First time used car buyer

[Anonymous]

There is so much dumb fear of private sellers here. As if car dealers weren’t criminals and incredibly overpriced. Get it from a private seller and just make sure your mechanics inspects it first. Caravana is is a gigantic ripoff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I woudl appreciate a recommendation in Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Frederick. I am flexible. I just need a reliable eye to look at the car.
THank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the idea. We literally just landed in this country (still self-quaranteening, that was "strongly suggested" after two (every possible) tests at the airport, alas) and there is no one i know of to turn who would give me the "quick peak". I wonder if local AAA can do the "peak" work. Its my only idea for now.

Anonymous wrote:We have two cars; one from a guy on Craigslist and one from the neighborhood listserv. Both had +100k miles when we bought them to give you an idea.

I didn't take these cars to anyone to check but here's what I could have done: I have my own independent mechanic and I would give him $50 to give it a quick peak on the lift and a drive around the block. There would be an implicit assumption that he would be the one fixing it for the next 5 years and/or listening to me complain about it. I trust him.

If that sounds like too much, just pay the extra money to buy from a place where you have some recourse if things go sideways after the sale.

Where do you live? Someone will be able to suggest an honest mechanic in your neighborhood.

Most mechanics will do a PPI, pre purchase inspection, for you for around $100. Just use Yelp and read through customer comments to find a good one in your area. You can also subscribe to checkbook which rates local businesses including mechanics. I think it is $25 per year

[Anonymous]

I’m late replying here. I trust mechanic Robert at Liberty Gas Station (Rockville Pike at the corner of Twinbrook Parkway). Not anyone else there will do. He is honest and smart. He inspects my cars before I buy them. With one car I would have bought (without his help) he found lots of rust in the under body. With another his comment was “if you buy this car you’ll be helping to pay for my twin daughters to go to college.” Didn’t buy of course. He’s a good hardworking person. I’m a woman.