Sequence of events when buying a used car - private sale?

[Nehkara]

So, I will be buying a used car very soon, most likely a private sale.

My car will be going to Pick-N-Pull for recycling as it is ancient (1989 Honda Civic!).

I was just wondering if anyone in the vast pool of knowledge that is CP can help me sort out the details.

This is how I think I need to do things, let me know if/when I go off the tracks.

1. Inspect and test drive potential new-to-me car, check vehicle history and maintenance records.

2. If the above goes well, give deposit on car.

3. Get a quote for my old car from and arrange to sell it to Pick-N-Pull.

4. Arrange for balance of payment for new-to-me car.

5. Write up bill of sale for new-to-me car including any conditions.

6. Transfer insurance and plates from my old car to my newish car.

7. Transfer registration on newish car.

8. Done....?

Thanks for any help you can give me. Just want to make sure I'm not missing something here.

[surferguy]

Consider donating your old car to the kidney foundation for a 500 tax credit.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

I have never given a deposit on a private sale, not sure I would be comfortable with that.

Can you sell cars to Pick N Pull? I thought their inventory came from Kidney Foundation, I could be wrong...yep I was.

http://www.picknpull.com/we_buy_cars.aspx

Test drive, haggle, have my final offer bluff called, and I leave, call back the next day and prepare to accept their final price, only to find out that the car was sold...happens to me all the time.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Consider donating your old car to the kidney foundation for a 500 tax credit.

Who gets $500? Best ever for me was $50...89 Civic might get $12.37...

[surferguy]

I thought 500 was standard, I could be mistaken though, never had to do it. Although some of the beaters I've owned I probably should have

[Nehkara]

I was considering the Kidney Foundation but last I heard their waiting list was insane (my friend called and they said it would be months before they could pick up the car).

Pick-N-Pull will buy your car from you for a decent amount of money (my friend got ~$300 for an old Toyota), and you can drop it off there so you don't have to wait. Plus, if you want you can still donate the money to charity.

So I decided to go that direction.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

What are you looking at buying?

[Nehkara]

The vehicle in question is a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR. I was also looking at Honda Civics in the 1996-2005 range.

[speede5]

Get a lien check done if the car is worth more than you can afford to lose. your bank will do it for a small fee, sometimes free.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by speede5

Get a lien check done if the car is worth more than you can afford to lose. your bank will do it for a small fee, sometimes free.

Would a Carfax report work?

[speede5]

Don't think so. Carfax checks for damage/accidents. Liens are through the banks.

[Nehkara]

Ok thanks!

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

The vehicle in question is a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR. I was also looking at Honda Civics in the 1996-2005 range.

I had a 2005 Civic, one of the best cars I've owned.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Consider donating your old car to the kidney foundation for a 500 tax credit.

It's $50 guaranteed. Not $500.

[Dion]

Make sure you get a mechanic to check it over before you consider buying.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Would a Carfax report work?

Originally Posted by speede5

Don't think so. Carfax checks for damage/accidents. Liens are through the banks.

I believe Carproof does leins as well. The registry will also do it.

Originally Posted by Nehkara

The vehicle in question is a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR. I was also looking at Honda Civics in the 1996-2005 range.

You could also get the vin number and have a recall check done from Toyota to ensure there are no outstanding recalls on it. The Vibes (exact same car with a GM bodykit) around that year had some major transmission issues. Might be worth looking into.

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

I have never given a deposit on a private sale, not sure I would be comfortable with that.

I have. Left a cheque, got a reciept. No issues.

[saskflames69]

Random question - has anybody ever seen a 2000-2001 Toyota Rav4 at one of these Pick-n-pull places? My drivers side rear door is missing its exterior paneling. Don't feel like paying Toyota $120 + the cost of labor to get it replaced.

[zamler]

Check out Forest Lawn Auto they might be able to help you out. I go to PnP frequently and have seen a few Rav4's there but nothing that new. If they do get them, it won't be very often.

As for putting a down payment for a private sale, I personally would never do that unless it was a small amount.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by surferguy

I thought 500 was standard, I could be mistaken though, never had to do it. Although some of the beaters I've owned I probably should have

Nope, we just did this and got $148... With a full set of winter tires & two sets of rims. Honestly I'm more choked about the winter tires because I'm sure I could have gotten a $150 just out of those on kijiji.

[WCan_Kid]

Find a friend who's reasonably mechanical (if you aren't) and take them for the test drives. Good used cars that are reasonably priced typically don't sit around long, you've pretty much got to be prepared to look, drive and buy on the spot - as mentioned above the good ones will be sold before you get a second chance.

Carproof does include a lien check along with the accident report, NA wide.