Where to buy used cars

[Anonymous]

I have bought my last two cars from neighbors. I put out the word on the listserv and people responded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would steer clear of small indys, too. Not that the big ones are much better, but they will provide you with the Carfax. If you have access to Consumer Reports online (most libraries do and you can access with your library card), you can search Used Cars for the car you want and then check Local Inventory.

Take the CarFax with a grain of salt. I once traded in a car that had work done on the front corner after someone apparently backed into it in a parking garage and left (without a note). I used uninsured motorist insurance to get it fixed. A few years later when I went to trade it in, the dealer brought the CarFax and low-balled the trade-in offer because CarFax said it had "been in an accident." I think most people think of a car crash collision when they hear "been in an accident," not "the front end got hit in a parking lot and a bumper and some panels had to be replaced."

Carfax shows if the accident is minor, moderate or severe. Any accident would reduce your trade in value but you could also use it to negotiate the price when buying. I wouldn’t worry about minor accidents but would stay away from moderate and severe accidents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have bought my last two cars from neighbors. I put out the word on the listserv and people responded.

This is the way if possible. We sold an older Honda recently through word of mouth.

[Anonymous]

OP, How much older is “older”?
Someone mentioned certified pre-owned, but that will probably depend on how many model years you are going back.