Buying & Selling Used Cars
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Buying & Selling Used Cars
How to find a used Honda or Toyota
June 2011
We are looking for a Honda or Toyota sedan, hopefully less
than 10 years old, less than 100,000 miles, and less than
$10,000, as a graduation gift for our son and his wife.
These cars seem to be very hard to find, and I wonder if
anyone has any suggestions on how to find a reliable car of
this type?
Any ideas much appreciated!
With much thanks.
rachel
I had a great experience buying a 2007 Toyota Camry with about 75K miles on it
for slightly more than that at Autometrics on San Pablo in El Cerrito. They were
great . . . I would probably never buy a new car and hope to get all my future
used cars from Autometrics. At any given time, they have several cars on their
lot that fit the car you've described. Check out their great reviews on Yelp.
Autometrics Fan Club
We were looking for a used toyota or honda and ended up with a
Hyundai sonata. It was a great choice! check it out -
consumer reports have given its reliability pretty good
ratings.
happy with my hyundai
Trading an old car for a newer car
April 2011
I need to trade in an older car for a new/newer car, and I
do not like the hassle of auto dealerships. I know I could
get more money for my older car selling it myself but do not
have the time/inclination for this. It really doesn't matter
what the make/model of the newer car. I am looking for
recommendations for a car dealership and/or salesperson with
integrity who will give me the best price available for my
older car and a good price for a newer car without all the
b.s. Thank you. anon
If you're interested or have the time to sell your car
yourself you can generally get more money for it then trying
to do a trade in. This would put the cash in your pocket to
go to any car dealership and put the money down on a new
car.
A great option is to go to Buggy Bank here in Berkeley (next
to Berkeley Bowl). You pay a flat fee to put your car on
their lot. They handle all of the paperwork, test drives,
interaction with people, etc. You just get a call or emails
from people that are interested in your car.
I used their services in the fall of 2010 and sold my car in
two days for the price I wanted to sell it for. I wasn't in
the state at the time so all of the transactions were done
over email. It was great. The service performed by Jerry and
LeRoi at Buggy Bank was fantastic. It was a really
hassle-free, positive experience that I highly recommend.
albanymama
We just bought a car last week using guidance from 'Fighting
Chance'. You can google it. It was the best $50 we spent
in this process. We ended up buying our car from Jason at
Albany Ford and Subaru. Jason was quick to respond, very
straightforward and easy to deal with. I would go back to
him again without hesitation. anon
Feb 2011
We are looking around for used cars and the one we really
want is hard to find used for a decent price. The dealers
have some here and there but mark it up a lot. We have also
noticed that the dealers are getting them from rental
companies and then we found the car being sold by Hertz Rent
to Buy. Has anyone purchased a used car from a rental
company? any good or bad experiences? It makes me a bit
nervous since I know how people treat rental cars but if the
car checks out fine, is it ok? Would love any feedback or
advice from your experiences
car buyer
We had a good experience in buying a used car from Hertz
some years ago. Although some drivers do not take good care
of the cars, the companies maintain them well so as not to
have problems and/or lose their reputation. Our car was
clean and ran well with minimal maintenance problems for a
number of years before we bought another one.
Two things to keep in mind. First, you will probably pay top
dollar for one bought this way. Second, look for one with
relatively low mileage...less than 30,000 miles if possible.
richard
Hi, we have two cars that were rentals. One, we purchased
from Hertz and one from a dealer. We got good deals on both
and the cars are fantastic (one is a Dodge Grand Caravan and
one is a Mazda Protege). While both cars were good deals, we
enjoyed the Hertz experience way more. The prices on the
cars were the prices, no haggling. We test drove all the
cars we wanted on the lot in our price range. Because the
car was only 2 years old, we had a new warranty. I would
definitely do it again. I'm told that the cars on the Used
Car Dealer's lot (like our Mazda) are actually probably
better quality than the ones you might find in a regular
used car section (like our Dodge) because they go through a
rigorous qualification process. Any rejects get sent to the
used car lots. We have had good results with both cars. My
sister-in-law also went to the Hertz Used Car Sales to get
her car and she has been very pleased as well. People told
us, ''oh, how can you do that with the way people treat those
cars.'' I figure most people don't drive those cars bad
enough to mess them up and if they do, they don't make the
cut. So, again, GREAT IDEA for getting a nearly new car at a
fraction of the cost and great experience, especially with
the Hertz place in Hayward.
Love my adopted rental cars
We bought from Hertz Car Sales over in Hayward Nov 2010.
It was super easy no haggle interaction which was nice.
They offer a AAA discount ($300)and extended warranty as
an extra purhcase. We have been happy with the car and no
issues to date. The car had a noticeable scratch and
they painted it for me at no charge. Something else to
consider is that they service their vehicles more then the
average consumer would so at least you know the car has
been maintained well. If it matters we bought a 09 Mazda5
with aobut 32K miles on it.
wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again
Back in the early-80s our family was introduced to buying
used cars from rental companies by a friend who'd had very
good success with buying from Hertz. We found an excellent
Ford and later a Pontiac through Enterprise. The Ford, in
the long run, lasted longer than the Pontiac and was a
better car. Then we got introduced to Honda cars. Since
1998 our immediate and extended families have purchased
four used Hondas (various models), one Toyota and one Lexus
from Walnut Creek Honda and we have been totally satisfied
with each. All six of these cars are still running
perfectly. All the cars are certified by Honda, prices were
fair and service was excellent. The salesperson we use is
Jim Knapp, 925-944-9770. They are located a few blocks from
the BART station. Give Jim a call - tell him Precious sent
you.
A satisfied customer
Back in the early-80s our family was introduced to buying
used cars from rental companies by a friend who'd had very
good success with buying from Hertz. We found an excellent
Ford and later a Pontiac through Enterprise. The Ford, in
the long run, lasted longer than the Pontiac and was a
better car. Then we got introduced to Honda cars. Since
1998 our immediate and extended families have purchased
four used Hondas (various models), one Toyota and one Lexus
from Walnut Creek Honda and we have been totally satisfied
with each. All six of these cars are still running
perfectly. All the cars are certified by Honda, prices were
fair and service was excellent. The salesperson we use is
Jim Knapp, 925-944-9770. They are located a few blocks from
the BART station. Give Jim a call - tell him Precious sent
you.
A satisfied customer
We bought a car from Hertz and had a great experience.
Paid the same price as from the classifieds but with less
risk. I plan to go back whenever we need a ''new'' car.
happy customer
I have owned 3 used cars bought from rental agencies (I
believe, 2 from Hertz and 1 from Enterprise) and have never
had any problems with any of them. My parents have also
bought several cars from Hertz without any problem. Although
it is true that some people don't treat their rental cars
well, I think that the rental companies themselves do treat
the cars well (as far as oil changes, scheduled maintenance,
etc.). They provide you with all of the maintenance records
when you buy the car. The cars I have bought have all been
fairly new (maybe a year or less old) and have had between
25,000 and 35,000 miles on them.
I will probably never buy a car anywhere else!
Happy with Hertz
May 2010
I need to buy a reliable used car for my teenaged daughter.
I have looked at Autometrics as well as Honda in El
Cerrito ('pre owned/certified cars') but don't know who to
trust. I am a divorced mother and fear I might get taken
advantage of due to my naivete....please advise...
anon
If you can afford a car at Honda of El Cerrito or a similar
dealership, that would be a great place. Buying a certified
pre-owned car means that they give you an extended warranty.
It is longer than if you buy a new car from them. If you buy
it from someone on Craigslist just bring it to a mechanic
that you trust (before you buy it) and have them to a
diagnostic. It costs around $100. Then you will know what
you are getting. Good luck.
May 2009
My husband and I are looking to buy a safe, reliable, inexpensive
used car in the next few weeks. We have a slight preference for
Hondas and Toyotas, but we're open to anything at this point. If
you've had any experience (good or bad) purchasing a used car from
a local dealer, we would greatly appreciate hearing about it! We
have no idea where to start this search.
Anonymous
We purchased our car through a brokerage in Fremont called
Carsmith Motors (www.carsmithmotors.com, tel. 800-452-1977 or
510-770-9790). They do keep some inventory of used cars in
stock, but they'll also shop wholesale auctions on your behalf
to find exactly what you're looking for. All you have to do is
give the Carsmith folks some specifications (make, model, year,
mileage, colors, options, etc.) and they'll find it for you at a
very reasonable price. We got a great deal on a low-mileage
lease return that was only 3 years old, and after that
experience I don't think I'll ever buy a new car again!
Morris
March 2009
My daughter gets her driver's license soon and I want to purchase a
safe, reliable, but not too costly car for her.
Where to begin? I am a single mom with little car buying experience-I do
have a relative who is a mechanic so once I find something we are
interested in he will give it the 'once over'
Has anyone used autometrics on San Pablo? craigs list? dealers who sell
'pre-owned' cars?
Please advise....
thanks in advance.
need guidance
You might want to check out the Buggy Bank in Berkeley, near Berkeley
Bowl. I sold my car there, and had a great experience. They are not
a dealership but a lot where owners leave their cars. The Buggy Bank
keeps the keys and oversees test drives, etc. The sellers pay a fee
to Buggy Bank, but the buyers are not charged. It's especially good
if you don't want to go to a strange house or have strangers coming
to your house. http://www.buggybank.com/
DC
Try Autometrics
in Berkeley. I think John Hafez is the owner. They
have a repair service on San Pablo Ave. next to REI but also have a
used car lot in El Cerrito. They are honest and will help you find a
road-worthy vehicle for a fair price! You can check some of the
inventory on line. Talk to John and he will help you out.
satisfied customer
I recommend Autometrics on San Pablo in El Cerrito for a used car. I
recently purchased a car through Paul, the owner. He was low key, low
pressure and knowledgeable. The car checked out perfectly through an
independent mechanic. I will definitely work with him again if and
when the need arises.
Satisfied New Used CRV Owner
Nov 2008
Where have you had a good experience buying a used car? Looking
for a reliable 2nd car (take and pick up the kids from school)
and we've been to Buggy Bank, but the availability can be
limited.
Any honest Used Car lots around?
Thanks.
Car shoppin' mama
We purchased a used car for our daughter about three years ago at
Autometrics in El Cerrito. It's on San Pablo Avenue about 4-6
blocks north of Central Ave. We bought a used Honda Civic, about
four years old at the time. It has been great! The price was
reasonable (we checked Kelly Blue Book pricing) and have had no
problems at all with the car. I highly recommend them as a place
to purchase a used car.
Judy
Has anyone sold a car on Craig's List?
August 2008
as anyone successfully sold a car on Craig's List? The fraud warnings are
really intimidating. If yes, what did you use as your form of payment since
personal and cashier's checks can be fraudulent? If Craig's List isn't the
solution, what is?
Try the Buggy Bank kitty-corner to the Berkeley Bowl on Shattuck
and Oregon. We sold a car there; it was an easy, hassle-free
experience.
Ian
We sold a car through CL. Once we reached an agreement & completed
the paperwork with the buyer, what we did for the money transaction
was to take the buyer and 2 cars to the nearest branch of the
buyer's bank. The buyer withdrew cash from his account for the
sale. After the cash exchange, we went our separate ways from the
bank in our own vehicles, with the new owner driving off in our
former car. We drove to our bank to deposit the cash. Even if the
buyer has a money order, it is reasonable to ask him/her to convert
it to cash at his/her bank before you hand over the car. That way
the check trail leads to the buyer, not to you. The buyer has the
car and you have the cash, as agreed.
tried it
We sold our car on Craig's List for cash. I suppose we would have
taken a cashiers check. We BOUGHT a car on Craig's List using a
cashier's check. If you trust these forms of currency then I would
be more afraid of someone taking off with the car I'm selling. If
that is a worry, you might want to try the Buggy Bank on Shattuck
in Berkeley. We never tried using it, but a friend sold her car
through them and was very happy.
Francesca
April 2008
We are looking for a used minivan. Where do people go for
such things? Dealers? Craigslist? Any good online
options?
Time for a new car
I have had good luck from the BPN Marketplace newsletter. I bought a Station Wagon
from someone that was in my area (even had my area parking sticker, which was
convenient) and I didn't haggle..just paid what she wanted...that was over a year
ago and I just got it smogged to renew the registration without incident.
Fluids...nothing except an oil change, which is more fluids I guess....
Y
Right
after I bought the station wagon, someone was selling a minivan, also BPN
marketplace. They were leaving the country, offered me a much better deal if they
kept it until after Christmas last year. I didn't tell my husband about it...he
would have had a cow. I paid them, because they wanted cash for the holiday, got
only the pink slip, then, the day they were leaving, picked up the van. So, I
didn't have it for almost 2 months. It was fine and I saved a lot doing it that
way...the van was/is a beater, full of dents and shimmies at 50mph, but I only
drive it stop & go and it is fine around
here..carries 6 kids! Handy! It also passed smog without incident and hasn't had
any maintenance yet. (The former owners had pukey twins... I sprayed it down with
rubbing alcohol after I washed it & that got rid of their smell. Now, it smells
like my kids, dog, & stepped on juice boxes.)
I just wanted to say that people are basically honest and you should trust your
feelings. Ask them about the van. Ask what is good & bad about it. Sometimes there
are quirks; like, if you don't turn the gas cap 3 clicks, the compression gets
wacked and the engine light will go on...that stuff? Ask them & they will tell
you.
There are car websites...some have chat you can read that will give you better
questions to ask the seller. If you think they are lying, walk away /pay the $ &
have it checked by your mechanic. With that local station wagon? My mechanic was
their mechanic & so, he just punched up the records & told me it was good & I
didn't even need to pay! (I didn't think they were lying or anything, my husband
insisted on a mechanic's check.)So, luck is part of it, I guess. But look for
bubbles in the tires, uneven tread wear,.....look in the engine. If it is really
dirty, like it has been on fire? No! Look at the fluids; they shouldn't look old &
thick or dirty. That would mean the vehicle wasn't checked regularly enough to be
a runner for you.
I am really happy with our 2 car fleet. We can carry 11 kids & 4 adults in 2
vehicles and it has been incredibly handy many times.
Wishing you good luck!
August 2004
I was wondering what people's experiences were with buying used
cars from private sellers. We are looking at a Dodge truck that
the seller is asking over Kelley Blue Book for. Do used cars
usually go for over the recommended price? It has all the bells
and whistles and the engine is good, only minor body damage. I
thought maybe with high gas prices, bad economy and not alot of
interest in this particular model would make it more likely that
it would be UNDER blue book price. Any wisdom out there?
Thanks
Confused car buyer
i have bought a car and sold two on craig's list and each time
the price was slightly UNDER the blue book ''private party''
price. i don't think you should pay over that price.
hope this helps
Oh, boy do I understand what you're going through. I am both
selling a car as a private party and buying another through a
private party. On the buying side, I would make sure you check
the Blue Book for PRIVATE PARTY sales. Many sellers reference
KBB but use the higher RETAIL sale as a basis. Also, most
people state the condition of their car as ''Excellent'' even
though very few used cars fit the bill of being in showroom
condition.
Sounds like this car, with body damage, depending on the extent
of it would be in either fair or poor condition, which reduces
it's value. Check kbb.com yourself and insist on paying no
more.
Sellers often price their cars high and expect to be talked
down. Its a silly game - but if you show them how you arrived
at the figure you are willing to offer, they really should
accept it.
Danville Mom
First, as you probably know, there are two blue book values: the
lower private party value and the higher dealer value. Second,
remember that blue book values are only an estimate of what
people are buying and selling for. The textbook definition of
''value'' is whatever price a willing buyer and willing seller
(without coercion) agree upon.
A few months ago I listed and sold my 1996 sedan for for about
20% over blue book value (which was $600 extra or so). I thought
it was worth more because it had very low mileage (60k) and few
problems for a nine year old car, and the buyer apparently
agreed. The blue book value, in my estimation, undervalued the
low mileage, but such questions of value are inherently subjective.
Ideally you could compare that car to several other identical
used cars and choose the best price (like you can do with new
cars), but that's usually not possible because rarely do two used
cars have identical condition, color, mileage, etc. So you have
to decide whether it's really worth the extra $$$ or not.
Anon.
In my (albeit) limited experience, there is no hard and fast
rule. It pretty much depends what the seller is willing to
accept, and the buyer is willing to pay.
What i'd say is do your homework.
1. Look at the kelly book price for the exact vehicle you are
considering (including extras like CD) and the criteria for
excellent, fair and good, so that you can see the price range
the truck is likely to fall into. Also, it will help both you
and the seller understand why a particular price is reasonable.
Seemingly small things in themselves, or in combination can move
an item from the high end of a category, to the lower end, or
even into a lower category, depending on the type, degree etc of
a problem. (An absolutely pristine truck with no mechanical or
cosmetic problems and a paper trail of upkeep and repair, for
example, MIGHT hold higher value than the same car with small
but multiple dings, or slight but repetitive mechanical
problems, depending upon the criteria and how the parties
interpret it.)
2. Look in the newspaper classifieds and on Craig's list to see
what comparable trucks are selling for. It ! may give you an idea
of what the market is, how many are on the block, and even how
well they tend to hold their value over time. You might even
find a truck you like better at a more acceptable price.
3. There's a web-site that apparently gives you the history of
the particular truck you are looking at. I found out about this
after i bought my car, so i've not used it. I was told it has
info like whether the vehicle has been in an accident. But again
I have no first-hand info about it.
When I was buying my car, i also:
--Took it for a test drive
--Had my mechanic look the car over and tell me (in my case in
front of the seller) how it was overall, and what expenses he
foresaw in the near future.
(I had also asked beforehand how he would rate the make and
model, year of car, and what price range I should expect to pay.)
As a result, i knew the car was basically sound and both the
seller and i adjusted the price down based on some of the cost
of the work it would immediately require.
--The seller had answered all my questions, shown me repair and
upkeep receipts
--I spoke to the seller's mecanic and asked what problems the
car had had, and what to expect
Then I decided the top and bottom amounts I was willing to spend
in general; and for the car I bought in particular. And how I
wanted to go about negotiating for it. Since I am most
comfortable with ''transparent bargaining'' (and luckily had a
seller open to it), I then put all my cards on the table and
offered a lower figure than the asking price, giving my reasons
for everything that went into arriving at the price. She did the
same, and we ultimately arrived at a price which, to not perfect
for either, felt both fair and acceptable to both.
I used to open with the single price i thought was fair. But
then there is no room for negotiation. So now I tend to start at
the top of my range, give enough support for it, and then come
down if the other side either offers a compelling counter-
argument, or if I feel that is the Only price the buyer will
accept and I am willing to pay it without feeling screwed.
for my part, i find that transparency helps me figure out every
step along the way and take the other side with me -- or give
them a way to offer a different view.it has, in my experience
allowed all partieies to share facts and draw conclusions based
on them. I personally also find that i feel better at the end of
the process, and often the other side does too. In my case, the
seller even caught a mistake in the math and insisted that I
should pay lower number it should have been.
But, there are many other people who just as strongly feel that
holding their cards closer to their vest is the best path --
''Just offer and walk away if you don't like what you hear'' is
their belief. They might for example say, how about $x instead?
Or what's the best price you can give me? is that the best you
can do for me? what will it take to close this deal? -- One man
says he can't imagine giving the other side information they can
argue with or throw back in his face.
(Tho the results might have been quite similar in my case, i
think it unlikely that the seller would have corrected a mistake
in my favor with the non-transparent style. tho the chances are
this happening are small under any system. i was very lucky.)
I have no idea about how factors like gas prices, miles per
gallon and other considerations you mentioned factor in a sale.
I suggest you continue to see if there is a source of such info -
for example a reference librarian who might have the answer or
tell you where to look.In the transparent style, you can throw
it on the table for the other side to consider -- after you have
decided yourself how much weight you think the factor deserves.
The negotiator who holds cards closer to the vest may also take
this into consideration and adjust along the way as to whether
to let it go in the course of negotiating.
Other lessons I learned were: If you start too low, the
negotiations may never get off the ground -- though you might be
able to rectify it by coming up quickly to a more reasonable
range based on what you hear; that you can always go up, but
usually not come down from a price you offer; and it's not over
til the fat person sings. (Just because the seller says he wants
$x doesn't mean they won't settle for $y. And if they don't, you
can go back up to $x if you want.)
That's been my experience. Good luck in whatever you decide to
do.
nans
my husband, who is a car guy, says that everyone asks for more
than they expect to get. make a counter offer that is lower
than what you expect to pay, and hope to compromise in the
middle. look on craig's list to see if there are any similar
cars for sale to do research, and check with the Buggy Bank as
well. they have a web site. good luck.
anonymous
Jan 2004
We are looking for a used car and are exploring various avenues. I have heard
that one can get a great deal using EBay Motors, since cars are often cheaper in
other parts of the country (granted sometimes for good reason, like corrosion).
I would like to hear comments from people who have used EBay Motors,
particularly to buy a car from someplace distant, about their experiences and
whether they thought they made out better than if they had bought locally.
Erin
We bid on a couple of vehicles on ebay motors, though we didn't
win. We were bidding on a brand new vehicle (an Audi) and
found that the prices were not drastically different than local
dealerships, though there was definitely a savings. Also, it
was easy to find a shipping company that ships vehicles--I just
did a search on the internet and in short order came up with a
good company (don't recall the name). I think the cost to ship
from the east coast to Oakland was ~$750. Based on our
positive experience with it, we will definitely include ebay in
our next car search/purchase.
Tracy
I bought a 1997 Infiniti I30 through eBay motors about two years
ago and had a terrific experience. I did the research ahead of
time and knew exactly what I wanted. I saw the car posted and
found it was from a wholesaler with all positives (and many of
them), which gave me a lot of confidence. I began a
correspondence with him and learned more about the car. There
was a ''buy it now'' option on it. I'd already done the research
and knew what it would be, so I worked that option. I also
opted for the three-year certified car warranty, which gave
additional peace of mind for a relatively insignificant
additional charge. Cars from the east/midwest and other harsh
weather states tend to have a lower Kelly book price because of
the potential for weather-related damage. Be sure to ask where
the car is from; a reputable wholesaler will be able to tell
you. If they don't know, trust your instinct.
The car was in the midwest, so shipping was required as well
(which I had figured into my budget). A family member was out
of work and wanting to visit; since he was already in the
midwest we agreed to pay his plane ticket home and all expenses,
so he drove the car out and we had the additional pleasure of
his visit. I think eBay Motors is a great option and definitely
worth considering if you already know your specs. You will have
to pay California tax on the car, however, when you register
it.
I hope this is helpful. I love my car and have never had a
problem with it. I'll check out eBay for the next one as well.
Please feel free to email me with any specific questions.
To Infiniti and beyond....
cwilson
Dec 2003
Can anyone recommend someone who comes and looks over a used car
(mechanically) before we buy it? How do you know if the car
you've picked out is a lemon? This would be for a car that
we're seriously thinking of buying, either from a dealer or
individual.
Thanks, Adrienne
Recommended:
Quality Tech
July 2003
I checked the most recent archives don't have the answer to my
exact question.We are looking to buy a used car (a recent subaru
outback) and would like suggestions on where to look - in
addition to here (marketplace), craigslist and the chronicle
classifieds (oh, and the place near the berkeley bowl). We do not
want to buy from a dealer. Any used car brokers people can
recommend? Other classified listings - either on-line or
otherwise? Thanks.
schradie
also try http://www.autotrader.com and http://autos.yahoo.com/
Both list private party and dealer sales, but a quick search
today broght up a few private sellers in a 25 mile radius from
94704 zipcode. good luck!
cynthia
We bought a used car in December through a broker, Kevin Smith
of Carsmith Motors. He got us a fantastic car at a fantastic
price -- it was a lease return at auction. I would highly
recommend him. http://www.carsmithmotors.com/ or 510-635-0558.
Lyn
We bought our used subaru outback from Family Motors in Sonoma.
We had a great experience and they clearly have the best
selection of used subarus in the greater bay area. The guy who
runs it is interesting but honest and all prices are set, no
haggling which made me much more comfortable. You can see what
he has in stock in a given week buy checking out the website.
When we were shopping, I think he had 7-8 vehicles that met our
requirements. I highly recommend Family Motors and I cannot
say that about any other car buying experience I've ever had.
Whitney
I would definitely try autotrader.com for any used car. But for
a great deal on a Subaru Outback, if you dont mind driving out
to Livermore, try calling Ken Summers at (209) 832-4390. Ken is
a retired policeman who buys a few used Subarus at auctions,
fixes them up, and sells them for a tiny profit...he is honest
as the day is long, will tell you every single thing he knows
about the car, and will give you a great price. I bought a 98
Forester from him 6 months ago and I couldn't be happier with
the experience.
Tara
We just bought a used car from Autometrics on San Pablo (near
Moeser). We liked the owner, Paul, and felt that he was fair
and straightforward.
Ann
I have used Hammer Auto to buy a car two times and have been
VERY satisfied both times. He charges a flat fee of $300
hammerauto.com
ARA
January 2003
I am due to have my first child beginning of March and would
like to buy a used 'trustworthy' car for under 4000 dollars. I
would preferably like a 4 door car with trunk space for a
stroller. Does anyone know of a good place to buy or of any
private sales.
Thanks
louise
I recommend my ''car angel'' at EZ Auto Sales, near 40th and
Broadway (listed in the phone book). The physical office itself
is kind of funky but the fellow who owns the lot there, Dave,
has a great selection of inexpensive cars and an encyclopedic
knowledge about them. He's been great in all things Car for me
for ten years. Good luck.
For private sales, try looking at the many For Sale cars parked
on Shattuck near Berkeley Bowl. Also check around UC Village.
Then take the car to a mechanic or AAA for a diagnostic test. A
seller with nothing to hide won't mind having you get the car
checked out.
Liz
Dec 2002
Hi. We are looking for a good used minivan (preferably Toyota,
Mazda or Nissan). Does anyone know a good used car dealar for
those cars? We like to buy 1998 or newer models. Any
recommendations are very welcome. Thank you.
rie
Recommended:
Autometrics
Aug 2002
I am in the market to buy a used car for my daughter. I intend
to buy a car from a private party, so will need to have a
mechanic check it bumper to bumper before I buy. Can anyone
recommend a car mechanic to inspect a used car for me? I expect
to purchase a foreign make car, such as a Toyota, Honda, Nissan,
Mitsubishi or VW. Thanks!
Lori
The AAA has a diagnostic service. I have never used it, but I
would imagine that they would be objective.
http://www.csaa.com/
Helena
I'll be moving to Berkeley in August, and will need to buy a minivan
for the 10 months I and my family will be spending in the US. I
don't want to buy a new one, so I am looking for recommendations of
places in Berkeley which sell used minivans. Used car dealers often
don't have a great reputation for straightforwardness, so I'd
especially appreciate recommendations for honest, fair and reasonably
priced places to go!
Kieran
To the person who is looking for a used minivan I just sold my car at The
Buggy Bank on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley and I highly recommend it. There is
a large lot with all sorts of cars, all owned by individuals. It's kind of a
clearing house for cars. People wanting to sell a car play a flat fee to the
Buggy Bank and set their own price. Buyers negotiate directly with sellers,
so the prices are more reasonable than a dealer-owned used car lot. I saw
lots of vans there this week.
FrannyD
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