ESFO

Just wondering what he should watch out for. Any tell tale signs to steer clear from? Here's a clip from the ad. The only thing that concerns me was the need for a new ECU..... "The vehicle went into our shop for a safety inspection and came out with a new water pump and timing belt, new throttle body, all new spark plugs and coils, new ECU computer that controls the engine management system, all new rotors and pads on the braking system." VIN WAUGU44D62N003110

jfrahm

Wow, what a rip. Hardly likely he needed new coils, and I do not recall many ECU's going bad. IF you get it, I suggest not taking it back to that shop.

If you search around there are dozens of threads like yours, and a website with a used car buyer's checklist.

-Joel.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

When I buy a used car, I check for the wear and tear of the whole car. Check out the ex owner, check under the car to see if the frame has dents in it (people do jump curbs, rocks and things), use the vin number to check carfax to see where their last service was and contact them for records.
Buying car is mostly luck, sometimes buying from dealers is good too, but I only get mine from private parties.
If you feel the car is tight and strong and the dealer shows all receipts of new parts then you just go for it.
I would test drive the car morning, noon, and night on different temperatures to see if there's any intermittent problem only exist at a certain temperature.
Come early in the morning when the engine is started up cold from sitting over night. Turn the engine on/off after getting hot.
I do get cars from the "old lady from Pasadena"... hi hi hi.

When you buy a used car, doesn't matter how well you check the car, if it meant to be a burden, you can't avoid it. Just do your best on checking out the car and wish for the best.

Cheers and good luck,

Louis