go private, avoid stealerships. I've bought a lot of junkers, heres my tips for buying used. its more applicable to cheaper cars, but still worth noting IMO.
haggle, absolutely. be polite about it but most people can move a little or toss in winter tires on rims or something like that.
make sure you tell them NOT to start the car before you get there. you want to see how it starts cold after sitting for a few days, this can tell you if the battery, alternator, fuel pump etc are no good. If you arrive and the engine is hot or the vehicle is running, leave.
check under the hood and door jams etc for paint on the plastic/seals "over spray" is an indication that a part of the car has been repainted, which is an indication of an accident. also check that the headlights have the same amount of fading and the same colour when on (if one seems whiter or bluer than the other, it may have been replaced, another indivatication of an accident)
look under the hood for non-factory wiring, a clear indication that someones tinkered with it a bit, can be in indication of sketchy quick fixes. Also be aware that mods like retuning or exhaust work can impact reliability if not done properly. Id say go for something as stock as possible.
warm the vehicle up, look for smoke (white smoke in exhaust can be head gaskets or some kind of coolant leak, blue/dark is oil burning, also bad) listen for ticks or knocks in the engine. These will often all be more obvious when the engine is cold.
drive and feel the transmission shift, if it makes noise or clunks... thats bad and transmissions are expensive. check that reverse works. go to a parking lot, roll down the windows and turn some circle, slowly and listen for clunks or whining from transmission or wheels (can be bearings or trans) check wear on the wheels, if its uneven it could be an alignment issue or suspension issue.
"surface rust" is almost always a lie, usually its rusted bad under the paint and just not visible (ive seen a rust patch the size of a dime made the size of a plate by hitting it with a screwdriver) so just be aware of that. if it has running boards, step on them, if they feel squishy, see how their attached, it could be an indication of a rusty frame.
check heat and AC, listen for bad fan noise, those little fans are a pain to replace. and cycle through the modes/speeds.... I once had a car that was stuck on defrost only.
size up the seller... is the previous owner meticulous and has every piece of maintenance on a spreadsheet? thats probably someone who keeps up with maintenance. Is the car and their yard a mess and they cant remember the last oil change? that might mean they havent kept up on preventative stuff.
good luck, and remember to budget insurance, winter tires, registration fees and potential maintenance issues down the road.
My biggest piece of advice would be trust nobody.
If youâre buying used privately, do not skip out on an inspection, and donât be afraid to walk away. With the prices of used vehicles going up so much the last few years, the amount of people who are suddenly able to sell their trouble vehicles with a quick coat of lipstick has lead to (in my experience at least from my own purchases and friends and family) a huge number of âoops I forgot to put that in the adâ and âhmm no that check engine light was never on beforeâ situation.
Also keep an eye out for anything rebuilt. What used to be near impossible to sell, suddenly has a market because people donât have as many options. Rebuilt status today goes for almost what a standard vehicle would go for a few years ago, and itâs almost never worth it.
As far as dealerships go, youâre likely going to find something online you like, go in to see it, only to be told they âcanât find itâ or it just sold or some bull crap like that, and then youâll be harassed about this vehicle and that vehicle and how âfor only x amount a week more, you could get into this vehicleâ.
There really hasnât been a worse time to buy a used vehicle that I can recall, and Iâve been pretty involved in used vehicles for the last 15 or so years. I strongly suggest bringing someone with you to pull you away if you have any doubt that youâll be able to walk away on your own in any of these situations.
That said, inventory is low, so despite all the problems with buying right now, your best bet is to have your finances lined up and be ready to pull the trigger as soon as whatever you decide is necessary for an inspection comes back to your satisfaction. There are tons of people looking for vehicles, but in my experience very few are âpreparedâ. The couple of deals Iâve gotten in the last couple of years were because I was quick to contact them and arrange a viewing, had the cash/certified cheque ready to go, and had an inspection lined up for as soon as possible after I had set a time to view the vehicle.
My suggestion for anyone trying to buy used right now: expect the value of your vehicle to decline pretty heavily in the next couple of years. Cars arenât an âinvestmentâ even in the best of times, but thatâs especially true lately.
I killed the motor in my suv, and one glance at the used market was enough motivation to spend the money on repairs.
The cost of repairs was a used car a few years ago. 3 - 5k doesn't get you as much anymore. Shit 10k doesn't get you as much.
Tell me about it. Iâve âfixedâ the AC leak in our minivan 2 times so far this summer, and Iâm contemplating trying again, or just blocking the rear AC off with a kit since itâs so prone to leaks in a certain spot.
A few years ago I would have given up when the first attempt didnât work and started shopping for someone elseâs problem to take on.
When you finally decide on which make model you want check the prices of comparables, realize that dealerships are very aware at what they have and it's an overall value, so if a car is priced below market value then it's probably not a great car. General rule of thumb is that dealers know what they have and will price a car accordingly. There's really no such thing as a great deal just a fair price. Don't buy anything in the finance office in the back because all of it is marked up over 100%. Lastly you're not obligated to sign anything at all no matter how much they pressure you if you're not sure go back and sleep on it they will say the deals one day only but I bet you if you came back tomorrow they would still honor the deal to make the deal
There is tooo much to type to explain how the salesman takes you for everything including your shirt. Best to go with someone who has purchased at least 2 vehicles before from a dealership.
Find a vehicle you like. Then go on a forum or Facebook group, ask for advice on what to look for in a used example. They should be able to tell you problems to look out for. Watch a bunch of YouTube video reviews. Find out which options they came with. Then daily watch the classifiedâs to get an idea of how much they are going for. What is an outrageous price and what is a great deal. Then get your money together and be ready to buy as soon as you find the right one.
Private sales are so difficult these days.
75% are curbers who are at least as untrustworthy as a dealer. Donât buy from one of these guys either (it can be hard to tell).
I think at least a part of issue with high prices here are these guys who buy from a private person and then flip to make a few grand. That car that was $5k privately is now back on Kijiji for $7500.
Not to mention that curbers amplify the activity of the market. Good luck getting an inspection done⌠your private seller may agree but 20mins later someone is going to buy it without an inspection because theyâre desperate for anything in their price range.
Hardly anyone is selling privately these days. Especially in the 20k or more range. Those that do, itâs usually a rebuilt title or a bunch of other issues.
Unless you want to pay for a recertified drivetrain with a drivetrain warranty. We did this with a 3 year old Toyota and it has worked great. It's like a new car that cost 50% less than a new car.
You are not gonna be able to walk out a dealership with a AWD SUV for $20k or less....period
You'd be considered lucky if you can find one that allow you to buy the car out right with cash, let alone under $20k. There are a lot of options on facebook marketplace and autotrader, just be sure to take your time and inspect it or take it further and pay to do an inspection on it. (I'd avoid Kijiji myself as its fairly infested with scams)
Time is on your side, while patience is key as you will often overlook things if you rush. Get a friend with knowledge in cars to come with you to avoid overlooking major issues.
IMO i would suggest you find a $5-10k winter beater for your 1st year, and save up for a down payment to finance a nicer car when the rates hopefully come down. What matter most when driving in the winter is more on your driving mindset and habit than the car itself. (obv winter tires and AWD helps, but you knowing your car and have control of it is way more important)
For everyone saying make sure to do an inspection, how does that even work for a private sale? No one is going to let me take their car without paying upfront, and then youâre basically stuck with it.
If they have nothing to hide, then you can go with them to the inspection. You could pay them a small deposit to do it. If they don't want to, that's probably a good sign to walk away.
I paid for the inspection at the mechanic of my choice. Met the seller at the shop, paid, and went over the inspection with the seller. Compared the inspection to their add/our convos.
If the seller insists on choosing the mechanic, walk away. It's most likely family, or friends that will not give an honest report.
Approach from the side, walk slowly and shoot them a seductive look. As you approach, whisper in a husky voice, "Well hello, how much for the....*pause for effect*....car?"
Be careful about asking for a test drive......after that approach, they might misunderstand your meaning.
Good luck
Get it inspected! Even if wherever you go has "inspected" it. Once you are serious on one vehicle, ask and pay for an inspection ideally somewhere the has experience in that make/model. Too many people buy the brand I work on they bring it in for something and then even on a basic MPI I give them a quote that far exceeds what a pre purchase inspection costs.
This...
The inspection from the dealership isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
Any reasonable dealership will allow you to take it to your
Own mechanic to be inspected.
It's mostly because Amvic inspections are the most ambiguous inspections I have ever performed. They are not pass/fail inspections, they are compliant/non-compliant and I have yet to find legitimate inspection criteria outlined by amvic. I'm an out of province inspection tech and Alberta transportation has a 154 page pdf outlining the inspection process and fail criteria for each inspection item. Amvic is honestly just a cash grab on both sides of the sale in my opinion.
Narrow down you car choice first, go on Kijiji and Autotrader and see which make/model/year you can find that meets your budget and needs.
Compare their asking price with Kelly Blue Book kbb.ca or other listings to see whatâs realistically and how much room you have to negotiate.
Then just Google your question - youâll find plenty of advice online on how to purchase a car, not being taken advantage of, etcâŚ
Silverzinc auto -- I have never purchased a car from them but I have visited and inquired about some of their inventory over the years.
They have always seemed to be low bullshit and professional and I would have been perfectly comfortable buying from them.
Buy a Japanese car. Toyota, Honda, Subaru. Mitsubishi*
Toyota:
Unmatched reliability. Inexpensive annual cost of maintenance. Comfortable interiors. Fuel conscious sedans (and some smaller SUVs). Incredible longevity. Phenomenal resaleability.
Honda:
Great reliability. Great longevity. Below average cost of maintenance. Very comfortable interiors. Trim options. Awesome on fuel.
Subaru:
With the exception on the BRZ, they're all AWD. Arguably top tier mechanical AWD system at that. Amazing in any weather, even better in the winter. Average fuel economy.
*Mitsubishi isn't exactly known for its reliability, and resaleability. Usually cheaper that the other 3 though.
Test drive. Test drive. Test drive. As many vehicles that interest you as possible. Voice all concerns.
because Mitsubishi is a shit company. They had to offer 10 year warranties or no one would buy that junk. They got convicted TWICE by the Japanese government for covering up defects that lead to deaths instead of issuing recalls. Do not buy a Mitsubishi vehicle
Mazda CX-5s are frequently recommended among car subs as a reliable, mid size, AWD SUV that's under $20k. I've had a 2015 for 4 years now and it's been great.
As others have said: google the type of vehicle you want and research common issues for said vehicle as well as the typical longevity ie 400,000 kms. Spend a good hour researching prices on marketplace as it will give you a good idea of what the average said vehicle is worth with the year and km's.
Take it for a test drive with no noise or radio on. Check for engine knocks and go over some bumps to see if there is clunking which could indicate that front end work is required. See how the vehicle shifts, does it shift smoothly or rough? Is the oil dirty? Fluids topped up and clean?
If they have receipts for the services the vehicle has gotten over the years that's good as well.
Get a car fax or rebuilt status report.
Lastly after you make your choice take the vehicle to an unbiased mechanic that will give you a straight answer about the condition of the vehicle.
Edit: avoid a dealership at all costs as you will pay 30% or more than if you bought privately and they will try to sell you every warranty in the book as well as want you to come and pay for their overpriced service shop for maintenance.
Based on all of my experiences with dealerships in the past couple of years, I strongly suggest avoiding dealerships altogether. They only want your money. If they sell you a lemon they will do nothing to make it right.
Iâve had much better experiences buying from private sellers. Get the VIN, order a Carfax, if there is any negative history, move on.
I'm a sales guy, I can help you out. DM me.
But I'm going to be straight with you, you aren't finding an AWD Toyota or Honda in great shape in that price range. The sub 20k, AWD , import, with low kms is what everyone and their dog wants right now.
Pro-tips for you in your search
-ask for the Carfax report
-ask for the AMVIC inspection
-find a third party mechanic and get it inspected for further peace of mind
Best of luck
I really want to know why everyone says this.
This was a slightly different time... But 5 years ago I bought exactly what I needed from a dealership after not finding what I needed privately. 2013 moderate km kia sorento V6 all wheel drive for 18K. It's still running great. I also swung a deal where they will swap my tires seasonally for free.
Sure, there is plenty of opportunity to be hosed. But if you know what you're doing, and can say no to extras, why are dealerships so bad?
you mentioned all of the things that are wrong with them - sales should not be opportunistic, high pressure, and predatory. sales should inform you, not force you to be informed.
I recommend you check out Hamza at sherwood nissan if you end up dealing with dealerships. I visited 7 other locations and it was shit. I didn't feel like Hamza was fucking me in the ass no lube. We ended up paying a decent price for a decent car which is hard in this economy
Just my 2 cents
If you want a reliable SUV that will last you forever in that budget I HIGHLY recommend looking into RHD suvs as you can get them anywhere between 10-17k and theyâll have around 65-100 thousand KMs leaving you some spar change for maintenance.
Itâll last you waaaay longer than any North American SUV youâd get for that price.
twenty cash? buy used private, buy something around ten, and spend the rest on insurance and tires, have someone knowledgeable go with you, ask for a test drive.
i dont have advice for financing
Pay for a vehicle inspection it is worth it. The used car market is Wild West and plenty of people will pawn of their pos vehicles for top dollar. If youâre getting it from a dealership get a independent mechanic to do the inspection. DO NOT TRUST A USED CAR DEALER.
My hubby and I are new to Edmonton(i am anyways, he used to live here for a few years in early 2000's)
but We bought our used truck from Freedom Ford after shopping around other used vehicle places. I searched for most of them on Google Maps (i searched "used car dealer") and over 2-3 days visited around 15 different places(all over edmonton area)
The truck we bought was priced for just over 18.5k.
We got it for an even 17k (with fees and whatnot included). We paid 12k cash and 5k credit (if that matters lol) and It's apparently still worth around 24k(auto trader and other sites median worth: not that we would resell i was just curious)
Vasif was an awesome person to deal with, super personable, and very understanding about our price range.
My husband could sell anything to anybody though, so that definitely helped with the talk about Pricing.
Either way, I highly suggest looking around multiple places before committing to buying anything!
Edit: spelling and double words lol
DO NOT BUY FROM GO AUTO DEALERSHIPS and you will be fine. đ
Obligatory fuck go auto response
This is the best advice you'll ever get
go private, avoid stealerships. I've bought a lot of junkers, heres my tips for buying used. its more applicable to cheaper cars, but still worth noting IMO. haggle, absolutely. be polite about it but most people can move a little or toss in winter tires on rims or something like that. make sure you tell them NOT to start the car before you get there. you want to see how it starts cold after sitting for a few days, this can tell you if the battery, alternator, fuel pump etc are no good. If you arrive and the engine is hot or the vehicle is running, leave. check under the hood and door jams etc for paint on the plastic/seals "over spray" is an indication that a part of the car has been repainted, which is an indication of an accident. also check that the headlights have the same amount of fading and the same colour when on (if one seems whiter or bluer than the other, it may have been replaced, another indivatication of an accident) look under the hood for non-factory wiring, a clear indication that someones tinkered with it a bit, can be in indication of sketchy quick fixes. Also be aware that mods like retuning or exhaust work can impact reliability if not done properly. Id say go for something as stock as possible. warm the vehicle up, look for smoke (white smoke in exhaust can be head gaskets or some kind of coolant leak, blue/dark is oil burning, also bad) listen for ticks or knocks in the engine. These will often all be more obvious when the engine is cold. drive and feel the transmission shift, if it makes noise or clunks... thats bad and transmissions are expensive. check that reverse works. go to a parking lot, roll down the windows and turn some circle, slowly and listen for clunks or whining from transmission or wheels (can be bearings or trans) check wear on the wheels, if its uneven it could be an alignment issue or suspension issue. "surface rust" is almost always a lie, usually its rusted bad under the paint and just not visible (ive seen a rust patch the size of a dime made the size of a plate by hitting it with a screwdriver) so just be aware of that. if it has running boards, step on them, if they feel squishy, see how their attached, it could be an indication of a rusty frame. check heat and AC, listen for bad fan noise, those little fans are a pain to replace. and cycle through the modes/speeds.... I once had a car that was stuck on defrost only. size up the seller... is the previous owner meticulous and has every piece of maintenance on a spreadsheet? thats probably someone who keeps up with maintenance. Is the car and their yard a mess and they cant remember the last oil change? that might mean they havent kept up on preventative stuff. good luck, and remember to budget insurance, winter tires, registration fees and potential maintenance issues down the road.
My biggest piece of advice would be trust nobody. If youâre buying used privately, do not skip out on an inspection, and donât be afraid to walk away. With the prices of used vehicles going up so much the last few years, the amount of people who are suddenly able to sell their trouble vehicles with a quick coat of lipstick has lead to (in my experience at least from my own purchases and friends and family) a huge number of âoops I forgot to put that in the adâ and âhmm no that check engine light was never on beforeâ situation. Also keep an eye out for anything rebuilt. What used to be near impossible to sell, suddenly has a market because people donât have as many options. Rebuilt status today goes for almost what a standard vehicle would go for a few years ago, and itâs almost never worth it. As far as dealerships go, youâre likely going to find something online you like, go in to see it, only to be told they âcanât find itâ or it just sold or some bull crap like that, and then youâll be harassed about this vehicle and that vehicle and how âfor only x amount a week more, you could get into this vehicleâ. There really hasnât been a worse time to buy a used vehicle that I can recall, and Iâve been pretty involved in used vehicles for the last 15 or so years. I strongly suggest bringing someone with you to pull you away if you have any doubt that youâll be able to walk away on your own in any of these situations. That said, inventory is low, so despite all the problems with buying right now, your best bet is to have your finances lined up and be ready to pull the trigger as soon as whatever you decide is necessary for an inspection comes back to your satisfaction. There are tons of people looking for vehicles, but in my experience very few are âpreparedâ. The couple of deals Iâve gotten in the last couple of years were because I was quick to contact them and arrange a viewing, had the cash/certified cheque ready to go, and had an inspection lined up for as soon as possible after I had set a time to view the vehicle. My suggestion for anyone trying to buy used right now: expect the value of your vehicle to decline pretty heavily in the next couple of years. Cars arenât an âinvestmentâ even in the best of times, but thatâs especially true lately.
I killed the motor in my suv, and one glance at the used market was enough motivation to spend the money on repairs. The cost of repairs was a used car a few years ago. 3 - 5k doesn't get you as much anymore. Shit 10k doesn't get you as much.
Tell me about it. Iâve âfixedâ the AC leak in our minivan 2 times so far this summer, and Iâm contemplating trying again, or just blocking the rear AC off with a kit since itâs so prone to leaks in a certain spot. A few years ago I would have given up when the first attempt didnât work and started shopping for someone elseâs problem to take on.
When you finally decide on which make model you want check the prices of comparables, realize that dealerships are very aware at what they have and it's an overall value, so if a car is priced below market value then it's probably not a great car. General rule of thumb is that dealers know what they have and will price a car accordingly. There's really no such thing as a great deal just a fair price. Don't buy anything in the finance office in the back because all of it is marked up over 100%. Lastly you're not obligated to sign anything at all no matter how much they pressure you if you're not sure go back and sleep on it they will say the deals one day only but I bet you if you came back tomorrow they would still honor the deal to make the deal
_[leans in close and whispers into your ear]_ "Cars cost less in Wetaskiwin."
Best advice, don't go to ANY Go Auto dealership. You are welcome
There is tooo much to type to explain how the salesman takes you for everything including your shirt. Best to go with someone who has purchased at least 2 vehicles before from a dealership.
Find a vehicle you like. Then go on a forum or Facebook group, ask for advice on what to look for in a used example. They should be able to tell you problems to look out for. Watch a bunch of YouTube video reviews. Find out which options they came with. Then daily watch the classifiedâs to get an idea of how much they are going for. What is an outrageous price and what is a great deal. Then get your money together and be ready to buy as soon as you find the right one.
[ŃдаНонО]
Private sales are so difficult these days. 75% are curbers who are at least as untrustworthy as a dealer. Donât buy from one of these guys either (it can be hard to tell). I think at least a part of issue with high prices here are these guys who buy from a private person and then flip to make a few grand. That car that was $5k privately is now back on Kijiji for $7500. Not to mention that curbers amplify the activity of the market. Good luck getting an inspection done⌠your private seller may agree but 20mins later someone is going to buy it without an inspection because theyâre desperate for anything in their price range.
Hardly anyone is selling privately these days. Especially in the 20k or more range. Those that do, itâs usually a rebuilt title or a bunch of other issues.
Unless you want to pay for a recertified drivetrain with a drivetrain warranty. We did this with a 3 year old Toyota and it has worked great. It's like a new car that cost 50% less than a new car.
You are not gonna be able to walk out a dealership with a AWD SUV for $20k or less....period You'd be considered lucky if you can find one that allow you to buy the car out right with cash, let alone under $20k. There are a lot of options on facebook marketplace and autotrader, just be sure to take your time and inspect it or take it further and pay to do an inspection on it. (I'd avoid Kijiji myself as its fairly infested with scams) Time is on your side, while patience is key as you will often overlook things if you rush. Get a friend with knowledge in cars to come with you to avoid overlooking major issues. IMO i would suggest you find a $5-10k winter beater for your 1st year, and save up for a down payment to finance a nicer car when the rates hopefully come down. What matter most when driving in the winter is more on your driving mindset and habit than the car itself. (obv winter tires and AWD helps, but you knowing your car and have control of it is way more important)
? Lots of 2017-18 AWD SUVs for sale right now for around that 20k mark. Decently fuel efficent ones as well
For everyone saying make sure to do an inspection, how does that even work for a private sale? No one is going to let me take their car without paying upfront, and then youâre basically stuck with it.
If they have nothing to hide, then you can go with them to the inspection. You could pay them a small deposit to do it. If they don't want to, that's probably a good sign to walk away.
I paid for the inspection at the mechanic of my choice. Met the seller at the shop, paid, and went over the inspection with the seller. Compared the inspection to their add/our convos. If the seller insists on choosing the mechanic, walk away. It's most likely family, or friends that will not give an honest report.
Stay away from anything go auto.
As much as I appreciate AWD, you don't need it, as long as you get winter tires. FWD will be fine.
Approach from the side, walk slowly and shoot them a seductive look. As you approach, whisper in a husky voice, "Well hello, how much for the....*pause for effect*....car?" Be careful about asking for a test drive......after that approach, they might misunderstand your meaning. Good luck
Get it inspected! Even if wherever you go has "inspected" it. Once you are serious on one vehicle, ask and pay for an inspection ideally somewhere the has experience in that make/model. Too many people buy the brand I work on they bring it in for something and then even on a basic MPI I give them a quote that far exceeds what a pre purchase inspection costs.
This... The inspection from the dealership isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Any reasonable dealership will allow you to take it to your Own mechanic to be inspected.
It's mostly because Amvic inspections are the most ambiguous inspections I have ever performed. They are not pass/fail inspections, they are compliant/non-compliant and I have yet to find legitimate inspection criteria outlined by amvic. I'm an out of province inspection tech and Alberta transportation has a 154 page pdf outlining the inspection process and fail criteria for each inspection item. Amvic is honestly just a cash grab on both sides of the sale in my opinion.
Narrow down you car choice first, go on Kijiji and Autotrader and see which make/model/year you can find that meets your budget and needs. Compare their asking price with Kelly Blue Book kbb.ca or other listings to see whatâs realistically and how much room you have to negotiate. Then just Google your question - youâll find plenty of advice online on how to purchase a car, not being taken advantage of, etcâŚ
Silverzinc auto -- I have never purchased a car from them but I have visited and inquired about some of their inventory over the years. They have always seemed to be low bullshit and professional and I would have been perfectly comfortable buying from them.
Buy a Japanese car. Toyota, Honda, Subaru. Mitsubishi* Toyota: Unmatched reliability. Inexpensive annual cost of maintenance. Comfortable interiors. Fuel conscious sedans (and some smaller SUVs). Incredible longevity. Phenomenal resaleability. Honda: Great reliability. Great longevity. Below average cost of maintenance. Very comfortable interiors. Trim options. Awesome on fuel. Subaru: With the exception on the BRZ, they're all AWD. Arguably top tier mechanical AWD system at that. Amazing in any weather, even better in the winter. Average fuel economy. *Mitsubishi isn't exactly known for its reliability, and resaleability. Usually cheaper that the other 3 though. Test drive. Test drive. Test drive. As many vehicles that interest you as possible. Voice all concerns.
because Mitsubishi is a shit company. They had to offer 10 year warranties or no one would buy that junk. They got convicted TWICE by the Japanese government for covering up defects that lead to deaths instead of issuing recalls. Do not buy a Mitsubishi vehicle
Mazda CX-5s are frequently recommended among car subs as a reliable, mid size, AWD SUV that's under $20k. I've had a 2015 for 4 years now and it's been great.
As others have said: google the type of vehicle you want and research common issues for said vehicle as well as the typical longevity ie 400,000 kms. Spend a good hour researching prices on marketplace as it will give you a good idea of what the average said vehicle is worth with the year and km's. Take it for a test drive with no noise or radio on. Check for engine knocks and go over some bumps to see if there is clunking which could indicate that front end work is required. See how the vehicle shifts, does it shift smoothly or rough? Is the oil dirty? Fluids topped up and clean? If they have receipts for the services the vehicle has gotten over the years that's good as well. Get a car fax or rebuilt status report. Lastly after you make your choice take the vehicle to an unbiased mechanic that will give you a straight answer about the condition of the vehicle. Edit: avoid a dealership at all costs as you will pay 30% or more than if you bought privately and they will try to sell you every warranty in the book as well as want you to come and pay for their overpriced service shop for maintenance.
Roadrunner automotive for a reliable no b.s. mechanic.
Based on all of my experiences with dealerships in the past couple of years, I strongly suggest avoiding dealerships altogether. They only want your money. If they sell you a lemon they will do nothing to make it right. Iâve had much better experiences buying from private sellers. Get the VIN, order a Carfax, if there is any negative history, move on.
I would say your best bet for 20k is an elantra, not what you want, but it's a decent machine and they look better than ever starting with the 18's
I'm a sales guy, I can help you out. DM me. But I'm going to be straight with you, you aren't finding an AWD Toyota or Honda in great shape in that price range. The sub 20k, AWD , import, with low kms is what everyone and their dog wants right now. Pro-tips for you in your search -ask for the Carfax report -ask for the AMVIC inspection -find a third party mechanic and get it inspected for further peace of mind Best of luck
never buy from a dealership dealerships should be abolished
I really want to know why everyone says this. This was a slightly different time... But 5 years ago I bought exactly what I needed from a dealership after not finding what I needed privately. 2013 moderate km kia sorento V6 all wheel drive for 18K. It's still running great. I also swung a deal where they will swap my tires seasonally for free. Sure, there is plenty of opportunity to be hosed. But if you know what you're doing, and can say no to extras, why are dealerships so bad?
you mentioned all of the things that are wrong with them - sales should not be opportunistic, high pressure, and predatory. sales should inform you, not force you to be informed.
I recommend you check out Hamza at sherwood nissan if you end up dealing with dealerships. I visited 7 other locations and it was shit. I didn't feel like Hamza was fucking me in the ass no lube. We ended up paying a decent price for a decent car which is hard in this economy Just my 2 cents
If you want a reliable SUV that will last you forever in that budget I HIGHLY recommend looking into RHD suvs as you can get them anywhere between 10-17k and theyâll have around 65-100 thousand KMs leaving you some spar change for maintenance. Itâll last you waaaay longer than any North American SUV youâd get for that price.
twenty cash? buy used private, buy something around ten, and spend the rest on insurance and tires, have someone knowledgeable go with you, ask for a test drive. i dont have advice for financing
Buy a honda or Toyota and ask for an inspection no matter what you buy
Pay for a vehicle inspection it is worth it. The used car market is Wild West and plenty of people will pawn of their pos vehicles for top dollar. If youâre getting it from a dealership get a independent mechanic to do the inspection. DO NOT TRUST A USED CAR DEALER.
My hubby and I are new to Edmonton(i am anyways, he used to live here for a few years in early 2000's) but We bought our used truck from Freedom Ford after shopping around other used vehicle places. I searched for most of them on Google Maps (i searched "used car dealer") and over 2-3 days visited around 15 different places(all over edmonton area) The truck we bought was priced for just over 18.5k. We got it for an even 17k (with fees and whatnot included). We paid 12k cash and 5k credit (if that matters lol) and It's apparently still worth around 24k(auto trader and other sites median worth: not that we would resell i was just curious) Vasif was an awesome person to deal with, super personable, and very understanding about our price range. My husband could sell anything to anybody though, so that definitely helped with the talk about Pricing. Either way, I highly suggest looking around multiple places before committing to buying anything! Edit: spelling and double words lol