Brand New Paint Job; How To Buy a Car Off of Craigslist
A good friend of mine recently got in a car accident and totaled her car. Fortunately, she and her passengers emerged from the wreckage unscathed. After her insurance assessed the damage, they gave her a settlement of $9717 which included a registration fee refund and the salvage value less deductible.
So with $9717 in hand and no extra money to spare, she begun her search for a new USED car off of Craigslist; the land of spam & scams to the ignorant or gems & diamonds to the well-informed. After a few weeks of searching on Craigslist, she ended up purchasing a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T for $6500.
In the end, with the guidance of friends and family, she ultimately found a gem after sorting through a shopping list of cars from private sellers. Here’s the advice she was given:
When purchasing a car on Craigslist here are some general rules to follow:
1. 1st or 2nd owner at most
2. Less than 100K miles (depending on the condition)
3. Clean, not salvaged title
4. Stay away from “New” or “Rebuilt” engines or transmissions
5. Tread lightly with used car dealerships.
- Used car salesmen have a bad reputation for a reason. They generally sell auctioned off, repossessed, and cars that generally haven’t been well maintained. Then they fix them up with cheap parts and make them appear as though they are in good condition.
Phase 1: Craigslist search query
1. Enter the make and model of the car you’re looking for
2. In the Drop-down, select “cars & trucks – by owner
3. Enter a minimum and maximum amount.
- I tend to follow a -40% to +40% range of my budget. For example, if my budget is $10,000, I will type in a range of $6,000 Min to $14,000 Max.
4. Select the “has image” box. Seller has no image? Then it’s not worth YOUR time to pry.
5. he goal is to create a list of all possible used car candidates.
Phase 2: Research and due diligence
1. Find out the value of the car (KBB Price)
2. Research common vehicle problems with the make, model, and year
3. Scour outside marketplaces (eBay, newspaper ads, etc)
4. Filter out cars based on your own personal assessment
Phase 3: Contact seller via phone/email
1. Do not waste yours or the sellers time. Ask questions that are not already on the listing.
2. Clean or Salvaged title?
3. Are you the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd owner?
4. Do you have other pictures
5. Has it been in any accidents, if so, what happened?
6. Do you have a CarFax Report?
7. Do you have maintenance records?
8. If you sense any deception or fumbling of words, back out.
Phase 4: Dealing with the seller in person
1. Bring another person that is car savvy for a second opinion.
- Having a companion will also help prevent being strong armed by the seller
2. Test drive the car
- If possible, take the vehicle highway speeds
3. Be a skeptic and question any scratch, strange noise, scent, blemish, etc
4. If you sense any deception or fumbling of words, once again back out.
Phase 5: Negotiate and Closing the Deal
1. Once you’re comfortable with the vehicle, you can pay the price outright or negotiate.
- It’s up to you from on where you want to go from here.
- You have so many cards to choose from. Here’s a few
- I like the car but I’m trying out a similar car for $500 cheaper…
- Can you throw in the ski rack sitting in the garage?
- I have to discuss this with my wife/husband, it’s $500 over my budget…
- etc..
_____
If you have any other tips for our readers, please post them below. I’m no used car expert, but I definitely know if I’m getting ripped off.
Selamat jalan! (Malay)
Photo Credit: WhosThisValGirl
No related posts.
I just purchased a car from craigslist and your right about bringing someone else with you to inspect the car. One of the private sellers tried to upsell the car when my buddy chimed in and humbled him.
View the page that pops up after selecting a city. The address in the bar should be something like “yourcity”.craigslist.org. There will be numerous categories listed under the city. Look under the “For Sale” category and click on “Cars+Trucks”.
Thats really helpful advice. I recently bought a bike off Craigslist and that experience was nerve wracking enough for me. I’m just not good enough at the negotiating table. Its definitely a good idea to take a test drive. The bike dealer we went to actually fixed bikes, so he did the tune-up while we were there. Seeking a similar situation with a car might be difficult but helpful. I took my brother along who knew what to look for as far as problems. A second opinion definitely helps with the little things you might miss.
Credit Girl´s last blog ..Does Unemployment Spark Entrepreneurship? (Infographic)
Interesting, I’ve never thought of buying a used car on centralist although I’ve used E bay for the same purpose a couple of times.
Haha, nice. That is 2 fingers up at the nanny state that is EU legislation. It is pretty ingenious but I’d guess they are cutting it a bit close with this design and can’t imagine it staying around for much longer.
chinese painting´s last blog ..Sports Event Photography- The Tactic of Capturing the Real Moments
Another good way to make money on craigslist is to be the first to find the good deals. I found an awesome program that sends me emails or SMS text messages to my cellphone as new items are posted.
server mail´s last blog ..Know everything about smtp mail server
I am just not good enough at the negotiating table. Its definitely a good idea to take a test drive. thanks..
his step is optional, as if you were to use a paint cleaner, such as the ones mentioned above, since they already have polishing oils in them. You’ll notice more of a difference in using a pure polish on darker colors, but wont hurt to do it on lighter colors.
chinese painting´s last blog ..In-Expensive Wedding Photography
I just bought a car off craigslist. It had been sitting for a few months, it had a bad radiator, so I replaced that and the thermostat. The man I bought it from, and a mechanic….
chinese painting´s last blog ..In-Expensive Wedding Photography
I can say that they will all be the same speed because the gear ratios for all the bikes are about the exact same.
server mail´s last blog ..Know everything about smtp mail server
I have now been working from home doing marketing since my son was born about 10 months ago. Like you, I only have time for part-time, around 20 or so hours a week (sometimes less, sometimes more), but I have been able to make at least $1000 a month for the past 4 months just by following the advice I got on http://www.mattbacak.com.
i want an eastern bike. i want a fast durable bike that will last about 3 years with good care. it must be very fast. also somewhat good on the trail but doesnt have to be like the best trail bike.fast fast fast.
I’ve never thought of buying a used car on centralist although I’ve used E bay for the same purpose a couple of times.
You’ll notice more of a difference in using a pure polish on darker colors, but wont hurt to do it on lighter colors.
dogs mating´s last blog ..Best pets at low prices
I recently bought a bike off Craigslist and that experience was nerve wracking enough for me. I’m just not good enough at the negotiating table. Its definitely a good idea to take a test drive.
I guess through the vents, which it smoke randomly, not the whole time when driving it. It smells like burnt plastic, or just burnt something, but not antifreeze, I have smelled that before(another wise car buying decision) and not oil, which that is what the man I bought it from swore it was.
server mail´s last blog ..Know everything about smtp mail server
I have smelled that before(another wise car buying decision) and not oil, which that is what?
Nice little utility, without the frills, to narrow down your choice for a car ad. It brought the relevant reviews and car model information from useful websites and augmented the selected criagslist car posting.
You’ll notice more of a difference in using a pure polish on darker colors, but wont hurt to do it on lighter colors.
It has been a while since my blog had the chance to give away free stuff. The last time was when I gave away 5 gold accounts of Producteev (worth $1188 each).
Bought the car for 700 dollars was told there was nothing wrong with it. come home to find only 2 of the 3 cylinders are firing. Is there some sort of law where i can return the car and get my money back if the guy didnt post the craigslist ad AS IS? Thanks…
I notice that the default theme has lots of php files. Do I need them if my site will have no blog and will just be static html pages? I am new to php so only know what it stands for.
I’ve got this theme too on my new website done in WordPress 2.8.5 in italian tongue. I need to know how I can insert this plugIn on the site … How can I insert the featured posts? And how Can I insert the thumbnail on my posts on this theme? I can’t understand becaause I’m a newbie of this right now!
This is where I am stuck. Can anyone recommend a good tutorial or tell me what I should do next – I notice that the default theme has lots of php files.
All I know is I want to put this them up on wordpress and then upload all my images, and I don’t know how. I’m getting so frustrated and I just really need some help.
Ride a Century…
[...] for such a rewarding way to spend a [...]…
So with $9717 in hand and no extra money to spare, she begun her search for a new USED car off of Craigslist; the land of spam & scams to the ignorant or gems & diamonds to the well-informed. After a few weeks of searching on Craigslist, she ended up purchasing a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T for $6500.
I have to agree this is outstanding software and having used it for years with Hp and Epson printers without problems.
I just need to know what i have to do to register it in my name and what i need to do to make it mine. i just want a simple 1. 2. 3. etc guide. thanks!
I had no idea about it.But after read this post I am sure.That’s a best motive post.
You can’t be too careful as you mentioned. It is worth having someone who is a good mechanic accompany you to evaluate the car.
I have the iPhone 3G. Does anyone know if you can swap the phones out and still get these great deals?
If a celeb IS on Twitter or Facebook (or any other social media site,) you can bet their fans will soon enough get word out about their on-line presence. The re-tweets (or equivalent) will abound in no time flat.
Good Tips, craigslist have great deals on cars, but I’ve always been afraid to buy one off there.
Really good way to buy car off craigslist.The car sinking in water looking great scene sequence.There are lots of good deals available on craigslists.Nice sharing…
I have no doubt on this excellent feedback.It is worth having someone who is a good mechanic accompany you to evaluate the car.
Looking for sites like Craigslist that deal in classifieds by city, state, country, etc. Something similar to craigslist, and that has a pretty good level of web traffic. I love using CL, but lately I’ve been getting only countless junk and spam mails from fake email addresses trying to get my address or visit some site. Sick of the BS, just want to do legit deals.
This is just one of those “s” out of luck situations. You just have to start over. You’ll have to get some paint remover (and proper breathing protection) and remove all of the paint you just put on the posts. Then be sure the ceiling is exactly as you want it.
There will be numerous categories listed under the city. Look under the “For Sale” category and click on “Cars+Trucks”.
hi i have an audi and i dont like the golden color it has , its a convertible, but i am just wondering how much it would cost to change the whole paint job on the car lol !
Craigslist is a great free classified ad website. Through this site, you can find hundreds of different cars, in all price ranges, easily and efficiently.
I don’t know of any good search engines but I do know that Ikea is extremely cheap but their stuff is practical and fashionable. Shopping on line is great but if you can find a store near you you should go!
Issues like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will spot a link to this page on my blog. I am sure enough my visitors will find that very functional.
I never bought a car off of craigslist. Wilmington is a huge city. My sister went to uncw. I’m in Clinton. There should be alot of auto shops, mechanics to get the car checked out before you buy it. During the test drive tell the seller you want a mechanic to look it over. Since you are paying for it, the seller should not have a problem. Make sure you know if the car have a clean title not salvage.
rofl lol ou http://s27.tinyphotohd.com/m.php?1q1c5g&req=Picture04.JPG
Buying a car through Craigslist and classified advertisement give you a chance to pick according desire.Nice read..
Thanks for the share, nice post
I painted the posts on my porch then decided to paint the ceiling since the screens were out. Pressure washed the ceiling. Dirt stream stains and worst of all- paint chips stuck everywhere. Tried rags and Brillo pads with Dish soap. Can’t get it all?
These sites are best for whom who wants to buy things in budget.Because people action and sale things with advertising classifieds and Craigslist.
we tend to forget who we are designing for. Designing for passion is a good sign but you cannot overlook the fact that clients are the real people you are designing for. Being overly selfish …
I never though about to get car but this post impreshed me & i will plan to get it. it’s my pleasure to read it.
With the help of Craigslist you can get the best deal according to your budget.Very nice post that has important information to all.
In reality as a way for you to get top SEO results it is not “if” you need program but “what” program because we both know that without SEO program it is near extremely hard to gain a higher position in Look for Machines due to the substantial opposition and regular improvements.
The shoes to allow for her christian louboutin shoes to have the most effective of sexual louboutin uk approach. The amount of attitude that discusses the christian louboutin uk great deal of panache! These sneakers showcase that mysterious effects and everything people cheap christian louboutin shoes which are desirables. By way of instance, the christian christian louboutin louboutin purchase Contente OTK Grey Suede Boots is actually a beautiful nappa leather boot employing right hence the most current in craze. 3fc1f2e1ae1334d15
http://www.ukclsshoe.com/
north face outlet Fashion North Face Sale with low price.
the north face sale with free shipping.
high quality North Face jackets sale from our north face jackets
cheap north face online sale.
north face down jacket
cheap north face Store online which offers all kinds of North Face Jackets.
These cars are the most popular cars of the world and there are many other functionality added for the maintaining there performance.
Leave your response!
Most Popular
Recent Hits
All Time
Zen's Fave
December Stock Contest Winner
247MOM
See CONTESTS tab for more info.
Zen on the move!
Top Commentators
Topics
PF Sites I Follow
Word On The Street…
"Designed and alias by the name of “Zen”, this website features all of the solutions and resources necessary to get by in this economic crisis. I really like this website because it perfectly demonstrates that we do not need to spend money to live a satisfactory life." Learn More
From Cash Poor But Positive
"Zen Capitalist lives in San Franscisco. He's an options trader, and he tweets and blogs on all things financial, but in a cosmic way." Learn More
Check out HellaEMO.com. Another site brought to you by The Zen Capitalist.
Recent Posts
Most Commented
Positive Energy