Car dealership is a crook.

[ultrarunner]

When you think about it... what does the used car salesman know other than there is a car on the lot plus whatever comes up in the system if anything?

I've never got a bad car from a private party or dealer... only one was new and that was a factory order with factory delivery..

Most of my cars were older that someone didn't need anymore... either they were getting a company car, needed a bigger or smaller car due to family changes or stopped driving.

Actually a lot have been low mileage, garage kept 6 to 10 years old where the owner no longer drove or passed away.

I helped my neighbor buy his last new car... about a year later he was diagnosed with cancer and passed away when the car was 5 years old with 5,200 original miles... the estate took a while to settle to the car sat for more than a year in the garage and then was offered for sale...

I mentioned it to my brother who made the deal... he paid 10k for a 6 year old car that sold for 40k knew... the car is now 12 years old and aside from needing a battery to drive it home the first day... just normal maintenance...

I'm more in the camp when a good deal comes along to jump on it and upgrade... rather than impulse buy and never with payments.

 

[Ford850]

When I buy a car, it's from the sales person. When I call for an issue, I talk to the Service department, not sales. I've never had them put me off, or delay an appointment. First thing they do is get me scheduled asap. When I drop off my truck, we briefly discuss the issue and if it is covered under warranty. Sales never enters the picture unless they see me and wave from a distance. I like to keep them at a distance.

 

[Bird]

I don't trust any used car salesmen. You could pay a premium for a used car thinking the dealer will reciprocate if the time ever comes, but as soon as you are out the door you are just another mark.

This reminds me of a used car lot on Ross Avenue in Dallas 60 years ago. His advertisement was "Goss on Ross, Tradin' Hoss". He said the cars were guaranteed "until they crossed the curb" into the street.:laughing: At least he was honest about it, but he actually did have a mechanic and small garage on the premises and usually kept his customers happy.

 

[Streetcar]

I bought a used truck at dealer. They listed that they installed new clutch as part of vehicle check
Truck had 1 month 1000 mile warranty, at 4000 miles clutch went out. Dealer said it was out of warranty but would look at it. They determined defective installation and replaced at no cost. Great good will for dealer

 

[Streetcar]

Most of my drives were purchased used.
I always have a total service done within the first week so as to discover any faults, OK that generally is in the $150. range but sure gives me peace of mind.
I call it 'cheap insurance'.
On a Jimmy we dumped ALL fluids and filters. Kept that one 10 years with minimal maintenance costs.
My 'toy' a toyota MR2, took to a dealer for $200 service that resulted in the seller dealer having to spend over $1200. to bring car up to decent used specs.
My present 'driver' is a Kia Serrento that still had factory warranty so that was different case as it was low mileage with 1 1/2 year factory coverage left.
Nice clean one owner low mileage 'off lease' unit.

In all honestly I have had less problems with used than new vehicles.
Have had new one drop a front wheel due to no lubrication.
Another had the differential totally seize up as no lube was in it.
On a 16 mile old car slamming the door had the rear window totally shatter.
Another would want to leap across the median if I tried to pass a car.
Oil changes were impossible on one as the specified filter would not fit.
Had another that the ruptured modulator valve sucked the transmission dry of fluid.

I like a GOOD used, low mileage one driver car that was well cared for with somebody else eating the depreciation.
So far I have stayed on the good side of the curve!

Now as to service at large dealerships, that's another pet peeve as there no longer exist mechanics that can diagnose anything that a computer wont tell them what part to change, and change until he changes the correct one but naturally they still charge for the un needed parts.
Generally the service salesman simply says leave it and we will change parts and tell you what it costs when we are finished. eg: blank check!
Long live the dedicated HONEST mechanic with dirty fingernails and an oily rag in his back pocket! (rare breed)
And RUN from the guy that brags about his huge Snap-On tool chest with his $5000.+ load of tools.
I love and admire the guy that is so innovating as to modify and or make his own special tool for job.

Don't slam the computer too quick. I had intermittent short in vehicle. Based on computer readout,mechanic found and fixed wire that was chewed by a mouse in under an hour

 

[Bird]

I think I've tried about every kind of vehicle, new and used, and sometimes bought an "extended warranty" or service policy, even though I can't recall ever using such. A few months ago I bought a 2012 Ford Escape with more than 80k miles of it, so I paid for such a service policy. Wasted money? Possibly, but for the peace of mind, I reckon it's worth it. And now, I'm going to do something I've never done before. I'm leasing a new 2017 Ford Escape Titanium; supposed to pick it up at 1:00 p.m. today.

 

[ultrarunner]

This reminds me of a used car lot on Ross Avenue in Dallas 60 years ago. His advertisement was "Goss on Ross, Tradin' Hoss". He said the cars were guaranteed "until they crossed the curb" into the street.:laughing: At least he was honest about it, but he actually did have a mechanic and small garage on the premises and usually kept his customers happy.

Ah... the famous Tail Light guarantee... the warranty last only for as long as took for the tail lights to fade from view leaving the lot.

 

[NorTracNY]

I have only bought used and bought all from a dealer except one. I prefer a dealer that normally sells new vehicles too. I will pay extra for a dealer for one big reason. It's rare that a dealer would screw you over like what, in my opinion, the OP is talking about. In the world of the internet, the reputation is too important. I always read reviews online. I don't just read the good or bad, but take them all into account and recognize not all may be genuine. A private seller is selling you a vehicle with zero warrantee and zero hit of one. A dealer's reputation is on the line. They don't want you to drive onto the street and the car to fall apart. Bad reviews can easily kill a business.