buying a used accord
President-2008
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Open the trunk first, lift the spare tire cover. Look for rust, leaks, mildew, etc. Look for water damage inside and out.
The ONLY way I'd give anything more over "Good" wholesale Black Book value is if he has a pile of reciepts for oil changes, tire rotations, coolant flushes, transmission fluid changes, etc.
Next, I'd pop the hood, and pull the dip stick. If the oil is nasty, you can lower your price. The car should also be cold. Never test drive a used car when it is hot.
Look at the condition of the tires. Look for scalping, etc. Since it's an EX, you should be able to see the rotors. Also ask for the receipt on the last brake job. Make sure the rotors have been replaced or turned.
Check the color of the coolant. Should be blue.
Then drive it. First thing to do is make some hard left and right turns. Make sure the radio is off. You aren't buying a sound system. Listen for clicking when turning and driving. Hit the brakes.
Make sure to take it up to 60-70 MPH and get on the brakes. If they shudder, you will need new rotors or have them turned.
You are also looking at a $600-700 timing belt job in a few thousand more miles. Keep that in mind.
If the oil is nasty, you are looking at $70 or for a few quick oil changes to "clean" the engine out.
If you buy it, plan on doing this to it the minute you get home:
Air filter
Oil and filter change
Spark plugs
Windshield wipers
Windshield washer fluid
Brake check
Transmission fluid change
Headlights and other lights
Just some opinions and details from someone who has been there, done that.
The ONLY way I'd give anything more over "Good" wholesale Black Book value is if he has a pile of reciepts for oil changes, tire rotations, coolant flushes, transmission fluid changes, etc.
Next, I'd pop the hood, and pull the dip stick. If the oil is nasty, you can lower your price. The car should also be cold. Never test drive a used car when it is hot.
Look at the condition of the tires. Look for scalping, etc. Since it's an EX, you should be able to see the rotors. Also ask for the receipt on the last brake job. Make sure the rotors have been replaced or turned.
Check the color of the coolant. Should be blue.
Then drive it. First thing to do is make some hard left and right turns. Make sure the radio is off. You aren't buying a sound system. Listen for clicking when turning and driving. Hit the brakes.
Make sure to take it up to 60-70 MPH and get on the brakes. If they shudder, you will need new rotors or have them turned.
You are also looking at a $600-700 timing belt job in a few thousand more miles. Keep that in mind.
If the oil is nasty, you are looking at $70 or for a few quick oil changes to "clean" the engine out.
If you buy it, plan on doing this to it the minute you get home:
Air filter
Oil and filter change
Spark plugs
Windshield wipers
Windshield washer fluid
Brake check
Transmission fluid change
Headlights and other lights
Just some opinions and details from someone who has been there, done that.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
ok so i looked at the car i first posted about and it looks to be pretty good. drives well and mechanic and auto shop said it was good. there are only minor things: couple dings on the truck lid, cd stuck in cd player, cracked plastic cover in front of the odometer, speedometer, tachometer, etc. and it was pretty dirty. all of which can be fixed but cost money. i also looked at another car 2000 accord ex v6 2dr with 100k miles. it was very clean and the owner seemed like he cared for it VERY well and completed all maintenance very well. the only problem with it was there was a tear in the driver's seat leather and also the driver's seat rocked back and forth a little. he was asking 8700. im kind of leaning toward the first one simply because of the color, black on black and lower miles. my question is how i should try and play the price game. i would like to spend no more than 8000 if possible. is that reasonable? what should be my starting offer and what price should i not go above?
President-2008
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
First rule when dealing:
Have CASH in the pocket.
If the either was well cared for, and the owner has the receipts for the timing belt work, which included all seals replaced, all belts, etc., then you need to figure out what you want most.
Start out with wholesale book value and go up. Offer a price and tell them you are willing to negotiate.
At your second offer, pull out the cash and say I have $ XX with me right now and that is what I can offer.
Have CASH in the pocket.
If the either was well cared for, and the owner has the receipts for the timing belt work, which included all seals replaced, all belts, etc., then you need to figure out what you want most.
Start out with wholesale book value and go up. Offer a price and tell them you are willing to negotiate.
At your second offer, pull out the cash and say I have $ XX with me right now and that is what I can offer.
