OT: Used Car Shopping

[B1GEast]

Anyone have experience buying at a small local mom and pop type dealership?

My inclination is to buy from the big box guys but there are some good prices with the smaller guys and less fees.

I know they typically buy cars at auctions and usually on the lower end, but I've seeing some really nice cars advertised.

Any places you could recommend such as Lava Motors, etc. thanks.

 

[husky429]

It all depends on what you're looking for. If you want that one owner, no accident car that came from an expired lease, the big dealerships are probably a better option.

If you want a decent used car from an auction, there are plenty of places. I'd have a trusted mechanic (or friend with ample experience) give it a once-over before purchase.

 

[Scottzer]

Whatever you do, I would stay away from carvana. I know a guy who runs a shop, and there are major problems in a good chunk of those cars. Recently, those guys delayed shipment on a car purchase, and when it arrived there was a timing issue with the car that those guys didn’t fix before sending to the customer.

 

[JMick]

Personally I wouldn't buy from a used car lot besides CarMax with a CarMax warranty.

Private party sales and dealers are typically the way to go. Private party because it'll be cheaper than any business and reliability is a crapshoot anyway, so why pay more. Dealer because you can get a certified pre-owned with a warranty.

 

[superjohn]

Anyone have experience buying at a small local mom and pop type dealership?

My inclination is to buy from the big box guys but there are some good prices with the smaller guys and less fees.

I know they typically buy cars at auctions and usually on the lower end, but I've seeing some really nice cars advertised.

Any places you could recommend such as Lava Motors, etc. thanks.

Just go with the car you like the most at the best price, it doesn't matter if it's coming from a small shop or a big dealer. I've bought from a small shop several times and it was incredibly simple, painless, I got the price I wanted and had no problems with the cars. My experiences at large dealerships was always a PITA as they were dishonest. The one time I was able to make a deal at a large dealership there was way more haggling and it took way longer than at the small places but I still got the deal I wanted in the end.

 

[dennismenace]

I found Carfax (title /service history is right there) best met my needs. First I chose the used car models of cars that I liked and did the original reviews and follow up ones to weed out potential problems up front.
Next I wanted cars with regular maintenance at a dealership and with low miles. Chose a range limit of prices. One or two owners at most and no accidents or leased vehicles.

Have to be ready to move ($) very quickly because others are looking as well. Best to buy through a dealer who has done the mandatory CT 150 pt vehicle inspection. In one case I bought from a west haven used car dealer and took the car with their permission to a nearby Lincoln dealer for an independent inspection ($125).

Carfax sent me emails as soon as they had a match and the MKZ did not even have pics up. I called and they told me body was immaculate. Drove immediately to West Haven.

Very happy because I chose what I wanted after much consideration and research. Eliminated most of the potential risks I thought of.

I think jumping quickly helped me on this.
Good luck!!

 

[Fishy]

Anyone have experience buying at a small local mom and pop type dealership?

My inclination is to buy from the big box guys but there are some good prices with the smaller guys and less fees.

I know they typically buy cars at auctions and usually on the lower end, but I've seeing some really nice cars advertised.

Any places you could recommend such as Lava Motors, etc. thanks.

Ask @zls44 - he knew a place where it was pretty easy to buy used cars off lease.

This probably will not help, but we just bought my daughter a ‘25 Honda Accord LX. Totally the base model, but very livable and it was $30,000 out the door, tax and delivery included. Maybe an option?

 

[imno1]

Are you buying new or used? Find the car you want and even if you’re paying cash tell them you’re financing. Be careful when looking at a price online because most dealers are going add a dealer fee of around a grand plus another $300 or so for title and registration. I’ve seen fees as high as $1900 for new.