I meant to write this review a long time ago. From the point of view of a car seller, this is an excellent service. It's a secure lot to display your car for sale - that deserves 5 stars. I wish there were more places like this. Most cars in good condition easily get a better price than trade-in value. The best deals get snapped up very quickly.
On the other hand, from the point of view of a car buyer, u need to do your homework before u buy anything. Some cars are in perfect condition, and some need a little cosmetic work or just meant to be used for transportation. Can be a great place to buy a used car for your kid, save $$ over a new car. Sometimes sellers moving out of town are willing to negotiate because of time constraints, people who don't need an extra car or need the money for whatever reason; while other sellers are simply too greedy and won't budge a cent.
i don't mind paying above blue book value if I can save money over dealership prices, for a similar vehicle. But I wouldn't buy anything that had dealership prices. Don't get attached to any car, if u cannot get the price u want - walk away.
Always check the car in person. Descriptions and photos are not enough. So u can see if clean or dirty (will need auto detailing), if smelly, or verify pristine condition. For example, once I saw a 2004 Mazda 3 with a few cosmetic scratches and a little dirty inside (probably used in a farm), but the car engine was in perfect condition, low mileage. And the owners were a little flexible with the price, so that was a good deal.
If u want the keys to check a car, BB will ask for your driver's license to add into their system. They'll need a credit card if u want to do a test drive.
One funny thing I realized a long time ago is that some people are really, really bad at parallel parking (scratches on tire rims and bumpers).
Look at the lines on the body of the used car, they should be perfect. Check if the paint color matches every panel, no changes in color hue. Any gaps or uneven spaces, or ripples on the reflection. All are indications that the car has been in an accident and later repaired. Avoid any car that doesn't disclose those details. Also avoid fleet cars and flood damaged vehicles.
Basic tips:
- Research the car model and year, check for recalls.
- Check Kelley's blue book value just for reference. Most cars anywhere are priced a bit higher than that.
- Vehicles with over 100K miles, might need costly repairs in the future.
- Test everything (windows, doors, locks, trunk, wipers, radio, lights, signals, heater, A/C, seat adjustments, sunroof, etc.).
- If u see wheellocks, look for the unlocking nut (usually in the trunk).
- Check that all 4 tires have equal wear.
- Don't believe anything a seller says.
- Take the car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection (fluid levels, engine mounts, brakes, leaks, etc.). This information is yours to use for bargaining - u don't need to share it with BB or anybody.
Ask the owner if he/she has: 2 sets of keys and keyfob remote (one set already at BB), plus the car manual (many new cars need a code for the radio/navigation system, after the battery is changed). Replacing a lost remote or getting an extra coded key might cost u $60 or more, so include that in your negotiations.
If u buy a used car, remember that u still have to pay sales tax, transfer title ($15), and car registration fees to the DMV.
Consider other costs (maintenance, insurance, repairs, etc.) when figuring out your budget.
Here's a useful link - Free CARFAX lemon check (VIN number):
http://www.carfax.com/cfm/general_check.cfm?partner=car_8 read more