More Buying Advice: Buy Used from Dealer or Owner?

[eSDee]

Is it better to buy from a vehicle owner, rather than the dealership? I was figuring that I would have to pay around 2 grand for taxes, license, and all that stuff. Then I was wondering, can I get around most of that if I buy from an owner instead of a dealer? Like sales tax atleast? Or is there another tax that I have to pay that I don't know about? Have any of you purchased from an owner before?

Thanks. ;)

[Apex]

There's good and bad for each. Most of the time, with a dealership, you get some sort of warrantee, be it short. But you're paying a serious premium, as they tend to really gouge you compared with a private owner. If you buy from a private owner, it's definitely worth it to get a mechanic to look it over before you make the final purchase. It costs about $100, and can save from making a really really bad mistake. If you have friends that drive that kind of car, that really helps too to have them along.

[adowding]

Often owners think the vehicle is worth much more then it really it is. Your not going to save a whole lot buying from an individual.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by adowding
Often owners think the vehicle is worth much more then it really it is. Your not going to save a whole lot buying from an individual.

I disagree. There is a lot more competition with private sellers since they know that buyers are searching for a specific make/model on autotrader or yahoo or whatever. Dealers will "detail" the cars and make them look prettier but will gouge you towards the high end of the blue book range.

Apex nailed it. Listen to his advice.

[Ladogaboy]

Well, I'll say this for dealers. The warranty is one good option, but some used cars that dealers carry do not come with a warranty. Even without that, though, when a dealer sells you a car, they are bound by law to sell you a road worthy vehicle. If they sell you something that is flawed when you buy it, even without warranty, you have a recourse.

From the buying from owners aspect, it is buyer beware. They are not bound by any laws about the integrity of of the vehicle which they are selling. I agree with Apex about having a mechanic check the vehicle before you buy from an individual owner, unless you feel really comfortable with your mechanical skills.

This is the one thing that I can say is good about buying from owners: there are deals to be found. Sometimes, the owners don't know the value of the vehicle that they are selling. Other times, they just want to get rid of it, so they are willing to sell it for less than it is worth.

It all depends on where you are coming from. For me, right now, I will only buy a vehicle from a dealer. That is because I don't want to have to fuss with a car right now, and whatever I buy, I want it to be under warranty.

[adowding]

Look in the newspaper and most owners cars will be overpriced. Most will negiotiate quite a bit though if you point out the facts.

[attgig]

Not telling you to get a ford/lincoln/murcury - but.....i remember seeing adds about their big push into the pre-owned market

Warranty info on ford/lincoln/murcury... pretty decent, you're gonna get at least 30,000 mileage with their warantee.

In addition, all Ford and Mercury vehicles are four model years old or newer and have less than 42,000 miles. Lincoln vehicles are four model years old or newer and have fewer than 48,000 miles.

ford/mercury waranty policies:


Six years from the original New Vehicle Warranty start date, or up to 75,000 miles on the odometer, whichever comes first; covering 29 components with a $100 per visit deductible.

Components covered by the Ford Quality Checked Certified and Mercury Certified Powertrain Limited Warranty include the following:

ENGINE
All internal lubricated parts
Cylinder block
Cylinder heads
Flywheel
Manifold, exhaust
Manifold, intake
Oil pan
Oil pump
Seals and gaskets
Thermostat
Thermostat housing
Timing chain cover
Timing chain, gear or belt
Turbocharger/Supercharger unit (factory-installed)
Valve covers


TRANSMISSION
All internal parts
Seals and gaskets
Torque converter
Transfer case, including internal parts
Transmission case

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE
Axle shafts
Bearings, front-wheel
Bearings, rear-wheel and axle hub
Drive axle housing and all internal parts
Drive shaft
Retainers
Seals and gaskets
Universal and constant velocity joints

FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE
Axle shafts
Bearings, front wheel
Bearings, rear wheel
Constant velocity and universal joints
Final drive housing and all internal parts
Hubs, automatic front locking (four-wheel drive)
Seals and gaskets


Lincoln's policy:


Each Lincoln Premier Certified Pre-Owned vehicle has a standard deductible of only $100, so should a repair be necessary, your costs will be minimal. This deductible is reduced to $50 per visit if you choose to purchase extended coverage.

Lincoln Premier Certified Pre-Owned Covered Components:

Engine
Transmission
Rear-Wheel Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Air Conditioning and Heating
Brakes
Steering
Electrical
Front Suspension
Hi-Tech
Audio
Emissions
Safety
Engine
All internal lubricated parts
Cylinder block
Cylinder heads
Diesel injectors and lines
Diesel injector pump
Diesel lift pump
Engine mounts
Flywheel
Flywheel ring gear
Gas fuel injectors and lines
Harmonic balancer and bolt
Manifold, exhaust
Manifold, intake
Oil pan
Oil pump
Radiator and radiator fan
Radiator fan clutch and motor
Seals and gaskets
Thermostat
Thermostat housing
Timing chain cover
Timing chain, gears or belt
Turbocharger/Supercharger unit (factory-installed)
Valve covers
Water pump

[TOP]

Transmission
All internal parts
Governor assembly
Kickdown linkage
Release hubs and bearings
Seats and gaskets
Torque converter
Transfer case, including internal parts
Transmission case
Transmission linkage
Transmission module, external
Transmission mounts
Vacuum module

[TOP]

Rear-Wheel Drive
Axle shafts
Bearings, front wheel
Bearings, rear wheel
Drive axle housing and all internal parts
Drive shaft
Retainers
Seals and gaskets
Universal and constant velocity joints

[TOP]

Front-Wheel Drive
Axle shafts
Bearings, front wheel
Bearings, rear wheel
Constant velocity and universal parts
Final drive housing and all internal parts
Hubs, automatic front locking (four-wheel drive)
Locking rings (four-wheel drive)
Seals and gaskets

[TOP]

Air Conditioning and Heating
A/C clutch
A/C accumulator
A/C clutch bearings
A/C compressor
A/C compressor head
A/C compressor seals
A/C compressor/clutch switch
Automatic temperature control
Condenser
Evaporator
Field coil
Heater blower motor
Heater control cables
Heater care assembly

[TOP]

Brakes
Electrical
Front Suspension
Anti-lock brake module and sensor
Backing plates
Brake booster, power
Calipers
Combination valve
Lines and fittings
Master cylinder
Parking brake linkage and cables
Retainers and clips
Self-adjusters
Shaft, brake pedal
Springs
Wheel cylinders

[TOP]

Steering
Column lock (tilt wheel)
Cooler and lines
Control valve
Idler arm
Linkages and coupling
Power steering pump
Pulley assembly, power steering pump
Seals and gaskets
Steering gear housing, manual and power (includes all internal parts)

[TOP]

Electrical
Alternator
Backglass, heated (electrical only-not glass damage or breakage)
Coil, ignition
Distributor assembly
Distributor cap and rotor
Distributor housing and shaft
Fuel pump
Ignition lock
Ignition module, electronic
Mirrors, motorized (electrical only-not glass/housing damage or breakage)
Radiator fan relay
Starter motor
Starter motor solenoid
Switches, manually operated electrical
Temperature gauge
Voltage regulator
Wiper motors
Wiring harnesses (excluding spark plug wires)

[TOP]

Front Suspension
Ball joints, upper and lower
Control arms, upper and lower
Control arm shafts and bushings
King pins and bushings
Linkage and bushings
Load-leveler suspension system
Spindle and spindle supports
Springs (front and rear)
Stabilizer bar
MacPherson struts (front and rear)
Tie rods

[TOP]

Hi-Tech
Air suspension, electronic (selected components)
Anti-theft alarm (factory-installed)
Compass and thermometer readout displays
Instrument cluster, electronic (excluding dash pad)
Keyless Entry system (excluding door handles)
Power antenna
Power door locks and retainer clips (excluding door handles)
Power seat motors
Power window motors/regulators
Speed control
Windshield, Insta-Clear® (electrical only-not glass damage or breakage)

[TOP]

Audio
Safety
Antenna, radio (base assembly)
Brackets, cables and wiring
Cassette player
Controls, rear seat
Digital CD player
Graphic sound equalizer
Cellular phone, receiver, handset, speaker assembly and antenna (factory-installed)
Premium sound amplifier (factory-installed)
Radio, AM/FM
Speakers

[TOP]

Emissions
Air control valve
AIR idle vacuum valve
AIR air supply valve, hose and tube
AIR check valve assembly
Barometric pressure sensor
ECC relay assembly
EGR control valve
EGR pressure sensor
EGR regulator assembly
EGR valve adapter
EVAP vapor storage canister
Idler air control valve
Knock sensor
PCV hose assembly
PCV valve
PCV vapor filter
Temperature sensor, engine coolant
Vacuum restrictor
VAF sensor

[TOP]

Safety
Airbag module assembly
Door ajar warning switch assembly
Guides, bezels, brackets and supports (safety belts/shoulder straps)
Head restraint retainers and sleeves, safety belt
Key, SecuriLock™ (microchip-encoded key)
Lock cylinder, doorLock lever assembly, door
Lock lever assembly, tailgate
Lock lever assembly, clips and brackets
Module, passive restraint
Diagnostic module assembly, airbag
Safety belt buckle, front and rear
Safety belt warning chime assembly
Safety belt motor drive assembly
Safety belt restraint carrier
Safety belt retractors
Safety belt track assembly
Sensors, airbag
Shoulder strap track assembly
Wiring assembly, airbag




Also, Chrysler was doing the same thing after Ford did a big ad push...
but can't find info..

anyways....
I think some companies (like ford) are coming out with actually a decently long warranty policy for their pre-owned cars..

[whitak24]

i have bought used cars from both private individuals and dealers, and i see advantages and disadvantages to doing it both ways.
1.) at least where i live, you will generally pay more when buying a car from a dealer vs. buying an identical car from a private individual. dealers have to pay for salesmen, someone to detail the cars, the rent on their building and lot, etc. their cost of operation is just higher than a private individual.
2.) as far as a warranty goes, dealers around here (Michigan) don't seem to offer them for most used cars. when they do, the warranties cover something like 15% of parts and labor for the first 3 months. i've never looked at buying a particularly late-model, low mileage vehicle though, so your results may vary.
3.) both dealers and private sellers will lie to you to about a car, its history, and the problems with it. one advantage is that with a private seller, you can see them, see where they live, etc, and make judgements about what kind of care the car has probably had. with a dealer, they tend to send the car to a detailer and try to whitewash any problems it may have.
4.) the advantage w/ a dealer is that you can find so many more cars and not have to deal with idiots who are selling a car. of course, then there are idiotic and obnoxious used-car salesmen......

i guess my advice is to look at dealers, try to find things you like, but keep watch on the private owner market, because you may find a deal you can't pass up.

[linqx]

it is better buying from an owner. I say this because the price can be negotiated . If anything use carfax to see the if anything happened to the car before u buy it. I have bought almost like 10 cars from owners. No problems at all. Hope this helps, later

[ken]

I keep hearing about this "warranty" the dealer can get you.

The problem is...Dealers don't do warrantys. Dealers are in the car sale and car repair/service business. Warrantys are insurance. All dealers do is sell you third party insurance policies. They take a policy, mark it up, and sell it to you. Often with a caveat (which you won't find if you deal direct) that you must go to their store for warranty work.

Just buy the warranty from a warranty company. Do a google search. Dealers don't have a monopoly on the warranty resale industry.