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4.1 HOW TO CHECK A USED CAR OUT; AUTOMOBILE DISCOUNTS - BUYING, LEASING,
REPAIRING
If
possible start it cold. Try out everything: wipers, turn signals, windows, steering,
brakes, EVERYTHING. The Used Car Book, has pages of checklists to help you. Jot down notes
in your notebook. Drive it fast, then slow. Come to a full stop. Make turns. Make notes.
Ask what repairs need to be done, if the price reflects the cost of those repairs, and how
much the seller has estimated for each repair. Avoid sellers who are impatient or won't
answer your questions.
4.1.1 TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC
Arrange
for a mechanic to check it completely. DO NOT use a mechanic recommended by the seller;
you may not get an unbiased appraisal. Tell him what you noticed. Write down the things he
finds wrong and what it will cost to fix them. Show him any repair/maintenance records for
the car. Ask his opinion overall.
4.1.2 NEGOTIATING THE PRICE
When
you decide to buy, tell the seller everything that you found wrong, and how much it will
cost to fix. Deduct the total amount of repairs (not including any the seller accounted
for) plus any underestimated repair costs from the asking price. Most sellers won't be
expecting you to have a written list of expenses you can justify. Once they recover from
the shock, 9 out of 10 will let the car go at close to your price. You must, however, be
ready to walk away. They may say that someone else wants to buy it at their asking price;
ignore this. Mention that you are considering another car. If you really like it, give in
a bit and that little extra may be enough to close the deal.
4.1.3 AFTER YOU BUY THE CAR
Take
it to the mechanic who checked it out. Since you've already paid him to look at it, he
should give you a discount. FIX EVERYTHING. Even little things. Tune it, change the oil,
etc. Congratulations, it took some work, but you were well paid. You saved thousands of
dollars!
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