05-18-2024, 05:48 AM
I think your question is a bit vague, in that you don't mention what type of used car you are looking for.
If all you want is an old beater, I'd go with Facebook Market Place or Craigs List.
If you are looking for a newer used car, my first suggestion is to decide on a few different makes and models. And stay with similar vehicles to compare with - don't try comparing the price of a Nissan Sentra to that of a Ford F-350. Stick with like like vehicles.
Go to the Kelly Blue Book (KBB) Website and put in your desired make and model. KBB will let you "spec" out the car with its color, options, engine size etc. and will give you "suggested" retail pricing based upon mileage and condition. You can then use this as a "range" when shopping at any dealership.
Then go shopping. Once you find a car and if it is in your range, then by all means pay the few extra bucks and run a Car Fax report.
Also, be calm, cool and collected at every step. Don't get bowled over when the salesperson says "I got 4 other people really interested in this car" - or "I heard the Manager say he was going to bump the price on this car 2 grand tomorrow" or any other high-pressure tactic trying to get you to sign right then and there.
And if you're interested in a very "young" used car, call the car rental companies - Budget, Avis, Enterprise. I've seen some friends get some pretty good deals going that route.
One more thing - depending on what you're looking for - you may want to kick the tires of something brand new. Again, you got to make the deal - on your terms! Not the dealership or a hot to sell a car car salesperson! It's all in the TOTAL DOLLARS over the anticipated lifetime you are desiring the car to have.
And if you MUST have a Toyota, be prepared to pay thru your nose. And have damn good theft insurance!
If all you want is an old beater, I'd go with Facebook Market Place or Craigs List.
If you are looking for a newer used car, my first suggestion is to decide on a few different makes and models. And stay with similar vehicles to compare with - don't try comparing the price of a Nissan Sentra to that of a Ford F-350. Stick with like like vehicles.
Go to the Kelly Blue Book (KBB) Website and put in your desired make and model. KBB will let you "spec" out the car with its color, options, engine size etc. and will give you "suggested" retail pricing based upon mileage and condition. You can then use this as a "range" when shopping at any dealership.
Then go shopping. Once you find a car and if it is in your range, then by all means pay the few extra bucks and run a Car Fax report.
Also, be calm, cool and collected at every step. Don't get bowled over when the salesperson says "I got 4 other people really interested in this car" - or "I heard the Manager say he was going to bump the price on this car 2 grand tomorrow" or any other high-pressure tactic trying to get you to sign right then and there.
And if you're interested in a very "young" used car, call the car rental companies - Budget, Avis, Enterprise. I've seen some friends get some pretty good deals going that route.
One more thing - depending on what you're looking for - you may want to kick the tires of something brand new. Again, you got to make the deal - on your terms! Not the dealership or a hot to sell a car car salesperson! It's all in the TOTAL DOLLARS over the anticipated lifetime you are desiring the car to have.
And if you MUST have a Toyota, be prepared to pay thru your nose. And have damn good theft insurance!