Best sources/places for buying a cheap used car? Deciding on if I should buy in VA or NY. (Richmond: insurance, inspection)

[ariesmoon]

I'm contemplating moving to Northern VA within a month, and if I make the move I will need a cheap car to get me from point A to point B, as long as it's running and not too beat up, it doesn't matter.

I've been on my local Craigslist and have seen some ads but half tend to be fake. I'm not sure if the cars would be cheaper in VA, also since I have no residency there I most likely will have to pay NYC taxes, I'm not sure. I also don't want to pay NYC insurance because they quoted me almost $500 a month which is way too much for me.

If I stay in NYC I won't buy a car and just buy a moped like a Vespa or no name brand for short trips as insurance is usually cheaper for those.

I'm just trying to figure out if I should buy a car here in NYC or buy one up in VA when I move? My car budget is about $2000. I've seen a 2001 Honda Civic asking $2,000. My friend who lives in VA told me of Carmax, and Koons but there is nothing under $10,000 there.

How is the D.C. Craigslist? Real ads percentages compared to the scam ones? Thanks in advance.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by ariesmoon

I'm contemplating moving to Northern VA within a month, and if I make the move I will need a cheap car to get me from point A to point B, as long as it's running and not too beat up, it doesn't matter.

I've been on my local Craigslist and have seen some ads but half tend to be fake. I'm not sure if the cars would be cheaper in VA, also since I have no residency there I most likely will have to pay NYC taxes, I'm not sure. I also don't want to pay NYC insurance because they quoted me almost $500 a month which is way too much for me.

If I stay in NYC I won't buy a car and just buy a moped like a Vespa or no name brand for short trips as insurance is usually cheaper for those.

I'm just trying to figure out if I should buy a car here in NYC or buy one up in VA when I move? My car budget is about $2000. I've seen a 2001 Honda Civic asking $2,000. My friend who lives in VA told me of Carmax, and Koons but there is nothing under $10,000 there.

How is the D.C. Craigslist? Real ads percentages compared to the scam ones? Thanks in advance.

I regularly buy cars off of Craigslist because I am a gearhead. I can't speak to your NY vs. VA taxation situation, but I can tell you that I have had reasonably good luck with my Craigslist interactions here. I did have one shady situation off of the Richmond Craigslist, but that worked out rather well.

I have even had vehicles delivered to me as part of our deal. Makes for a nice breach of contract if the seller can't drive it to you!

Who says that used cars can't have a warranty!

I find that prices vary widely in the sub $2000 dollar category. Prices for trucks seem to be very overpriced in the Fredericksburg region for example, but I have been able to find novelty imports for cheap in turn.

[ariesmoon]

Ok thank you. I'll look both in NY and VA.

[dkf747]

I'd hate to spend money in New York and then have the car not pass the Va safety inspection.

[ariesmoon]

Good point. I will google as to what both those are. Shouldn't they both be about the same standards?

[HokieFan]

Try autotrader.com. That's how I found my car.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by ariesmoon

Good point. I will google as to what both those are. Shouldn't they both be about the same standards?

I have no idea if they are the same. What I know is that a friend once bought a car in New York for a good price, but when brought it to MD (I know this is VA) he had to pay thousands to fix it so it could pass the inspection there. See link below for what to check before buying.

Virginia State Police - Safety Division

[smarterguy]

Originally Posted by dkf747

I have no idea if they are the same. What I know is that a friend once bought a car in New York for a good price, but when brought it to MD (I know this is VA) he had to pay thousands to fix it so it could pass the inspection there. See link below for what to check before buying.

That could happen in any state (well any state that requires safety and emissions inspection), including NY. The seller was probably getting rid of the car because they knew it was going to fail inspection, or already had. I'd double check, but NY and VA probably have similar requirements. And if the car failed inspection that bad, it probably wasn't worth whatever someone paid. Buying a used car is fun, right?

[va_lucky]

Good responses.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by smarterguy

That could happen in any state (well any state that requires safety and emissions inspection), including NY. The seller was probably getting rid of the car because they knew it was going to fail inspection, or already had. I'd double check, but NY and VA probably have similar requirements. And if the car failed inspection that bad, it probably wasn't worth whatever someone paid. Buying a used car is fun, right?

It sure is!