I may start looking for a slightly used nice car for leisure activities and road trips. I have a few specific brands, models, and year combinations in mind. I haven't bought an expensive used car that wasn't a classic car (and I know where to look for those). Have people had luck with any particular online listing service over others? Hoping for a good compromise between price and national listing visibility.

 

They are all money pits, but worth it. I have found most of what I buy by word of mouth. I think I have only bought one car off Craig List, the rest from friends and associates. I do use the social media as a price guide just because I'm still thinking like I'm still back in the fifties...Tedd

 

[size=13px]SearchTempest app https://www.searchtempest.com/[/size]

I had found and purchased almost all of my many 1985 Cadillacs I had owned. And had shipped to me. I normal look for a month or two. For the right low mileage, garage kept and mint conduction. And a owner who has a passion for the car. Owners are getting too old to drive, in most cases. One had less than 7,000 miles and was in garage for 25 years. Drove to Florida to pick up. After seeing it was the real deal. I had to replace tires and hoses, before I drove it 900 miles to home.

 

I am with Tedd. Ask around to friends neighbors and family. I just bought a new used car from my Dad's neighbor.

 

Word of mouth is good. Searchtempest is nice, I use it for audio purchases. I will look there.

Cadillacs are nice. Being a Toyota employee, there's a specific Lexus LS I want, the last of the v8s. Coupes are still sexy, but I want the practicality of a 4 door.

 

You can try cars.com and Carvana. If nothing else, it will give you an idea of what's out there and price points to be aware of. After my last rodeo with a used car, I won't look at used with over 50k miles ever again.

I found my '17 Lacrosse, sitting on a dealer lot, with only 25 miles on it, in the summer of '19. The deal I got was borderline obscene, since what I paid was essentially what they were selling for used.

 

Not sure what lexus model you are looking at, my wife and I have an old 2001 lexus ls430 we bought new.. we have road tripped across the country twice, car now has 150,000 on it and still runs like a new car. Plan on using it again this summer for another Florida to Wyoming road trip via Michigan. Lexus mechanics say the 2001-2005 LS430 is the best car Lexus ever built. You can find somereally nice fairly low mileage models here in Florida for good price..these old folks don’t put many miles on them..que up market place on the east andwest coast florida retirement towns.. possibly find a nice one..just a thought

 

When I was looking for a car for my son, we spent 8 months and logged hundreds of miles looking for a decent car in his price range. Most of everything was crap, too expensive for him, or expensive crap. After listening to all of our complaining, my wife decided to get involved. She started looking on something called "Facebook marketplace" for our zip code. Within 1 day we found an '04 Camry for him that was reasonable and in good condition less than a mile from our home.

She doesn't make fun of me too much about that. I guess that there is something to be said about the newer way of shopping after all.

 

One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to search common problems on just about any given make/model/year of vehicle. At least that gives you an idea of what to look for and inquire about a previous repairs. Your best bet is a clueless, wealthy owner that had every recommended service done by the dealer. That way, everything should be up to snuff.
I am of the opinion that just about everything is junk anymore. They all have their own set of issues; what are you willing to deal with? Good luck on your search.

 

If I was looking for a interesting driver Id go to the spring/fall Carlisle auction. Was shocked how reasonable some really neat cars went for. Wouldn’t sell there, but would buy.

 

I've bought two fairly new, low mileage daily drivers from Carmax, who is nationwide. No pressure, easy to search, paperwork was always correct, didn't take long, and I didn't leave there feeling like I've been screwed, as I always did when I went to a regular dealer.

 

Lol...

 

This what I've done to find a nice used car. Buy a garaged, serviced, low mile example from an old person.

 

I shall get on those sites. I have bought things off marketplace before. While I think I can keep a combination of my old Tacoma and even older Tahoe running for work vehicles, I need a nice car. A creampuff old person's car might be just the ticket. I'll need to watch out for mothballs and odd colors. During the launch of the ES-350 line at the Kentucky plant, we had a car come through in the slug of trial vehicles that was Candy Apple Brown. No one could take it seriously.

I'm thinking an LS 460, about a 2017, which would be the last of the v8s. It would be a nice weather car, so I don't need AWD or FWD. Hell, I've never owned a FWD car. I do have a 4x4. Road trips, take visiting friends places, date the occasional bird, that sort of thing.

 

Recently I was advertising my mom's Buick LaCrosse CXL. Beautiful loaded car with 2,300 miles, always garaged and covered, never even been in the rain. Not a scratch, nick, or dust on it. I routinely changed fluids, fresh Delco battery. I advertised it nationally. But I got very tired of jerks calling repeatedly telling what was wrong with the car and why it should be at fire sale pricing (even though I had provided numerous photos and was priced less than the market). So I gifted it to my mother-in-law who needed a new vehicle.

So I'm concurring with the previous post, If you can, look to a senior owned, well serviced vehicle. I always joke to watch the Obituaries. You probably won't find a performance sport coupe, instead high-end sedans. You'll likely get an honest description and service records.

Think about it, would you buy a used minivan from a young family? The only reason they would be selling it is because its beyond hope.

 

I will second a few comments here. I was a huge fan of my Lexus ES 300. That car ran like a top for 200k miles. Unfortunately a couple months ago in the snow it developed some major oil leak. It didn't give me any warning until it was too late. Oil light came on and the car shut off. Popped the hood and oil was everywhere. I had oil with me so I added oil to see what was up. Major rod knock then the motor seized. I know plenty of happy Lexus owners.

Trying to buy a car owned by an older couple/family is always a good choice. Usually not abused and well taken care of.

Patience too. If you are patient you will come across the right car.

I just bought this GL 450 from my Dad's neighbor. One owner car. Never in an accident. Always garaged. Bought it for a song. It needs the air suspension compressor replaced and he is no mechanic. He paid 70k plus for it in 2007. I have had nothing but good luck working on older Mercedes Benz's so I took the chance. Definitely the nicest car that I have owned. V8 and a six speed auto. Third row seating DVD player etc etc. I love the car. So good in the snow.

 

I used the Offer Up app to find my 96 98.

https://offerup.com/

A small mom & pop used car dealer was selling it in Houston, TX. Driving down to test drive it wasn't too far since the late model GM C and H bodies are getting harder to find.