Would like to hear thoughts / recommendations from folks who have needed to get a pre-purchase inspection done when buying a vehicle in a town far enough from home that going to your "regular" mechanic is NOT an option.
If it helps, I am currently looking at 3 very different vehicles:
a '95 Nissan regular cab pickup with automatic (for a relative)
a '96 Explorer 4x4 for winter travel
a Jeep Comanche (not sure if it's 2 or 4wd, yet.
Visit a chain? Avoid a particular chain tire store?
All 3 vehicles are under $3K, so I guess it won't be too much of a gamble if they have "problems", and the dealer(s) / sellers are close enough to home that a not too expensive tow might get me home...if needed.
Use your GRM mojo......
Where are these cars / trucks? There's a good chance someone here will know of a reputable shop near where you are looking.
under $3k vehicles are going to need work... just drive there, look at them, and decide if you think they are worth what they are asking..
DrBoost
PowerDork
5/31/13 4:30 p.m.
Joe Gearin wrote:
Use your GRM mojo......
Where are these cars / trucks? There's a good chance someone here will know of a reputable shop near where you are looking.
Yup. This is where I'd start. Anytime people ask how to find a good mechanic I always tell them to start by asking around for recommendation.
If I was selling a $2500 car I would think it was a little odd if someone wanted to take it to a mechanic for an inspection.
Easy decision, just buy the Comanche. 
Are all 3 in the same city? I'd set it up to drive all 3 back to back to back and see which one is the better vehicle. Take a note pad so you can write down info you learn that isn't in the add, like a recent tune up, smells like wet dog, and things you notice on the test drive. After you drive all 3 take a break, got get lunch, and compare your notes. Then make a decision.
O yeah, and get the Comanche.
None of those cars are speciality makes or models so any competent mechanic should be able to point out if something is wrong. I'd read up about problem areas of each car and tell the mechanic to double check those areas.
Again, for $2500 the buyer may be annoyed and I don't know if I'd want to spend the $$ having a mechanic look. Around here in NYC you'd be lucky to find any shop to do a free pre purchase.
Oh and also, use Yelp, etc. in the city you're looking in. Sounds silly, but we found an awesome shop in Brooklyn that way.
