Common Mistakes When Buying Used Cars or Keeping Your Old One in 2023
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- čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
- As a mechanic and a shop owner I inspect used cars almost daily and help folks decide if they should keep their older car or move on.
Many of you ask me daily for used car advice vs. keeping your old car going in the tough car market of 2023. In this video we discuss the common mistakes I see people make when buying used cars.
But the current used car market also created another problem. People being forced to keep their older cars going longer hoping that the market would return to normal. But even in keeping your old car there are mistakes that you shouldn't make.
Hope this video helps someone out there.
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#thecarcarenut #tccnautomotive #usedcars #toyota #lexus
0:00 Intro
0:44 What's Going On with the car market?
2:44 Mistakes when deciding to keep an old car
9:23 Mistakes When Buying a Used Car
12:08 Don't Use it as an excuse
15:17 Don't Rush - Auta a dopravní prostředky
What's harder than finding a good used car? Finding a good honest mechanic!
Which is mostly a communication problem between customers and mechanics.
Both. I would recommend learning basics about maintenance and the nuances
i have 3 mechanics and they are all decent.
one is a family friend, one is a neighbor, the other is a car dealership.
they each have their pros and cons.
my neighbor is free, so he'll only do basic stuff.
the dealership does multipoint inspections
the family friend does great workmanship, but i HATE his prices. but hes self employed and does all types of cars both common, luxury imports, common imports, and so on.
all in all i can price compare to see what the market average is and still get quality work or DIY for certain jobs.
thing is, besides the car dealership, the other mechanics Ive known for a long time. so i trust them, I just hate their hourly pay rate, but then again thats a personal problem since they do have high skill set.
Finding a good home is harder though similar to finding a good used or new car. Both are a pain and both are unfortunately necessities.
Whatever you do, don't be fooled by the name like Honest-1 Auto care. I was ripped off by the guys at this place in Charlotte, NC. I told them only the rear brakes need brake pads. They opened all 4 brakes without my approval and recommended the entire new brake system including calipers, rotors and brake pads. I ended up with $2,000 bill.
My daughter was given a ‘99 Camry (5S-FE) as her first car. She drove it for 6 years and I’ve been driving it for 2+ more years. I’ve calculated that over 8+ years of ownership, this car has cost us about $40 per month. I just rolled over 331K this week. It’s still very clean inside and out and drives smooth.
Keep it. Cherish it.
@@Trapster99 That’s my plan.
how often car oil changies
I own a 09 Camry Hybrid withv396000 km and its going to have 450000 km with minimal cost...
You're just like me, except I fix my own cars and keep them until I can no longer find parts. The savings over the long haul are enormous. I recently read an article that the average car purchase is $47,000, and the average monthly payments of $576!! WTF! No thanks. I'll keep fixing my own cars and spend the money on creating memories with my family traveling.
I have been a car dealer for 30 years this guy knows exactly what he is taking about.I was amazed this guy said what I have always told car buyers but not everyone listens.Great video for sure.
This guy is a jewel! I'd love to have him as my mechanic! Honest people are hard to find these days.
Dude you can't trust nobody you got to learn yourself and feel car as any good or not you got to learn yourself very simple no one taught me how to do it and I know more about cars than this guy Toyotas especially and many other people oil-burning I know how to find an oil burning Toyota in 2 seconds transmission problems whatever it might be without any equipment okay with it for years and any other tri-axial problems tranny problems Motor problems you don't need to look at anybody you need to just learn it yourself take off your oil cap look in the motor if you see brown shitload of with sludge and you know the motor has sludge in it and it's not it's a smudge burner okay number one it's not worth crap it's just the average car if it's really clean inside then you got a jewel of a car that's how it goes and so on keep watching videos while you learn and if you don't you shouldn't be even on a car
Jewels can't do anything. He's Toyota Jesus. That's more accurate.
@@ElCineHefecringe
@teelowteelow356
Hope your Yugo is running this week.
@@ElCineHefe what a silly comment lmao. Pathetic
We need to clone you and have technicians like you across the country to act as advisors for those of us who don’t have car knowledge. It’s hard to find honest mechanics. Thank you for always providing such honest videos. Maybe you can start a business of “honest” technicians across the country that can offer advice for a fee. I’m quite sure it would be a welcomed service. 👍
YEP! Imagine if ALL mechanics are like the Car Care Nut and Scotty Kilmer, NO worries about being ripped off. Just CLONE the Car Care Nut and Scotty Kilmer and life will be good. 👍
He should start a training school and prepare for a new generation of mechanics.
Impossible
Kage bushin no jutsu
Let’s do this 😂
AMD, When you sit down behind the black work bench with the shop lights dimmed, we know we are in trouble. 😬
Simply Put-- How much will it cost to fix my old car to avoid car payments that are at least $600 per month. So repairs that cost $3000 and may get you another 24 months will save you $14,400 in car payments for a net savings of $11,400 after repair costs. Lower insurance rates on the old vehicle will add to your savings.
Telling a young couple with 2.5 kids the car they just spent every penny they could scrape together isnt worth fixing is a honest mechanics nightmare. Heartbreaking. It still happens every day. Listen to this man, he is telling you the way it is
I’m amazed how anyone could desire to bring kids into this world
@@DJNoMask I'd like to see the .5 kid!
How do you have half a kid? 😭
@@jaya.0069they are very small
I am more concerned about the half child
I have been messing with cars for 60 plus years and i grew up in the rust belt. Most used car buyers are incapable of judging the condition of a used car. They are buying the habits of the previous owner. They buy with their eyes. I tell people that a pre purchase mechanical inspection is mandatory, but so is a body inspection. A box of donuts at a body shop will reveal all. Body men love to point out previous shoddy work. They can tell quickly.
Donut boxes? For doing a favor?
I hear you, but the problem at the moment is that anything decent you won't have the time to inspect because the owner will refuse as they know they can just sell it the same day to the next guy.
Run the codes, check the fluids, does it drive right, the best inspection will only tell so much. But the previous owner is a fountain of knowledge, not just from what they say but what they won't. A dealership will lie right to your face, but the average person is more honest and won't lie, at least not without giving a tell. I stopped buying cars from dealerships and stick with private party exactly for this reason.
@@heeroru7781Exactly. You can tell more about the cars history by meeting the previous owner in person and by the condition it was kept in. Like most sporty cars will typically be owned by car enthusiasts that take meticulous care of their cars. By talking to the owner you will find out just how much of a car guy he is and to what degree he cared for the car.
The you can do the basics like checking the condition of the oil, coolant, leaks, CV axles, chassis rust and finally scanning it for codes.
This video is funny cause barring any significant life changes, I plan to drive my 2012 4Runner until the wheels fall off or it just dies. But it’s a truck I bought new 11 years ago, I go above and beyond doing preventative maintenance, keep the frame clean, and only hit 100k miles last year. I don’t even drive everyday. Dealers keep asking me to sell it to them. Any car could potentially break down for sure, but if you keep up (or even do extra) maintenance on a Toyota/Lexus, it’ll last way way way longer than any other brand car on the road comparatively. Love my 4Runner!!
I literally almost bought a Lexus from a dealer in a different state without even seeing it in person. What you just said about how horrible it is when doing post purchase inspection made me feel so relieved. I’ve just been so frustrated with this market of used cars, but no matter how frustrated I get I’m glad I backed out of the purchase last minute
This is why I'm not willing to spend more than 4,000 on a used car. At that price it'd be cost effective for me to fix whatever surprised repair that comes up. And worse comes to worst, $4,000 is not that much money for me to lose
Great discussion. When you have an older car and you understand vehicles and their potential failures, you spend on preventative maintenance. When you commit to older vehicles, you are also committed to maintaining them. Sure it costs a lot, but you will know you have a travel worthy and safe vehicle. Last thing I want is to have a bricked vehicle because I didn’t maintain it. Too many people don’t understand the concept of It’s your horse and your ride and it’s your responsibility to take care of that horse.
Yeah most people are assholes they think they got a Toyota or there's no need it's maintenance-free or they buy a prius and don't believe it has a motor in it needs oil change they'll all the motor burned oil like a dog and it's all sludge up the world is stupid and it's getting stupider by the minute screw the public their own problem
I had to buy a car 18 months ago. What stunned me was the price of cars in the class we wanted that were 6 or 7 years old. My feeling was to go for a very much older car instead. So I found a 16 year old one with a big but fixable dent in the back that has no rust that required some simple fixes that I could handle. 22000 miles later I have no regrets at all. And now it's tidied up it's worth over double what I paid...
What brand?
Not for long
AMD we really appreciate your honesty, knowledge and thoroughness and how you share your knowledge and experience with us all. You perform massive service for mankind. You are a a super mentor for anyone who wants to peruse an automotive or technical career. Great work!
I found a dealership maintained Lexus ES 350 with 148 k miles. Immaculately maintained with 4,000 mile engine oil services and lexus recommended services performed. Only one problem- the lexus dealership never recommended the transmission fluid be changed since Lexus argues it is lifetime fluid. So sad the dealership never recommended to the owner to change transmission fluid every 60 k miles or 6 years like you recommend. So I did not buy the car. Was that the correct decision?
@@dontrend5956 BMW X3 Sport 3.0 Petrol, fully loaded.
It doesn't matter if it's worth double now until you actually sell it. And if you do sell it with double the price you paid it for, you are part of the problem.
Even as a toyota/honda driver, no car is reliable if maintenance is neglected. The problem with used cars is it is really hard to tell the maintenance history for most of them. Always get or do a thorough pre purchase inspection. Cheapest insurance you can ever get
What you mean cheapest insurance you can get
If were to ever even consider buying a used Honda or Acura again, I would make sure one with over 60 k had a timing belt replacement. There are so many high mileage Honda vehicles these days where that has been neglected.
We have an Acura in the family and that was the first thing I inquired about.
Not planning on buying anything soon, because these prices are ridiculous.
Very worthy advises.
@@rasheemthebestfirstone3274he meant that a pre purchase inspection is the cheapest insurance there is as you can save thousands just looking through the car or pay a relatively small fee for a third party mechanic.
I have had good luck buying my last two cars. Part of the reason they have turned out to be good cars has been because they were sporty cars owned by car enthusiasts that took good care of them. One of them being a 95 Acura Integra that now has 270k miles.
Thanks for sharing this information with us. I'm a 69 yr old widow here in Memphis. I was hit head-on in November 2022 😢 i ended up with severe injuries. My 2004 Lincoln Towncar car Limited edition that was in excellent condition with only 100k miles was totaled. I babied that car. I serviced it as scheduled all these years. Now I'm a widow and retired and I need to by a new car. I'm out priced by the market. This is scary for someone like me. These videos really help me as i search for a reliable used car. GOD bless you young man for sharing your knowledge with all of us on Utube. You never know who you are helping. Joanne Williams.
+ 1 for me. From another auto mechanic wise words from AMD. I spent a lifetime fixing cars and trucks. Since I retired from the trade I am stunned at the amount of incompetence and pure greed I see now on a daily basis in the trade especially in the used car market. It was always bad but now it's beyond atrocious. It really saddens me the way things have deteriorated where it has gotten to point that auto mechanics are considered crooks until proven otherwise. I've had to back away and just steer family and friends along in the right direction.
You can say the same about RV sales, new and used.
I buy used from old people that take care of them and service them
Many of them are crooks. I’ve witnessed it numerous times personally. Good thing I know quite a bit more than the average person about my cars.
I'm also retired 2002 and see the junk out there. Wait until all there is are 7 yr old EV. How do you trust the batteries. I really feel for people trying to make it today.
My trusted mechanic had the same talk with me about my 2001 manual transmission camry. The last couple times I had brought it to him for repair (evap check engine code, leaking brake lines)
He looked at the rusting body and frame, took a deep breath and I knew this same talk was coming.
I have a '07 camry with the manual transmission as well and fighting tooth and nail to keep it going as long as possible currently have had over 7 years now and that rust is not going anywhere eather
@@efil4kizum after those two repairs another check engine light was on again turned out to be a cat failure. Good thing it was under warranty from previous replacement.
I wasn't going to press my luck anymore and sold it as is.
Move to AZ, no rust here. However, you get faded paint and exploding tires 🛞, especially in the low desert in the summer.
Battery replacement is common too.
I love all my cars with sticks.
My 1998 Nissan Sentra manual has no rust....the cure is moving to the south, like Georgia or Alabama.
One point (among MANY good points) he brought out is when people are contemplating a repair that exceeds the value of the car and saying, "It isn't worth it." Several years ago, I crashed my car into a deer. I called up my insurance company and they said the cost of the damage was greater that the value of the car so, they would total it and pay me my money. (The value of the car was $900.00 the cost to repair it was $,1,600.00.) Now, the car was very well maintained and in good condition (even with 400,000 miles) Now, could I have replaced that car for $1,600.00? Not likely. Was it "worth" repairing? Depends. In my case, I knew what I had. The car didn't use much oil and was meticulously maintained and I would have let a perfectly good car go to waste. In some cases maybe not. Just because the cost of repair exceeds the value of the car doesn't mean it isn't worth it. A person has to evaluate that.
the same thing happened to my son and his 97 grand prix. I told him to keep it as I had just spent $4500 to drop in a rebuilt 3.8 engine
I had the same thing happen with with my 95 Acura Integra that I had kept meticulous care of. I kept the car anyways, taking a slightly less for the payout of $1,500 that the insurance company was going to give me. With that I ordered the body parts needed to fix it and had a guy I know that does body work on the side fix it for that same amount. I still have that car to this day and don't regret it.
Another good option for these types of cases is to find the same car with a good body that has a blown engine for cheap. Then swapping over your good drivetrain and anything else that is better from your old car.
I wish there were people like you, in the motor trade, in the UK. May you continue to prosper with your business. Your customers are lucky to have you.
There's plenty of decent, honest mechanics in the UK.
There are a fair few scumbags too, but it's not hard to find a decent mechanic.
It's hard to make a move with so much dishonesty in the repair business and dealerships with no effective regulation. Everybody's stealing.
Still driving my 96 4Runner. I do all the repairs so it is worth keeping forever. However I’ve been wanting to replace it with a new one, can’t due to prices
great to hear that
DON'T mid age Yotas are much better/ easier to work on for their lack off computers and electronics controlling everything. My 02 TRD tacoma is at 380k miles and still going strong. Other than tune up items the only electronics that had any issue was the alternator (had the OEM denso rebuilt) and an IAC sensor repalced with OEM) I also do my own wrenching. My 2008 Ford van on the other hand is a nightmare and falling apart at 200k miles.
Maybe get the seats reupholstered. That foam inside degrades after so many years.
Just helped a friend who recently got into an accident with his old Tundra, decent amount of front end damage, after hearing him say he may need another vehicle. The bend in the frame is outside of the wheelbase though, so it can still drive straight. Went to actually look at the damage, saw it looked worse than it was, helped him pull out all the broken stuff, he ended up spending about 200 on necessary parts (radiator, fan, fluids, etc.) and has his vehicle back on the road now. No AC yet but he isn't SOL until he can scrape enough together for another vehicle. His truck isn't rusted, the engine and trans are still going strong at 220K, so in theory, the truck should last him a while longer, so long as he doesn't keep wrecking it lmao.
There's a CZcams video of a body shop straightening a Ford F-150 frame. Pretty amazing stuff actually. Save thousands of dollars if the rest of the truck is in good shape.
U mean until he dies of a heat stroke in the coming summers 😂
I wish more mechanics were as honest and competent as you.
One of the lessons I learned from owning four motorcycles is the importance of fixing things when they break. If you let problems slide, pretty soon you have a yard covered with bikes that don't run. I have two old Caddies (1988 Sedan de Ville w/ 98k miles -- mom's old car; and my lovely 2008 DTS) and they are in excellent repair. My new one is in the shop as it was hit from behind, and the old one, Big Red, is my reliable daily driver. --Old Guy
This car market is so complex, with parts shortages still keeping inventory at many dealers low. Of course, that forces most people to keep vehicles longer than they typically would. Inflation is also having an effect on people being able to afford basic services, let alone a new or used vehicle.
Yes the parking hand brake lines are messed up and the parts won't come in for months. I don't know who to believe any more
There are tons of used cars out there today that more than likely have been neglected.
You described my situation perfectly. I would like to upgrade my car to a lower mileage, newer used car. But I am not paying inflated prices that are thousands over their true market value. I'll just maintain my perfectly drivable current car. It's like, I want to spend my money, but dealers are still jacking up the used cars beyond reason. It will probably be cheaper for me just to do repairs on the old one as they come up, especially since it's paid off.
wow know youre thinking. im so proud of you. are you really a female? wow a girl that thinks like you do? thats amazing
Or buy new
@@zacharypeery4082 unfortunately the car I want is no longer in production
@@labornurse My friend bought a car last year, his car loan went from 608 to 682 per month, if you can, save your money and dont take a loan.
I’m in the same boat. I bought my 2008 Pontiac G8 new and I know that the timing chains will need to be changed soon. It’s expensive but my car still looks new. I’ve taken care of it and to me I’d do the timing chain repairs because it’s a fraction of the cost of a new or a newer used car.
I just want to take a moment and appreciate the set up for this video. The background lit with red and blue, and the subject is well lit. Love the helpful videos that you create!
You’re not lying. I had a beautiful 2 owner (I was the 2nd owner) of a 2003 Toyota Highlander that I purchased 5 years ago with 85k miles on it. I drove it, & worked in it for 5 years without any issues. Unfortunately I needed a truck so I decided to sell it. It looked just as good as the day it came off the Toyota lot, had 121k miles on it (non-interference engine) and I ended up selling it for $1,000 more than what I paid for it. I could have asked more, simply because I had so many people messaging me (over 100) wanting to look/buy the car. The only thing I did to it was change out the headlights, do a 1 step paint correction, put new tires on it, change the oil every 4k-5k miles with full synthetic oil & change the oil tired middle rim caps & that was it. So if you have a gem that you’re getting ready to sell, don’t pay attention to KBB because there isn’t much out there (as far as quality used cars) and let the buyers haggle you down. You will still get way above what KBB says your vehicle is worth.
Ended up buying a 2023 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Off Road & love it so far. If it wasn’t for my 2021 Rav4 I would feel like I was driving a spaceship going from the technology in my 2003 to the 2023 😂
One last thing I will say is, it’s hard to get a seller to agree to a PPI when 30 other people are behind you telling the seller they want to buy it right away. Even if it is a very nice car, the seller is going to go with what’s less hassle for them to sell it. Unfortunately things aren’t like they were 5+ years ago. Now if it’s a pos that nobody wants to buy, sure get that PPI but if it’s a gem that goes up, like my 2003 Highlander, that thing will be sold within a day.
I've owned my '65 Chevy Corvair for 39 years. My '14 Accord with a manual transmission has 213,000 miles. Everything works as new. A sun visor, brakes and two light bulbs has been the only unscheduled repairs. Now I put 10,000 miles a year. Underneath has minimal surface rust. I'm thinking ten more years.
Maybe 10 to 20 yes but closer to twenty because I used to own an '04 Accord and they are very reliable!I would like to get a Camry or Corrola hybrid but the Accord hybrid is a
better value because it's cheaper than the Toyota but may not be as reliable as the Camry Hybrid.
I expect you don’t drive the corvair in winter. No reason it shouldn’t outlast us.
@@craigiefconcert6493 The one caveat of classic cars is they had zero, and I mean zero, rust protection. I live in the rust belt and as a kid I vividly remember all the 60's and 70's cars (not classics then, just older cars) completely disintegrating. Cars still rust, but not nearly as bad as those ones. I had a '78 F-100 with a straight six that would have run forever had I lived anywhere but here.
Hey Dan, my buddy has a '66 Corvair that was completely rebuilt in PA before he bought it about 15 or 20 years ago. They have actually redesigned some of the parts go give better handling than the originals had. Hang on to your 'Vair; they are kick-ass cars! --Old Guy
My neighbor has a model A. He and his friends go on drives from California to Texas and back. I’ve also seen plenty of sharp cars from the 50s and 60s on the road on the weekends around here. You CAN keep a car forever, but you are going to have to do a lot of work.
A lot of people don’t know how to check out a used car before purchasing. I have never paid a mechanic for a pre purchase inspection before but I know what to look for. You get down on your back and check the entire underneath of the car surface rust is ok but rotted walk away if you’re allowed to jack the car up at all 4 wheels and check for play in any of the wheels. Check the struts to make sure they’re not leaking and push down on the car on all four corners to see if it bounces like crazy or goes down then up and stops. Check under the hood make sure you don’t see any visual leaks I personally hate when people detail used car engines because they are hiding a leak usually. Check the oil make sure it’s full and transmission fluid also and make sure it’s not burnt in color. You can rent a scanner from auto zone to check for codes on cars but check that after the test drive in case they cleared them. On the test drive do a smooth acceleration make sure it shifts through all gears smoothly and downshifts smoothly. Then I floor it and check the transmission that way i test drove one car that shifted like butter on soft acceleration but it slipped on hard acceleration. Check the brakes first to a normal stop then make sure no one is behind you then do a hard braking test. If the salesman gets mad at you for any of it I wouldn’t buy the car from them and go elsewhere. And finally always negotiate the price and do your research on the car extensively before buying it, make sure you know all the common problems for the make and model. As he said the interior and exterior look mean nothing to how the car is underneath. Scratches and tears add character. And engine or transmission or shot suspension add someone else’s repair bill they had to your wallet.
Your average toyota buyer/owner isn't mechanically inclined to know automotive basics
Excellent
@@burntnougat5341 your average buyer of any make doesn’t have that knowledge.
@@kftc1980 true
To me, this is perhaps the most valuable YT channel. I have learned and am learning a lot from you. Nice filming and editing too! Thank you.
loved the statement about the 'food on table' That's honesty for you. Kudos
A car is a big purchase for a lot of people so it’s hard to put your feelings aside sometimes. Sometimes you gotta let that older vehicle go. Also be very wary of any dealership that does not allow you to do a pre-purchase inspection with your own mechanic.
Amen! Not allowing a pre-purchase inspection is an instant red flag. The sad truth is, it is a seller’s market, so people are taking chances. As Ahmed said in the video, he’s seen many horror stories.
A repair is always cheaper than a new vehicle unless you're going so cheap it's a beater that repeats the cycle.
@@MyerShift7
Not if the car's been flooded or if it has rolled over.... I'm not saying... I'm just saying....
Always bring a friend to help talk sense into you when you run into a master salesperson
Dealers have no reason to allow that now as used cars will sell irregardless. You'll be waiting forever if you demand that...
As a european, this been pretty much the norm here for decades.
maintained cars are hard to find or extremely expensive, while even bad cars are still pricey as hell.
combine this with insane gas prices and expensive car parts+labor and you get yourself a huge financial hit even on a tiny economy box.
just for reference, something like a new mid trim corolla will set you back roughly 1,5-2 times of ones average yearly net income.
You must live somewhere like Bulgaria. My fiancé's family lives in Sweden and that same Corolla would be like half of one of her family members' yearly income...and they make a normal salary.
I love this video. I have an automotive shop that my dad started in 1959. I have been doing this for 42 years and I love it. I love what you are talking about. I have this conversation quite frequently with my customers and just the same manner. I'm going to refer them to your video might save me some time and just like talking to your children if it comes from somebody else maybe they will listen. Love that man keep up the good work.
Car Nut thanks for the honest opinion. Everything you said is right on the money. Keep up the great work. Love your channel!
AMD, I always enjoy listening to your advice about cars based on your knowledge and experience.
Excellent advice. Thanks for clearly pointing out the important thinking processes.
You are a good mechanic, a good teacher, and a good human ❤
Thank you for your advice about keeping an old car. I do find myself in that dilemma regarding a 30-year old pickup truck that I seem unable to let go. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for your honesty. I am very impressed with you as a mechanic and as a person. God Bless You. John in Ohio
Just amazing .. This is an eye opener for anyone like me who has made a lot of bad decisions (3 to be precise) and spent a ton of money.. Thank you so much! Please keep these coming.. 🙏
Great video! You are doing a great service to car owners out there! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the great advice. Look forward to your videos on Toyota servicing. We drive two Toyota hybrids and maintain them religiously. Our 9 yr old Camry with 74,000 miles looks and drives like it's brand new. Our 2 year old RAV4 feels like it was just driven new off the dealer's lot. Our plan is to drive them until something inevitable happens. That may take quite a while!
Very well said. Thank you for taken care of us.
When knowledge, common sense and honesty combined life's brighter. Thanks Ahmed.
AMD, another great and honest video. Thank you. Although most of this I already know because spent much of my life fixing cars, and I have a garage full of rust free great condition classics, and I am retired, but it helps to get your reinforcement of my philosophy. I know you are helping so many people. The only payments I have are gas thirsty cars!
Excellent advice. In most states of Australia it is illegal to sell a registered vehicle without an official roadworthy/safety certificate issued by an accredited mechanic, this is good insurance for used car buyers
In Victoria you can sell without a roadie and/or registration, it is then up to the purchaser to make the car roadworthy. There are dealers who sell such cars and also auctions do that.
@@jayjaynella4539 Well I did say REGISTERED vehicle, you can buy cars "As Is" in any state if you want to take that risk
I just love this channel. Care Care Nut is simply the best for me. I learned a lot and as a diy dad, this is my got to channel in fixing my cars and getting more insights. Thank you, brother. Indeed, may the Lord bless you and keep you to be a continuing blessing to others.
Sir, you’re a diamond in the rough. A gem💯.
So many people have no men in life to offer sound advice. Blessings to you and yours 🏆
I wish I had seen this video when I bought my car a year ago. 😭
Pre purchase inspection is the best money i have ever spent in buying a used car. I even use them on Certified Lexuses because i have started seeing reviews from Lexus buyers who bought CPO cars and found later that the car had undisclosed problems the dealer had not fixed or divulged. Even high end luxury car dealers lie, cheat and steal these days.
A good rule of thumb I keep is that dealers always lie about everything. Hasn't led me wrong yet. Many years ago helped a friend out who's air conditioning had quit on their "certified" honda civic. While tracing a wire running across the wrong of the car we discovered major undisclosed crash damage on the front end of the car. The body shop that worked on it didn't replace the structure of the car but instead pulled/hammered it out to just good enough to have the replacement quarter panel, crash bar, bumper cover, grill, etc. line up. (The wire had been pinched in the accident and corroded through after several years.)
This is great advice. I made allot of the mistakes recently. Was holding on to my relatively low mileage 17 year old xterra. Basically sold it for scrap. If I had gotten rid of it sooner I could have made a small fortune with this market. Ended up buying a new Toyota!
What a guy !
Absolutely wonderful honest advice .
No wonder he's got the numbers he has built up over the years .
Every single word was laced with gold !
I was a used car manager and auction buyer for over 25 years and the advice this mechanic just gave you is on the money 💰 and is some of the best advice i have heard from anyone regarding buying a used vehicle!
You should take notes and bring those notes with you when you go used car shopping.
I would personally recommend a good quality vehicle history report in addition to the above mentioned items.
Hello goods Sir, should I do anything other than general inspection and test drive if a car is checked every year and has about 10/12K KMs a year. I’m looking to buy a secondhand RAV4 2021 in Europe.
@@DUCOS1795 yes, spend time researching online for common problems with the make/model/year and have those looked at specifically.
My first car was a Gremlin. Out of curiosity, I asked my mechanic how much it was worth. He gave me two answers: "The current market value is around $800. As a transportation value, it's priceless."
Just seen a gremlin at a lot that wanted 13000
@@tooclose9465 My aunt drove a Gremlin in college.
My 2001 Toyota sienna with 240,000 miles and dings everywhere is worth very little in the blue book. But it gets me everywhere I want to go with minimal maintenance.
Gremlins, one of the best cars ever made for the money. AMC never could make enough of them to keep up with the demand. My father who owned a AMC dealership
said he probably could have sold one every day but was only allotted 2 a month.
@@paulcoenen7918 A lot better car than Pinto or Vega of that era!
I was in between a rock and a hard place, 2 cars with almost 200k miles and some maintenance things started to show and I put 30k plus on both cars a year and I had already been holding out since Covid, luckily I found a couple ok deals (more than I would usually spend) and now I have a 2022 Corolla and a 2023 cx5 all based on your videos! Thanks for all your videos!
You are the best on utube.. My son brought his 98 Corolla..I told you I was getting a Toyota..just got a 2015 Rav 4 with 42,000 miles.. love it and I will be in touch.. thanks AMD
YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER! I am addicted to your videos on YT. This 20 mins video can save so many here a bundle of money and aggravations. It is getting so hard to trust anybody, these days. Its a wild west, this industry. I am 100% scared buying my next used car. So, whatever the cost will be for independent inspection by a large, well known garage/dealer, before buying, it shell be. And, a report is a must too. Thank you for this, boss.
Living in California my whole life.... The idea of rust is completely foreign to me. Having people buy cars without having a mechanic looking at it first is dangerous especially when you also need to factor in the possibility of rust. I can't even imagine. I never have to look for rust when I'm looking at buying a car.
A friend thought that there are no worries about rust in Texas didn't bother to look under before purchasing s10 blazer.he failed to realize that some rust belt vehicles leave the rust belt.bad news first look under it.
AMD your honesty and integrity are most proper. Can you make a video on how to do a DIY under car inspection for safety? Thanks for all you do.
Great video! Need more mechanics like you! No bs just straight up facts!
This is such a helpful video. Last year my impala finally died when the transmission went out so I needed a car fast. Even though this was that case, I took my time and spent 2 weeks looking at cars. I was going to 3-4 dealerships a day. Everything I found was junk and overpriced. I finally found a nice 2004 Lexus rx with 117k with no rust on it, one owner, it has been an amazing car. I did overpay admittedly but I made sure I didn’t settle!
Well I'm sure you got ripped off cuz those cars don't go for that much and you overpaid for it so it just you just rip yourself off and you went to the car dealer if you like it and you love it live with it
That generation RX is very strong. My ‘05 is approaching 200k (bought used with 132k) and I love it.
You the man. Keep up the great work.
Good video. I was shopping around for a few months before finally deciding the best option for me was to just order new and do the months wait on it. My old car is fine in terms of holding together for that 6-8 months no problem (thankfully it'll be spring/summer/fall and not another winter). The used market just didn't appeal at all. No matter what I was looking at things were listed at least 30% more than they were worth, clean low mileage models were pushing same as brand new prices.
Just outstanding. Best common-sense approach. Thank you.
My husband and I welcome your wealth of knowledge and experience, especially for us who don't know anything about cars. But, we do keep up with maintenance. 😊
Ahmed your videos are a treasure to the community that you have built. I wish there were more people like you. You not only have passion for what you do but also show great care for the work and people that you interact with. Thank you! I guess my next on my list is to buy a Toyota and move to Chicago.
You don't need more people like him people need to smarten up and get their head out of their ass and that's it anybody you need to watch as one pack I don't need to watch her this s*** I know everything there is about part I wish all my problems with that simple call would take me is about one month and I can find the perfect car but I want $44,000 okay and I'll be practically nothing wrong with it maybe the rest I pay $800 for a car there's nothing mechanically wrong with has no rush to paint job sucks okay and it's a Nissan and old Nissan Sentra 498 okay that's the way people leave in the morning it will last another 30 years if you don't Smack It Up people are stupid everybody does dumb moron you got your mind daughter something else even if you learn you watch these videos you're still not going to learn anything because you're too stupid or no knowledge no mechanical skills that's why they're scammers and this people with money okay and people always get screwed because this is America the land of the free and the land of the scam artist and somebody's always going to go to get screwed even I got screwed five months ago I bought a car Brooklyn 20,000 miles Toyota Corolla for $10,000 tomorrow's was tampered with the Carfax was phony okay and it was all the Ripple so what I did is sold the next day for 9,500 and lost 500 plus another 500 and towing with better to get rid of it the way I got suckered with it
This is a tough issue. I have to buy a car in 2 - 3 months. Every time I buy a vehicle, I research cars that I’d like to purchase. However, getting a car in certain rural areas is difficult when it comes to a used car inspection. Now, in a different area, I’m going to get an inspection. Things are crazy now. Thanks for the video
thank you for your truthful comments and warnings, bless you!
You are preaching the automotive gospel! I have so many customers I've had these exact conversations with and they just don't listen, then unfortunately end up suffering the consequences later.😩
My utmost respect to you sir for your rare knowledge you impact on me each time I view your videos. I have learned a lot. You are a blessing to our generation. Thank you much
My 1992 Celica is still running after 30+ years with 750k miles.
That's just insane dude! Imagine how much time you spent in that thing. I've racked up maybe 250k miles since I got the drivers license in 98.
Fern, original motor and transmission? I think that car has the same engine as a Corolla of that era. And an excellent motor at that.
I had a friend in the army that was swearing how he would never buy anything but a Toyota and he got Celica. This was back in the mid-1980s when it was still dangerous to be for Asian cars over American cars.
But he was a very exceptional shade tree mechanic and he was somewhat of a clairvoyant now with the passage of time I can see this. He saw American cars becoming more junk and Asian cars become a more than normal good quality.
Independent honest advice from a master mechanic like this gentleman is worth gold.
Thanks so much. I'm helping a friend, and this video is extremely timely. Appreciate what you are doing here
My wife’s car an Altima would have been a write off due to repair costs if I didn’t fix it myself 😮Body is still very good but mileage has worn a lot and I’ve replaced a lot. She has little into it compared to what it could have been 😊
I've wanted to start doing my own preventative maintenance but the cost of a car is so high that I'm scared off by the risk of messing up. I've had spark plugs sitting on the shelf for 6 months now
I used to have Nissan, it was a first and at the same time the last Nissan in my life. What a piece of junk!!!!!!!!!
Love the new set with the lighting.
Excellent video as always Amd, Thank you! I have an 05’ Lexus ES330 that my oldest son is using for college now. We plan to give it to my youngest to learn on and drive for a few years as well. It was a $5K car 3 years ago and has 142k miles now. We have been doing much of the maintenance ourselves and only the heavy work at our local service guy (rack and pinion, valve covers, front seals, water pump, high pressure steering line), I have replaced the front suspension (struts, springs, lower control arms), front engine mount, sunroof gasket, brakes all around (pads and new rear calipers) myself and now replacing all coolant hoses with Lexus OEM parts. I’m $5K into an $5K car and it still runs and looks like new. Engine and trans are strong and frame is 100% as it’s been a Georgia car since birth at my Lexus dealer two Owner’s ago. Yes, I’m $10K into a $5 car, but I easily see five more years (and more) of life with me performing the maintenance with Lexus parts. It’s been a hard decision to consider stopping all this work, but the market stinks for used cars and this car really is put together well. As always, thank you for passing on your knowledge and wisdom!
You're the man. Nothing but love and respect for you my brotha!
Excellent. I would also add to avoid 4WD and AWD in your purchase unless you really need it, it's adds complexity and therefore expense.
I buy full-time AWD for better traction and improved safety. It is worth the 5%-20% extra maintenance expense on the additional complexity in the transmission/drivetrain. In the last year it has helped me to avoid one accident which would have cost me 20-50 times more the outcome with 2WD.
IMO, the worst expense with AWD would be from a tyre blowout which means having to replace four tires at a time instead of two at a time in FWD/RWD. But I haven’t had to do that yet. In the meantime I have four tyres that wear almost perfectly evenly.
You don't need it unless the climate dictates and it's uncommon to get into an accident unless you're doing mega miles but hey, may as well roll in a tank
@@markhamer5112 And how much more in fuel consumption for a 4wd? The prices at the pumps are crazy no matter where you live(in the civilised world that is).
It's worth it to have awd/4wd, the safety and handling makes it top tier and that one time you need it you'll appreciate it
@@YungSteambunstires are way more important than AWD.
Just remember the STEALERSHIP is NOT your friend. Not just the sales person, finance person, etc. Even the service advisor at most dealerships are on commission. They are trained to sell you on a service(s) than you don't need, the more services that they write up for your vehicle, the more money they make. Kinda like a CONFLICT of interest. 🤔
They are in business to sell you a car and to sell you parts and services.
There’s no conflict of interest.
Your advice is so spot on. You are really giving great information.
I have a 12 year old car (5/11 build date) with 149,600 miles, and it is perfect. It is a 2012 Ford Focus with MANUAL transmission, so no transmission woes, and the ORIGINAL CLUTCH. I cannot believe how long this clutch is lasting. I DO plan to keep this car until I die. Everything is sound. However, I am watching the K-frame because it is the least protected component of the underbody, and I live in the Rust Belt. The car still runs like new. Transmission is perfect. When the engine goes it will still be cheaper to replace with a new one than buying a $35,000 car to replace it. I've done all the maintenance on it and I've kept it up because I wanted this car to last, and it has. You are 100% CORRECT in your advice for someone looking to keep an old car that has lots of problems. I used to have those cars and got tired of working on them all the time. That's why I bought this one in 2014 with only 16,000 miles on it. Because it was a manual it was CHEAP. I saved $8,400 off of sticker, with what is a year's driving in miles for me on it. I can't get that kind of deal on A-plan.
Love your channel man! Really cool to see a real technician!
Solid advice AMD. Earlier this year my 12yo Accord needed front end parts and I usually give that work out. Car is solid all around otherwise. Barely any rust etc. Mechanic’s first concern was the noise because it could be a safety issue. Once it was a non-issue, he focused on the front end parts needed. After he did his list he then asked: how long do you plan to keep the car?😂
Thanks for all your informative videos. They've helped a lot and saved me time and money. I'm looking forward to a future video on maintaining a turbo engine. My wife would like a Highlander in the future but I'm concerned about reliability since it now comes with a turbo four cylinder.
I'm in the same situation. Highlander turbo or hybrid?
Thank you ao much! I needed to hear this today especially about my old car that i purchased 6 months ago thats giving me problems .. you are very helpful
I shopped for a used car for 2.5 years. Finally found the one in a neighboring state. Never thought I'd fly one way to buy a used car but these are the times we live in.
@thecarcarenut is this a scam?
@@violinforeverdefinitely a scam
Did you inspect it?
@rasheemthebest First one of course, I also sent a friend to check it out beforehand.
A month ago I bought a 2021 Venza with 6100 miles. First Toyota I have ever purchased. So far I love it. I am hoping it will last me several problem free years.
Good choice. What trim? How much did you pay for it? Did you buy it from a dealership? Did you have a pre-purchase inspection? Thanks!
This could be the best YT channel out there...thank you!
God bless you sir! This really spoke to me. My car is at the point where I know that within a year or so, it will need to be replaced. I have test driven a particular Japanese brand, which I am loving and I wish I can just drive those cars into a mechanic shop for inspection. I just might do this next time.
You are very good at what you do sir
I just bought a 80k miles 1996 Toyota Avalon. Over spent on it, and spent more on repairs and replacements, but still was cheap compared to a new car, and this baby can run for 300k if im nice to her. Been in the Midwest it’s whole life and no sludge. Underbody is clean.
Very valuable and useful advice. I totally agree with you.
I wish I seen this PRIOR to purchase!! So happy you are sharing this info!!
I was a German car mechanic in Southern California (no rust issues) during the '80s and early '90s. When asked if someone should keep their car when it got over 5 years old I'd tell them that they could pay me or pay the bank. The monthly cost would be about the same, or increasing with age. Usually I wouldn't see them for another 4 years when their new car ended warranty coverage.
5 yrs old and pay you or the bank? That's awful. The only work I've had to do (besides regular maintenance) on my 2001 Tacoma is rear wheel bearings, front lower control arms and an A/F sensor. Sure glad I didn't buy a German car!!
80s and early 90s Mercedes were the best cars ever built. What did you work on? VW or BMW or something?
@@heeroru7781 Started at a Porsche-Audi dealer in ‘79. Various independents but specialized in BMW mostly until ‘86. Then A M-B dealer until going into Entertainment in ‘96. Then blew cars up for the next 25 years!
BTW, I drive a Toyota RAV4 now.
@@heeroru7781 solid cars if not lemons from the factory. Had a 88 300TE and a 90 190E. Other than random Toyotas I've owned those were the best and nicest driving cars I ever had. Sure wish I had kept that 300TE!
🇺🇸 *Thank you for doing this video* !! *People have less $ during these times, so it makes it more difficult to buy a used car* !! #TheCarCareNut 🇺🇸
Another excellent video! I want to thank you for putting out some honest information, without sugarcoating the situation. I agree that ALL cars require regular maintenance; Toyota is one brand that will get the most out of it. However, in my experience, MOST owners are not very conscientious about maintaining their vehicles. They're good about making excuses for WHY they don't keep up with regular maintenance, though.
I particularly love this piece of advice: "Always have a plan!" Just recently traded in my wife's 2015 RAV4 Limited for a used 2021 Venza. I neglected to do more than casually look under the car; as far as I can tell, it's not leaking anything. It runs great; it drives great; it's "Certified" by the dealership, which means that it came with a strong warranty. (This may have been another excuse to bump the price, but it is also comforting to buy a used car that has a stronger warranty, from an established dealership, than what is offered on new cars.) Still, we did peruse the car lot for almost an hour, looking at different options. Prior to going to the dealership, my wife and I talked about money, payments, etc. I researched on the internet -- knew we were going to stick with Toyota or go Lexus (prices are very close at this time). Your review of the Venza was also influential, BTW. Watched many CZcams video reviews; read many articles about various brands and prices. I mean, literally, HOURS of research. When we left the dealership we felt (still feel) confident in our choices; we were able to structure the price more in our favor (though not as much as I think we could've done a few years ago) and we're happy with the purchase.
But, yes -- a lot of questionable cars had to be sifted through, and I don't live in the Rust Belt. Most of the problems here stem from poor maintenance and/or old accidents that are repaired (sort of) and put out for sale. The prices aren't very encouraging, but potential buyers shouldn't be looking at the price as much as the vehicle itself. You're going to pay more than "normal" at this time; don't buy another car unless you have a good reason. Accept the fact that you're going to see higher-than-usual prices, so do your due diligence!! BUYER BEWARE!!
Man this is great information!!!
Thanks for being genuine.
U just nailed the facts down .
God prosper your business .
I got very lucky, I bought a 2018 tundra in 2020. It had 7,000 miles on. I paid 27,000. Within a year the prices went insane. I owe 14,000 now. I think I will keep it😊. Great video as always.