What should I look for when buying a used car?

First off, you’re very unlikely to find a four-wheeled gas-powered vehicle in the USA in any kind of decent condition for the price you mention. That is, unless you get incredibly lucky, or someone is feeling particularly generous. Cars selling for $1000 or less have major problems, as a rule.

For a “decent” used car I’d be expecting to spend at least $4000 – 5000, and I haven’t even gone that low since I bought my daughter a used car when she graduated school three years ago.

So it’s not “impossible”, but it is “unlikely”. Is there a chance that you can improve your financial position going into the car-buying experience with a loan (or collection of loans) from family members? The reason I suggest that is that if you try to buy a car with no money and no mechanical / automotive knowledge of your own then you have two big strikes against you.

What are your other options for transportation between now and when you can raise another $2000 – 3000? Can you get rides from friends and co-workers, and just pay them for gas (and the trouble that would cause them to go out of their way for you)? Bicycle (at least for the summer)?

In addition, if your automotive knowledge is so poor, how do you know for certain that your old car “died for good”?

You’re right that this is a huge failure to plan ahead, but at least you seem to have learned that.

Unfortunately for you because of the “Cash for Clunkers” program, used car prices are way up. You may have to look into a scooter or something if you can.

Side note, my Toyota Tacoma is valued higher today than it was just three years ago when I bought it.

@WasCy Thanks for your answer. That’s tough, but realistic.

My transportation options aren’t ideal, but I went without a car for a few months last year and it kind of worked out. There’s a bus stop a mile or so from my house, but no sidewalks for about half of the way. If I bike around here, there are no sidewalks/ bike lanes for the most part, so I’d be biking right out there on the road and that scares the crap out of me. I’m considering moving out and renting a place that’s more metro-accessible as one of my options.

I live with my aunt, and she’s given me rides to work and on job interviews and things in the past. But I don’t want to depend on that for too long, because that’s a big imposition to put on somebody and she has some health problems. If she isn’t feeling well, it may cause me to miss work and I definitely don’t want to be an unreliable employee. She won’t let me drive her car because I’m a new driver, and I agree. If anything happened to her car, she wouldn’t be able to afford a replacement.

I do plan on bringing someone mechanically-minded with me to look at potential cars. My uncle is probably the best person for that.

Well, “died for good” isn’t the technical term. As I was driving along there was a pop and a rattle from the engine, all the oil came pouring out, and white smoke billowed out from under the hood. The verdict was a blown gasket, but the cost of the repair was more than I could afford and more than the value of the car.

It sounds like I’ll either have to save up for a few months or suck it up and ask my family for help. I just need to gather my resources and focus on finding a solution.

Edit: it’s also clear that I need to educate myself about auto maintenance. What’s the best way to get started?

Well quit beating yourself up about not saving.

Some preliminary things to look for since you are going to be looking for older cars: look for evidence of leaks of any sort. Look under the hood- is the engine really black and grimy, or is it relatively clean? (Really black engines are evidence of oil leaks.)

Is there anything under the car where it is parked? After you drive it, and then park it, is there anything unusual dripping?

Any body work evident that would lead you to believe it was hit from the side? If so get the alignment of the frame checked out.

- Consider a motorcycle?
– Consider a car with as few electronic enhancements as possible. Look for manual transmission, hand-crank windows, etc. Avoid any luxury brands even if you find one in the $1000–2000 price range.

- Avoid cars where the dashboard is lit up with warning lights.
– Open the hood and look for obvious leaks. Check the ground under the car as well.
– A used car dealership will often clean the engine and that might hide the signs of leaks.
– Take it for a test drive.
– Listen to the engine. Pay attention to how the transmission shifts.
– When on the test drive, keep your hands lightly on the wheel and try hard acceleration from a stand still followed by aggressive use of the brakes to stop. Note if the car pulls excessively to one side.
– Get a Carfax or Autocheck report for a final candidate vehicle you’re considering. It should list any reports of accidents and if the title discloses previous frame damage, amongst many other things like flooding, salvage, etc.
– Avoid vehicles with frame damage. Trucks, for example, are ladder-on-frame where the body just bolts on to the frame. Repairs to a body panel on a truck are no big deal. Most modern cars, on the other hand, are unibody which means that the body itself is a load bearing part of the vehicle’s structure.

Re: “make sure the dealer is trustworthy”

The only way I know how to do this is if the dealer has a return policy where you can bring the car back in a few days for a full refund – and – if they also provide a warranty to repair any mechanical problems you might experience in the first 2–4 weeks.

Of course, most individuals and many used car dealerships sell the vehicle “as is”, no warranty, no return, all sales final. That helps get the price down as low as possible.

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With little money on hand, no financing available, and not wanting to borrow from friends/family, you might just need to take your chances.

@zenvelo @robmandu Both of your answers seem very sensible. That’s very helpful, thank you!

Maybe this deserves its own question, but I’ve been wondering. If I go with a private seller, how can I find out whether they owe money on the car?

@Haleth if the seller owes money on the car they will not have a “clear title” to it. That means there will be another name on the title besides theirs. All parties need to sign off interest in the car at the time of sale, or else you won’t have a clear title either.
Look at the title certificate before you buy the car. If the seller does not have this certificate, don’t buy the car.
Also, the Carfax report should include any outstanding liens or other attachments if I’m not mistaken.

@Haleth If the oil “poured” out of the engine as you say, then the diagnosis of a blown gasket is a poor diagnosis. More likely one of the main oil seals blew. Engines have two main oil seals, one at each end of the block sealing the ends of the crankshaft where they pass through- hence a front main and a rear main seal. Of course, once an oil seal goes, things get really hot really fast so you probably lost some gaskets as well…

A good first step in learning about automobile maintenance is to purchase the Chilton’s or Haynes guide for your particular car and read the first few chapters, which are all about general maintenance procedures and how-tos. Later, if you want more detail you can read the introductions to later chapters, which are usually a basic explanation of the systems covered in that particular chapter.
Also, maybe hang around with your uncle while he fixes cars. Hand him wrenches, ask him questions. Most mechanical work is a lot easier with an extra pair of hands and eyes, and I and most other mechanics I know are always glad for even an unskilled helper.