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When my family moves to San Diego (From Australia) next year we will need to buy cars. What is the best method or website to use to purchase a car in SD or California?
Also, is there a website that is like a pricing authority, so you can check whether you are getting a good deal?
We will probably buy used cars. Is it best to buy privately from your average Joe or is it better to go through a dealer?
What do I need to look out for when purchasing a car? Any tips appreciated.
When my family moves to San Diego (From Australia) next year we will need to buy cars.
What do I need to look out for when purchasing a car? Any tips appreciated.
The same basic things as in Australia. Don't believe anyone.
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is there a website that is like a pricing authority, so you can check whether you are getting a good deal?
KellyBlueBook and NADA are the most well known and active sources for data.
Caveat Emptor applies there too
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What is the best method or website to use to purchase a car in SD or California?
Craigslist is pretty much it today.
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We will probably buy used cars.
Is it best to buy privately from your average Joe or is it better to go through a dealer?
That depends on how capable a buyer and shopper you are.
Nothing better and welcome to the country. Caveat is - you have to be decent mechanic and spot bad cars from good ones. Over the last 3 or so years, we bought 5 cars, 3 of them rebuilt, all running like champs, some sold back for almost no loss - back on craigslist.
People will tell thing like KellyBlueBook value, or Blackbook value, and such. Here's the law: any item for sale is worth only as much as buyer is willing to pay for it. That being said, you will see references to KBB all over the place, but it means nothing, it's just brainwashed habit. I bought cars on craigslist for almost half of KBB value and still drive one, I sold car on craigslist for 3 times KBB value 4 mths ago.
You have only one rule - CASH TALKS. You have them Benjamens on hand - you the king of the market.
You don't HAVE to be a mechanic with the keen ability to spot troubled cars, but if you can't then you need to know someone who can.
I've had nothing but excelent luck with this MECHANIC finder, so you can look for someone who knows cars for a pre-purchase inspection. Heck, if you contact them before arriving and let them know what you're looking for, you might have the best of all worlds, a private party sale (lower $$$) that's been well kept:
Car Talk is a public radio show, they tend to be impartial (thanks to funding via donations and not advertisers) and respected.
But for the specific questions, autotempest searches all the major online private-party (and some dealer) listings. Not always the most up to date, but a good broad search tool. You MAY be able to save a little money by purchasing out of CA, but you need to make sure the vehicle has more than 7500 miles on it to be able to legally bring in into CA.
I can't imagine the number of things to organize for that kind of move (within the country is bad enough), good luck and welcome.
If I'm buying used, I only shop the Craigslist classifieds and deal with private party sales.
Stay away from sleazy used car dealers!
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