Hey folks, I'm looking to put together a little blog type article giving non-car-guy/girl-types tips on shopping for a used car. From the first phone call to the negotiations. Now I know we all have had more than our fair share of used, or pre-owned or pre-enjoyed or pre-whatever cars on this board. What tips could you give to novices to help them shop for their next gem?
Never, EVER buy/look at a car at night and then hand over the cash.
Never buy a rental car.
If you are buying from a dealer bring a book and let them take as long as they need to "work out a deal for you with the boss"
If you are buying from an individual, and they worked on it themselves ask to see their tool box. If it looks like a disorganized mess, the car probably is too.
Check all the fluids yourself and bring your own shop rag and flashlight.
Research the common issues with that make and model before you show up to look at it and ask questions about those things, ie. whether they have become an issue or have already been dealt with.
Don't be afraid to bering a car buddy along.
A few friends of mine have been way to concerned that they are asking the saleperson at the dealership too many questions or asking to see too many cars. It's almost like they're afraid that if they get too demanding the dealer won't sell to them 
Maybe stress the fact that all of that legwork is the salespersons job. And that it is also the salespersons job to get as much money as possible for the car.
Adding to what Hocrest just said:
Keep in mind, it's not the Salesperson's job to "Sell" you the car - it's their job to milk you out of as much $$$ as possible, while still selling you the car.
This article from Edmunds is very good.
Confessions of a Car Salesman http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html
I found it very informative and insightful. My second advise would be to arrange financing before entering the dealership. The dealer does not have to present you the "best" financing offer that you qualify for, they only have to present you with the offer that you are willing to accept.
Use the internet. The best deals I've gotten on a new car were by negotiating via the internet first. It cut down on wasted time. The worst dealerships will not even respond to an email quote request. The best will call you back and start dealing on the phone.
Ignore unsubstantiated claims like "I just had the timing belt replaced" or "the head gasket was replaced last year" unless you see the receipt.
If you don't know cars pay a qualified, independent someone who does to go over the car.
Rain hides crappy bodywork
Always ask that the car be cold when you look at it. All kinds of cold start issues from idler pulley bearings to IAC motors can be hidden by a little drive before you get there.
Never test drive less than 30 minutes and vary the road looking for any vibration, rattle, jiggle etc... brake it HARD too.
If the guys email address has wally13us in it RUN LIKE THE WIND. (insert quasimofo or sanyarco"anything" as well)
go on the internet and find problem spots of the cars. Try not to get attached to it before you go look at it because then it will APPEAR to be perfect and youll find out later it REALLY RDEALLY is not. (my miata....cough cough....ouch)
Don't touch anything that has had a wrench put on a headbolt. "Rebuilt motor", new head or gasket, etc. Run.
Put post on GRM that starts with the phrase:
"Learn me on..."
to reinforce as much as possible the fact that you are an idiot before asking for help.
HiTempguy wrote: Never, EVER buy/look at a car at night and then hand over the cash.
I broke that rule on the R/T. Except I handed over the cash the next night. took close to month to stop regreting it.
Even if its in the showroom, don't be afraid to get under the car, pop the hood, etc. etc. Something might be broken even if they put it in there.
Look at it once, ask for first right of refusal, look at it again the next day.
When you test drive it, drive it hard.
If they say (VW, Jaguar, Audi, etc.) and reliable in the same sentence, you know that they are lying about something.
I broke that rule on the R/T. Except I handed over the cash the next night. took close to month to stop regreting it.
Actually, this rule does NOT apply (IMO) to car savvy people. I bought the Civork at night, handed over cash. It was too good of a deal to pass up. However in the daytime I realized 1) It smoked (valve seal) and 2) the right rear tire has a bit of camber in the wrong direction. However, they are very minor things for a $1500 car that after replacing the spark plugs runs like a raped ape, handles well and drives smooth.
Having said all of that, it still is preferable to buy during the day. Not the first car I've bought at night, won't be the last. Sometimes buying in daylight isn't possible :(
I bought my I30 at night.
I did get it cheap enough that I wasn't worried about the 1 flaw I missed, a tire that was down to it's cords on the inside. 
beware of cars that are ececptionaly clean and well detailed, many years ago I worked for a large car dealership and cars going either to the used lot or auction that had known or suspected serious faults got a detailing job that you wouln't believe in hopes that the shinieness would draw eyes away from the faults. cars that were ok didn't get the whole nine yards detailing, just a quicky clean up.
Also I suggest finding out what couple of car models you realy want before shopping and learning as much as possible about those cars and there weak points in advance. also find out if there is a specialty service shop in your area that works on that type of car and talk to them in advance also.
Don't buy a car in the rain either... almost as bad as buying one at night.
My rule has become to never buy a car that I can't drive home, and I usually end up buying cars from several hours away.
jrw1621 wrote: This article from Edmunds is very good. Confessions of a Car Salesman http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html
I read that article last week. That's a good one about being a used car salesmen.
Always see and drive the car in person before you agree to buy, no matter how good it looks on paper (or on eBay)...
DJ
You'll need to log in to post.
