I have a friend who needs to buy a relatively inexpensive used car in Waco. He's as clueless as I am about cars and thus is a ripe candidate to get ripped off. Any suggestions of how to get a fair deal?
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Buying a used car in Waco
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Last: 1 mo ago by Bruisers Burner Phone
It really depends on your friend's budget. 'Relatively inexpensive' means less than $8K to guys like me, but to a Ferrari guy it means something entirely different.
If it means the former, I'd look for a private seller and preferably something with a high reliability rating, as can be found on the internet.
Full disclaimer -- I'm about to sell two Mercury Grand Marquis that are in my Mother's estate. One is a low-mileage cherry priced at less than $8K, and the other is higher mileage and priced at less than $3K. Both run well, and will get a full detail job next week.
OTOH, Franklin Avenue has about every kind of used car one could ever imagine. Good luck.
If it means the former, I'd look for a private seller and preferably something with a high reliability rating, as can be found on the internet.
Full disclaimer -- I'm about to sell two Mercury Grand Marquis that are in my Mother's estate. One is a low-mileage cherry priced at less than $8K, and the other is higher mileage and priced at less than $3K. Both run well, and will get a full detail job next week.
OTOH, Franklin Avenue has about every kind of used car one could ever imagine. Good luck.
I would first invest in an inexpesive ODB code scanner. They're all over Amazon or any parts store from $20 to $100, depending on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.
They're extremely easy to use, and will show you any potential engine/transmission issues that may be lurking.
It won't do you any good if a shifty seller has already erased sketchy information, but always take a potential purchase for a legit test drive, not just a 10-minute around-the-block mini-trip.
I'd be wary if a seller can't provide any service records. A car with high mileage that's had regular oil changes is often a safer purchase than a lower milage creampuff with no proof of work that's been done. Carfax can be your friend here, but it may not have recent (the last 60-90 days) information of a wreck, etc.
Good luck.
They're extremely easy to use, and will show you any potential engine/transmission issues that may be lurking.
It won't do you any good if a shifty seller has already erased sketchy information, but always take a potential purchase for a legit test drive, not just a 10-minute around-the-block mini-trip.
I'd be wary if a seller can't provide any service records. A car with high mileage that's had regular oil changes is often a safer purchase than a lower milage creampuff with no proof of work that's been done. Carfax can be your friend here, but it may not have recent (the last 60-90 days) information of a wreck, etc.
Good luck.
go test drive that silver merkur xr4ti on VM......
- UF
.... been there*, for like 41+ years.
* if it's still there**.
** wh/ it is not.
D!
Go Bears!!
- UF
.... been there*, for like 41+ years.
* if it's still there**.
** wh/ it is not.
D!
Go Bears!!
pro ecclesia, pro javelina
Man, for some reason my brain read "Buying a Used Bar in Waco." That got my attention.