Make a checklist of all of the things you want to check and ask about, and another checklist for all the things you want in the car. This will help organize your thoughts as to whether the car is worth what is being asked.
Check around the frame around the centre of the car to make sure it's not two halves of different cars welded together. There will be weld marks, probably covered up by the floor covering in front of the back seats.
Don't let someone come to you to show you a car - always meet them at their home address. This way you have a guarantee that they are who they say they are.
Figure out how much you are willing to pay for a car (presumably less than the asking price). Carry cash to this value when you go to see the car, and no more. Offer to pay immediately in cash if you want the car (only if you're sure!). Sellers will give you a better price if you can pay in full on the spot. Obviously take someone with you if you're carrying that much money.
Ask if it's been in any accidents - it's more likely to have other, unseen, things wrong with it if it has.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2005-01-25 02:46 am (UTC)Check around the frame around the centre of the car to make sure it's not two halves of different cars welded together. There will be weld marks, probably covered up by the floor covering in front of the back seats.
Don't let someone come to you to show you a car - always meet them at their home address. This way you have a guarantee that they are who they say they are.
Figure out how much you are willing to pay for a car (presumably less than the asking price). Carry cash to this value when you go to see the car, and no more. Offer to pay immediately in cash if you want the car (only if you're sure!). Sellers will give you a better price if you can pay in full on the spot. Obviously take someone with you if you're carrying that much money.
Ask if it's been in any accidents - it's more likely to have other, unseen, things wrong with it if it has.