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."

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.

I think the last time I did this, I bought a 2008 Honda Civic in 2017 for my new driver via Craigslist private sale. Also bought a Jeep Wrangler this way. Just take it to your preferred mechanic for an inspection.

Anonymous wrote:We’re looking for an older Honda or Toyota for our college student. Carmax seems a bit overpriced and doesn’t have as many older cars. Are there any good dealers in Northern Virginia you would recommend for used cars?

You can buy a used Chevy Malibu like a 2023 or 2024 still under factory warranty cheap and then go to a place like Black Cadilac in PA or Chevy dealer in New Hampsire that sell GMPP factory extended warranties like $1,500. I just did that on a 2023 model and my full warranty now goes out to 2030. Toyota or Honda is better but I am paying zero for repairs until 2030 and a three year old Malibu is pretty cheap

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re looking for an older Honda or Toyota for our college student. Carmax seems a bit overpriced and doesn’t have as many older cars. Are there any good dealers in Northern Virginia you would recommend for used cars?

It’s a case by case basis. For older cars you really need to do your homework starting with the Carfax. Once you see one you like and after you look it over, always get pre-purchase inspection from shop of your choosing.

Personally, I stay away from the real small Indy dealers. It seems to me they source cars that are likely to have been damaged.

The ultimate seller would be neighbor or acquaintance who has all the maintenance records. But that seems so hard to find these days.

Definitely stay away from the small dealers. Big dealers get trade ins and keep the best for their used car lot and send the rest to the auction. That is where the small dealers get their cars. Ideally look for a car that is still under the original warranty or the dealer provides at least a one month warranty. You can negotiate that with the dealer. Check carfax for serious accidents and other negatives.

Penfed car buying service

Anonymous wrote:We’re looking for an older Honda or Toyota for our college student. Carmax seems a bit overpriced and doesn’t have as many older cars. Are there any good dealers in Northern Virginia you would recommend for used cars?

It’s a case by case basis. For older cars you really need to do your homework starting with the Carfax. Once you see one you like and after you look it over, always get pre-purchase inspection from shop of your choosing.

Personally, I stay away from the real small Indy dealers. It seems to me they source cars that are likely to have been damaged.

The ultimate seller would be neighbor or acquaintance who has all the maintenance records. But that seems so hard to find these days.

I was shopping for a used car recently and decided to check out a CarMax lot. They had all kinds of popular makes and models there. You could just wander around, open a door and check out the interior of any of the cars. Unfortunately all their cars smelled horrible because of the chemicals they use to treat them which was a deal breaker for me. Just surprised that other customers don’t seem to mind.

autotempest.com has the best search engine for cars. It scans all the websites for the car you're looking for.

I had success using the Costco Buying Program for a new car. Plug in what you want, and Costco will put with in touch with a dealer and a discounted price. I was able to get about $4.5k off.

I recommended Costco to my co-worker, and she used it to get a used car for her daughter. The discount was only around $2k for the used model though.

Any Honda or Toyota dealer will have certified pre-owned Hondas or Toyotas

We had good experience at Hertz rent to buy. Rent it under 30 mins to quickly test drive then no rent fee.

Sheehy or darcars

cars.com

Enter make and model and any other criteria you want and restrict by distance.

We’re looking for an older Honda or Toyota for our college student. Carmax seems a bit overpriced and doesn’t have as many older cars. Are there any good dealers in Northern Virginia you would recommend for used cars?