Buying first car on craigslist questions (car noob, help if you know something about cars)

[gregzzy23]

I have about $10,000 that I want to drop on my first car, no more, preferably less. You guys basically know what to look for in a first car; reliability, goodgas mileage etc. I would definitely "settle" for an accord or maxima, which in all likelihood I will do but with craigslist there seem to be somepossible good deals that I wanted to ask about. Also, anyone who has purchased a car off craigslist post your experiences..

Heres a few ads that I came across. If you can, tell me if these are good prices/good possible first cars etc.

1995 Lexus LS 400- $6900
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/891181893.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/891181893.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/891181893.html

1999 Audi A4 2.8 V6- $5900
http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/891190866.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/891190866.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/891190866.html

2000 BMW 528i- $8500
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/891403287.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/891403287.htmlhttp://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/891403287.html

 

[lurkin2long]

craigslist shady as hell

edit: the 2001 audi link you posted already been flagged/removed btw.

shady CL

 

[gregzzy23]

Originally Posted by lurkin2long

craigslist shady as hell

Thats also something I wanted to ask, is it better to just deal with a car dealership instead of possible shady sellers

 

[supraman1784]

depends...dealers will tack on extra fees and taxes, so you can end up paying a lot more than just the listed/bargained price. theres taxes, fees forregistration and title exchange, delivery fees....and other stuff. with craigslist you gotta know what youre looking for and what you will be getting. i wouldsay email the sellers, get the VIN # and carfax it. well worth the money imo. if that checks out...go take a visit and test drive the car and look at it makesure its mechanically and electronically sound. i dont recommend negotiating prices until after the test drive and the initial check. you can bring a mechanicor ask to take it to a mechanic...either or but not really necessary sometimes. if you do decide to buy the car make sure you get everything...title and allnecessary documents. make sure you get temp plates from the dmv or ask to borrow the seller's plate and either send them back or turn them in for them. isold a few cars over craigslist, never bought from anyone, but i try to be as straightforward and honest as possible. good luck...btw scrap the lexus...itsreliable but it has wayyy to many miles....161k is a lot. even the beemer has a lot of miles. if i had to choose id go with the audi...cause its stick haha.

 

[lurkin2long]

btw OP.

it seems you wanna ride luxury at a low price. you lookin at outdated whips with 100K + miles, audi, bmw, lexus?

i mean you sure thats what you wanna do? maintenance?

its like you just gettin a audi/bmw/lex just to say you got one almost. no offense.

 

[jayinfamous22]

My pops bought several cars off craigslist. Basically what dude above me sayd. Ask for carfax. Ask alot of questions. Make sure you go on the test drive. Lookat eveyrthing. I recommend you take a friend/family someone that knows about cars with you for inspection. IF you do find something wrong with it..theresalways negotionation

 

[thockey66]

With 10grand get the newest Civic/Accord/Maxima/etc with the lowest mileage possible.

Dont get an older luxury car with well over 100k+ on the clock. It will not turn out pretty.

 

[rko2004]

If I were you I'd go to CARS.com and do a search of your area. With that you could find mass cheap cars ($0-16,000) with low miles and gas savers. Actuallyyou can probably have $1-4k left over.

 

[gregzzy23]

Originally Posted by lurkin2long

btw OP.

it seems you wanna ride luxury at a low price. you lookin at outdated whips with 100K + miles, audi, bmw, lexus?

i mean you sure thats what you wanna do? maintenance?

its like you just gettin a audi/bmw/lex just to say you got one almost. no offense.

Not at all, I'd be happy with a clean accord, maxima, altima etc. but of course theres something about luxury cars that draws me to them evenwith a budget. I understand the maintenance is insane though, thats why I probably won't buy one right now.

What are the prices like for altimas year by year?

 

[rko2004]

Originally Posted by gregzzy23

Originally Posted by lurkin2long

btw OP.

it seems you wanna ride luxury at a low price. you lookin at outdated whips with 100K + miles, audi, bmw, lexus?

i mean you sure thats what you wanna do? maintenance?

its like you just gettin a audi/bmw/lex just to say you got one almost. no offense.

Not at all, I'd be happy with a clean accord, maxima, altima etc. but of course theres something about luxury cars that draws me to them even with a budget. I understand the maintenance is insane though, thats why I probably won't buy one right now.

What are the prices like for altimas year by year?

2009 Maxima?

 

[memphisboi55]

go for it, just do your homework.

 

[wanksta23]

you can always have them lower it to $500 or less

when i got my car off craigslist, it was listed for 19,000...offered 15500 and he took it

so always try to low ball first

 

[concordefliteschool]

Go for the LS man, it's just had major work done and seems like its been properly maintained. Lexus FTW

 

[gregzzy23]

Originally Posted by ConcordeFliteSchool

Go for the LS man, it's just had major work done and seems like its been properly maintained. Lexus FTW

The more I look at it the more I like it...

If it checks out with a mechanic and I could lowball him to $5000-$5500 is this a good deal or is the mileage too much of a risk for this car?

 

[winstondon]

01- 04 altimas range from 6,000 - 12,000 depending on the miles

 

[retrojtino]

Just go for an import car. Nissan, Toyota, Honda. Everybody's giving you solid advice. It's just all a matter of preference.

 

[southzeztpdot]

Damn dude stick away from the luxury brands.

 

[mangudai954]

LS homie...I'd still push the 97 one right now. Love those cars, get it check out first. And know maintenance/gas is going to be expensive for it.

 

[chris boshs neck]

2001-2004 maxima. Way better and funner than an accord or anything like that. Stay as far away from BMW and especially Audi. Audi makes bmw look like hondas.Lexus are nice cars tho

 

[concordefliteschool]

Originally Posted by Mangudai954

LS homie...I'd still push the 97 one right now. Love those cars, get it check out first. And know maintenance/gas is going to be expensive for it.

The LS could easily last well into the 250,XXX range. and from what the listing states with the freshly done maintenance (as long as records can be provided)I would get that. Plus I love the LS in all the generations.

 

[tmukg21]

too much effort to go to a legit car dealership and drop that duffle bag

. I absolutely really sure in this economy you can get a better deal on some 05s or newer with 10K, just spend a weekend looking around.

IF it were my money , craigslist would be the last shopping place for my first car

 

[chunkyboys1]

dude craiglist is a good place but be careful. Get a mechanic friend or carfax. Buying a car is no cheap mistake.

 

[frenchhustler19091]

What ever you do...
...do a compression test on the spot!!!!

 

[illmaticsoulchild]

IMO, if you have 10k or more to spend on a car, never get a used one.

The allure to get a used luxury car may be strong, but I never trust used cars. I was fortunate enough to get a used car that was in great condition, but nowthat I think of it, I wouldn't push my luck again.

My advice, get a new Civic/Versa/Corolla and just finance the 5-7k you need. You'll have to pay about $120+ a monthon a 60 month lease, but if you have a half-way decent job it's more than feasible.

BTW, since you're probably not going to take my advice, at least listen to me on this, Carfax reports mean nothing.

 

[dunknforce]

some college kid in milwaukee just got killed over a lexus he was trying to sell

buyer from craigslist,

either way, BE CAREFUL