Mmmmmm...Finally my car purchase is over. It had gone well over 2 months. Finally I came upon the technique which works.
1. Search for the car in Craig's list (Private seller). http://www.craigslist.org/ (This list is useful for a whole lot of other things also) Also check out these websites also: http://www.autotrader.com/ and http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
Check MSN Auto for reviews on your car and whether it has a recall and user's reviews: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/default.aspx?make=Mitsubishi&model=Mirage&src=map
2. Check the VIN number in www.carfax.com for any salvage/damage title, odometer fault. If yes, forget the vehicle. If things are clean, next step is
3. KBB value at http://www.kbb.com.
4. Finally contact seller, take a drive and if you find things good, then take to a mechanic or dealer for a 100 point inspection.
You can request the seller to meet you, most of them oblige (specially Indians in US). If you don't have a car and are dependent on friends, you can mention it to the seller, he will mostly come, except in exceptional cases.
If the car has cleared the 100 point inspection also, yes, the car is good. Go ahead and strike a deal with the seller. Try to purchase at the good KBB value of the car, if you do not get it for any less.
5. The next step is change of ownership title. You will have to register this at your local DMV office.
Not so fast..
6. U need a smog certificate
7. Also an insurance certificate to drive the car. (providing u hold a licence). You will find that the IDP can also be used. Get one before you come to US. You can complete an online quote and deal for the insurance. Companies like Progressive (the best one so far), GEICO(the costliest), Allstate (very costly and unfriendly). Also, join up AAA, they offer you maps and roadside assitance 24x7 for punctures, empty gas tank and towing services for the next 1 year.
I have given below the format for car follow-up.
S.No - 1
Year - 1998
Car Brand - Mitsubhi
Variation / Model - DE Sedan Mirage
Miles - 97000
Condition - Good
Asking Price - 4000$
Mail ID - mail id of seller
Where ? - Craig'slist (shortcut)
VIN - 123456789ABC1234
KBB Value-Fair - 2850
KBB Value-Good - 3950
KBB Value-Excel - 4600
Contact Name - ABC
Contact Number - 1231231234
CarFax Report - Rental Use but Good
Lastly but not least base your car purchase based upon resale value and car movement. Better to go for Japanese cars since they sell faster and last longer (upto 2 hundred thousand miles or more) The good brands would be Acura, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mazda.
Any one needs any other queries answered, please place a comment, I shall get back to you.
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3 comments:
SHIT I wish I had a car.
You can by taking a loan. I did take a loan. I just forgot to mention it. Though I did it, just to build a credit history and I had already taken a loan from my employer. Please visit the website www.northwestfcu.org for further details. They provide upto 4000$ and a min. period is for 60 months. I found their service excellent so far.
Hi, Hari. Very well researched post..surely will be useful to folks over there ( particularly indians who are moving to the US on work permists ) who intend to buy one! Thanks for the tip on my blog..i will check them bookshops on Mount Road too!
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