Where would be the best place to buy a used car for good value?
Question:
I live in Hutchinson, Kansas (pop. 40,000) and my car just recenly completely died. I'm in college making about $6,000 a year working part-time, so of course I don't have enough to buy even a decent used car. I'm looking to spend between $2,000 and $4,000 on a reliable used car. I went to a small dealership (about 25 vehicles for sale) and found a 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 with 160,000 miles on it for $3500. I call my mom to get an opinion and she immediately says that's way too much money for that car and recommends I go to a really large car dealership (Hutch only has about 4 or 5) and look there. She also said small dealerships will likely rip me off. Do really large dealerships even sell used cars that cheap, and if so, are they any better value and quality than at a small dealership?
Answer:
A reliable used car evaluating is using http://www.edmunds.com/used-cars/
Best way to buy is either a private sale, or a large business that sells enough cars that can keep the price down. Often there is one car advertised as the "special" to grab. Dealerships are rarely "cheap", but some are better than others. A 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 in your Zip code with automatic and A/C with 160,000 miles in outstanding condition is valued between $700 and $1400. Run away from that dealership you were at.
cars.com, autotrader.com, autobytel.com, ebay motors maybe in local are OK for looking. Craigslist has a lot of false listings in auto so you would need to find a local seller.
Here are a couple of examples that might be OK. Should get a CARFAX report about them and maybe a short warranty so you can have mechanic check it.
http://www.discountautos4u.com/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=139423 717
http://www.discountautos4u.com/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=140153 356
http://www.discountautos4u.com/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=131950 023
2001 Honda Passport EX 4WD - $3,900 (obo) Contact: Michelle or Chris (Individual Seller)
Call: 316-518-0412 (Daytime) 316-806-5723 (Evening) Andover, KS
Even in your area, Midwest Ford Lincoln Mercury Toyota 1100 E 30th Ave Hutchinson KS
http://midwestsuperstore.com/Hutchinson-KS/For-Sale/Used/Pontiac /Grand-Am/1999-GT-Red-Car/3435711/
with a value between $2200 and $3300 and listed at $3000, is not terrible as a price if the engine is good.
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