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It is time to buy the man cub his first car. Has anyone done business with a dealer in the area that they would recommend? We know we might get a better deal from a private seller, but my husband isn't comfortable buying a car from a stranger. We have had success with carmax in the past, but they don't have cars inexpensive enough for a 16 y/o's 1st car. thanks in advance!
I'd try craigslist, only because you're not likely to find cheap cars at the aforementioned places. There are plenty of 10+ year old cars that are decent for $2k or thereabouts.
Will they fail? Possibly, but so could lots of 5-year-olds off the lot after their warranties expire.
You'll spend less to fix a 10-year-old (the right one), spend less to insure it, and kick yourself far less when and if junior bends its fenders.
IMO Albuquerque car prices are a little on the high side. We purchased both our last two cars from dealers out of state which we found online.
The only car dealer I have had experience with in Albuquerque is Houston Wholesale, they have great service but as my statement above the prices are higher than buying out of state.
I used to work for Credit Union Auto Services years and years ago when it first opened. Good people, but you can find a better deal on your own.
I have a friend who bought their 16 year-old a 2003 Toyota Prius for $3000 from American Toyota. Apparently there's a back lot of older but decent cars (trade-ins) that they don't put out in view because most of them get sold at the dealer auctions. The car had a few dings that they paid (included in the 3K price) to have fixed. The teen has had the car now for 8 months with no problems. I'm going to look there in a few months and see if they have a car for our soon-to-be teen driver.
Use carfax or some other background history report... get teh car thoroughly checked out by an independent mechanic.
If I were buying an older car, I would prefer a private seller more than a dealer... most private sellers just want to sell their old car, the dealer wants to make a profit.
But, I suppose, you never know what you don't know...
Stay away from independent used car dealers. Many vehicles are stolen, or grey market cars from Mexico which don't meet US emission standards. There are a few that have been around for awhile and are reputable, but the rest are fly by night and dangerous.
Yeah I just got my 3rd used car here in NM. And I can definitely tell you that the pickins are slim. I just got my dream VW from a smaller dealer in Kansas, made the 2 hour flight and then 10 hour drive back, but I got the car I want at the price I want, and I'm very happy with it. I found that here in ABQ, because we are so land locked, and you have 4-500 miles to travel east, north, or west, to find any decent size city with alot of car inventory, the dealers here in ABQ could care less about you. They know some one else will come along and give them the inflated price they're looking for. "Go find a better deal, go hop on a plane if you want the right deal" is what they're thinking to themselves. You have to search on autotrader within 500 miles for the exact model that you're looking for. For me, it's been worth the travel to find that car I want. Don't get discouraged by these ABQ thug dealers. And also stay clear of Carmax, more thieves, the way Car-ripoffs should be...
Stay away from independent used car dealers. Many vehicles are stolen, or grey market cars from Mexico which don't meet US emission standards. There are a few that have been around for awhile and are reputable, but the rest are fly by night and dangerous.
There are many independent car dealers that are reputable. Many of the large lots dealers would be considered Independent dealers also since they are owned by a single family/individual.
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thanks in advance!
