Anyone had any success with 2nd hand cars in the past?

 

Im looking to buy my first car, and have found a few really nice one's listed privately (7k-8k dollar range).

 

Iv had some advice thats suggested Im better off with a 2nd hand Dealership though (simply because they, apparently, have to adhere to some standards and so I have less chance of being ripped off and sold a car that is actually falling apart).

 

What sort of questions should I be asking? (atm all I can think of is things like - Does it have full service history, only one owner, etc etc).

Iv had some advice thats suggested Im better off with a 2nd hand Dealership though (simply because they, apparently, have to adhere to some standards and so I have less chance of being ripped off and sold a car that is actually falling apart).

 

check your state regs as each one is different regarding the warranty on used cars based on age and klm's.

 

Any questions you ask you might get lied to about - depends on the seller.

 

Things to check:

 

Shudder in the Steering Wheel when braking

Pulling left or right when braking hard

Look down the sides of the car to make sure that the panels are all lined up

 

 

My Opinion... you're better off taking it to a mechanic - spending approx $100 to get them to go over it for you. ***ETA*** if the seller doesn't want to allow you to do this steer clear of them

Edited November 11, 200915 yr by Sapper28

noddy hit the nail on the head, you can get the RACV to come out to the car and check it for you. if you have a good mechanic and he knows you are gonna give all the business to him he might do it for nothing, what sort of car you looking at?

noddy hit the nail on the head, you can get the RACV to come out to the car and check it for you. if you have a good mechanic and he knows you are gonna give all the business to him he might do it for nothing, what sort of car you looking at?

 

Oh ok awesome, Ill look into that then - I suppose if the dealer has a problem with a mechanic looking it over its a good sign that I don't want anything to do with that car

 

Um at the moment 2nd hand bmw's/mercs/some saabs etc (I know, I know - expensive to repair if anything goes wrong etc etc)

I know a bit about 2nd hand cars..

Probably too much.....

GTG right now but if you post the Model and a good pic of it (hi res) I will be able to tell if its a bunky pos...

(look for differences in the paint work between panels..especially on the front panels (guards, bonnet,aftermarket headlights etc)...

Iv had some advice thats suggested Im better off with a 2nd hand Dealership though (simply because they, apparently, have to adhere to some standards and so I have less chance of being ripped off and sold a car that is actually falling apart).

yes and no to that. depending on where you go, what your looking at etc etc as i remember some of the used cars at the lot i worked for sold for MORE than a brand new one.

 

like Noddy said, check your state regs etc as some of the yards do some interesting things . . . they are not illegal but help them make more cash from the unwary, namely if a car comes in with tint on it, they'll have it taken off to sell you tint through aftercare (huge crock, highly overpriced so avoid aftercare like the plague, bout the only thing they offer which is worth it is the electronic rust preventer). also they'll try and sell you a warranty for the car which most will take because they think that they dont come with one but all dealers have to provide warranty on vehicles sold in their yards up to 100,000kms iirc.

 

had some luck both private and through a yard. usual stuff i spose, check for rust in the usual spots (under doors, sils etc etc), check the fluid levels as well. nother thing, if you start the car, try and make it a cold start if you can, that way you'll see if it burns oil when first started (doesn't usually show when you warm start it).

 

looking at getting a 2nd hand Ranger or Hilux crewcab myself, but i need to wait for the planets to align properly so i can find that illusive pot of gold to go get it with...

My first car was a second hand lancer... oh how I wish I'd taken it to a mechanic for a check first.

 

Cost me $8k but then another $1k replacing the oil sump, battery, something with the belts and the stupid washers. Highly recommend getting it looked over and having the seller fix anything at no additional cost to you.

I know a bit about 2nd hand cars..

Probably too much......

 

used to steal them for his chop shop

Are you willing to put in a little work or do you just want to get it and drive it?

We brought a BMW E36 318i 1995 for about $4,000 had damage to a panel fixed it in a day touched up the paint the next then got the roadworthy only cost about $50-$100 to fix.

We got it here http://www.manheimfowles.com.au/ some good stuff

My first car was a second hand lancer... oh how I wish I'd taken it to a mechanic for a check first.

 

Cost me $8k but then another $1k replacing the oil sump, battery, something with the belts and the stupid washers. Highly recommend getting it looked over and having the seller fix anything at no additional cost to you.

 

Haha my first and current car is a second hand lancer & im 110% happy with it.

 

My advice is to do a vcheck on it as well as get a mechanic to look at it. https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/vehicleinformationcheck/Welcome.jsp

This saved me from buying a writeoff that had been immaculately repaired.

I also ruled out one or two others by taking a good mate who is a mechanic along with me. Sometimes if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

My first was a Commodore VS '98.

Bloke who sold it to me thought it had to have major work. Turns out only $40 fluid. Not bad for a $500 buy. Then the someone broke into it and failed to steal it.

Edited November 11, 200915 yr by Sapper28

Anyone had any success with 2nd hand cars in the past?

 

Im looking to buy my first car, and have found a few really nice one's listed privately (7k-8k dollar range).

 

Iv had some advice thats suggested Im better off with a 2nd hand Dealership though (simply because they, apparently, have to adhere to some standards and so I have less chance of being ripped off and sold a car that is actually falling apart).

 

What sort of questions should I be asking? (atm all I can think of is things like - Does it have full service history, only one owner, etc etc).

 

Dude, Car dealerships will mess you up.. price wise.. warranty wise.... personally, find a nice private sale car and have it inpspected on site by NRMA or RACQ roadside.

 

nothin wrong with 2nd hand cars, just need to do a lil more homework. DO NOT waste your hard earned on a Dealership.. My Opinion only ofcoarse

Dude, Car dealerships will mess you up.. price wise.. warranty wise.... personally, find a nice private sale car and have it inpspected on site by NRMA or RACQ roadside.

 

nothin wrong with 2nd hand cars, just need to do a lil more homework. DO NOT waste your hard earned on a Dealership.. My Opinion only ofcoarse

 

Yeh, Im gonna look into the NRMA thing. I assume you just organise for them to meet you + the car + the owner at wherever you agreed to meet the owner? Do they need to take it in anywhere or do they just do a check on the roadside there and then?

Yeh, Im gonna look into the NRMA thing. I assume you just organise for them to meet you + the car + the owner at wherever you agreed to meet the owner? Do they need to take it in anywhere or do they just do a check on the roadside there and then?

 

thats it bro.... where ever you want em to be.. if you can organise it be inspected at a RWC station, you will ensure undercar is A1... roadside service may just be engine and Train.

 

wish you luck

Anyone had any success with 2nd hand cars in the past?

 

Im looking to buy my first car, and have found a few really nice one's listed privately (7k-8k dollar range).

 

Iv had some advice thats suggested Im better off with a 2nd hand Dealership though (simply because they, apparently, have to adhere to some standards and so I have less chance of being ripped off and sold a car that is actually falling apart).

 

What sort of questions should I be asking? (atm all I can think of is things like - Does it have full service history, only one owner, etc etc).

 

IMHO: stay away from dealers - you'd get a better deal going private...

 

I've always bought second hand and never had trouble.

 

Currently I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy (Liberty in Oz), and after 2.5 years a leaky oil cooler hose is the only thing that's needed fixing.

 

My last car was an XF Fairmont Ghia...had that for 5 years. Cadillac before that, Commodore before that bla bla...

 

Low mileage is one thing to look out for on Jap cars (except Toyota), but on Commodores and Falcons it's not as important especially if they've been serviced reg..

 

AA checks are good value..also ask owner for any receipts for servicing or repair work done..

Edited November 11, 200915 yr by seo iphone

IMHO: stay away from dealers - you'd get a better deal going private...

 

I've always bought second hand and never had trouble.

 

Amen to that Dude, driving my ex girl and me to a dinner, i drive past a Vn Calais.. lowered mags, Reg for 1600.. imacculate condition, i ask why the sale.... owner was a truck owner and used the car from melbourne and back so only had highway klms...he wanted to upgrade for tax reasons.. LOL

 

So i go for a test drive.... driving like a dream it was.. then !!!!! i lift up the hood after test drive... and i noticed the easy to sight Peter brock LE #..... i said SOLD !!!! straight away....

 

 

i got it home and i placed an EOI advert on the net for the Engine Only.. as it was number 31 of 50 Peter Brock 3.8ltr

 

 

Sold it in 3 days to a dude in Vic for $11500.00 ..... after this sale i was able to place a 5.0ltr manual in her and shes a beast to this day.

^Sweet bro

 

Also forgot to say: If you look at a Jap car over 100K with a cambelt check to see whether it's been replaced.

 

Replacing the cam belt can cost $700-$1000 to do it properly.

Or you could avoid all of this crap and save several grand in the process.....

 

 

....by buying a bike!

 

Ok seriously now, if all the places you need to go are within 20-30km. You can ride there easy and the fitter you get the easier it gets. Best part is no rego, no insurance, piss easy maintenance and $1000 will get you an awesome entry level roadbike. Also over the years you will get to laugh at your friends as they slowly get fatter!

The only minor problem is when its blowing a gale or pissing with rain (or both).

Or you could avoid all of this crap and save several grand in the process.....

 

 

....by buying a bike!

 

Ok seriously now, if all the places you need to go are within 20-30km. You can ride there easy and the fitter you get the easier it gets. Best part is no rego, no insurance, piss easy maintenance and $1000 will get you an awesome entry level roadbike. Also over the years you will get to laugh at your friends as they slowly get fatter!

The only minor problem is when its blowing a gale or pissing with rain (or both).

 

and the occasional dick on the road trying to scare you by driving past at 100km/h half a metre away from you. Highly recommend though, I have a hilux 4wd and I use my bike way more often, like Xaboo said 1 grand will get you a decent entry level bike, especially Giant as they are renowned for making good bikes for a lower price.

I rekon if you have that much to spend, your better of getting a new car on higher purchase, something like a Toyota Yaris, reliable, new, and no worries down the track, and if you have $8k then you only have to pay off another $5k or so.......that car would reliably last 10yrs.....you get a secondhand car, and there is alot of risk, i spent $1500 on my first car, rolled it, and spent $1000 on my second car, went thru a red light and it died, then i spent $1000 on my next car, cant remember what happened??? and then my mum gave me her old Corona for my last car, it got smashed into (kept taking my nice stereo from car to car) and that depressed me, it ran out of rego...and i sold it cheap when i moved:( Havnt had a car since, and that was back in 01/02.....Until the BEDFORD.....which i brought for $1000 and have spent (including work currently being done) $8000 on the vehicle, and $500 on towing. And it aint roadworthy yet:(

 

$8k for your first car is alot, i think.....where as my sister brought a new Echo in 02, and she recently traded it in for a new Yaris.....shes never had a car problem yet:( my mum brought a Valiant of ebay for $1000 (regoed) and has spent nearly $8k on it over 5yrs or so...

 

I should point out, that obviously alot of the problems where due to my reckless driving.....but a new car makes you drive more sensibly, and its insured (anything on higher purchse must be insured)..

 

It would be different if you had been driving for 10-15yrs, and knew a bit about mechanicals...

Edited November 11, 200915 yr by Holzy

I neglected to mention that part on purpose....

Or you could avoid all of this crap and save several grand in the process.....

 

 

....by buying a bike!

 

Ok seriously now, if all the places you need to go are within 20-30km. You can ride there easy and the fitter you get the easier it gets. Best part is no rego, no insurance, piss easy maintenance and $1000 will get you an awesome entry level roadbike. Also over the years you will get to laugh at your friends as they slowly get fatter!

The only minor problem is when its blowing a gale or pissing with rain (or both).

 

 

Another couple of "Minor" problems....

 

1/ better not need to take anything anywhere, except a bottle of water.

2/ If your in Melbourne, your life expectancy decreases about 50%.

3/ Dont plan on having a Girlfriend.

4/ MUDBUM lol.

5/ Chains...they always come off and greasy hands will ruin your day:)

6/Flat tyre (no spare like a car)

7/ Cart ya helmut and chain around, watch your tyres dont get nicked.

Sorry if this has been suggested already but every ones posts are too long to quickly read. Any make sure you check everything on Redbook.

http://www.redbook.com.au/

Found it very useful for avoiding rip-offs or lemons if they ask for too little.

Another couple of "Minor" problems....

 

1/ better not need to take anything anywhere, except a bottle of water.

2/ If your in Melbourne, your life expectancy decreases about 50%.

3/ Dont plan on having a Girlfriend.

4/ MUDBUM lol.

5/ Chains...they always come off and greasy hands will ruin your day:)

6/Flat tyre (no spare like a car)

7/ Cart ya helmut and chain around, watch your tyres dont get nicked.

 

1/ borrow mums car

2/ fair enough

3/ use her car

4/ pack a change of clothes in your backpack

5/ probably on a dunlop $30 bike, but a decent road bike this won't happen

6/ repair kit, takes 5 minutes to fix including a small hand pump that is attached to your frame

7/ bolt your tires or go all out and get a special quickrelease and helemt...meh

Its good to get advice...but this is a hard road of bumps that everyone goes down...at least you have a decent budget for your first car...

 

Once you get a bit more settled in life the real solution is to finance into the 2-4 year old second hand car market. Thats where the true value lies, esp if you can get a vehicle still with a bit of its original warranty.

 

Personally I would by a beater as your first car and just learn as you go fixing it up. Can be fun. Like learning about computer hardware really..u only seem to find out about stuff when it breaks.