how many miles were on your G35 and how much did they offer on trade in? I just bought a BMW '03 and wanted to know what I was in for if I trade it inJust to add that I agree.I am no Chet but I just bought my first USED car. A certified preowned 2011 MB e350 with 19000 miles in flawless condition(look at me !)Experience was easy... Traded in my 03 Infiniti G35 and was pleased with trade in $ receivedThrew 24K S at the transaction and I am left to finance 20K totalWent in thinking I was going to hate, hate all that wasted time and effort but came away pleasantly surprisedThe internet has made the buying experience a lot easierand oh...yes, I do like my new ride(because you care)
I had 125K on this thing.They pretty much gave me KBBI didn't even argue as I knew that some repairs were going to be in orderSerpentine belt,brakes....oh and my service engine light was onIt was in fair shape...they gave me $5200...I was psyched'Jojo the circus boy said:how many miles were on your G35 and how much did they offer on trade in? I just bought a BMW '03 and wanted to know what I was in for if I trade it in'snapperhead said:Just to add that I agree.I am no Chet but I just bought my first USED car. A certified preowned 2011 MB e350 with 19000 miles in flawless condition(look at me !)Experience was easy... Traded in my 03 Infiniti G35 and was pleased with trade in $ receivedThrew 24K S at the transaction and I am left to finance 20K totalWent in thinking I was going to hate, hate all that wasted time and effort but came away pleasantly surprisedThe internet has made the buying experience a lot easierand oh...yes, I do like my new ride(because you care)
that doesnt make sense.Heard a guy on the radio say something the other day that I couldn't believe was true but I guess it is....He said many used cars are worth MORE now than they were worth a year ago. Huh??Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one who gives a #### about the rules? If I was in the market for a car now I would definitely be buying new.
Its not exactly true. A 2008 car is worth less today than it was last year. But a 3-year old car is worth more today than a 3-year old car last year.In a nutshell, when the bottom fell out of the economy in late 2008, new car sales dried up, and fleet purchases almost disappeared. In the used-car world, the most popular models are 3-year old cars - primarily as a result of a steady supply of vehicles coming off lease, and out of fleets. So with the drop in new car sales in 2008, there is a significant lack of "quality" used car inventory. Buyers are still looking, but dealers are having a tougher time finding the right inventory, and more dealers are looking for that inventory - driving the price to acquire the vehicle up, which drives the price to the consumer up.In many cases the advantage of buying used v. new is minimized to the point where it may make more sense, from a value stand point, to buy new.that doesnt make sense.Heard a guy on the radio say something the other day that I couldn't believe was true but I guess it is....He said many used cars are worth MORE now than they were worth a year ago. Huh??Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one who gives a #### about the rules? If I was in the market for a car now I would definitely be buying new.
I bought my 2007 PT Cruiser Limited Edition for 8,100 2 years ago with 35,000 miles, from a dealer and that was the internet price. Several cars in that price range at the time. Can't find a 2007 PT Cruiser for that now with those miles now. To even be similar, I would have to downgrade to a touring edition. 10,000 is the best I can find now for the limited edition and that is with an extra 15,000 miles.Heard a guy on the radio say something the other day that I couldn't believe was true but I guess it is....He said many used cars are worth MORE now than they were worth a year ago. Huh??Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one who gives a #### about the rules? If I was in the market for a car now I would definitely be buying new.
Does "invoice price" equal "wholesale price"?I never look at MSRP. I always guide off of invoice. -QGI know this thread is about used cars but I have a new car buying question for you car negotiating pros: What is the wiggle room on the MSRP for a new car? Say I'm looking at a car that has an MSRP of 30k, what am I likely be able to get the dealer down to?
Even though I can afford a new car easily, I ONLY look for cars under 3k. I really like being able to not care about my car. If someone opens their door into mine in the parking lot, oopsie, whatever. I appreciate not caring about that. I got enough stuff to care about.Is it worth paying less than $3k for a car? Trying to help an aunt of mine find a car while on a a super tight budget. She just lost her Ford Focus after a bad accident. :sad:
I'm the same way. I had a '94 Ranger and that thing was bullet proof. I drove it for about 5 years with no issues. The yearly oil change and new brakes were about all I did to it.Even though I can afford a new car easily, I ONLY look for cars under 3k. I really like being able to not care about my car. If someone opens their door into mine in the parking lot, oopsie, whatever. I appreciate not caring about that. I got enough stuff to care about.Is it worth paying less than $3k for a car? Trying to help an aunt of mine find a car while on a a super tight budget. She just lost her Ford Focus after a bad accident. :sad:
I make sure the tires, brakes, and engine are all reliable, but absolutely LOVE driving older model cars with 100-150k miles on them. Cheap to fix, cheap to maintain, and just cheap in general, while still reliable and good on gas.
For example. I own a couple cars, one of which is a 1999 saturn with 80k miles on it. The KBB price on it is barely 2 grand. Car is pretty much like-new (at least it would be if the year was 2001).
Lots of good older used reliable stuff out there. Like I said, I got enough to worry about, rather not have to care if my damn car gets a little scratch
Right on. Some people are ok paying many extra thousands of dollars for comfort, be it the car itelf being more comfortable, or the comfort of other people seeing you drive a nice car.I'm the same way. I had a '94 Ranger and that thing was bullet proof. I drove it for about 5 years with no issues. The yearly oil change and new brakes were about all I did to it.
To the point though, there's lots of good vehicles for under $3000. They won't be pretty for the most part but they'll be reliable.
If you can do your own maintenance, buy a beater.Is everything in here still relevant? I was looking to purchase a new car and wasn't sure how much of this still applied
do you take a mechanic with you when purchasing a car under 3k?Even though I can afford a new car easily, I ONLY look for cars under 3k. I really like being able to not care about my car. If someone opens their door into mine in the parking lot, oopsie, whatever. I appreciate not caring about that. I got enough stuff to care about.
I make sure the tires, brakes, and engine are all reliable, but absolutely LOVE driving older model cars with 100-150k miles on them. Cheap to fix, cheap to maintain, and just cheap in general, while still reliable and good on gas.
For example. I own a couple cars, one of which is a 1999 saturn with 80k miles on it. The KBB price on it is barely 2 grand. Car is pretty much like-new (at least it would be if the year was 2001).
Lots of good older used reliable stuff out there. Like I said, I got enough to worry about, rather not have to care if my damn car gets a little scratch
No. I know SOME stuff about what to look for, and just as (if not more) important is assessing WHO you are buying the car from.do you take a mechanic with you when purchasing a car under 3k?
I know this wasn't directed at me but I thought would weigh in since I've bought my share of used vehicles.do you take a mechanic with you when purchasing a car under 3k?
That is a steal. Mid 90s Rangers are going from $1500-$2000 with double the miles around here. Most are sticks with body rust as well. Well done.Just bought a 2002 ford ranger for $1,200. 92k miles. A/C works. Basically new tires. New battery. Regular cab, long bed. Automatic. Seems to run pretty well, drove it over 10 miles at all speeds before buying.
Bought it off the local facebook classifieds from a retired guy. Super nice. He looked genuinely sad he was selling it.. He got himself a brand new Jeep for his retirement present to himself.
Kelly Blue Book "fair" condition price for private party sale for this truck is over $3,000. The one side of the bed is rusted up pretty good, but I could (probably wont) replace the panel for couple hundred bucks.
I will probably keep it for a year or two and sell it for more than I just bought it for.
Your way is fine. My way is cheaper, but your way is nicer and more reliable. Overall though, your way is cheap. Like a really cheap lease.Good stuff Ghost, I'll add what I do. Your system is likely cheaper but I like just a slightly fancier ride. My deal is mostly Honda Accord Coupe EX, like them about 5-7 years old, 60k-75k miles but I'm sure you will show me where I am doing this wrong.
Let's say I buy one for $10,000 cash. I drive it for 4 years and 60,000 miles. I sell it for $6k and I am out $4k for 48 months or less than $100 a month. Go out and buy a similar car again. I have been driving Hondas for the last 20 years, can't bring myself to buy anything else. Wife loves the Subarus. Luckily both retain value pretty well.
But you are talking beaters. I beat the hell out of cars because they can handle it, never had luck on American cars.
Best car I ever owned(memory wise) was a 1990 manual Civic EX Hatch, white with black tint, heavy bass, smooth ride. Bought it used of course. After that I had a Prelude, remember those? Then it was on to Accords and I have been driving them for 15 years.Your way is fine. My way is cheaper, but your way is nicer and more reliable. Overall though, your way is cheap. Like a really cheap lease.
We still always have a "nice" family car. Currently the 2015 Odyssey we bought last year, before that was a 10 year old Rav4, and before that was the 2004 Passat my wife bought after she graduated college and got her first job. The Odyssey was a really stupid purchase IMO, but we had a baby on the way, daughter in soccer, and my wife #####ed and moaned like crazy (which she basically never does) so I caved on that one. At least it is a really nice, so there's that.
For "my" car I go the beater route. A lot of the time the car is nice enough to not be considered a beater, but I get it cheap enough to where I can sell it for about the same a year later, sometimes two years later. The truck I just got I might be able to sell for more than I paid for it like 3-4 years from now.
I may actually start going your route soon, but probably a civic.
171,000 miles on a front wheel drive car-CV joints been replaced? Does that transmissionThis may sound like a no brainer but since I have not purchased many used cars I will ask: Is 171,000 miles on a vehicle too many to be concerned about? Here a the very few known details of the particular car in question:
2007 Nissan Altima
171,000 miles
2 owners, the current for only the past year (loves the car but wants to get a SUV or pick up).
Current owner keeps good care of everything, so I am not too concerned with up keep.
Asking price is $4,700.
I have not looked at the car yet but photos seem to show the exterior and interior to be in good, clean condition.
The miles seem high for a 2007? But in this day and age maybe that is not as many miles as it seems? The car will need to last the next 5-6 years to get kid through college...
Looking for a bit of advice if I should waste my time (or he sellers). Obviously need to drive, maybe get a car fax report too.
Thanks in advance for any input.
The tax issue is something I definitely factor in. Tax is a big reason I do the cheaper end cars, and lots of times both parties can agree to say the sales price was lower than it actually was which is pretty easy to get away with when you are talking about 10 year old vehicles.Keeping the car for a year is a concern-Is he going to take a sales tax hit on another
car to get rid of this one?
As someone who just got rid of a 2005 Maxima because the catalytic converter went bad and wouldn't pass smog in CA, definitely find out about this. No one sold mine aftermarket, and I would've had to purchase from the dealer, at $2k, just to keep it as a beater for my 16-year-old.171,000 miles on a front wheel drive car-CV joints been replaced? Does that transmission
still shift smooth?. Starter easy to get to? Any rust by the suspension mounts? I'm the guy
that only buys used and that mileage is high (the price even higher). If the catalytic converter
isn't clogged it's not far from it.
You can find a car for $4.700 to last 5-6 years without that high of a threat of a major component
going bad. Most used cars have good clean ex/interior. It's the stuff you can't see (mechanical)
that's going to cost you.
Same here.
Will take a spin through the thread, but, based on last post, looking to see if anyone has more recent updates/tips to offer? Son just got his license, so beginning the hunt...
Buy a cheap/reliable car with dents and scratches all over it. That is so much better than buying an expensive/reliable car that is about to have dents and scratches all over it.
Will take a spin through the thread, but, based on last post, looking to see if anyone has more recent updates/tips to offer? Son just got his license, so beginning the hunt...
More details are needed. What is the car, options, and location?I’m currently looking for a used car. Any ideas on how much I can realistically expect to be taken off the sticker price if the car is already categorized as a “great deal” on Car Gurus? Current price is about 13k. Gurus says it’s 2500 below average price.