You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
I don't even know how to drive a manual transmission, so you've got that over me, at least.
I drive a 1991 Mercury. Not exactly the most luxurious car...
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
I paid $2000 even for my car. It's a '91, but it only had 89,000 miles on it when I got it.
Of course, that's both a curse and a blessing, 'cause it means it's right at that stage where stuff starts to get worn out and I've had to have a few things replaced on it since then. But it was the best I could find with the budget I had, really...
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
For comparison, my '94 Toyota Corolla had well over 200,000 miles on it by the time its engine finally gave out.
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
I can't see anything that sticks out as an obvious red flag, but oftentimes the problems with a car don't become apparent until you test drive it.
I'm looking for cars under 2000 which is already hard enough
But my dumb ass just haaaaaas to get a manual
Look at the bright side - nowadays almost nobody knows how to drive manual (it was seriously like 15% in-the-know, 10% in-practice like five years ago), so out of whatever percentage of people are car thieves, they themselves should have the same fraction of manual-capable drivers, and thus your investment is a lot safer.
Used cars are always cleaned up before sale. It helps sell the vehicle. You'd have to go and ask questions about the thing (as well as getting a look at the underside of the car) to get an idea of what kind of condition it's in.
Admittedly there's a lot of weird and not great advice out there, and I'm nowhere near as much of a car guy as I used to be. I will say that as far as negotiation and used goods sales go, don't be afraid to ask questions, take note if someone refuses to answer something or gives you a weird answer, and note that anyone who is annoyed by questions is possibly trying to intimidate you into not asking and almost certainly has something they don't want to admit about their item. Also, the web has moved on a bit since I first learned of this tip, but it would help to look up forums for the particular model of vehicle and look at their maintenance sections to get an idea of what usually fails on them and how much it costs to repair/if it's stuff you can do yourself.
Oh! Also. If a deal is starting to look good, be sure to ask for a CarFax or some other third-party info on the car (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car, ctrl-F "independent review") to make sure the vehicle hasn't been stolen/in a flood/et cetera. It might cost some money, so do this after you're sure you want the vehicle assuming everything you've heard about it is true.
Here's a list of things that will give you some basic info giving an idea of the condition (and thus value)of the car. It'd be a good idea to make a list of these things and check em off/write comments as you go. Stuff with an asterisk (*) before it will probably require that you ask a mechanic to look at the car. Two asterisks (**) means you'll get that out of, for example, CarFax.
Mileage
Age
Underside rust
**Maintenance history
**Collision/disaster/theft history
Electronics functionality (lights, turn signals, et cetera; you'll ahve to turn them on one at a time and walk around the car to make sure they all work. Lights can be replaced on the cheap. Electronics less so.)
Seatbelt functionality
Seat functionality (eg, just make sure you can
**Parts replaced
Current oil change date (should be a sticker on the windshield in one of the corners)
*Current brake condition (easy to replace pads, rotors less so; it's all pretty standard stuff to replace in a car, but it'll still cost hundreds, generally)
**Last emissions test and emissions test history (succeed, fail, etc.); catalytic converters (the big chunky component of your muffler) are not cheap.
*Current engine condition: This is a very complex one and without having a mechanic completely tear down the engine you won't get a perfect answer. IIRC a mechanic can check some basic stuff fairly quickly, though, such as spark plug condition (easy to replace but still might give you an idea of any potential problems with the engine).
All of these problems would be a bit labour-intensive to solve other than (potentially) the black smoke problems. If you're still interested in the vehicle I would get it checked by a mechanic and get an estimate for repairs. This would be part of your bargaining toolset.
It's all slightly tedious, but the more thorough you are in checking a car, the more information you have about it, the more confident you can be in your purchase, and the better you can barter with the dealer/seller. I would generally recommend buying used from individuals than car services, but you'll want to check out used cars with a friend or family member just for your own safety.
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
Also don't fall for this trap:
BUYER: This car I test drove has [major problem that would cost an absurd amount to fix]!
I'm looking for cars under 2000 which is already hard enough
But my dumb ass just haaaaaas to get a manual
Look at the bright side - nowadays almost nobody knows how to drive manual (it was seriously like 15% in-the-know, 10% in-practice like five years ago), so out of whatever percentage of people are car thieves, they themselves should have the same fraction of manual-capable drivers, and thus your investment is a lot safer.
Used cars are always cleaned up before sale. It helps sell the vehicle. You'd have to go and ask questions about the thing (as well as getting a look at the underside of the car) to get an idea of what kind of condition it's in.
Admittedly there's a lot of weird and not great advice out there, and I'm nowhere near as much of a car guy as I used to be. I will say that as far as negotiation and used goods sales go, don't be afraid to ask questions, take note if someone refuses to answer something or gives you a weird answer, and note that anyone who is annoyed by questions is possibly trying to intimidate you into not asking and almost certainly has something they don't want to admit about their item.
Part of the reason that one stuck out to me is that it had a free Carfax and everything on it looked good. I don't know enough about cars to ask any good questions.
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
Time for Operation Games Plus Music, Part 5. May this attempt see fruition.
If anyone that regularly sees me outside of HH notices me playing, say, BoI: R, and feels like it, prodding me to put on some music crap is appreciated. >_>;
(Only typing it here because telling everyone I regularly talk to when I'm this tired is too much work, really.)
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
Tre deserves the credit for that one, actually. He came up with it a couple years ago when I was rambling about marketing smartphones to otherkin and I was like "yes, that's perfect."
Comments
I just want to stroke my ego just a little bit
But my dumb ass just haaaaaas to get a manual
Okay am I an idiot or is this good
Admittedly there's a lot of weird and not great advice out there, and I'm nowhere near as much of a car guy as I used to be. I will say that as far as negotiation and used goods sales go, don't be afraid to ask questions, take note if someone refuses to answer something or gives you a weird answer, and note that anyone who is annoyed by questions is possibly trying to intimidate you into not asking and almost certainly has something they don't want to admit about their item. Also, the web has moved on a bit since I first learned of this tip, but it would help to look up forums for the particular model of vehicle and look at their maintenance sections to get an idea of what usually fails on them and how much it costs to repair/if it's stuff you can do yourself.
Oh! Also. If a deal is starting to look good, be sure to ask for a CarFax or some other third-party info on the car (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0055-buying-used-car, ctrl-F "independent review") to make sure the vehicle hasn't been stolen/in a flood/et cetera. It might cost some money, so do this after you're sure you want the vehicle assuming everything you've heard about it is true.
Here's a list of things that will give you some basic info giving an idea of the condition (and thus value)of the car. It'd be a good idea to make a list of these things and check em off/write comments as you go. Stuff with an asterisk (*) before it will probably require that you ask a mechanic to look at the car. Two asterisks (**) means you'll get that out of, for example, CarFax.
It's all slightly tedious, but the more thorough you are in checking a car, the more information you have about it, the more confident you can be in your purchase, and the better you can barter with the dealer/seller. I would generally recommend buying used from individuals than car services, but you'll want to check out used cars with a friend or family member just for your own safety.
EDIT: Added a bunch of advice
should buy me a surface book
cuz im cute, and i deserve it for being cute
Free CarFax is a nice bonus, but also check to see how much CarFax costs to begin with.
* buy this car:
Regretfully, Adventure Log 2 has vanished.
Regretfully, Adventure Log 3 has vanished.
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