Looking for a used vehicle. Need some advice.

hosnatcher · Mar 18, 2010

I am looking to buy a 2004-2007 Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon. I am planning on paying cash/check no financing. Since I haven't bought a used vehicle in almost 15 years is there anything I should keep my eyes open for? Obviously I am not a gear head so I can't tell by test driving if the vehicle is in great condition and my vehicle search radius is about 30 miles so I don't have a mechanic on call that I can have look under the hood at a moments notice.

Any advice guys on who to steer clear from? Used dealerships, New dealerships, private owners in bad neighborhoods? Is it safe to say that a car with only one owner has a better chance of durability than a one with two or more owners?

Gravy · Mar 18, 2010

stay away from new car dealerships as they rip you off and dont go to dealerships that advertise alot on TV

C.P. · Mar 18, 2010

http://www.carmax.com/

not sure if this place is close to you...but they can and will ship a car...

I've bought a few from them..NO HASSLES..One Price...no haggling..

warrantees...the works...(<)<

Stylez · Mar 18, 2010

I bought my Mustang off the original owner, he was a 50 something pilot who was single and Im pretty sure he was going through a midlife crisis or something. Had every service receipt since it was new.

Try and find a private sale , stay away from dealerships. ( I know in canada the mark up on used at dealerships isn't worth the 1 year warranty they might add) . If you have any buddies that are mechanically inclined i suggest bringing them along to look at vehicles.

Bryan24K · Mar 18, 2010

Get the carfax report and the other one too, i think its equifax. Have a mechanic inspect the car, if you don't know one, take it to an independent chevy or gmc dealership to have them look at it. These steps will prob cost you $100+ but are well worth it imo. Good luck!

5-0SAT · Mar 18, 2010

autotrader.com

best website for you. enter gmc and the years and your particulars and search within 10-100 miles within orange county. you will find a car in no time

ConansHammer · Mar 18, 2010

dude .. write down on a piece of paper what kind of car you want and what options. color etc.

Fax this sheet to all the local dealers in your geographical area and wait for the deals to be sent back to you.

Best way to buy a car and you avoid the hassle of even the shark arsehole places

hosnatcher · Mar 18, 2010

I found this one in my area from a private seller. It looks to be a good price too. I am more of a fan of leather interior but for the year of the car and the price the cloth interior might be worth over looking.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...on=&max_price=20000&cardist=24&standard=false

VegasRandy · Mar 19, 2010

What is the vin #? I have autocheck and can tell you the history and rating.

ChalksR4Kids · Mar 19, 2010

Use Edmunds.com, a huge resource for anyone looking for a car.

JGSB · Mar 19, 2010

When you buy it, go get extended warranty coverage bumper to bumper if you can afford it. You will save a lot of money in the long run for any repairs. Get powertrain coverage at least. Try to get something with 60K miles or less.

hosnatcher · Mar 19, 2010

jgrif33 said:
I thought you were getting a camaro?

My Camaro will be on the lot today, I just need them to do some dealer location ad ons and it will be mine.

I totaled my Tahoe so I am looking to replace it with my insurance check.

ConansHammer · Mar 19, 2010

lol @ extended warrenty ... your kidding right? Name me one honest insurance company in the extended warrenty bizz

Doug · Mar 19, 2010

ConansHammer said:
lol @ extended warrenty ... your kidding right? Name me one honest insurance company in the extended warrenty bizz

totally agree against extended warranty, little should go wrong with a car before 100,000 miles, often not even brakes.

tires at 60k
oil changes
some fluid changes

that's about it in 100k miles

I think Carmax sucks ( for buying) also. Way too expensive. You can often buy a new car cheaper than what they want for the same car that's a year old and has 10k miles.

I like Craigslist, and take your time finding the right car.

VegasRandy · Mar 19, 2010

Doug said:
totally agree against extended warranty, little should go wrong with a car before 100,000 miles, often not even brakes.

tires at 60k
oil changes
some fluid changes

that's about it in 100k miles

I think Carmax sucks ( for buying) also. Way too expensive. You can often buy a new car cheaper than what they want for the same car that's a year old and has 10k miles.

I like Craigslist, and take your time finding the right car.

:toast:

Been looking for car since Dec, Carmax had a 2003 w 30k miles for $15,000 with an autocheck score of 91. Just bought the exact same car but it was a 2004 with 40k miles for $12,000.00 with an autocheck score of 92 off of craigslist.

If you shop around you will find that carmax prices are inflated significantly.

nhoj · Mar 20, 2010

Get a Toyota they go real fast and you can get out of speeding tickets with them right now. Plus their going tobe real cheap real soon.

Doug · Mar 20, 2010

VegasRandy said:
:toast:

Been looking for car since Dec, Carmax had a 2003 w 30k miles for $15,000 with an autocheck score of 91. Just bought the exact same car but it was a 2004 with 40k miles for $12,000.00 with an autocheck score of 92 off of craigslist.

If you shop around you will find that carmax prices are inflated significantly.

Sell your old car to Carmax...if you don't want Jesus ( the Puerto Rican) hunting you down because the tranny went bad, two years later....

Don't buy a Carmax car,,:smoker2:

Sell your beater to Carmax, don't buy their SHIT !

Buster · Jan 30, 2013

VegasRandy said:
What is the vin #? I have autocheck and can tell you the history and rating.

You want to do Buster a "solid"?

DesertNole · Jan 30, 2013

Get a certified honda and enjoy the next 8-10 years of trouble free driving.

DesertNole · Jan 30, 2013

C.P. said:
http://www.carmax.com/

not sure if this place is close to you...but they can and will ship a car...

I've bought a few from them..NO HASSLES..One Price...no haggling..

warrantees...the works...(<)<

No....majority of their inventory was purchased from rental car companies