What is the most common protocol for having an independent mechanic check out a used car before buying? [more inside]
posted by whataboutben on Nov 9, 2009 - 4 answers

Is there a way to calculate the relative cost of buying an older used car vs a later-model one? Taking into account depreciation, maintenance costs, etc. [more inside]
posted by lunasol on Oct 26, 2009 - 8 answers

Help me buy a (used) car for the first time! [more inside]
posted by Jsn7821 on Oct 9, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm generally freaking out about buying a car (used, my first) and have a short laundry list of very general questions. [more inside]
posted by Shepherd on Jul 28, 2009 - 19 answers

Best second hand small car under AUD$20,000? Fuel efficient. Reliable. Low maintenance. 4 doors. No older than 4 years. Automatic. Suit young couple in Australia. [more inside]
posted by simplesharps on Jul 20, 2009 - 20 answers

How long do you think a ~$8000 car will last? [more inside]
posted by Rubbstone on Jul 20, 2009 - 28 answers

Newbie car trade in advice sought. Looking to swap my newish Honda Civic for an older minivan (yay!) of roughly equivalent value. Dealer trade in? Sell separately? [more inside]
posted by malphigian on Jul 20, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm in the market for a used car and I'd like one that won't disintegrate on me before I'm done paying for it. I have a total budget of $6k and want to buy from a dealer. What should I be looking for in terms of models, makes, and mileage? My top priorities are price, reliability, and MPG (in that order.) Assume I know nothing about cars. Because I don't.
posted by richrad on Jun 23, 2009 - 23 answers

I've sold three used cars and one motorcycle. At least three times I've had people call me and offer to pay me X dollars (a reasonable, though lowish, sum) sight unseen! They don't even want to hear it run! What's going on here? Are they just nutjobs? [more inside]
posted by scratch on Apr 24, 2009 - 14 answers

Urgently need advice on used car shopping. [more inside]
posted by tdismukes on Dec 8, 2008 - 17 answers

What's a fair finder's fee for someone who sent me a buyer for my used car? The mechanic who services our family's cars is a super nice guy, and does a terrific job as well. Recently we mentioned to him that we were selling one of our cars (a 1998 Camry, if it matters), and he mentioned it to a number of his other clients until he found someone who was interested in buying it. The deal went down today, and I'd love to toss a few bills his way to thank him for his help. What's an appropriate sum and/or percentage? I was thinking $300, which is about 5% of the sale price of the car. What do you guys think? Oh, and I'd also like to say that I'm REALLY proud of the title I came up with for this AskMe. Thankyouverymuch.
posted by AngerBoy on Jun 29, 2008 - 20 answers

I need help buying a used car, and I'm on a budget. [more inside]
posted by King Bee on Jun 21, 2008 - 14 answers

Buying a slightly larger, small used car for $15k or less, big enough for a growing family. [more inside]
posted by codger on May 9, 2008 - 32 answers

I need to buy a low-mpg, reliable, manual transmission, four-door used car for under $3500. What models should I look at besides Civics and Accords? And do you know of any other major car classified websites besides Cars.com, Carmax, Autotrader, Edmunds, and Craigslist? [more inside]
posted by schroedinger on Jan 18, 2008 - 22 answers

Are there significant savings at dealer-only options for used cars? Enough to make the effort and cost of getting a dealer licence worth it? [more inside]
posted by upc_head on Jan 17, 2008 - 10 answers

I just found out the car (2006 model) I looked at the dealership's used to be a rental car. Help me understand/decide. [more inside]
posted by icarus on Jan 7, 2008 - 14 answers

What is the best low maintenance, high gas mileage, low cost car I can buy (new or used) on a limited budget. [more inside]
posted by DetonatedManiac on Dec 12, 2007 - 23 answers

I'd like to supplement my income by selling a few used cars from the Southern US to Canadians— at a fair price. What are the drawbacks? [more inside]
posted by tempest in a teapot on Nov 6, 2007 - 15 answers

New Car? Used Car? Status car? Reliable Car? Is it possible there is just ONE car to rule them all? It's time for me to buy SOMETHING to replace my beloved 1970 Dodge Swinger. The question is WHAT? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Oct 3, 2007 - 44 answers

All other things being equal, do I pick the older car with lower mileage or the later model with high mileage? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell on Dec 28, 2006 - 18 answers

Last spring I purchased a van through craigslist to use in a set for an independent movie. Now I want to sell it again. However, I suspect that the circumstances of the original sale make this impossible or illegal. [more inside]
posted by davidriley on Nov 1, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm looking for tips and/or advice on buying a used pre-loved 1960's Volkswagen Beetle. [more inside]
posted by cholly on Oct 25, 2006 - 17 answers

Can you help me come up with a jokey slogan for a notional used car dealership? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu on Oct 24, 2006 - 14 answers

Buying a used car. Basically paying the buyout of a lease. Am I getting a good deal? [more inside]
posted by eurasian on Jun 3, 2006 - 16 answers

Buying a used car in Vancouver, BC, dealers you'd recommend, or conversely, those to absolutely avoid? [more inside]
posted by eurasian on May 12, 2006 - 7 answers

TheFateOfTheCurseMobile! I purchased a used automobile about 18 months ago. Over the past year, the car has been involved in 3 minor collisions (but major headaches), none of which were my fault. I'm trying to weigh my options between getting it fixed (again!) or trading it in for a car with some (hopefully) better karma. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by paulychamp on Sep 19, 2005 - 5 answers

Have you ever been to an auto auction? [more inside]
posted by NoMich on Sep 7, 2005 - 9 answers

I have been shopping for a used Saab. I have narrowed it down to two... [more inside]
posted by astruc on Jun 26, 2005 - 10 answers

I'm about to throw away my hard earned cash into that nest of vipers, used car sales. Help me make the right choice. [more inside]
posted by forallmankind on May 26, 2005 - 10 answers

I'm in NYC/Brooklyn, and we're looking to buy a cheap used car for the first time. Advice? [more inside]
posted by BT on Mar 25, 2005 - 11 answers

What's the best car you've owned in terms of reliability, longevity and generally fun to drive? I'm in the market for a used car and I'm leaning towards a luxury sedan. I'm curious to learn what cars everyone loved.
posted by renyoj on Nov 4, 2004 - 25 answers

So I gave up my car two years ago to become a committed pedestrian — which I've learned is no easy feat in this town (where the buses all but shut down after 6pm) — and now I'm getting a car to use around town where walking or biking won't cut it. Anyway... I need help: I've found a little 1985 Volvo 240GL with 450K km, and I have no idea how to figure out if it's a death trap... much less what kind of reputation the car has.

Suggestions?
posted by silusGROK on Aug 2, 2004 - 15 answers

SellMyCarFilter: Okay, so I'm looking to sell my car. I've never done this before and I was courious if anyone would have some advice/experiences/etc. [yes, there will be more inside] [more inside]
posted by Stynxno on Jul 13, 2004 - 13 answers

My company recently moved to Silicon Valley, and since I live in San Fran and the commute via public transit is 1.5 hours (vs 30 mins in a car) I've decided to buy a car for the first time ever. But I am totally flummoxed by the range of possibilities. I know I want a used compact 4 door that gets good mileage. Seems like it would be good to get it from a dealer so I can get extended warranty. But I don't know where to go from here. Any advice for a first time car buyer would be greatly appreciated. My price range is flexible but would like to spend no more than 15k. Also, I would love to hear recommendations-- some people have told me to go for a Civic or a Corolla, are there other cars 'equivalent' to those? I am not a fixer-upper so reliability is key. I know older cars are cheaper but seems like they'd be more prone to mechanical trouble-- not sure how much of a trade off it is to go old vs new.
posted by jcruelty on Apr 12, 2004 - 33 answers