Used Cars - Where to find the good ones?

[Knifemaker]

Well, the Camry deal fell through. The seller decided to keep it for her niece. So I began the hunt again. Now I have a 2007 Mazda 3 in my sights. Same situation, one owner, all maintenance records, same mileage (125K miles), adult driven as a commuter.
This one looks promising as well. Going to take a look at it Saturday morning. Asking price is $4,500. Would $3,900 be too much of an insult / low ball offer?

I'd offer $4,250.

 

[Mad German]

Well, the Camry deal fell through. The seller decided to keep it for her niece. So I began the hunt again. Now I have a 2007 Mazda 3 in my sights. Same situation, one owner, all maintenance records, same mileage (125K miles), adult driven as a commuter.

This one looks promising as well. Going to take a look at it Saturday morning. Asking price is $4,500. Would $3,900 be too much of an insult / low ball offer?

I'd offer $4,250.

I offered 4,000 and he countered with 4,300. He was asking 4,599, not the 4,500 I thought. So we met in the middle and I got the car. It drives great, lots of pep in the 4 cylinder, interior is impeccable, just a few blemishes in the body, but nothing major. With only 125,000 miles on it, it should last my son quite a long time. At least until he's out of college (2024).

All in all, I'm very happy. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[hppants]

That's a fine choice. Good safety record. Not overly powerful (who gives a boy a 5.0 mustang for his first car?). Dead nuts reliable. He'll have to work hard to break it.

Rehearse the 4 rules...

Now I'm going to show my age. Sometime between "back in the day" and now, the world decided that parents have to buy every kid a car. This is a true story. When I was 17, I'd been saving my money for a car. I'd seen a couple that I was interest in, but I was a little short on funds. One afternoon, my father and I crossed paths in the driveway of my childhood home:

(Pants) "Hey Dad, can I talk to you?"

(Senior Pants) "Sure son, what's up?"

(Pants) "I've been saving my money and I'm almost ready for my first car. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me out?"

(Senior Pants) "Absolutely son. I'll be glad to help you out. I'll give you a place to park it right here on my driveway."

And the was the end of the conversation. He just walked away. 6-9 months later, more money saved, I bought a car.

 

[Knifemaker]

The 3 is a great car. Mazda's in general are good vehicles, except for their "crossover" SUV things. (CX9-5?)

As for first cars. In an attempt to keep me from "leaving home" my mother bought a 1968 Porsche 911S Targa for me

after I graduated high school. I drove the car for a month and,left home.

She ended up selling it (for a profit)

I bought my first motorcycle...a Suzuki TS 185.

No regrets.

 

[Mad German]

Picked up the Mazda 3 the other weekend and gave it to my son last Friday. He was so surprised and very appreciative. He's going for his driving test next Monday! I really like the Mazda. When my Honda CRV gives up the ghost, I'l definitely have a look at a Mazda. Although, with only 81,000 miles on it, the CRV has a loooong way to go before it's done.

 

[hppants]

In today's age of cell phones and social media and if you cut a fart, everyone knows about it 5 seconds later, it's pretty darn hard to pull a genuine surprise on a kid.

I bet that was a special moment. Good on ya!!