Critique this used car purchase I'm considering making

[Unoriginalname]

I'm still a young guy and not very street smart with used car buying yet so please bear with my ignorance on this issue.

This is the car (http://albany.craigslist.org/car/108682894.html) Yeah it's a pretty boring car, nothing exciting or flashy, but I'm just looking for something inexpensive, but in good condition and reliable that will get me to work and school. This deal seems absolutely awesome. A 2001 Toyota Corolla with only 70k miles and in near mint condition for less than 4k. Yeah it doesn't have a lot of features either, but the only thing I really want is cruise control. I would plan on installing that right away after I bought the car. But despite that, is there something I'm missing here? The used car lots in my area charge way more for a car like this. I just contacted the guy to set up a meeting so I can test drive it. I did a CARFAX on it and it says no problems. Do you have any other suggestions for precautions I should take before buying the car?

I'm also wondering if this means anything. CARFAX says that at mileage 70,354 it was sold at an auto auction, then at 70,356 it was sold at another auto auction. This guy is selling the car with 70,382 miles on it. Is there anything fishy about that or is he just trying to resell it for a profit?

Please impart your collective vast knowledge of purchasing used cars on me.

On a completely unrelated note, what do you think Scott Peterson is doing right now?

[The Goober]

The blue book value for this car (at least in my area) is $7,270 (http://www.kbb.com). I'd be suspicious. For some reason in the description, the phrase, "We have determined that the mileage represented on this vehicle is accurate.", makes me nervous. If this is a dealer selling this car for profit, why wouldn't he at least be asking for blue book?

I definately shell out for a mechanic to look it over first.

[jaydub]

heh, if it's too good to be true.....

[DaveKForty7]

gmab0l! straight up, go buy this car. then throw a 'new used car' party, invite sluts. get drunk, screw sluts! wooohooo this car was a steal!

[2+2 wannabe]

definitely don't buy it - you get what you pay for

people buying/selling cars at auctions is ok - but the end seller will NEVER sell it for 3500 under blue book prices unless something's wrong with it

[Unoriginalname]

How does the etiquette with asking a mechanic to look it over work? I assume I pay for the check-up, which I have no problem with, but do I ask him to take it and then have the mechanic contact me? Or do we both take the car to the mechanic?

Something doesn't seem right with how inexpensive this car is. If the mileage was wrong though, I believe CARFAX would buy it back for me since they said the mileage on it is correct.

[jaydub]

[ QUOTE ]
How does the etiquette with asking a mechanic to look it over work? I assume I pay for the check-up, which I have no problem with, but do I ask him to take it and then have the mechanic contact me? Or do we both take the car to the mechanic?

Something doesn't seem right with how inexpensive this car is. If the mileage was wrong though, I believe CARFAX would buy it back for me since they said the mileage on it is correct.

[/ QUOTE ]

you hire some dude you trust. you bring him to the car, he looks at it. it aint gonna be new to him.

[Unoriginalname]

Well nevermind this deal. The guy wrote me back an email and told me the car isn't actually in my area, but it's in the United Kingdom. He wants me to do some escrow transaction stuff. From the email he sent back, you can so tell this guy is a scammer. I'm not touching this deal with a 1,000 foot pole. The car hunt continues...

[ QUOTE ]
Well nevermind this deal. The guy wrote me back an email and told me the car isn't actually in my area, but it's in the United Kingdom. He wants me to do some escrow transaction stuff. From the email he sent back, you can so tell this guy is a scammer. I'm not touching this deal with a 1,000 foot pole. The car hunt continues...

[/ QUOTE ]

DEF a scam, by buddy called me up asking about an escalade for 14k, the guy wanted a depo. I told him it was most likely a scam, and to contact ebay. Next day the car is off the site.

[JordanIB]

[ QUOTE ]
escrow

[/ QUOTE ]

Run! Run! Run!

[ripdog]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm still a young guy and not very street smart with used car buying yet so please bear with my ignorance on this issue.

This is the car (http://albany.craigslist.org/car/108682894.html) Yeah it's a pretty boring car, nothing exciting or flashy, but I'm just looking for something inexpensive, but in good condition and reliable that will get me to work and school. This deal seems absolutely awesome. A 2001 Toyota Corolla with only 70k miles and in near mint condition for less than 4k. Yeah it doesn't have a lot of features either, but the only thing I really want is cruise control. I would plan on installing that right away after I bought the car. But despite that, is there something I'm missing here? The used car lots in my area charge way more for a car like this. I just contacted the guy to set up a meeting so I can test drive it. I did a CARFAX on it and it says no problems. Do you have any other suggestions for precautions I should take before buying the car?

I'm also wondering if this means anything. CARFAX says that at mileage 70,354 it was sold at an auto auction, then at 70,356 it was sold at another auto auction. This guy is selling the car with 70,382 miles on it. Is there anything fishy about that or is he just trying to resell it for a profit?

Please impart your collective vast knowledge of purchasing used cars on me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't look at the car but I always suspect something bad when the mileage of a vehicle seems to be too low. I would guess that it has been totaled and rebuilt (though your Carfax report refutes this). Look it over and get it into a mechanic. When I inspect a vehicle I look for paint where there shouldn't be any and inconsistent gaps between body panels. Door anchors don't get paint from the factory, look for overspray in the wheel wells etc. Gaps that are too close or so wide that you can get your thumb into them indicate a major accident and/or shoddy repair. Look for evidence of water leaks and check door and trunk seals (there should be a solid line left by the rubber seal unless the seller did a very thorough job of detailing, any interruptions of that line indicate trouble). It could be a great deal but be careful. Make sure that you have someone knowledgeable help you out.

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
Well nevermind this deal. The guy wrote me back an email and told me the car isn't actually in my area, but it's in the United Kingdom. He wants me to do some escrow transaction stuff. From the email he sent back, you can so tell this guy is a scammer. I'm not touching this deal with a 1,000 foot pole. The car hunt continues...

[/ QUOTE ]

Paging Idi the Nigerian

[Unoriginalname]

This is good information for future cars I look at. Thanks.

[Ray Zee]

best advice i can give you. never buy from a car lot or dealer unless new. and only buy from an older person who has had the car for awhile and you get to look at it in their yard and can see how they live.

go to kbb.com for a rough idea of its worth.