Fair used car price?

[FunFamily]

I am getting ready to buy a used car from a dealership. Any thoughts how best to determine if I am really getting the "great deal" I am told I am getting?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Check Edmunds dot com. They seem to have to most information you can get. Make sure that it is mechically sound, don't take the dealers word, get it looked at by a 3rd party.

 

[CBRorBust]

I'll second Edmunds and add Kelly Blue Book dot com too!

 

[tar heel]

If you are buying a low-mileage used car and are considering the extended warranty, remember the fee quoted for it is also negotible. I found came across that piece of information when researching our last car purchase and had no difficulty saving a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Desnik]

Definately use www.kbb.com
This is often what dealerships use. I would even print it out and bring it with me as a negotiating tool!!
I did this for a friend of mine and it worked!

 

[Mishetta]

I was also going to suggest Kelly Blue Book.com but also another website (which the name escapes me now!!!) This particular website will list how many owners, who the owners were & if the car had been involved in any accidents. Can someone help me here???? Oh...is it Carfax.com? Anyway, for a $20 fee we found out that our van was formerly owned by a "company" & not only were the miles extremely low but it had never been in any accident. I should also mention the sticker price on our van was a tad over $42,000 (it has all the bells & whistles) & we purchased it 1.5 years old for $17,500. We've now had it for a little over 2 years & no problems.

One more thing, ask the dealer if he'll supply you with the carfax.com sheet (another dealer offered it to us but we decided against that vehicle). The worst they can do is say "no" but if they want the sale, they will furnish it to you at no charge.

Another little fact I learned recently is that you don't have to purchase the extended warranty from your dealership. I think you can even go through Costco to buy it at a considerable savings. Check it out!