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Very OT: Car Buying in the USA

I have had some excellent feedback from this group in the past, this is a long shot but I hope that someone may be able to provide some insight. I also realise that this group has an international audience.

If you can point me at another more appropriate group then please do.

I may be moving to the USA for about 1-2 years, California specifically. I need to two family vehicles. In the UK I was very impressed with

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for second-hand car information.

Does anyone know of any other good sites pertaining to the USA that could accelerate my understanding of how the second-hand market works in the USA.

Bought my last UK car at auction and it has been an excellent buy.

I have heard that

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is good for checking the background of a vehicle.

My main goals will be to get good reliable vehicles, that have lost most of their depreciation already. However, I am not sure what the local pitfalls are.

Any advice gratefully received.

Stuart

Reply to
Stuart
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Can't specifically help (except for a "good luck!"), but the chaps (and chapesses) at my company in Dallas have been a mine of information about such things - and that's just from chatting, rather that me planning to move over there.

So... ask co-workers, if possible.

I've probably been amazingly lucky, but - IMV - the first time I find a nastily unhelpful American, then (s)he's either trying to rob me or employed as a politician (delete option if applicable ;o)

Reply to
Hairy One Kenobi

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is one place to start. They have a lot of info onused cars especially prices. For more independent information, ConsumerReports does a lot of car testing and maintains a large database ofreliability information going back several years.http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home.htm Some of their website is onlyavailable to subscribers. Their monthly magazine devotes an entire issue(April) every year to automobiles both new and used. A summary of theirtesting is available in an annual Buyers' Guide published in December. As far as the used car market itself, the best cars will most easily be found at a new car dealer but at the highest price. Many cars now come with

3-4 year warranties so you may still get one under the manufacturer's warranty even if it's a couple of years old. If you buy from an individual you can often get a good deal but you really have to know what a car is worth and be alert to and understand possible mechanical problems - caveat emptor! There are aftermarket warranties available but they will typically exclude many items. It is easy to find independent mechanics to work on American and Japanese models; there are typically fewer available to work on European cars. Since you'll be registering your car in California, it's important to buy one that meets California smog regulations to avoid a lot of hassle. That's no problem if you buy in California but can be one if you buy out of state. Good luck!
Reply to
Ian S

Thanks for taking the time to write this up, much appreciated. Some excellent points to consider. Stuart

Reply to
Stuart

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