I need advice on buying a used truck or car...

[Dallas Alvis II]

I don't know how much help I can get but I'm willing to give a shout out to anybody that has some common knowledge about this. I'm going for something used, seeing as how tight I've been with money in my little situation. I already have a car but I'm saving up for another one in case this one craps out on me, that (and it looks butt-awful). The problem is that I know next to nothing about motor vehicles and haven't had too much experience in finding "bad parts" on a car that people may try to scam you off with. But does anyone know some things like tell-tale signs to look and watch out for with used vehicles that should scream out "Don't buy this!" I'm searching for advice and tips on the net but I'm not really finding what I want (a bunch of car company news, ads, how to change oil, etc.). I'm just looking for basic stuff to watch out for I guess. Anybody have any advice? Or know of a site by chance? Thanks a bunch to anybody that can help at all in the slightest.

EDIT: GAH! Nevermind, I'm really sorry. I posted it and literally like 15-20 seconds later I find what I need on the next page after searching for eternity. Love it when that happens. Thanks anyways.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: I need advice on buying a used truck or car...

What topic did you find? I want a car, too.

[Sampson]

Re: I need advice on buying a used truck or car...

I just bought a used car about a year and a half ago.

If you're looking for a decent, reliable one:

Check the carfax

Don't buy anything over 50k miles/over 5 years old unless its a luxury brand like BMW/Lexus/etc.

Oh, and wait about 2-3 months if possible. Right now the car dealers have made a lot of money through cash for clunkers, but in a couple months they'll get desperate again and start making deals. Always hardball them. Bluebook the car you want to buy, then offer 1-2k less than blue book's lowest value. Don't believe them when they say their cars are already "reasonably priced" or that they don't "negotiate that low"--those are lies, and you can get a lot of money shaved off the price if you're willing to be patient and hang around for a few hours.

The car I ended up buying was originally marked at 10k on the lot. It blue booked for about 8.5k. I ended up paying 7.5k.

[Cutter De Blanc]

Re: I need advice on buying a used truck or car...

If you're looking for a decent, reliable one:

Check the carfax

[Dallas Alvis II]

Re: I need advice on buying a used truck or car...

I found a site that gave specific advice on different used cars here, but that will only do me good if I know that I am looking for that specific vehicle before hand. I'm also looking for some general things but I haven't found anything yet. And yeah, a friend recommended Carfax too just today. Cutter that's hilarious, by the way.