Buying a car off Craigslist?

[supersnoop]

I've sold three cars on craigslist and never had any problems. One almost sold sight-unseen.

 

[jmail048]

I've sold three cars on craigslist and never had any problems. One almost sold sight-unseen.

your so lucky I sold mine to a Chinese exchange student. They had no drivers license did not know why they needed insurance wanted a warranty. I will never do it again lol

 

[captainjen]

Any tips for buying a used car off Craigslist? Not sure what to look for or expect for the sale? It will be financed through a bank. Want to make sure we don't get the raw end of the deal.

I have bought many cars off of Craigs list and here is what I do. Look at the car, really look. Open the hood, is there any signs that there has been an accident ? Do the hoses look good? Open the trunk, look for water damage or an accident that has been repaired. Smell it does it smell musty? Look uner the car, is there rust damage. Turn the car on, open all the windows and close all the windows try the windsheld wipers and horn. open all the doors. try the radio, air conditioner and he. Start the car, drive it slow and then take it out on the highway. Stop the car and start it again. Do a three point turn, does it turn okay? Speed up and slow down with the air condition and or heater on high. Stop quickly, how are the breaks? How does it sound? Rattles, runs rough etc? You can drive a car for 5 minutes and notice that it does not run right. Hope this helps

 

[captainjen]

Any tips for buying a used car off Craigslist? Not sure what to look for or expect for the sale? It will be financed through a bank. Want to make sure we don't get the raw end of the deal.

Forgot to add that you should check all the fluids, use the windshield wiper fluids and check for smoke coming out of the tail pipe and move the car and check for any oil or other fluid leaks.

 

[photogal06]

I've sold 3 vehicles on craigslist. Each time, I let the buyer take the vehicle to a garage or dealer in town (I didn't care which one...just one in town) to have it inspected. They left me their car and keys while they were gone. It all worked out fine, and we've met some nice people buying and selling on craigslist.

 

[Ashlotte]

We just bought a car off of craigslist last week and have bought and sold our last five rounds of cars off of CL. It sounds like I am in the minority, but I would much rather buy a used car from the original owner and have a chance to meet them and check them out than buy from a dealership when you have no idea who owned the car. It actually took a month for me to find a car this round because the good ones were selling so fast. Usually I would respond after it had been posted for just a few hours and they would already have a buyer.

Also, last year we sold our 14 year old Civic and the person who bought it was buying it to resell it at a dealership. So, just because you are buying from a dealership it doesn't mean it isn't a craigslist car.

Here's what I look for:

*Original owner ONLY, with service records
*Clean title
*Responsible looking sellers that hopefully didn't drive too crazy
*I always have the car checked out by a mechanic before buying. I have done this with every car since I was a teenager and I have not yet encountered anyone who has denied my request. I recall two specific times that the mechanic told me not to buy the car. I spent $100 on the inspection, but it was well worth it to avoid a lemon.
*Check KBB and make sure you are in the right range

Good luck!

 

[tvguy]

We just bought a car off of craigslist last week and have bought and sold our last five rounds of cars off of CL. It sounds like I am in the minority, but I would much rather buy a used car from the original owner and have a chance to meet them and check them out than buy from a dealership when you have no idea who owned the car. It actually took a month for me to find a car this round because the good ones were selling so fast. Usually I would respond after it had been posted for just a few hours and they would already have a buyer.

Also, last year we sold our 14 year old Civic and the person who bought it was buying it to resell it at a dealership. So, just because you are buying from a dealership it doesn't mean it isn't a craigslist car.

Here's what I look for:

*Original owner ONLY, with service records
*Clean title
*Responsible looking sellers that hopefully didn't drive too crazy
*I always have the car checked out by a mechanic before buying. I have done this with every car since I was a teenager and I have not yet encountered anyone who has denied my request. I recall two specific times that the mechanic told me not to buy the car. I spent $100 on the inspection, but it was well worth it to avoid a lemon.
*Check KBB and make sure you are in the right range

Good luck!

I don't think the cars are the issue on Craigslist, it's the unsavory characters that prey on people on Craigslist that is the concern.

 

[Ashlotte]

I don't think the cars are the issue on Craigslist, it's the unsavory characters that prey on people on Craigslist that is the concern.

I only apply to well written ads in the first place, and with the internet it is pretty easy to weed people out. A google search brings up linked in and facebook profiles, a phone number can be used to look up addresses, etc. I already knew what they looked like before I met them. Also, that is where buying from an original owner helps. If they were responsible enough to make their car payments for a number of years, they are probably not that shifty.