Home and Auto Used car buying poll

**007** · 03-12-2013, 07:50 PM

When buying a used car, do you buy it and have it checked out later or do you pay to have mechanic inspect it before you drive it away.

**SAUTO** · 03-12-2013, 07:54 PM

I have a mechanic look it all over.

And I would recommend every one do the same
Posted via Mobile Device

**DaFace** · 03-12-2013, 07:54 PM

I went with the "other" option. The last two cards I've bought have still had at least a bit of a warranty on them, so I didn't bother having them checked out.

Miles · 03-12-2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I went with the "other" option. The last two cards I've bought have still had at least a bit of a warranty on them, so I didn't bother having them checked out.

Same here. The past two cars I have purchased were from private sellers with some warranty left. After discussions with the seller and a test drive I was comfortable enough that they had been well cared for and had no issues.

**Bwana** · 03-12-2013, 07:54 PM

Spend a few bucks to have it looked at.

**SAUTO** · 03-12-2013, 07:54 PM

And I actually do it for regular customers quite often for no charge
Posted via Mobile Device

**Bugeater** · 03-12-2013, 08:07 PM

For me it depends on how much I'm spending on the car and who I'm buying it from.

And even with a mechanic's inspection buying a used car is still a crapshoot. They can only tell you what's wrong with it right now. A car could pass an inspection and still have the transmission explode two months down the road.

With that said, it's not a bad idea in certain circumstances, especially if you don't know much about cars.

**007** · 03-12-2013, 08:08 PM

I should have been more specific on the first option.

I have a mechanic look at every car I am considering actually purchasing.

You obviously wouldn't have them look at every jalopy you gander at.

Tombstone RJ · 03-12-2013, 08:08 PM

pay $50 for a mechanic to check it out. Unless the car ain't worth $50.

**HemiEd** · 03-12-2013, 08:27 PM

I trust myself more than anyone else to look at them, but the last two used ones I bought were a long way from here for my daughters.

A Neon for my eldest going to school in Tallahassee, I bought on ebay from a dealer in Atlanta and took his feedback and our discussion as enough. It lasted her for quite some time while she finished school.

More recently I helped my youngest with an Altima from an individual down in Ft. Worth off of Ebay. Carfax and feedback, plus her test drive and we pulled the trigger. She has had real good luck with it as well for a Datsun.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 03-12-2013, 08:36 PM

I live in a rural area. We don't live on top of each other like rats in a sewer and try screwing each other. Well..unless they're kin.

**Buehler445** · 03-12-2013, 09:04 PM

I pretty much look it over myself. We have a kid working for us that is pretty decent. I had him look at one I was worried about. If it is something serious, I'll be able to tell. If not, is it worth fixing?

Frosty · 03-12-2013, 09:25 PM

I never do. I've only been burned once - a 1991 Sidekick with a bad valve. I lost about $700 in that deal but also learned a lot about repairs.

Most of the time I buy newer stuff that still has warranty left. I don't tend to be too concerned about issues with a $2000 car and have had pretty good luck so far.

View Poll Results: What do you do when buying a used car?
I have a mechanic inspect every car I look at	12	35.29%
I just buy what I want and deal with any issues later.	18	52.94%
Gaz option. I do something else. Please elaborate below.	4	11.76%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

03-12-2013, 07:50 PM	Topic Starter
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	Used car buying poll When buying a used car, do you buy it and have it checked out later or do you pay to have mechanic inspect it before you drive it away.
Posts: 65,554

03-12-2013, 07:54 PM	#2
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	I have a mechanic look it all over. And I would recommend every one do the same Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 55,715

03-12-2013, 07:54 PM	#3
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2036899	I went with the "other" option. The last two cards I've bought have still had at least a bit of a warranty on them, so I didn't bother having them checked out.
Posts: 51,767

03-12-2013, 07:54 PM	#5
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139553647	Spend a few bucks to have it looked at. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,739

03-12-2013, 08:07 PM	#7
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	For me it depends on how much I'm spending on the car and who I'm buying it from. And even with a mechanic's inspection buying a used car is still a crapshoot. They can only tell you what's wrong with it right now. A car could pass an inspection and still have the transmission explode two months down the road. With that said, it's not a bad idea in certain circumstances, especially if you don't know much about cars.
Posts: 70,443

03-12-2013, 08:08 PM	#8
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	I should have been more specific on the first option. I have a mechanic look at every car I am considering actually purchasing. You obviously wouldn't have them look at every jalopy you gander at. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

03-12-2013, 08:08 PM	#9
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	pay $50 for a mechanic to check it out. Unless the car ain't worth $50. __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

03-12-2013, 08:27 PM	#10
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3290564	I trust myself more than anyone else to look at them, but the last two used ones I bought were a long way from here for my daughters. A Neon for my eldest going to school in Tallahassee, I bought on ebay from a dealer in Atlanta and took his feedback and our discussion as enough. It lasted her for quite some time while she finished school. More recently I helped my youngest with an Altima from an individual down in Ft. Worth off of Ebay. Carfax and feedback, plus her test drive and we pulled the trigger. She has had real good luck with it as well for a Datsun.
Posts: 33,413

03-12-2013, 08:36 PM	#11
OrtonsPiercedTaint MVP Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10004980	I live in a rural area. We don't live on top of each other like rats in a sewer and try screwing each other. Well..unless they're kin.
Posts: 5,994

03-12-2013, 09:04 PM	#12
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2324734	I pretty much look it over myself. We have a kid working for us that is pretty decent. I had him look at one I was worried about. If it is something serious, I'll be able to tell. If not, is it worth fixing?
Posts: 56,777

03-12-2013, 09:25 PM	#13
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warshington Casino cash: $5688243	I never do. I've only been burned once - a 1991 Sidekick with a bad valve. I lost about $700 in that deal but also learned a lot about repairs. Most of the time I buy newer stuff that still has warranty left. I don't tend to be too concerned about issues with a $2000 car and have had pretty good luck so far.
Posts: 14,495