to spend a lot and look for a pretty new car, then returned lease is the way to go.

If, on the other hand you are like me, (I have a 1996 Saab, and a 1995 Volvo wagon), which is sounds like you are, then go to car lots and drive what you are interested in buying. I bought my volvo from a reputable shop that lets you take them home and test drive them for the day and night. I highly recommend this, because 2 of the ones I drove had mild exhaust leaks that didnt' turn up in their testing, but when I drove the car to my sister's (she lives about 90 min away) I got headaches from it. I am highly sensitive so these cars wouldn't work for me, but the third one was a keeper!

I have gotten some great deals on Craigslist, and if you go to Kelly Blue book, Edmunds, and NADA, you will get 3 different prices, so you can see what you should get for a car, and what you should pay. Most private parties use KBB, but dealers use NADA. I would look at consumer reports and then look on forums for reviews. Also, look at how much you are going to have to repair, and if it is somehting you can do yourself, or if a shop has to do it.

When thinking of going with a van/SUV instead of using racks, look at gas. Will you need the storage all the time, once a week, once amonth, etc. This should influence what you buy.

Honda's and Toyota's are more expensive on CL, just like the dealer's because they hold their value. I looked at a van this last time, but the only one I could afford was the Previa (not good reviews on reliability) so I dont' recommend that one. I ended up with a wagon because it did what I needed and had a rack. But, my SAAB still gets better mileage.

When you go to the dealer and trade in a car, they like to wrap it all into one sale, but really it is 2 sales. One, you are selling them your old car, and two, they are selling you a new (to you) car. Rolling them into one is a great salesman trick to get you to spend more because it seems like less. I hope that helps some. Feel free to ask more questions ifyou need or want to. Its such a hard thing to do, good luck!
Oh, also, try putting in and out all the stuff you need to, like kids in carseats, carseats, sports equipment, etc. do they fit, does it work? that test drive thing is great if you can find it! My mom went so far as to actually rent the car she was looking at, and she was glad because she didnt' like it at all. That's another way to go.

I'm going thru this right now. Its so hard! I sold my car I listed on Craigslist and autotrader.com. I'm using the cash from that to buy 2 other vehicles. We still have my minivan, but have buyers for it but will not make any money on it but will be out of car payments...yippee!!! So I sold my car, and bought a small suv, a 2004 mazda tribute for hubs to drive...it gets better gas milage and he's in sales so we needed that for him. I'm looking for another van or suv with 3 rows for the kids...OMG! Its so hard! I have a local mechanic that doesn't charge me to look over cars before I buy them. Well, I think I've taken 6 or 8 to him so far! I'm not even CONSIDERING salvage/restored titles, it MUST be a clean title...insurance will not add it if its not clean, you can only get liability. I also need it to be in decent shape inside and out. Not thrashed inside or faded paint...ugh...and it needs to be in my price range. So it narrows my choices. I can't buy from a dealer, even used...their prices are WAY higher than private party...but you take a risk on buying a stolen vehicle or a crappy one...I just took one for a test drive from a little hole in the wall dealer, a van for $3990, and it broke down on the test drive to our mechanic with me and my 3 kids in it!!! So I can see why people just go to a dealer, it so much EASIER so who cares that you are paying 3x more!?!? LOL! So my advice is to find a mechanic that won't charge you to look it over, they have saved my bacon! And since I'm an insurance agent, I have a contact who is an auto broker that runs the Carfax reports for me for free and someone who owns a title/reg company like the DMV and they check to make sure the title is clean for me. I have been doing this for 3 weeks and have learned probably too much...but we are trying to be cash only and don't want payment so we are buying older for now so we can save up for a house. Anyway, I have rambled on here but I wish you luck! Also, go on autotrader.com, they have articals about buying/selling with great info. Good luck to you!!!!

Because of the age a dealer is only going to give you scrap price so you would be better off scraping it yourself. I would suggest Craigslist, there is a chance someone who wants and older car and knows how to fix it themselves will see it and give you more than you can for scrap.

So long as the body and seats are in good condition you can probably sell it in a private sale.

So far as Toyotas go you are going to find used is not a good deal. They price very much like the Hondas. I bought my CRV new in 2007 for 21,000. A used one with the same stuff on it, with 50,000 miles was 20,000, you can see why I just paid the extra 1,000 and bought the new one.

Do you have an Enterprise rental by you? They sell really nice used fleet for pretty good prices. Plus a lot of credit unions have good loan deals on them.

We are USAA members. We purchased my newest car through them. It was as easy as sliced pie. No kidding. I applied on-line, we were approved in less than 30 seconds. We printed the check out from our account and took it shopping with us. It was THAT easy.

As to knowing what to buy. Look around at what you LIKE FIRST. Then go to ConsumerReports.org - and find out about the cars - that's how we made our choice.

I personally would look up the Kelly Blue Book value on the car(s) that I am going to get rid of and then see what the dealer would offer me for them. If you have a CARMAX near you - you can take it there and get a check for it on the spot.

I haven't bought a car from LONGO since 1986. I don't know what their reputation is anymore. It was good before.

A Toyota Sequoia is HUGE - although I'm talking about the 2012 - that my friend just spent $61K on - it fits a family of five well STILL with room!!

I love my Honda Odyssey!!!

If you can sell it on your own, that may be the way to go. However, it can take a while to find a buyer. When you go in to buy your new (to you) car, you can mention you have it and see what they will give you. Take a look online at kelly blue book so you have an idea.

Keep you mind open to everything. Sometimes the dealer will have new cars on the lot that are old inventory for them. As well, sometimes new cars have incentives that will help out. Your sales person will likely ask you what type of payment you are looking for, so have an idea when you go in.

Also, check out the rate at your bank and or credit union. CU's usually have lower rates.

You can also check the rental sales lots. Like Enterprise or Budget. They usually have cars that are maxed out on mileage for sale.

Good luck.

Car Max to purchase and as for dumping the other one? I'd suggest donating it to an organization...
YMMV
LBC

you said you had a great Toyota mechanic. Are they with a dealer or independent? if they are independent I would start there. I had a 98 honda accord that I bought in 2001. I used it for 9 years and my 1 mechanic did EVERYTHING on it. when it came time to sell I sold it to him. It was 12 year old so it needed some little stuff but he could be the one to do that and then still make a profit. his intention was to resell it (like a flip) but he is still driving it because it was in good condition. So you might not be able to sell your toyota dealer your mercedes BUT your mechanic MAY have others who are upgrading and need to sell their old toyota. If your mechanic is great and has done most of the work on his other customers' cars then maybe he can help you and you can be confident in his opinion. My dad has been going to this mechanic for 20 years and has built an excellent relationship with them. He has bought 2 cars from them and has had them inspect multiple cars that he intended to purchase used and ended up walking away from several and buying 2 based on their recommendations. see if you can get your own loan from your bank or credit union either way because them you have better buying power, unless of course you are paying cash.

You should check Enterprise Car Sales - they typically have great deals on great cars with low mileage. I work in another division of Enterprise...if you're interested, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the right person.

I sold an old car and bought a used car from craiglist before. We took the car to carmax to get a price. They are like $2000 less than what we got from craiglist. So, if you are not in the rush, try to do it two separate transactions.

Buying and selling craiglist are great... just need to be careful about the scam. Anyway, meet everyone in public and check the car etc... you will get a deal...If you already have a mechanic, have them to check the car before the transaction.

I don't have any advice, but I do have some reassurance. :) In 26 years of marriage, we only bought 1 new car (and drove it for the next 22 years.) For our 2nd car and for our kids' cars, we've always bought used, never had a real problem, and never regretted it.

look through usaa car buying program. it saved us like 4000 off a new car, not sure though if you can buy used.