Things You'll Need:
- Internet access
- budget for your used car
- $20-$30 for a carfax.com report
- some negotiation skills
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Step 1
First, decide your budget: If you have a range (say $4-$6000), just keep the search criteria to under $6000 (<$6000).
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Step 2
Second, decide your other criteria. Even you are out to look for just a good deal, it helps to keep your focus in a type of car at a time. Make decisions on: Body Style (truck, sedan, van, convertibles, etc.), age, gas milege, etc. Try not to pick too much, but keep the important criteria, such as pricing, age, and mileage of the car
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Step 3
Now, the checklist when shopping. These are the items that I feel is important to me:
- Is the sellers 1st owner? 1st owner cars worth a few hundred to $2000 more
- Is the Air Condition still works? It is important to some especially me.
- Is regular maint. being done? oil change, tire rotation, filters, 25k, 50k, 75k maint. done?
- Can sellers provide documentation to the maint. work?
- Can sellers show paper work (history) for all the major mechnical work done on the car? Look for Tire replace, brake job, exhaust, water pump, starter / alternator, battery.
- Ask the important questions: Why is seller selling the car? What's wrong with it?
- Is the car still under manafacturer or extended warranty? If yes, how much is it to transfer if it is transferable (Usually they are if sellers is the first owner) -
Step 4
If there are more than 2 answers not satisfy your expectation, you may not want to persuit further. You can always add more items that's important for you, such as color, interior cleaness, etc.
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Step 5
Next, do a blue book search for "Private Party Value" in kbb.com. Get the rough market value for the car you see.
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Step 6
Now call the sellers, arrange for a test drive, and negotiate for a price around (or below) the "good" condition of the kbb value.
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Step 7
Once a deal is near complete of the negotiation, check these items:
- Will the sellers work with you to lower the sales tax
- Can you use an old plate?
- Is the car title clear? Without another lieu on it
- Is the VIN match what you see online? -
Step 8
Now is the time for Carfax report. Order a report (or the unlimited use for 1 month for $39.99, in case this car does not work out). Look for all the info sellers provided you. If he is the 1st owner? if the has any accident. and most importantly, look for a CarFax "Buy Back Guranteed" on milage, owner and accident records
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Step 9
After you bought the car, always make sure you have the owners contact info (email, phone, address, etc.) and make a copy of the title transfer
