Buying Dealer vs Private
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,497
From: Near Wash. DC Posts: 13,541
while you might get more $$$ from selling your car private party you might also get more hassles.
Will the few hundred to thousands more be enough to have to put up with them? Only you can tell.
I'd rather buy and sell at the dealership and not have to deal with the headaches. Plus buying used cars at Ford is much safer, as they are usually Certified Pre-owned and have warranties as good as the originals. Think that guy selling you a car on Craig's List has done even the slightest inspection on his car?
Will the few hundred to thousands more be enough to have to put up with them? Only you can tell.
I'd rather buy and sell at the dealership and not have to deal with the headaches. Plus buying used cars at Ford is much safer, as they are usually Certified Pre-owned and have warranties as good as the originals. Think that guy selling you a car on Craig's List has done even the slightest inspection on his car?
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
From: texas
there is nothing wrong with private as long as you look over the car and feel the car is right for the price. a dealer wont look over the car no more than a guy that know the basics. unless there is a warranty it really is just prefrence and what your paying for.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 498
From: Boston, MA
When I was looking for my Mustang the difference between dealer & private seller price was over $3000 on a car selling between 15K & 20K.
If you've got a trade-in, then buying from a dealer COMPOUNDS your losses, because you KNOW the dealer's car is overpriced by 3K & he's going to give you 3K less for your trade-in.
So you've gotta ask yourself... is the "warranty" worth 6K to you?
If you've got a trade-in, then buying from a dealer COMPOUNDS your losses, because you KNOW the dealer's car is overpriced by 3K & he's going to give you 3K less for your trade-in.
So you've gotta ask yourself... is the "warranty" worth 6K to you?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 374
From: MICHIGAN
It is true that you will almost always get more selling privately than trading in at a dealership, and also true that you will usually pay more at a dealership than privately, because a dealership is in business to make money, BUT you will get the reassurance that the vehicle has been inspected and is good to go, as opposed to to the 'buyer beware' saying that buying privately has earned.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 164
From: Northwest Territories, Canada
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 374
From: MICHIGAN
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
From: NJ
I have bought from both dealers and private sellers, and sold/traded the same way. depends on what your selling and the demand of the automobile. when your selling a like. Also 9 times out of 10, i usually buy from the state of Pennsylvaina even though i live in NJ. Rates tend to be better, the state is larger and there tends to be an abudnace of the particular car.
I also prefer to purchase from a dealer, because of warranties and I enjoy haggling with dealers! U can ususally walk away with free oil changes for 12months and tire hazzard coverage, in your "we owe" statement...and other lil tid bits like winter wet sand, polish and wax...sweet
GOOD dealers tend to go out of there way to make a deal go through...and im not talking about coffee or a coke while you wait for credit approval!
I also prefer to purchase from a dealer, because of warranties and I enjoy haggling with dealers! U can ususally walk away with free oil changes for 12months and tire hazzard coverage, in your "we owe" statement...and other lil tid bits like winter wet sand, polish and wax...sweet
GOOD dealers tend to go out of there way to make a deal go through...and im not talking about coffee or a coke while you wait for credit approval!
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 219
From: NJ
never had an issue with the car great ride. anyway i she was in need of car, and she kept beggin me and pleading with me to sell it to her she was hurting so bad! Well i broke down and after she had it checked out she bought it and 5 or 6 months later she had an issue with it...oh i never heard the end of it. what a hassle that was, she stopped speakin to me for like a year after that.i sold another car to guy, he had no issues but he had a millions questions called 2-3-4 times a week for damn near an entire summer, my wife was pissed...which created more hassle at home and on the phone!
sold my 06 hayabusa on craigs to buy the stang...my fingers are crossed so far so good.