Found a good car dealership!

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by miu

Right. Get a car fax and have a dealership run the VIN# through their service database. Then sometimes I even have a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection beforehand. I also prefer to buy from mature adults who live in the suburbs and who don't have kids with a drivers license. And I prefer a high mileage car with commuter miles than a low mileage city car.

I don't need a used car to be pampered, but I look for oil changes and maintenance work done on a regular schedule. It also helps to stay away from over engineered automobiles.

One thing I would say about CarFax is that it's not fool proof. The last car I traded in had been in a major accident and every body panel was re-painted. When I traded in the car the dealership could tell the car had been re-painted (not a great paint job) but when they ran the CarFax it was totally clean. FYI it wasn't a recent accident so there's no logical reason why it didn't show up.

[miu]

Which is why I would also recommend having a good mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection on the car...

[dravogadro]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable buying a car from a dealer. I have had a lot of luck using Craigslist.

Miu - do you garage your car? I'm just curious how the body on the Honda is holding up. 400k is really impressive!

[tamiznluv]

Originally Posted by miu

I sold Hondas in 1995, and what an experience that was!! Most of the customers would come in with a crappy attitude and lie through their teeth about a low price they got offered at another dealership. Of the few classy customers I had, I still remember them fondly.

Otherwise, I sold myself a used 1994 Honda Civic Si and I still drive her today with over 400K miles on the odometer! Back then, I paid $12,500 for my hatchback with 24,000 miles on it. And it was bought at an auction. I didn't argue over the price because that model car was very rare and it had just come into the dealership. I would say that I won on that transaction because it's been an awesome car and I've driven it so much. Plus it's (still) really fun to drive! And cheap on gas. And... I've carried a lot of antiques in it and driven all over the country doing shows out of it.

And honestly, what I feel is that it is key to buying the right car for your lifestyle and being able to enjoy it for many years. And people should stop being so wound up over getting the very bottom dollar price on the car. Since most people finance their cars, even a $200 difference is only a few dollars a month. And lastly, where the dealerships are making the real profits is in their service departments. So you want to buy a solid reliable car that doesn't need expensive maintenance.

And... if you really care about making a smart financial decision, never buy a brand new car. It only depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot. And if you are hesitant about buying a used car, then you shouldn't be comfortable buying it new, even with a factory warranty.

miu, 400K! That is awesome! Congrats on getting such a good car! I go into a dealerhip ready to buy, not haggle. I have never haggled in my life. If I like that car and I'm comfortable wth the price, I buy it. No muss, no fuss. LOL, I would have been a fondly remembered customer of yours if we had met. You are absolutely correct about the depreciation as soon as you drive off the lot in a new car. Took me 3 brand new cars to learn that. (I'm a slow learner) Learn I did though.

I would never buy from a private person. No warrenties, no nada! I sure wouldn't buy a car that is over 2 yrs old from a dealer either. I like having the rest of the factory warrenties for my peace of mind. IF I had money like I used to, I may be not so worried about warrenties. Sadly I live month to month now since my husband died penniless. He had $4.00 in his wallet and that was it. I'm having to try and look out for myself the best I can and this "new" car feels like that's what I am doing.