Oddbean new post about login | logout help a complete rookie out when browsing for used cars, what are some things you definitely pay attention to? speak to me like a 5 year old, have no idea about the mechanical side of cars (yet)
Run it through Carfax, see if it’s had any major work.
uhhh is carfax international?
Ohh, not sure, but there may be a similar local service, carfax is a standard for decades in the us. Oil leaks are another bad sign, stains on the cement under..
I research the brands/makes. Narrow it down to a few. Like Toyota, Mazda, Kia. Most Japanese, Korean, and German cars are good. Then big or small vehicle? Do you have a family? Are you a solo driver? This decides SUV vs Car vs Truck. After that milage and specific cars in your area.
i'm looking at a mitsubishi galant man i have some fond memories of that very car through grandparents, so thought it would make for a wonderful first car
check maintenance records, check oil for cleanliness, check for rust & or hard use, signs of accidents;bondo or misalignment with external gaps, etc
Do plenty of research on models you like. Google common problems with the model. Mileage, people sell cars at 50k, 75k, 100k etc. Anything over 50k will either need or has had a major repair. Don't buy something that will need a major repair in the short term. Once you find something that you feel good about, ask if you can take it to a mechanic for it to get an pre sale inspection. You may spend a few hundred but it may save you thousands. Sales guys will try and get you through a four square technique. They make you say yes three times ( like the color?, like the stereo? Drives nice right? ) then pass you from sales, to finance, trying to make you feel like you can't back out. Remember you can always say no, walk away and go else where if you don't like it. Banks won't finance too low of value. Sometimes buying from a private buyer will often give you the most options to negotiate. Don't be afraid to negotiate.
you're a godsend sir
Make sure the clock works
huh, why is that so important?
My uncle has owned a body shop for over 60 years. Same as his relatives. Best advice he gave me as a teen regarding purchasing a used car … “pay attention to the inside. Almost always if someone is taking care of the inside & keeping it clean they have stayed up on maintaining the car. It’s not perfect but it usually is.” He later told me that’s how he bought “totaled” cars at auction. Called to verify but he’s always working 🤣
oohh, solid shout i am looking at a 1992 mitsubishi galant that's got like 143k miles on it, being sold for like $3,000 it's a manual, thinking it could be a good first car, enough hands-on to be experienced etc
It could totally work. Admittedly, I’ve bought totaled “salvage titles” vehicles from my uncle in the past & never had any issues. So if you have a good mechanic they are priceless. Another tip: it’s a bit morbid but it’s true that many older people have nicer cars & sometimes they are rarely driven. So upon death there are people who make their living purchasing those cars & “flipping” them. Kind of sad how predatory some people are. Death and divorce & most people aren’t thinking straight. Not a fan of that.