Buying a used car

hubballi

Whats the best way of finding a good priced used car via the internet? Have looked on Ebay but they usually want Paypal.

Thanks.

spoodz

I've successfully bought both my cars from ebay. You can get a real bargain as long as your careful. I went to view the cars before end of auction and took a trusty checklist along. I paid for one using paypal, for the other I phoned the seller, who was more than happy to take cash. Is there a reason you don't want to use paypal?

Various family members have bought cars via autotrader, usual you have to be quick though, I've called about a few cars that have been long gone.

I'd say these are the primary sources, but it depends on your price band. Nearly new, i'd try a car supermarket, for private sellers ebay and autotrader.

Badger_Lady

I've bought several cars on eBay but NEVER used Paypal:

a) It's usually a large-ish sum of money, so the Paypal fees become significant.
b) It's not the most reliable way to get paid (risk of chargeback)
c) It's much easier to just pay cash on collection (as with most large items)

I've bought:
- Rover Metro, £210 (didn't see it beforehand, but paid cash on arrival to collect car)
- Toyota Paseo, £600 (2nd chance offer, had to travel 300 miles but was such a massive bargain - was valued at £2k! Again, cash on arrival)
- Honda CRX, £2,500 (15 miles away, went to inspect it beforehand and agreed a price etc there and then, exactly like any classified ad)

I also sold the first two cars on eBay (for a profit, of course!), so I've seen it from both sides. When I sold the Metro, I took it round to bidders' houses for inspection, offering them a test drive (they all asked me to drive, though). Then they were outbid by someone who hadn't seen it! I actually delivered to the buyer because she was only 20 minutes' walk away.