I turned off the radio to listen for knocks, squeaks, or "clunks." I took it on the highway to see if it vibrated at 65 mph. Phase 4: The Professional Eye
How many people have driven this into the ground? Accident Records: Was it ever in a major crunch? how to buy second hand car in usa
I told Dave I wanted a . I spent $150 to have a local mechanic put it on a lift. The mechanic found a worn-out serpentine belt—a $200 fix. I used that to negotiate $300 off Dave’s asking price. We shook hands at $8,500. Phase 5: The Paperwork (The Boring Part) This is where it gets official. We sat down and: I turned off the radio to listen for
I started where everyone does: and Edmunds . These sites were my North Star for "Fair Market Value." I decided on a reliable sedan—something that wouldn't die on a highway in the middle of Nebraska. I told Dave I wanted a
I scoured , Cars.com , and Facebook Marketplace . Pro tip: Marketplace has the best deals but the most "characters." I looked for listings with detailed service records and avoided anything with a "Rebuilt" or "Salvage" title—those are headaches in disguise. Phase 2: The Background Check
We drafted a simple document stating the price, date, and VIN.