Craigslist car shopping

I don't know how you guys stomach this. Literally every car I've come close to purchasing I find a bold stated lie in the listing. My favorite; last year I was considering buying a '71 Nova in Atlanta, talked to the guy on the phone and everything seemed straight forward. Great GMR guy took a look at it and the car was literally being put together and had quarter panels that were different color than the car. Now I'm getting berated through emails from an angry wife because I had to give her husband the unfortunate news that his "1 owner, mint" car was actually 3 owners and it's been in two car accidents. Oh and she's also giving me E36 M3 for addressing him as Mr. instead of Dr.

Craigslist serves the bottom. Maybe it's great to buy a beater from but at this point I'm starting to like dealerships a bit more. At least the good ones tend to only sell the decent cars on their lots and wholesale the bad ones.

Craigslist is a fine example of getting what you pay for.

EvanR wrote: Craigslist is a fine example of getting what you pay for.

Well said.

Always expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed.

4 months ago I bought a motorcycle from CL that was precisely as described. I couldn't be more pleased with it.

I've made 4 other purchases and have been slightly disappointed with one of them. In my limited experience I think asking all the necessary questions and considering the answers is the key.

Having said that, I've passed on probably at least 75% of the items I've called about without going to see them. This was primarily due to the seller not answering the questions in a way that produced an initial level of trust.

I found my truck, half a dozen cars, house, and cat on Craigslist. I've been happy with all of them. It all depends on reading the ads critically and asking the right questions. No idea why a wife would get involved but you can't fix crazy.

Never buy sight unseen, including Craigslist.

Yea, you def have to filter through the crap to find what you want. I had alerts up for Novas in my area and it took me a good 9 months of looking.

I waded into the shallow end of craigslist when I was looking for a Saturn SL for winter duty. But the time I was done, I had a list of standard questions. Do you own the car you are trying to sell? Do you have the title? Can it be driven? Plates/insurance on the car? Do you have the keys? Will the car even start? Is there air in all four tires? Is the photo you have on craigslist the actual car you are selling? Is it making any "nails on the chalkboard" screeching sounds you haven't described in your add? There is a story/experience behind each of those questions.

At first, I enjoyed the "chase" aspect of trying to find a decent car at a good price, but that novelty wore off way before I found the one I could live with.

I was enclosed trailer shopping this summer and Craiglist sellers made the choice to go new nice and easy.

The first guy had an ad up for weeks after it allegedly sold but he claimed to have another similar one for sale. He wouldn't tell me the year, make, condition, or where he was located. Needless to say I passed.

The second guy "had a really nice 24' Haulmark that is in great shape". When I called about the trailer he informed me that it was bogged down in his backyard (where it had apparently been living for years) and his buddy was going to buy it but they couldn't get it out. Also he "never used the brakes when towing but they should work fine".....I guess an Ohio resident towing a heavy trailer without brakes shouldn't come as a surprised based on the junk I see rolling across the border.