Buying a used car - what to look for?

[fundmark19]

The real difference with M3 prices seems to be fully loaded automatic 5 door. There doesn't seem to be that many for sale so they tend to hold their value a little better. I really like the cars so I doubt I would ever sell it.

[NomNomNom]

Anytime someone says the kms are 'mostly highway' or 'lady driven' they're full of sh**

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by NomNomNom

Anytime someone says the kms are 'mostly highway' or 'lady driven' they're full of sh**

When I read "lady driven" I picture the rims being all marked up from the tires being curbed.

[Table 5]

Curbed rims, missed/delayed fluid changes, no maintenance records.....that's probably more likely what you get with a lady driver. Although they also tend not not modify their cars which i always appreciate.

I think the best seller is the older, slightly anal, male who tends to baby their cars more than they drive them.

I got really lucky with my last purchase...I bought my car from the perfect seller. He was a lifelong fan of the brand (had 4 of em over the years) so he knew their quirks and issues, did a yearly service on his car even though it only required it every 2 years, had every single record, and was painstakingly careful with it (to the point that he didn't even drive in the rain, never mind snow). He also kept a giant photo album of all his cars, which he proudly showed off to me. The guy even filled up my tank before he gave it to me. Talk about a gentleman!

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Curbed rims, missed/delayed fluid changes, no maintenance records.....that's probably more likely what you get with a lady driver. Although they also tend not not modify their cars which i always appreciate.

I think the best seller is the older, slightly anal, male who tends to baby their cars more than they drive them.

I got really lucky with my last purchase...I bought my car from the perfect seller. He was a lifelong fan of the brand (had 4 of em over the years) so he knew their quirks and issues, did a yearly service on his car even though it only required it every 2 years, had every single record, and was painstakingly careful with it (to the point that he didn't even drive in the rain, never mind snow). He also kept a giant photo album of all his cars, which he proudly showed off to me. The guy even filled up my tank before he gave it to me. Talk about a gentleman!

Did he make you breakfast the next morning?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

Did he make you breakfast the next morning?

Not quite, but I did feel a little pressure to take my top off to reciprocate for all the nice treatment.

[BloodFetish]

I'm shortly in the market for a used Mazda 3 sport, 2007 or newer. I'm curious about the CP opinions of this car...

http://www.allstarcollision.com/cars_for_sale.htm

A GT with low kms for $14k? What's the catch?

Well it turns out they imported a damaged car from the States, probably for cheap, and put their service shop to work on it.

I would only consider purchasing this car if it passed an independant inspection, and that carproof/carfax didn't list it as salvage, flood damages or something equally nasty. Assuming it passes these tests would there be cause for concern about future problems popping up?

Otherwise bang >>>> buck.

[CaptainCrunch]

Use a black light on the back seat to look for DNA, the last thing you want to do is have somone sit in the backseat of the love mobile

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Any car from 1992 with 189,000 kms will be a maintenance headache. I highly recommend you don't follow Fozzie_DeBear's advice.

Blanket statement is wrong. A 1992 vintage that has been properly maintained will be perfectly reliable, assuming the car is known for reliability. Yes the older a car gets, the greater the chances of certain things going wrong, such as suspension, seals and gaskets. But there is a flip side, a 1992 car is electrically much simpler than cars built today. And because it conformed to less stringent emissions standards, they don't throw the CEL as readily.

BTW, 189K is not much at all for a well built car.

Originally Posted by NomNomNom

Anytime someone says the kms are 'mostly highway' or 'lady driven' they're full of sh**

Almost always, but not always. I bought a car for a friend that actually WAS driven by an older lady, and she owned the car since day one. I bought a car for myself that was driven by an older gentlemen to go back and forth to work and that was pretty much it. An 11 year old car with 36,000 km. Finding gems like that are not easy, it takes persistence but it's worth it.

[ah123]

Question for the experts - I have been offered a 89 Toyota Camry with 239 000kms for about $4000. The car is in very good shape, but is the mileage too high to consider? Any advice?

[Table 5]

Jesus, Canadian prices are insane. 4k for a 22 year old Camry???

[burn_this_city]

Personally I think thats a $1500 car.

[kermitology]

I'd be more concerned with the age of the car than the km personally. Yikes. Not what I'd buy.

[burn_this_city]

Theres a 90 Camry on autotrader for $2200 with 189,000km.. Sounds like whoever is offering that is a crook.

[AltaGuy]

That's a silly price for that Camry. I'm not even sure I'd go above a grand.

I just bought a 2002 Jetta VR6 for $5,000. 150,000 klicks, all maintenance records. Terrific car, all the bells and whistles, and goes fast.

Took me three months to find the one I wanted, but well worth it if you have something in mind.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by ah123

Question for the experts - I have been offered a 89 Toyota Camry with 239 000kms for about $4000. The car is in very good shape, but is the mileage too high to consider? Any advice?

Wouldn't be all that concerned about the mileage so long as it was well maintained.

$4K is way too high for that car though, $1500 range is where you probably want to be on that one. There are far better deals out there on newer cars.