Bob: Whats up with the power steering racks blowing up on that model? Have you had other problems with them?

Scary story. Thanks for sharing!

Wow. Makes me want to run out and buy a $2500 late-90's Taurus here in the western rust belt (not). Thanks for the time on this, though, Bob!

Unfortunately, CNY's story is all-too-common. And most of the time the person that bought that cheap used car bought it because they couldn't afford better - so they are stuck with a bad car, until they can scrape up enough to buy another bad one... I was finally able to convince my youngest sister to stop doing this after an unfortunate series of Chevy Cavalier incidents - she got kicked by the same brand and model three times in a row - I was flabberghasted at her ability to pick out the crappiest Cavilier in the State and buy it without any inspection.

When I buy a used car, I buy it knowing it's used, and that it may have something big go wrong - like a lottery, I guess. I assume I'll get suckered once in awhile (which I have, BTW).

Bperg, I wasn't talking about used car dealers when I said you will get lied to - I was talking about anybody whose lips are moving when you are buying a used car. I'd like to buy a car from a guy like you, but most of the dealers here picked up their cars from the auction last week and haven't a clue where they came from - I drove more crap on dealer lots than anything from an individual- they usually looked pretty good, though. The one dealer car I will buy is the one that the dealer or his wife has been driving for a couple weeks - I know that one is at least semi reliable.

I think you absolutely can buy a good, reliable used car, but you're not necessarily going to get it for bottom dollar.

Which brings me to why I like to buy used luxury cars from individuals. You might find one that someone has babied - or at least has had the money to maintain. You can look at the house of the person and see how the house is maintained - the car is probably maintained similar. If the person has recently put new tires on, and is still driving it, they at least think it has some life left. And, on price, often people have just been lowballed on a trade for a new car, and just want to get a bit more out of it themselves. The last two Lexus cars I bought, there was a brand new replacement Lexus sitting in the garage. That's a pretty good sign that they liked the car.

Any thoughts on a '96 Accord LX, 2.2L 4-cyl with a bit over 100K miles, new Good Year's for $2,650?

If it looks good, that's a good deal. On a 96 I'd pay particular attention to the drivetrain - engine transmission axles plus the suspension. A 96 will need periodic repairs, but that car will be as cheap to run as any.

Good choice, if it checks out OK. Any chance of knowing if the timing belt has been changed?

Thanks. I tried to delete the post before anyone could reply; it was already sold.

'94 Maxima GXE, 118K miles, 3L V6, asking $2,750.

According to Carfax, it was originally sold in Virginia, auctioned 1/97 at 54K miles, and titled in Oklahoma.

Cars that were auctioned at relatively low miles and moved halfway across the country make me nervous.

Any thoughts?

54k in three years is an average of 18k a year. Sounds like a leased vehicle to me. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

$2825 is NADA clean retail on that car with those miles. $1750 is clean trade in.

I thought I read somewhere that rear struts are expensive for Nissans. Just something to consider if they have never been replaced.

Lease, I should've thought of that. Thanks.

There was a guy near my old house that bought a used 4x4 nissan for his kid. The thing looked great, big rims and mudders, all the goodies. Three weeks later the kid loses control because the frame was broken in half. The state patrol found that the frame had been patched with Bondo and painted to hide the damage.

I'm sure that is an extreme case but it emphasises the need for a thorough inspection by someone who knows what to look for.

I also like the idea of buying a used car from a private party for all the reasons mentioned earlier. You can get a better feel for the person doing the selling.

I also avoid cars that were sent to auction. I worked at a used car lot when I was a kid and the only thing we sent to the auction was the junk that we could not sell on the lot. Most of them should have been scrapped.

Lastly, check the title laws in your state. Here in Washington you can bring a car in from out of stateand get a clean title even if it was totaled in the previous state. I try to make sure the car is local for that reason.

Thanks, Prober.

Any thoughts on an '00 Mitsu Galant, 4L, 130K miles? Mitsu isn't at the top of my list, but I did drive it. It's smooth, quiet, everything worked, all rubber is good, no signs of water damage, clean Carfax. Problems: P0420 (o2 sensor(s)?), leaky radiator, broken gas door, more dents & dings than usual, engine compartment filthy. Everything under the hood looks like it was driven like a rented mule. A/C is working, but it isn't as cold as it should be. I think that's my biggest concern.

Those O2 sensors may not be too cheap either.

Yeah I made him an offer he "couldn't do." We'll see if he gets a little more negotiable in the next couple of days.