Buying A Used Car

A complete step by step guide to buying a used Car at an online car auction or in your local town. These tips have proven effective by subscribers throughout the country.

The Simple truth about buying used cars and trucks

Where can I find a good deal on a used car or truck?

1. Private owners - buy a local newspaper and check the classified ads 
2. • Positive:  
   • • Dealing with a local neighbor 
     • Best opportunity to get lowest possible price 
     • Little or no negotiating necessary 
   • Negative:  
   • • Dealing with a local neighbor-can you trust his/her word? 
     • No warranty-usually no legal contract beyond selling a vehicle “as-is”  Verbal promises don’t count 
     • Not any variety of the make/model you are searching for 
3. Local Car Dealerships-through local newspaper advertising 
4. • Positive: 
   • • Dealing with an established business 
     • Should offer at least a minimum warranty 
     • Might offer more then one vehicle you are interested in 
   • Negative: 
   • • Must deal ‘face to face’ with salesperson 
     • • Plus: must endure the famous tricks involving the sales manager-Lets call it their “selling system”. 
     • Will have to negotiate at some point regardless of what the advertisement says. ie: financing, extended protection plans etc. 
     •  You have to have the time to travel to various dealerships to compare their inventories of used vehicles 
5. Government Auctions 
6. • Positive: 
   • • Some will offer killer deals 
     • No negotiating 
   • Negative: 
   • • All require a fee for gaining access to their data base 
     • You usually have to be physically present to take part in the auction 
     • You normally cannot finance 
     • Very limited variety of vehicles since it depends on changing inventory. 
     • No warranty provided, always sold “as is” 

4. Local State Auctions 
5. • Positive: 
   • • Usually a fair to good variety of vehicles 
     • Usually good prices below retail 
   • Negative: 
   • • No Financing possible - Cash Deals 
     • All Vehicles sold “As-Is”  ( let the buyer beware) 
     • Usually no documentation or proof of previous ownership.  
     • Cars frequently moved around the country for auctions.   
6. Online Classified Sites-Offering private sales by owners 
7. • Positive: 
   • • Better then retail pricing at local car lots 
     • Larger variety offered then print classifieds 
   • Negative: 
   • • Dealing with private owners 
     • No warranties 
     • Published information frequently is outdated 
     • No recourse if problems arise-must accept vehicles are sold “as is” in most cases 
8. eBay Auctions on the Web - by Professional Dealers and Individuals 
9. • Positive: 
   • • Free Access-no fees to gain access 
     • Great Variety changing daily-from professional and private owners 
     • Sellers must publish full details and provide complete written descriptions with full package of pictures 
     • Profession Sellers* are concerned with their online reputation 
     • Local Dealers now sell online** -warranty plus pick up locally 
     • Buyers provide uncensored feedback which influences professional sellers 
     • Very competitive pricing.  Usually well below Kelly Blue Book suggestions 
     • Payment is protected via secure PayPal system which all but prohibits fraud when all rules are followed 
     • Online car auctions provide Ebay with an excellent source of income and they police the system quite well 
   • Negative: 
   • • Auctions: you must show restraint as not to pay more then your budget allows  
     • You have to arrange pick up of any vehicle at your own expense.  This can add significantly to the price if you are not careful. 
     •   Private owners-nothing binding other then sold “as-is”
     • No warranty provided by private owners 
10. Hybrid System - Combine the benefits of Ebay auctions with the security of buying locally from top name dealers. 
11. • Positive: 
    • • Very Best Prices
      • You can trade-in your current vehicle if you know the system.
      • All Promises/warranty in writing before the purchase
    • Negative: 
    • • You have to do some homework to benefit fully 

 Want to learn more?

Used Car Buyers Guide