buying a car for the fisrt time on craigslist

[waseem780]

I'm buying a 05 mazda3 hatchback 2.3 salvage title 120k miles , he claims that clean transmission, no engine problems but will need 2 new tires. From the pictures he sent the car looks like its in good condition and that he owns it. I have never bought a car before let alone bought a car from craigslist , were meeting up tomorrow and my question is , how do I go about this? From test driving,inspecting,carfax report,etc What do I need to do?

[Giaodollo]

Take it to a mechanic for a check up.

[DCL]

don't feel you're obligated to buy. you're only agreeing to meet to check the car out. ask him if HE's brought the car in for any recent check up, and request the invoice if he said yes. if you bring it to a mechanic, he ain't checking a car for free. as a seller, he should have done that already to provide proof for you. request all records of anything that has been done on the car. if he has none of those, good luck.

[Draz]

don't feel you're obligated to buy. you're only agreeing to meet to check the car out. ask him if HE's brought the car in for any recent check up, and request the invoice if he said yes. if you bring it to a mechanic, he ain't checking a car for free. as a seller, he should have done that already to provide proof for you. request all records of anything that has been done on the car. if he has none of those, good luck.
This

[Jameerthefear]

Take it to a mechanic and trust your mechanic's word. How much is the car?

[UK2K]

Carfax.

Make him pay for it. If he really wants to sell it and its clean, he won't have a problem paying for it.

[Nanners]

id probably stay away from a car with a salvage title

[thefatmiral]

Me too. I'm looking for something cheap. Gonna low ball them anyway.

[nathanjizzle]

for someone whos not mechanically inclined, never buy a salvage title, or rebuilt title car on craigslist. even for those who are mechanically inclined, its a very thin line to walk. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SEVERE ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE WRITTEN OFF AS JUNK AND NOT WORTH REPAIRING!!!! INVEST THE EXTRA MONEY INTO A CAR YOU KNOW THAT HASNT BEEN THROUGH SUCH CONDITIONS.

[Bless Mathews]

There is a thin line on Craigslist between shit and deals.

If it is a deal, it will be swooped up in less than a day. At least in Seattle where I run.

In my many dealing with buying and selling cOars on there, if it's good, it's gone and you gotta jump on it.

Meet him in a public place with a homie and CASH.

low ball him.

Count the cash right in front of him.

He'll take it.

I've sold and bought many a cOar on there. Made lots of money.

Usually cats don't wanna fucc with it and will take less. Count the cash in front of him. He'll see it and won't turn it down.

[nathanjizzle]

There is a thin line on Craigslist between shit and deals.

If it is a deal, it will be swooped up in less than a day. At least in Seattle where I run.

In my many dealing with buying and selling cOars on there, if it's good, it's gone and you gotta jump on it.

Meet him in a public place with a homie and CASH.

low ball him.

Count the cash right in front of him.

He'll take it.

I've sold and bought many a cOar on there. Made lots of money.

Usually cats don't wanna fucc with it and will take less. Count the cash in front of him. He'll see it and won't turn it down.

by "cOar's" you mean drugs?

[SCREWstonRockets]

for someone whos not mechanically inclined, never buy a salvage title, or rebuilt title car on craigslist. even for those who are mechanically inclined, its a very thin line to walk. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SEVERE ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE WRITTEN OFF AS JUNK AND NOT WORTH REPAIRING!!!! INVEST THE EXTRA MONEY INTO A CAR YOU KNOW THAT HASNT BEEN THROUGH SUCH CONDITIONS.

This.

On top of that, its has 120k miles and who knows how well its been maintained. He should have provided you with the carfax. Like mentioned, take it to a mechanic you trust for a full inspection. might cost $100 or so but its worth it if you are going to drop a lot of money on a car. But i would PASS being that the title is salvaged.

I wouldn't consider a car an investment because it decreases in value when you drive it, so why you would put money into a crappy car that would end up costing you more than what you paid.