I'd take it to the mechanic before buying it.. either tell them you arent' buying unless you can take it to the mechanic first.. or better yet some places will tell you that you can drive the car overnight to decide if you want it... if so.. say yes and take it to a mechanic during the time you have it
Here is some car buying advice LT ~ you've probably heard a lot of this before, but here you go again... Slow down and take your time buying this car ~ you want to keep this thing for years. Stop going to dealerships ~ tomorrow go down to a convenience store and buy a Sunday paper (they usually stock them for a few days). Search through the classifieds for specific reliable brands (Honda, Toyota). Once you find some that sounds good make appointments and bring a friend (or two) along to help you look it over. First impressions are important ~ is the car clean (inside & out) is it dent/scratch free? If you’re going to buy a car and it’s filthy or has lots of dings, scratches, etc. you can pretty much just walk away. Find out how many people have owned the car and ask about all the service and repairs the car has had. If it’s been in a major wreck or had a lot of major engine work just walk away. Has the owner changed the oil every 3000 miles? Why is the owner selling the car? Are there any small problems on the car ~ cd player/radio doesn’t work, power window is broken, wind leaks, rattles… Will it be needing in major services or parts soon ~ Clutch, tires, brakes, ac recharge, belts, shocks/ struts, cv joints, tune-up, battery, alignment, etc..? Check the oil is it black and dirty or is it a nice clean brown color? Look under the car is it leaking oil? Look under the hood is there oil splattered around the engine compartment? Check the radiator ~ is it full? How do the belts look are they old and cracked? Does the engine generally look clean? Start it up ~ does it fire right up or hesitate? Does it smoke ~ make sure someone stands behind the car when you first start it. Does it run smooth? Or does it clatter, squeal, make any other disturbing noises? If it’s banging and thrashing ~ just walk away. Have the owner or a friend rev the engine with the hood up (AC turned off) ~ is it smooth up to the redline? Do this a few times. Is there a giant cloud of smoke behind the car? Is oil dripping from the oil pan? Are there any burning smells? Now turn the ac on and crank it full blast ~ how does the engine sound now. Does it want to stall ~ how’s does it idle now? Is the AC blowing cold? Is it cutting off and on or blowing warm air? After a few minutes check the temp ~ is it getting hot already? If so walk away. Time to drive it ~ don’t let it bother you if the owner wants to come along. Drive the car fairly hard and listen to how it responds. When you first take off have a friend stand behind the car and see if it smokes under load. Sometimes a car won’t smoke while it’s sitting, but it will let out a cloud when it has to accelerate hard pulling it’s own weight and passengers. How do the brakes feel? Brake hard a few times. Are the shocks in good condition or does the car bounce over bumps/bottom out? Take it up on the freeway. Punch it getting on the on ramp ~ how does the engine respond? While you’ re on the freeway does the car pull to one side ~ does it shimmy? Check for smaller problems ~ does the cruise control work ~ are any window seals leaking air, annoying rattles, etc? When you get back leave the engine running and pop the hood again ~ check for the same problems again. Is it hot, leaking oil, is the engine making strange noises, are there burning smells? Remember they want to sell this car as bad as YOU want to buy it ~ put your poker face on. Be firm and control the situation ~ if they don’t want to let you do all these things just walk away. After you run through all this and you really like the car ask the owner if you can take it to a mechanic to have it checked out. This service will cost about $75 and will give you confidence that the car you’re buying isn’t a lemon because of some obscure thing you might have missed. I’m sure there are more things to add, but this should give you a good start.
I think for 8K you can find a better car. Maximas as someone else suggested sounds good. My g/f actually got a 2000 maxima SE fully loaded for 8500, thought it had 85K miles on it, so far it's been running like a champ and we got it checked out by her uncle who is a mechanic.
King C, that was excellent, thanks a ton. I am also in the market for a used car, and I think Im using your checksheet.
Take the Camry. That 30 day warranty won't allow you to take the car back, just get anything fixed that broke in your 30 day period. Camry >> Saturn. But whatever car you buy - make sure it is not reconditioned.
What KC said. Also, you used to be able to do a search on the VIN number to see how many title searches have been done on it (something like CarFax, I think). The more searches means the more problems with the vehicle (usually - definitely not a good sign). Example - I bought a '92 Prelude when I got out of school. Never thought I would have any problems since it was a Honda. I kept that car for little over a year and spent probably close to $5000 (and that is conservative) bucks in repairs. Later, found out that there had been 13 searches on this vehicle's title. So I got rid of it and got a '94 Camry LE V6. Wound up having that car for 2 and a half years and only had problems with the battery for some reason (went through 3 batteries ). Title search on that one was like 4 or 5. Looney - you are really looney if you don't go with a camry, maxima, accord, etc and take that saturn. I drive a '97 Maxima SE, has 108,000 miles on it and it seems to drive even better now than when I first bought it over 3 years ago.
Exactly...All japanese cars rock when it comes to reliability...it doesn't matter about the milage as long as you keep up the maint.
We had great luck with our Saturn, no problems whatsoever. I think you should get the car you like the best. DD
Chevrolet Tracker reviews 2003 LX North America, 210 words A lost cause lemon 2002 No Designation North America, 199 words It's an OK vehicle that gets you where you are going and back again 2001 ZR2 North America, 167 words Don't buy a GM -- lousy customer service 2000 LT North America, 35 words Excellent bang for the buck. Too bad Chevy is discontinuing this model North America, 95 words Fun to drive, but poor quality investment LX 4 Door North America, 247 words Very reliable, fun vehicle LT North America, 124 words A good purchase for the money 1999 North America, 77 words A high maintenance vehicle ZR2 North America, 50 words The best compact SUV ever North America, 41 words Could be a fun car if the transmission problems were fixed North America, 105 words A fun to drive, trustworthy, four wheel drive car North America, 87 words A totally adequate little 4x4 Link
That car is absolute trash. In a month or so the knobs will fall off the AC Delco radio and the plastic AC vent adjusters will break.
Pun, There are better choices out there than that model. Are you restricting yourself to a certain price range or year or something else?
Lil Pun - I'd keep looking. Dependability and safety would be my concern. I can't imagine how you'd do in a wreck in a Tracker.
