Hopefully this isn't too blogtastic, if so you guys know what to do.

So my 1994 Jeep finally bit the dust and if i want to fix its gunna cost me well over 2 Grand, and when it has 200,000 Miles on it, that doesnt sound too good. So i am off to find a cheap used car.

It's been forever since i have actually had to look for a car at dealerships, the last 2 cars i got were great deals from friends and family so i guess i am somewhat new to this. I'm not looking for a clunker per se, but i am not interested in spending more then 5 Grand or so and i would really prefer to keep it at around 3. I see cars as something to get me from point a to b and really nothing else. I have found a few SUVs that i like, but some of them seem a little too low in price (2001 Explorer 100,000 Miles for 3 Grand is an example). So i would assume that before buying any of these i need to carfax the bin numbers? Must i pay for carfax, is there any way to do it for free? Is it worth it?

Now for when i actually go to buy the car, can you haggle prices when they are already priced so low? Can i just pay in cash? Anything to look out for?

Basically any advice is appreaciated.

Here are 3 i am looking at getting...

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/for...yatvdptyanchor

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/for...e=&distance=25

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mer...e=&distance=25

To keep this from being blogtastic, anyone else with Carfax stories or Used Car needs/stories/tips etc, please chime in.

Cliff Notes - Is Carfax worth it, do i need it when buying dirt cheap cars?

balla

With gas prices where they are - I'd say Balla for sure.

I would say always haggle, especially on a used car. They probably gave some dude like 1500-2000 for it tops. There should be a good bit of margin for you to work with there. Having an independent mechanic look at it wouldn't be a bad idea either.

As for free carfax, I don't know about that. I worked for a dealership for a few months and giving a carfax was something they reserved for people they were sure were going to buy the car as they were really cheap and didn't like paying for them, I'd think if you'd be able to get it free those cheapasses would have found a way.

If i have to spend for carfax i have no problem, but is it worth the money?

If you are just getting from point A to point B why do you want a SUV? Why not get from point A to B with a touch of beauty? Or, at least, efficiency, if that floats your boat.

It will show major incidents, I think those that are reported to insurance type of things. Its not going to show you if the engine has a hidden problem, but I think you already knew that. I think its worth it, you'll either find out if its had a lot of issues or you'll feel better seeing its a clean title. I'm not sure what all they show though, so you can probably just ignore me :P Maybe google an example of one or something?

Yes imo carfax is worth the money - if nothing else, it's pretty interesting and can at least show you a bit of info about the car for your own peace of mind. Its like $25 for a month of unlimited searches - I mean really, how big a mistake can you be making?

My search maybe over already?

I got carfax, and i found a 2005 Sentra with 50,000 miles on it right near my job for $1,300. Edmunds has it for $8,000. Carfax comes up 100% clean. How in the world is this possible? I am literally going to go buy tomorrow if this is true.

If it seems too good to be true, it is. Use some ****ing common sense man.

Well of course, which is why i will get it checked out. But Carfax is clean. It said it's first owner was a Rental Company, maybe that drives the price down?

It's USUALLY too good to be true. People sell **** at stupid prices sometimes. My buddy just bought a boat that is worth about 7 or 8 for 3200.

For that kind of money it can't be too good to be true. Unless you show up with cash and they mug you. My advice, go with a friend.

But if that's the case, you probably shouldn't wait until tomorrow.

If they were open at 9pm i would be worried.

Just because a carfax comes back 100% clean, doesn't mean the car isn't messed up.

So you guys were of course right. The 2005 Sentra that was listed as 1,200 is actually 8,900 and the GMC Envoy that i found for 1,500 is actually 15,000. The Envoy mistake i can understand, and it was corrected right after i emailed them, but the Sentra mistake seems like one made on purpose to lure people in.

Anyways, after checking tons of dealerships near me it looks like i have narrowed it down to 2 based on how they drive and what kind of deal i can get...

2001 Ford Escape 80,000 Miles - $4,900
1998 Mercury Mountaineer 80,000 Miles - $3,900

Both come up clean on Carfax, look great and the Mercury is highly recommended by Carfax due to only one owner. Anyone have any opinions on either?

Whats the best deal i can hope for either? The Escapes price is already a bit below Edmunds and the Mountaineer is right at Edmunds price. Would offering $4,500 for the Escape (Including Tax, Titles & Tags) and $3,500 for the Mountanieer (Including T, T and T) be offensive?

since you seem determined on buying an SUV, i would definitely haggle a bunch, especially with dealers. with the gas prices the way they are, dealers are having a really tough time moving SUVs/trucks and the market is getting flooded by trade-ins. remember, edmunds or bluebook prices haven't reflected this change yet so you should definitely be shooting for a deal that is way below book value.

I would offer 3,000 for the Mercury. They will probably counter for like 36-3700 and then you say 33 and could have a deal.

I've always been skeptical of the entire Carfax premise.

Hello, Carfax, it's me, Shady Joe. I just wanted to phone in and report the big problems with this car that I'm getting ready to pawn off on some unsuspecting sucker. Yeah, I hope he doesn't subscribe to your service, that's for sure.

Well i think Carfax, combined with some knowledge a test drive and a check up should be more then good.

I think Carfax goes off of things that Mechanics are required to provide to certain agencies.

Ok so perhaps i need more advice.

I went to a dealer to look at the Ford Focus i liked. Very low milage (60k), new (2002), liked the color etc. There were a few scratches on it but nothing major. They were asking $5900 online. Edmunds has it for 4600 and Kelley 4800. So i go in talk to the guy. I ask him what hes asking, he states 5900. I tell him i have looked the car up, i state the edmunds and Kelley value, note the paint damage and tell him i am willing to pay 4600 With Tax, Titles and Tag. He says no dice, that he can take off maybe 100 but thats it. He only has 3 4 Cylinders left and because of Gas they sell like crazy. I tell him i am willing to purchase it for 5000 straight right then and there and he balks, saying he wont do less then 5800 which is 1000 over its actual value. So i tell him thanks, but no thanks and walk out. No attempts to stop me, nothing. So either this guy was a horrible sales person (He didnt greet me, or come outside to see if i needed help) or i did something horribly wrong.

Tomorrow i am going to go check out the Mountaineer which i really like. Carfax loves it, the pics look great, low milage, great inside and a low price $3900. Kelley has the value at $2500, Edmunds at $3700. What should be my technique here? Any tips or advice?

Finally a resolution.

I got the 2001 Ford Escape. Blue Books for 5,150 and Edmunds for 7,100, I talked him down to 4,100. Having them switch out a tired, oil change etc. so its good to go for me tomorrow.

I'm amped for the 50% increase in MPG.

First day with the Escape and i love it.

Only one minor problem. When i drive over 50 or so there is a high pitch whistling kind of noise. I am thinking its either one of my tires or a belt that's lose. Ideas?

Well it looks like i may be a moron after all.

I got the 2001 Escape, and my first full day of driving has brought nothing but problems.

The first time i put on my headlights, i find one is out. My engine Warning light is on, and the car is shimmying when idle at lights and parked. It also seems to have a bit of a problem switching gears when going up a hill. And of course the whistling sound.

Now looking up the Ford Escape online, several people have said that it has problems during the rain and cold (Which it did today) and that it can easily be fixed by replacing the Lower Air Intake Manifold Gaskets and the Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve. That should fix all those problems, but that still leaves me with the headlight and the whistling.

My basic question is, does the Dealer owe me anything? I know there is a 30 day No Lemon policy, but can i force him to fix this stuff? None of these problems were discussed during the buying phase, and none of them came up when Testing the car and checking it out. The car also somehow passed inspection. So do i have any recourse here? Can i make them do anything? Any help is appreciated.