Car dealers in West Philly
November 24, 2010 4:48 AM Subscribe
Where do folks in Philadelphia buy used cars? - We need a used car, sensible Japanese economy style. Is there anywhere accessible from West Philly where there are those streets with multiple car dealers on them? The online reviews for some of the small local dealers here are ... scary. Thanks!
We're looking for a reasonable Corolla/Camry/Civic etc. deal. We can get to a places near West Philly easier - so the northeast is out.
We're looking for a reasonable Corolla/Camry/Civic etc. deal. We can get to a places near West Philly easier - so the northeast is out.
Best answer: I have no real experience in buying a car here in Philly, but here's a great blog article in how to negotiate buying a car without stepping foot in a dealership. Good luck!
posted by two lights above the sea at 7:17 AM on November 24, 2010
posted by two lights above the sea at 7:17 AM on November 24, 2010
Best answer: When I lived in Delaware County I looked for cars at the Airport Auto Mall which is on Essington Avenue down by the airport. But I've never bought a car there and I don't know how accessible it would be to West Philly. Maybe there's a bus?
posted by interplanetjanet at 7:51 AM on November 24, 2010
posted by interplanetjanet at 7:51 AM on November 24, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the resources, everyone! The whole process is somewhat anxiety inducing. Yes we do have a price limit ($4-5k), and some overall specs with regard to age, miles, etc. We're generally after less car, with lower miles.
Thanks for the tip about Essington Ave, interplanetjanet. We're using Zip cars at the moment, so we do have some freedom.
posted by carter at 8:21 AM on November 24, 2010
Thanks for the tip about Essington Ave, interplanetjanet. We're using Zip cars at the moment, so we do have some freedom.
posted by carter at 8:21 AM on November 24, 2010
I agree with b1tr0t on all counts except maybe the first. Private sellers know they can't get dealer asking prices, so it's easier to get a decent price from a private seller. On the other hand, dealers have more room and more incentive to negotiate than your typical private seller, so dealer prices can be driven even lower if you're willing to work at it. Dealers can be fine places to buy a car, so long as your clear that the price the dealer is asking is not what you really have to pay.
Absolutely do enough research to feel comfortable. You should always feel in control of the process.
posted by jon1270 at 9:16 AM on November 24, 2010
Absolutely do enough research to feel comfortable. You should always feel in control of the process.
posted by jon1270 at 9:16 AM on November 24, 2010
Best answer: a private seller will tell you everything you need to know about the car - all of its issues down to the inconsequential things.
Sadly this hasn't been my experience, at least not consistently enough for me to feel secure in such a generalization. I got the first car I bought from a private seller who, it quickly became clear, intentionally deceived me about the condition of the car. It was literally ready for the scrap heap the day I drove it home.
On average, though, you're probably right about the typical trustworthiness of dealers vs. private sellers. I guess I've decided that it's best to rely on sources other than the seller for information about the car -- my own observations, an independent mechanic, carfax, etc., and try to do an end run around any questions of seller honesty.
posted by jon1270 at 11:27 AM on November 24, 2010
Sadly this hasn't been my experience, at least not consistently enough for me to feel secure in such a generalization. I got the first car I bought from a private seller who, it quickly became clear, intentionally deceived me about the condition of the car. It was literally ready for the scrap heap the day I drove it home.
On average, though, you're probably right about the typical trustworthiness of dealers vs. private sellers. I guess I've decided that it's best to rely on sources other than the seller for information about the car -- my own observations, an independent mechanic, carfax, etc., and try to do an end run around any questions of seller honesty.
posted by jon1270 at 11:27 AM on November 24, 2010
Best answer: A few suggestions:
(1)
Get the word out with your circle of friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, lovers and other strangers that you are in the market for a car. They or someone they know may have a car they want to sell.
(2)
Ask around for recommendations for a good mechanic; then go speak to the person. Mechanics often connect buyers and sellers for used cars.
(3)
There may be community oriented publications wherein locals advertise all kinds of things like cars for sale. It's been a long, long time since I lived in Philadelphia (West Philly as it happens), but I have no recollection of what your local options might be.
Of course, there's also Craig's List.
(4)
Car dealerships have the advantage of inventory, but I wouldn't go near them unless you have done your homework and are comfortable haggling.
At some point, I will be replacing my Honda Accord. My plan is to sell it to my auto repair shop when the time comes: they know the vehicle, and have given me a standing offer to buy it when I'm ready to get rid of it. Earlier this year, I sold my uncle's Honda CRV via my accountant; his niece needed a vehicle, and was looking for just such a one. My point here is that getting the word out through your network of acquaintances is probably the best bet.
posted by cool breeze at 1:39 PM on November 24, 2010
(1)
Get the word out with your circle of friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, lovers and other strangers that you are in the market for a car. They or someone they know may have a car they want to sell.
(2)
Ask around for recommendations for a good mechanic; then go speak to the person. Mechanics often connect buyers and sellers for used cars.
(3)
There may be community oriented publications wherein locals advertise all kinds of things like cars for sale. It's been a long, long time since I lived in Philadelphia (West Philly as it happens), but I have no recollection of what your local options might be.
Of course, there's also Craig's List.
(4)
Car dealerships have the advantage of inventory, but I wouldn't go near them unless you have done your homework and are comfortable haggling.
At some point, I will be replacing my Honda Accord. My plan is to sell it to my auto repair shop when the time comes: they know the vehicle, and have given me a standing offer to buy it when I'm ready to get rid of it. Earlier this year, I sold my uncle's Honda CRV via my accountant; his niece needed a vehicle, and was looking for just such a one. My point here is that getting the word out through your network of acquaintances is probably the best bet.
posted by cool breeze at 1:39 PM on November 24, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks everyone, these are all great answers! It's really helped us to focus on options for what to do. I think this could take a long time ...
We have looked at Craigslist, but there's so much crap on there in the used car section.
posted by carter at 5:08 PM on November 24, 2010
We have looked at Craigslist, but there's so much crap on there in the used car section.
posted by carter at 5:08 PM on November 24, 2010
Read this if the purchase isn't an emergency. It'll take the mystery out of this process, and put you in control.
posted by jon1270 at 6:58 AM on November 25, 2010
posted by jon1270 at 6:58 AM on November 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jon1270 at 6:19 AM on November 24, 2010 [1 favorite]