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Originally Posted by wendyquat
Thanks, I know you are right about buying a good used car but I can't help but be suspicious when one wants to part with a newer model with low miles. I've been looking around and prices for used cars seem very high!
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Wendy, Many 2,3 or 4 year old used cars are lease returns. The best quality used cars a dealer can get are lease returns because most people who lease will have their cars serviced regularly so they won't have to pay extra at lease end. Plus, the dealer may be able to show you the entire service history of that vehicle. I bought a Certified Pre-owned, three year old, $45,000 (when new) Audi for $24000 and got a 6 year 100,000 mile warranty. It had only 22,000 miles on it.
Three tips for buying used cars are;
1) always get the CarFax and read it thoroughly. If you cannot read it ask the salesman to go over it with you.
2) Find out who the previous owner was and call them. Ask them what issues they had with the car and why they got rid of it. Most people would be open to helping you and they have no vested interest in selling the car.
3) If the dealership has a franchise for that brand automobile ask the salesperson to get the service history from his service dept.
In response to other comments on this thread regarding new cars;
Many dealers don't allow their salespeople to negotiate price. That is why the salesman have to check with the manager. Eliminate all of that by buying through the dealers Internet Dept. Make an offer online to the dealership via email and if it is not accepted move on to another dealership.
The KBB "fair" price is a hoax as are KBB used car prices. They are way out of line. If you pay the KBB "fair" price you paid too much.
The best way to buy a car without haggling is to buy via the dealer's Internet Sales Dept. Most dealers will have their best prices online. Shop all the dealers in your area. If the Internet Dept. won't give you a price email another dealer. Make them an offer. Forget fairness. They will rip your lips off if you let them. Set what you are willing to pay and stick to it.
If you don't get a sales price "back of invoice" at the end of the month you are paying too much. You should get at least $500 under invoice plus get all incentives when buying at the end of the month. If the dealer won't go under invoice move on. Many, many other dealers will.
Don't get hung up on color. Color is an emotion. There isn't a color you won't get tired of in 6 months, anyway. If you are hung up on a color that is popular and there are not many in your area of that color, you limit your shopping options. And if the dealer knows he has what you want and his competition does not he'll be even less flexible on the price.
Don't get hung up on an individual dealer. I do not agree with finding a dealer and sticking with him. That is old-school. Go for price, only. Any dealer will service your car. Trust me, the dealer won't be loyal to you. If you think so he is fooling you.
If you are buying a new domestic car and know someone who worked for that company, ask them if they can help you get a better price. Ford and GM have "friends and family" pricing you can get via their employees.
I, personally, have sold nearly 5000 cars and trucks and salespeople working for me have sold tens of thousands more.
PM me if you have other questions.
