What to look for when purchasing a used car from a private seller on craigslist? (how much, buying)

[jtinaka7]

Hi,

I will be traveling and plan on staying on the big island for about 6 months. I work remotely online so I am able to travel freely. I have been to the big island before and got the impression that a car is needed to get around.

My budget to spend on a used car is between $2000-$4000 as I will be staying for a short period of time.

I have heard that cars are not well taken care of like they are on the mainland. What should I look out for when buying a used car from a private party off craigslist?.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Arktikos]

Up to date safety check and registration. I'd stay away from modified vehicles. Your price range is good, something that won't be too difficult to unload when it comes time to leave. Don't buy a rust bucket. Rust can be a problem on either side but especially on the East.

Older Honda or Toyota sedan is what I'd go for. Take a test drive to assess brakes and steering, check the oil, coolant, all of the lights, tires-you know, stuff you'd do anywhere else.

[whtviper1]

Ask the seller if you can take the car to a certified mechanic for an inspection - that is the most basic thing you can do once you settle on a car from a private party.

[Grassyknoll]

How much driving are you planning to do and where are you planning to live?
These are good consideration when living in Hawai'I. The further away from a major town that you live, the more you will need either a very dependable vehicle or you will need to be more resourceful (able to do your own repairs). Having a vehicle towed here isn't cheap. If your cellular provider is Verizon, they have an add on roadside assistance plan. It is only a few dollars per month extra and having used it myself, I feel it is well worth having here. It covers lock-outs, limited towing and out of fuel emergencies.

When looking at vehicles in the price range you mentioned, you might get acquainted with some of the great Japanese cars that were sold under US brands. For example the Pontiac Vibe is the same as a Toyota Matrix but is often thousands less at resale. Same goes for the Toyota Corolla sold as the Geo Prism etc...

[Nyfinestbxtf]

Honda or Toyota you can’t go wrong. Anything under 200,000 miles you will have for a while; a long time. I drive a 1997 Honda Civic back and forth from NYC to Virginia that has 170,000 miles on it at an average speed of 75 MPH and no problems. Sometimes really like to let the ponies run and get her up to 90 mph. Windshield wipers work when they want, makes funny noises when idling, A/C doesn’t work, but has a cool moonroof and is a coupe. When hauling on the highway... she is good. I check the oil every other week. No smoke from the rear, but she burns a little oil. As long as you are not leaving a forest fire behind you, a Toyota or Honda is good.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Very dangerous don’t get killed trying
Been there done that

[Grassyknoll]

Originally Posted by Nyfinestbxtf

Honda or Toyota you can’t go wrong. Anything under 200,000 miles you will have for a while; a long time. I drive a 1997 Honda Civic back and forth from NYC to Virginia that has 170,000 miles on it at an average speed of 75 MPH and no problems. Sometimes really like to let the ponies run and get her up to 90 mph. Windshield wipers work when they want, makes funny noises when idling, A/C doesn’t work, but has a cool moonroof and is a coupe. When hauling on the highway... she is good. I check the oil every other week. No smoke from the rear, but she burns a little oil. As long as you are not leaving a forest fire behind you, a Toyota or Honda is good.

As much as I love Honda Civics and Accords, I would be wary of buying a used one here. Not only are those models top theft picks on the mainland, on Hawai'i they dissapear faster than malasada's at a Weight Watchers meeting. A lot of this has to do with the import tuner crowd. Toyota Corollas and Camrys are great cars and are just not as desireable of targets over here.
And Toyota mini-trucks, those are really sought after and get boosted a lot too.

[Nyfinestbxtf]

Originally Posted by Grassyknoll

As much as I love Honda Civics and Accords, I would be wary of buying a used one here. Not only are those models top theft picks on the mainland, on Hawai'i they dissapear faster than malasada's at a Weight Watchers meeting. A lot of this has to do with the import tuner crowd. Toyota Corollas and Camrys are great cars and are just not as desireable of targets over here.
And Toyota mini-trucks, those are really sought after and get boosted a lot too.

I can see why. Toyota is kinda beat imo. Just a bit boring to my taste.i drove a Corolla for a while and had much more fun with a Civic. Don’t get me wrong... Toyota is a great car to drive and popular car to thieve, but a Civic or Accord would be more sought after. Tacoma, I imagine that is a vehicle that gets boosted a lot. I imagine any pick up truck being targeted.

What I find funny about stealing a car on an island, how far can you go?

[Grassyknoll]

Originally Posted by Nyfinestbxtf

I can see why. Toyota is kinda beat imo. Just a bit boring to my taste.i drove a Corolla for a while and had much more fun with a Civic. Don’t get me wrong... Toyota is a great car to drive and popular car to thieve, but a Civic or Accord would be more sought after. Tacoma, I imagine that is a vehicle that gets boosted a lot. I imagine any pick up truck being targeted.

What I find funny about stealing a car on an island, how far can you go?

Yep, Toyota's are kind of boring. But boring doesn't get stolen as much.
You can't drive a stolen vehicle very far, but since there is a very small LE presence in the rural areas, you can probably drive it for a really long time.

[Nyfinestbxtf]

Originally Posted by Grassyknoll

Yep, Toyota's are kind of boring. But boring doesn't get stolen as much.
You can't drive a stolen vehicle very far, but since there is a very small LE presence in the rural areas, you can probably drive it for a really long time.

Maybe they are looking for experienced LEO’s in the Puna area. I would be more than happy to give a hand.