about to replace 2 family cars, buying suggestions

am about to replace 2 of the family cars and wanted to listen to suggestions from this
group as I suspect someone here has recently had a good buying experience

first, the specs

1. both cars will be used, 1 to no more than 2 years old, annual miles at 12k or less
2. make, model or color does not matter but clearly there are some things out (ie. no
8 cyl cars)

I am aware of edmunds, kbb and suggestions by financial mags like smartmoney where
they suggest you email or fax local dealers your requirements and then wait for them
to come back with price. Have actually bought a couple times using the local dealers
fleet-sales department, end of the month and with knowledge of factory dealer
incentives which were all used to reduce the final price. That was a *lot* of work,
more related to new car purchase and I would like to simplify this purchase if
possible.

Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
that could happen to any used car you buy.

I don't need to finance any car I buy but I recognize that there may be a discount
from a dealer for using their preferred financing resource and I can always pay off
the balance (ignoring the small amount of finance charges which they will charge even
for just a 30-day car loan).

Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone with specific
experiences with either?

All suggestions and comments welcome.

In article >, zeke > wrote:
>
>1. both cars will be used, 1 to no more than 2 years old, annual miles at 12k or less
>2. make, model or color does not matter but clearly there are some things out (ie. no
>8 cyl cars)

If you buy cars like this, the long-term reliability of the car has really
very little to do with the car and everything to do with the way the first
owner treated it.

>I am aware of edmunds, kbb and suggestions by financial mags like smartmoney where
>they suggest you email or fax local dealers your requirements and then wait for them
>to come back with price. Have actually bought a couple times using the local dealers
>fleet-sales department, end of the month and with knowledge of factory dealer
>incentives which were all used to reduce the final price. That was a *lot* of work,
>more related to new car purchase and I would like to simplify this purchase if
>possible.

Find someone who has a car to sell, whom you KNOW treated it properly.
Buy that car. This is a difficult thing to do. There are really no
shortcuts. Ask local mechanics if they can recommend something.

>Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
>with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
>sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
>that could happen to any used car you buy.

This is the best thing to do, because you know who will treat a car well
and who will not. And you can look them in the eye and ask if they really
DID follow the oil change schedule in the manual.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:27:40 +0200, "zeke" > wrote:

>am about to replace 2 of the family cars and wanted to listen to suggestions from this
>group as I suspect someone here has recently had a good buying experience
>
>first, the specs
>
>1. both cars will be used, 1 to no more than 2 years old, annual miles at 12k or less
>2. make, model or color does not matter but clearly there are some things out (ie. no
>8 cyl cars)
>
>I am aware of edmunds, kbb and suggestions by financial mags like smartmoney where
>they suggest you email or fax local dealers your requirements and then wait for them
>to come back with price. Have actually bought a couple times using the local dealers
>fleet-sales department, end of the month and with knowledge of factory dealer
>incentives which were all used to reduce the final price. That was a *lot* of work,
>more related to new car purchase and I would like to simplify this purchase if
>possible.
>
>Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
>with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
>sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
>that could happen to any used car you buy.
>
>I don't need to finance any car I buy but I recognize that there may be a discount
>from a dealer for using their preferred financing resource and I can always pay off
>the balance (ignoring the small amount of finance charges which they will charge even
>for just a 30-day car loan).
>
>Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone with specific
>experiences with either?
>
>All suggestions and comments welcome.
>


Just a couple of quick thoughts...

- whatever you look at, drive it. And if there is ANYTHING that seems
odd when you drive it, don't buy it. At least not till you verify the
oddity is in "all" of them.

- check for accident damage and don't buy if it's been in an accident

- For the age and mileage you are looking at anything you buy should
still be under manufacturers warranty for at least one more
year/12,000 so that takes some of the pressure off as far as buying an
expensive problem. Anything significant should show up soon within
the remaining warranty period.

- consider going with a 2 year old instead of 1 year old and use the
savings to buy an extended warranty and you'll have piece of mind for
at least another 5 years and 70,000 miles.

- I would avoid dealers if for no other reason then you will pay more
for the car and also (at least here) pay sales tax on top of that. As
I mentioned above, you'll be getting a warranty so that takes a lot of
the worry out of hidden defects that would be covered under warranty
when they show up.

On Mar 10, 9:27*pm, "zeke" > wrote:
> am about to replace 2 of the family cars and wanted to listen to suggestions from this
> group as I suspect someone here has recently had a good buying experience
>
> first, the specs
>
> 1. both cars will be used, 1 to no more than 2 years old, annual miles at 12k or less
> 2. make, model or color does not matter but clearly there are some things out (ie. no
> 8 cyl cars)

You need to get a lot more specific before starting out on a shopping
trip. Your description of a low milage recent model used car that
doesn't have a V8 engine will fit the vast majority of used cars on
the road from Toyota Yaris to a BMW 7 series.


>
> I am aware of edmunds, kbb and suggestions by financial mags like smartmoney where
> they suggest you email or fax local dealers your requirements and then wait for them
> to come back with price. Have actually bought a couple times using the local dealers
> fleet-sales department, end of the month and with knowledge of factory dealer
> incentives which were all used to reduce the final price. That was a *lot* of work,
> more related to new car purchase and I would like to simplify this purchase if
> possible.

Simplifying the purchase will involve less work on your part and
possibly not as good a price if you are set on buying through dealers
only. Why not look at used private party cars too?


>
> Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
> with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
> sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
> that could happen to any used car you buy.

What difference would that make? Just look for a used car that meets
your criteria once you decide on them. Then have the car inspected by
a mechanic.


>
> I don't need to finance any car I buy but I recognize that there may be a discount
> from a dealer for using their preferred financing resource and I can always pay off
> the balance (ignoring the small amount of finance charges which they will charge even
> for just a 30-day car loan).

You are buying a used car. Discounted financing is in my experience
reserved for new cars. BTW, realize that if you receive a discount on
financing you will likely not get as good a deal on the car purchase
price. I've never heard of a dealer giving a special purchase price
for using their financing source, unless the interest rate is jacked
up to compensate.

Think through the math in your example.

>
> Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone with specific
> experiences with either?

Are you willing to buy a car sight-unseen and uninspected? If so then
go with the internet. Just remember that Ebay and Autotrader are only
brokers bringing buyer and seller together. The sellers reputation is
far more important than that of the broker.

>
> All suggestions and comments welcome.

"zeke" > wrote in message
...
> am about to replace 2 of the family cars and wanted to listen to
> suggestions from this group as I suspect someone here has recently had a
> good buying experience
>
> first, the specs
>
> 1. both cars will be used, 1 to no more than 2 years old, annual miles at
> 12k or less
> 2. make, model or color does not matter but clearly there are some things
> out (ie. no 8 cyl cars)
>
> I am aware of edmunds, kbb and suggestions by financial mags like
> smartmoney where they suggest you email or fax local dealers your
> requirements and then wait for them to come back with price. Have actually
> bought a couple times using the local dealers fleet-sales department, end
> of the month and with knowledge of factory dealer incentives which were
> all used to reduce the final price. That was a *lot* of work, more related
> to new car purchase and I would like to simplify this purchase if
> possible.
>
> Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to
> just network with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if
> someone has a car for sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from
> someone you know, but then again that could happen to any used car you
> buy.
>
> I don't need to finance any car I buy but I recognize that there may be a
> discount from a dealer for using their preferred financing resource and I
> can always pay off the balance (ignoring the small amount of finance
> charges which they will charge even for just a 30-day car loan).
>
> Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone
> with specific experiences with either?
>
> All suggestions and comments welcome.
>


Consumer Reports is your friend...

On Mar 10, 7:27*pm, "zeke" > wrote:
> am about to replace 2 of the family cars and wanted to listen to suggestions from this
> group as I suspect someone here has recently had a good buying experiencether?
>
> All suggestions and comments welcome.

Hi,

I recommend a nice 5 year old Buick or two. Buick is perhaps the
least appreciated brand out there. The cars are better and often more
reliable than Chevys but used, they often sell for less. Quality has
been up there with Lexus for years but resale value is low (its a
buyers market now anyway).

Also, the bigger plusher ones are often no more expensive than a
smaller model. I see nice Rivieras prices in the low thousands and
they are still sweet cars. Buick engines are very reliable too only
make sure to stick to the 3.8L or higher engines, some low-end models
got the lesser Chevy V6.

Harry

> Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
> with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
> sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
> that could happen to any used car you buy.

Remar Sutton in _Don't Get Taken Every Time_ recommends this approach,
the catch being, of course, that you get what they have available when
they're ready to sell it, so you need to plan ahead (as you seem to be
doing). I've had good luck with it.

Incidentally, the book (http://www.dontgettakeneverytime.com) is a
good thing to read whether you're thinking about buying new or used.
The author is a former Nader's Raider type who knows all the sleazy
tricks and shows you how they work.

If you belong to one of those warehouse buying clubs, remember they're
not just about 55-gallon drums of Worcestershire sauce; see it they
have an auto broker service, and whether it offers inspected late-
model used cars as well as new ones.


> Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone with specific
> experiences with either?

I lurked on eBay Motors for a while when I was looking for a specific
car, but always the bidding seemed to get beyond my preset limit in
the last half hour or so, and the hammer usually fell for more than I
thought the car was worth. BTW, whatever the item and whetehr it's an
electronic or in-person auction, vaccinate yourself against auction
fever by going in having done your homework and knowing what the thing
is worth and what you're willing to pay.

I'm about to go look at a car advertised on Craigslist. I'd lurked
around there long enough to learn how to spot the most obvious signs
of a hustler who always seems to have one or more cars for sale, and
who knows how to get into the results of a "by owner" sort, and/or how
to stay under the radar of how the state defines a dealer. Watch out
also for salvage titles and for people who cheerfully posit the least
and cheapest, not the most probable, theory for any major defects
(needs tuneup = needs overhaul, a/c needs some freon = a/c needs a new
one, etc.) A lot of this stuff also applies to other venues, of
course,.

Finally, if you have any doubts at all, have a trusted mechanic with
no stake in the deal give it a look. You're paying not only for
expertise but for objectivity, since by the time it gets that far you
implicitly want the car. A seller who can't or won't figure out a way
to make that happen should be thanked and shown a clean pair of heels
-- there are plenty of used cars around.

Best of luck,
--Joe

Around So. California a Ford Five Hundred which has a V-6 3.0, that
had 57000 miles on was on sale for $6000 private party recently.


Mercury Montego is the same car.
http://www.motortrend.com/av/reviews...red/index.html

I remember reading somewhere that people that bought those cars new
were disappoingted/angry at the car's low resale value. It's a safe
car too.


On Mar 13, 3:22*pm, Ad absurdum per aspera >
wrote:
> > Finally, with the economy being what it is, would it simply be best to just network
> > with neighbors, friends, family and workplace and find out if someone has a car for
> > sale? There is the danger of getting a lemon from someone you know, but then again
> > that could happen to any used car you buy.
>
> Remar Sutton in _Don't Get Taken Every Time_ recommends this approach,
> the catch being, of course, that you get what they have available when
> they're ready to sell it, so you need to plan ahead (as you seem to be
> doing). *I've had good luck with it.
>
> Incidentally, the book (http://www.dontgettakeneverytime.com) is a
> good thing to read whether you're thinking about buying new or used.
> The author is a former Nader's Raider type who knows all the sleazy
> tricks and shows you how they work.
>
> If you belong to one of those warehouse buying clubs, remember they're
> not just about 55-gallon drums of Worcestershire sauce; see it they
> have an auto broker service, and whether it offers inspected late-
> model used cars as well as *new ones.
>
> > Couple online places some forums suggest are eBay and Autotrader, anyone with specific
> > experiences with either?
>
> I lurked on eBay Motors for a while when I was looking for a specific
> car, but always the bidding seemed to get beyond my preset limit in
> the last half hour or so, and the hammer usually fell for more than *I
> thought the car was worth. *BTW, whatever the item and whetehr it's an
> electronic or in-person auction, vaccinate yourself against auction
> fever by going in having done your homework and knowing what the thing
> is worth and what you're willing to pay.
>
> I'm about to go look at a car advertised on Craigslist. *I'd lurked
> around there long enough to learn how to spot the most obvious signs
> of a *hustler who always seems to have one or more cars for sale, and
> who knows how to get into the results of a "by owner" sort, and/or how
> to stay under the radar of how the state defines a dealer. *Watch out
> also for salvage titles and for people who cheerfully posit the least
> and cheapest, not the most probable, theory for any major defects
> (needs tuneup = needs overhaul, a/c needs some freon = a/c needs a new
> one, etc.) *A lot of this stuff also applies to other venues, of
> course,.
>
> Finally, if you have any doubts at all, have a trusted mechanic with
> no stake in the deal give it a look. *You're paying not only for
> expertise but for objectivity, since by the time it gets that far you
> implicitly want the car. *A seller who can't or won't figure out a way
> to make that happen should be thanked and shown a clean pair of heels
> -- there are plenty of used cars around.
>
> Best of luck,
> --Joe

On Mar 15, 8:39*am, stevegp > wrote:
> Around So. California a Ford Five Hundred which has a V-6 3.0, that
> had 57000 miles on was on sale for $6000 private party recently.

Yeah, I was tempted by the new Five Hundred when it came out. It got
five stars in all the crash ratings, despite not being a really huge
car, and a comfy, decently quick vehicle that doesn't *look* like
ticket troll or booster bait is my kind of car.

A slight evolution of the same vehicle is now called the Taurus.
Supposedly Ford thought the lack of name recognition was its problem
(they probably should've called it the Galaxie 500; after all, it
occupies the same place in their product range as the old Galaxie
did).

I could be happy with the last couple years of Impala and people say
good things about the Cobalt too. Just to take some examples. Nissan
Altima is another one to consider.

Whether or not you like those particular cars, stevegp brings up a
good point by mentioning a specific make and model. You should narrow
down the search by qualities you seek (size, gas mileage, safety
ratings, etc.) and then come up with ways to downselect to a short
list of cars to actually lie in wait for a good example of
(reliability records, resale value...) I see that the latest Consumer
Reports used-car guide is out, and I found it to be well worth taking
into consideration. The question as stated might be impractically
broad.

Cheers,
--Joe

On 2009-03-16, Ad absurdum per aspera > wrote:

> (they probably should've called it the Galaxie 500; after all, it
> occupies the same place in their product range as the old Galaxie
> did).

no. it occupies the fairlane spot. The crown vic (although no longer
sold outside of fleet sales) still has the Galaxie spot. Theme is still
valid as there was also a Fairlane 500.