Question about Craigslist

[ESMonitor]

Hello all,

I am considering buying a used car on Craigslist.

This process is new to me. I know there is risk involved when dealing with a private party who I don't know without references.

But if cards are played correctly, I think it can result in a really good deal.

Question: What are the do's and don'ts when you buy something on Craigslist? Especially if you are considering buying a used car.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ES

[rennigade]

If the deal is too good to be true then it probably is.

Take a couple people with you...3 total should be fine.

Make sure car is parked outside in a driveway or street. No need to go into a building or garage to see it. Its a car...have them drive it outside.

Get a carfax...or they can. Tell them to send you the vin then make sure it matches when you go.

Dont take cash with you when you first see the vehicle. You're going to have to get the title transferred over at some point...exchange cash then.

Not sure what else...if the person seems shady in any way avoid it like the plague.

[avil_saver36]

Hello all,

I am considering buying a used car on Craigslist.

This process is new to me. I know there is risk involved when dealing with a private party who I don't know without references.

But if cards are played correctly, I think it can result in a really good deal.

Question: What are the do's and don'ts when you buy something on Craigslist? Especially if you are considering buying a used car.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ES

I once sold an old beater of mine on Craigslist. In the hindsight, I shouldn't have done that. I kept getting emails and phone calls from random people and some of them sounded kind of shady. I got my cell number changed after a couple of weeks. One woman was angry that I didn't sell her the beater when she "really needed it badly".

I can't say exactly what kind of experiences you will get as a buyer. Some things I would consider are as follows:

- Carfax (mandatory)
- Get all service records and at a minimum, all oil change records
- Under stand when the last major work was done and if another major work is impending.
- The biggest thing is try to keep the budget under $3K. If you go for $5-10K car and if it turns out to be some sort of lemon, you are really out of luck. Just minimize the cost of transaction to justify the risk.

In my view, it's still too big a risk. Just pay a little extra money and get the car through proper well established channels.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The main thing is the title. Make sure that the seller has the title. Before test-driving the car ask the seller to see the title. Without the title you are screwed.