Used car tips

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  issh on 30/04/2011 - 22:23

  Here are some things you can check out

  For negotiating
  Buying a used car…..things to look for
  1st time buying used car from car yard
  buying a used car. tips please.
  Buying used car, how much u can bargain?
  Used car, need lots of buying advice

  Some Common
  Number of km
  Take for test drive

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  [Deactivated] on 01/05/2011 - 03:23

  $2000-2500 and visiting a car yard - keep in mind that a car yard really needs at least $1000 profit on a car to be viable. Yes I know you can sometimes get more off, but there's a reason, it may just not be popular etc….

  Now on a $10K car its a small percentage, on a $2K car it means they bought it for $500 - $1000 also on cars under $3K they are not obliged to give out warranty (May depend on local state rules)

  Best way for a car that amount is private sale - local newspaper, on street etc. And you will need a car savvy friend, while not a great as a mechanic at least they will help you avoid some obvious flaws.

  Considering small cars are desired by poorer students trying to save on fuel, expect to pay more for year model etc for a small car. Also smaller cars can be well worn at that price. If you are not going to use it a lot, then a larger car might be better value. (It doesnt have to be a Large car), as they may not have as many repairs to be made and spare parts are easier to find and cheaper.

  One "trick" is to visit some of the retirement villages around the area - yep it takes some balls and enquire if any of the retirees are selling car, they are more likely to be well treated and the reason for selling is generally since they can't drive rather than an issue with the car and many have older smaller models. (BTW a flyer in a letterbox's at the villages is an alternative if they dont have a central office, saying you are a poor student looking for your first car etc…)

  Most cars will cost at least $700 for registration alone and probably more if you are a younger person as this will inc CTP who's premium (NSW) is age/location based.

  Also allow that it is best to buy TPP insurance - again age/location based and can cost up to $500 ($200 for old codgers). This covers you for an accident that you are liable for.

  Good luck…..

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  altomic on 01/05/2011 - 21:25

  *always see if it starts from cold (i.e. it hasn't been run for 24 hours or so).
  *pull out the dip stick and check if there is any crap (i.e. any thing other than oil.
  *kick the tyres -this will tell you whether it is good.
  *buy it off an old codger that is too old to drive and has kept it garaged all its life and it has 40,000 on the clock.-check out bowling club notice boards.
  *I bought a diahatsu charade 10 years ago off a foreign uni student who was returning to his home country. he needed to get rid of it fast. I bought it for an excellent price and sold it a year later for a profit. -i.e. check out uni bulletin boards/trading papers.

  there is a million other things you can do.

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  bargainfreebiewhore on 01/05/2011 - 21:40

  Thanks issh for all the extra reading material and ozpete for the detailed response. Good tips altomic I'll be using them. Since you say there are a million other things you can do.. mind naming a few? ;)

  Thanks again guys.

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    altomic on 02/05/2011 - 11:02

    issh's links are pretty good.

    *If you are buying an inexpensive car then also look at how many you see around. especially if it is an "old" car.
    *There are still heaps of hyundai excells from the 90's driving. that's a good sign (I believe).
    *peugots, renaults and some other "standard" european cars have crap resale values. so they go relatively cheap (the old 504 peugots from the 70's were a bloody strong and reliable car which you still see sometimes today. (some 40 years on))
    *volvo -apparently reliable- go and go.
    *most japanese cars are well made.
    *If I needed a cheapo 1000cc runabout I would go for a daihatsu, suzuki.

    of course I am speaking n general terms and it is always best to get a car checked out by a mechanic. even if it has a roadworthy. a roadworthy means it is fit for the road. It doesn't mean the clutch is not about to go. from memory RACV etc offer mechanical inspections for $50 (this is from 10 year old memory). worth it for peace of mind if you are serious about a particular car. any seller who refuses yo let you bring a mechanic in to check out the car they are selling should be avoided.

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  bargainfreebiewhore on 04/05/2011 - 10:38

  Thanks altomic. I'll be keeping everyone's tips in mind. :)