- Don't. Cars have sucked since 2005 and they've super duper mega sucked since 2015. Computers and touch screens in everything.
- At least don't buy now. We're just getting over the covid hump, and now that gas is high there should be buyer's remorse trucks and suvs on the market. Lease or rent for 6-12 months if you have to, yes it costs more but way less than what you'd overpay buying now.
- Take the car to a mechanic and ask for a buyer's inspection. If you're smart, take it to three and see if their stories add up. Ask them for a quote on how much it will be to fix all the shit that will inevitably be wrong with it.
- Check the carfax. Take it with a grain of salt: When I bought my car the guy gave me a stack of all the mechanic invoices he had. Only 1/3 were on the carfax. But it's good to confirm things like number of past owners or where it was operated.
- If possible, prefer cars from hot, dry climates. Humid places cause rust, snow in winter means salt which gets on the car and causes rust. Rust is very bad.
- I wouldn't go with a dealer unless you find the 1 in a million that's actually honest. Just hit up craigslist and run the boomer gauntlet.
- Kbb.com and edmunds should have blue book value. Don't pay more than this no matter what bullshit the seller tries to tell you.
- When you're thinking of buying a car, imagine you have it, and need to do some typical repairs. Call mechanics to get quote on parts/labor for that service. Look up youtube vids for doing it yourself. Check part price & availability online. It helps if you research most common problems of that make/model/year.
- Make sure the car can be entered and started with physical key, not just remotely. The wireless unlock/start fails easily. While you're at it, call Toyota and ask how much they charge for a new keyfob on that model car.
* Don't. Cars have sucked since 2005 and they've super duper mega sucked since 2015. Computers and touch screens in everything.
* At least don't buy now. We're just getting over the covid hump, and now that gas is high there should be buyer's remorse trucks and suvs on the market. Lease or rent for 6-12 months if you have to, yes it costs more but way less than what you'd overpay buying now.
* Take the car to a mechanic and ask for a buyer's inspection. If you're smart, take it to three and see if their stories add up. Ask them for a quote on how much it will be to fix all the shit that will inevitably be wrong with it.
* Check the carfax. Take it with a grain of salt: When I bought my car the guy gave me a stack of all the mechanic invoices he had. Only 1/3 were on the carfax. But it's good to confirm things like number of past owners or where it was operated.
* If possible, prefer cars from hot, dry climates. Humid places cause rust, snow in winter means salt which gets on the car and causes rust. Rust is very bad.
* I wouldn't go with a dealer unless you find the 1 in a million that's actually honest. Just hit up craigslist and run the boomer gauntlet.
* Kbb.com and edmunds should have blue book value. Don't pay more than this no matter what bullshit the seller tries to tell you.
* When you're thinking of buying a car, imagine you have it, and need to do some typical repairs. Call mechanics to get quote on parts/labor for that service. Look up youtube vids for doing it yourself. Check part price & availability online. It helps if you research most common problems of that make/model/year.
* Make sure the car can be entered and started with physical key, not just remotely. The wireless unlock/start fails easily. While you're at it, call Toyota and ask how much they charge for a new keyfob on that model car.
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