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Thread: Buying a POS car

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    Moderator Miss_McKenna's Avatar
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    Reminder Buying a POS car

    I'm hoping you gals can give me some advice, because I'm pretty much clueless and I don't have anyone in my life that knows shit about cars!

    I don't have a car right now and I'm SICK of having to rely on other people to take me to the club, the store, take my cats to the vet etc, so I want to get my own one, even if it is a piece of crap. I graduate in May so I might only wind up using it for 6-8 months before I can offload it. Does anyone have any good tips or advice for how to go about buying a cheap car that might be kinda crappy but would do the job? I'm looking to spend $2K max.

    I've looked on craiglist, yahoo auto's etc but I dont know how to tell the difference between and old-but-good car, and a complete POS.

    Help!


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    Veteran Member zippyelf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    I got my car off of craigslist for $1900 after a 16-year-old totaled my old car.

    My dad helped me out, but the one thing I remember him telling me to look out for was oil coming out of the exhaust. If there is visible oil in the exhaust pipe or if you put your hand down in front of the exhaust while the engine is running and you get oil on your hand, then walk away.

    Also, he told me to stay far away from any cars that have salvage titles, because that means that they have been totaled before and rebuilt.

    Then, obviously, any engine noises are bad (knocking, etc.).

    That's about all I know. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    I started typing a reply but quickly realized that I would be typing all day long to give you a reasonable answer. A google search starting with something like "how to buy a used car" would probably be a great start.

    The biggest mistake I see girls making is listening to advice from guys who took auto shop in HS, Guys who work, or worked at a jiffy lube, used car dealers, and guys who just say they know a lot about cars. There are all too many idiots who love giving car advice to girls causing girls financial horror and hours on the side of the road. The girls compound the problem by not maintaining the car properly, and not getting it checked out as soon as they sense something is wrong.


    Every used car is going to have problems that you don't find about until you drive them for a few days. In my experience the thing to be the most worried about is an automatic transmission. It can seem fine when you buy the car, and days later can crap out on you. Rebuilding an automatic trans will cost around 2k.

    If the car hasn't been doctored up for the sale than oil in the exhaust or knocking noises are valid tests. There are numerous ways to get a car to run fine for a sale but hide problems inside which will cost you big $$

    I have seen very few examples of people actually being covered under extended warranties. When sold the buyer is told they cover almost everything. When you go to collect you are told they cover anything except the problems that you are experiencing.

    Some other general ideas:

    Buy from a private party, someone who has owned the car for a while. Ask them why they are selling it, and what may be wrong with it, and what may need to be done with it in the near future. If their answers seem evasive walk away.

    Buy from someone in a nice house in a good neighborhood, well off people generally have more money to spend to maintain their cars

    Don't buy from guys in their 20's or guys who tell you how they just rebuilt everything themselves.

    Girls in their 20's often don't maintain their cars very well, I would be leary from buying from them also

    None of this advice is meant as a personal attack on anyone. If you find it offensive to you I am sorry, but I am trying to help the poster find a good car.

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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    Type in "Buying a used car" into google and you'll get 50 million responses. Then start reading. Be an informed consumer.

    An option to consider would be taking taxis until you graduate. You just pay by the trip without worrying about purchase price, repairs, maintenance, insurance, break downs etc. No worries.

    Being able to live without a car is actually a goal that many people have.

    Just offering another point of view. Good luck.

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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    When you go to see the vehicle, make sure it looks ion good shape. When driving, make sure it drives good. Make sure things work. Do they have maintenance records. Listen for noises. If it passes those tests, take it to your mechanic for a PPI (pre-purchase inspection).

    Then go from there. You can negotiate a lesser price than the asking price.

    Another thing to consider is that a lot of the modern cars you'd be looking at have timing belts that need to be replaced at around 100k miles. If it hasn't been done, you could be looking at 800+.

    In your price range, probably a Honda, Toyota is what you would want and still be able to take less of a hit in under a year.

    Pick up an Auto Trader.

    Also, you can call dealers (Chevy, Frod, Honda, etc.) and see what trade ins they've had that would be in your price range. And remember, you could negotitate a better deal than a private seller. Also, do not let the same company selling a car do the inspection.
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    Senior Member WoodyLV's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    the shape of the tires will say a lot about how well it was maintained. usually thats the first thing owners ignore if they are slacking on maintenance. plus thats 500+ to replace a set.

    fluid check - oil should be nice and clear dark caramelish - if it looks like a milkshake thats bad. transmission fluid should be clear reddish - if it smells burnt thats bad. coolant should be free from debris - if there is any bubbling in the tank after running it thats bad. as stated any leaks are bad.

    agree with buying from an older family type. old lady northstar cadillacs are great. fewer owners usually better. can check carfax.com, make sure not salvage, mileage checks out, passed smogs, etc.

    dont test drive with the music on or with the person talking to you. just listen for squeeking brakes, shocks, funny noises.

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    Default Re: Buying a POS car

    Here in snow country where they use lots of road salt, we call them 'winter rats.' Problem with most older cars here is body decay rust.

    Buying one from a mechanic is probably a bad idea because they don't mind fixing one every week until it becomes too expensive to fix, and they have cheap labor and lotsa tools.

    You're probably have to accept that some accessories won't work and some imperfections exist.

    Above all, don't get attached to it. No matter how 'cute' it is. If it gets more than just a metaphorical cold, it is probably best to 'put it to sleep' (sell and replace it). That's when we tattoo 'POS' on them.
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