How do you buy used vehicles today?

[humanearth]

I was looking in the classifies in my local newspaper and there is nothing listed for any vehicle

Updates

+1 y

Yeah I'm just looking for a some winter beaters from the 60s and 70s maybe 80s if its worth it to me

[MrOracle]

AutoTempest and Craigslist. AutoTempest will aggregate a bunch of big car selling websites, so if you are after a very specific car, you can search the entire country for it, though it's probably not going to be local and you may need to figure out how to get it to you (and you're going to have to pay, in some way, to get it there).

Craigslist is usually the best way to find a used car that's relatively local to you, but the more specific you are about the car (i. e., it MUST be red and it MUST have tan interior and it MUST have a moonroof, and it MUST be a 2012-2013), the harder it's likely to be and you may need to spend weeks and weeks waiting for a decent example to hit the market in your area. If you're a little less specific - if you're okay with any of 3-4 colors, and are flexible with brands or models (say, you're okay with EITHER a Toyota RAV4 OR a Honda CRV), then chances are you'll have a few good options to choose from.

No matter what anyone tells you, assume any used car you buy is broken or worn out and is going to need some significant repairs, because that's going to be true 90+% of the time. That doesn't mean you can't find good deals, but you might have to offer a good chunk less so that you can turn around and pay for the repairs. What this really means is that if you are going to be buying cars on Craigslist, or anywhere really, you REALLY need someone who knows about cars in general, and hopefully who knows about the kind of car you are shopping for specifically. Different models have different known weaknesses, and so a person who knows about F150s is much more likely to find problems in F150s than a guy who mostly knows Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys.

If you live in a snow state, you REALLY need to have a thorough inspection of the car, including the frame for trucks/vans/big SUVs, because tons of cars look great on the outside but have completely rotted away underneath, and with most cars today being unibodies, most serious rot will mean the entire car is worthless and unsafe to drive.

Do NOT rely on "certified pre-owned" to be completely sorted out either. For many dealers, "certification" means counting the tires and starting the engine, and if the engine starts and the number of tires is 4, it's "certified." Dealer: "Don't mind that grinding noise from the transmission, that's normal - sign here please."

People who are going to get the best deals are going to be people who either know a lot about cars and can do their own inspections, or who can bring their own mechanic who can do the same. It's VERY easy to buy a used car with major problems, and you don't want to buy a car that needs a new engine or transmission or that has rust or collision damage to a major support or suspension component.

If you simply can't find someone to help you, then you'll be limited to buying from car lots that will allow you to send the car to a mechanic (always YOUR designated mechanic, never theirs!) for a pre-purchase inspection. Yes, you'll pay more this way, but you're much less likely to end up with someone else's disaster. MOST used cars are sold AS-IS, meaning that once you buy it, any and all problems it has are YOUR problem, and there are no returns. Thus, it is 100% up to you to protect yourself.

[WindAtMyBack]

Where I live, word of mouth is the best way. Ads in the paper are a thing of the past and there is no online equivalent. The online stuff is mostly dealers, even if they aren't listed as dealers.

Craig's List is pretty worthless where I live, but it might be better in other places. FB Marketplace is the best online source where I live, but it's still very limited. It has less than 10% as many legit car ads as I used to see in the paper.

Autotrader and similar places are almost entirely dealers, which means they are over priced and probably not trustworthy.

Private sales of cars has gone way down since the 90s. People in the 90s thought they were rich, so just traded in cars instead of trying to get more out of them selling privately. People just didn't want to mess with selling cars. It's been that way ever since.

[douride2]

Go online. Something like Auto Trader.

[douride2]

Thanks for a MHO.

[OlderAndWiser]

Craigslist and Auto Trader online.

[AngryCarl]

I guess I'd go to a dealership because I'd want some sort of warranty in case things go horribly wrong. In theory it should be easier than buying a new car because lead times are getting close to six months!

[CuriousMufuxka]

Maybe craigslist, but that can be fucky at times. General word of mouth would be more likely for 50 - 60 year old vehicles. Perhaps try a junkyard?

[Fuentes]

Craigslist but I don't know if it's safe these days and real ads & car dealerships sebditescheck reviews & they're random websites out there still of looking for used car sale by owner.

[NathanDavis]

from friends, or relatives...

[exitseven]

I sold one online. I think I used CarGurus.

[exitseven]

I used to use the local newspapers but there is no classified ad section anymore.

[joeldalton]

I've used FB marketplace a few times.

[Likes2drive]

Usually the dealerships or online listings

[Guy13]

Internet…

[humanearth]

I tried I get stuff from all over the world.

I just want a beat up old truck and cars from the 1970s and older. I need a winter beaters

[Guy13]

Local dealers in your zip code. Carmax off top of my head

[Guy13]

My great Uncle went into cars out of WW2 and died in 90s. Car guy 50 years used. Enterprise is the best place to get a used car IF you have an In. maintenance and condition records are good. Got 2012 with 60,000 on it and at 250,000 plus now.

[humanearth]

I don't like newer cars, I only drive 40 years and older

[Guardian45]

Websites online