Used Car Dealership Reccomendations

[clonefan_80]

I need to find a car that's well on the cheap end of things. I'm not from around here and was wondering what your guys' experiences were with some of the dealerships around here were. Basically who has the reputation of selling a good product, who can be kind of a *****, etc. I thought I'd look here to check some prices and compare them to back home.

 

[CYdTracked]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

Never have had to buy a used car from a dealer but if you can I'd recommend taking it to a mechanic to get looked over before you buy something.

 

[usedcarguy]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

I recommend Ames Cars. But then again, I'm biased because I work there. For lower priced cars, most of the stores in Ames are pretty safe quality wise with the exception of some of the back row stuff at George White. If they start to act like ******** or start trying to run you through the grinder, just get up and leave.

We're easy to deal with and are a one price store so you don't have the pressure of being a good haggler - unless you're a Hawkeye fan. Hawkeye fans get charged extra.

 

[Iowa65]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

George White has a 1988 Volvo 240 priced at about 6x book value right now if you're interested, haha.

Amescars is great. Probably the only interesting inventory that I've seen reasonably priced in town, but I'm biased since I like european cars. I just sold a really nice used car to someone, so you're about a week late.

 

[cyfreddy]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

If you are in Des Moines, I recommend you stay away from Charles Gabus Ford. I had good luck at Toyota of Des Moines.

 

[dmclone]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

My first recommendation is to buy it from an actual owner. They don't need to make money on a car so they don;t have to try and polish a te**.

My other experience has been that most used car only dealers have questionable cars as apposed to new car dealers. This has just been from what I've seen in the past from places like Car City.

 

[kilgore_trout]

check out ebay. but get a carfax report...

 

[cyco2000]

I'll second the AmesCars. They're ISU guys and easy to talk with.

Secondly, try mightygoodcars.com. They're located in Polk City and have a variety of cars below book value. I've bought on from there as has someone I work with. They have the best deals that I've found (not even close).

 

[usedcarguy]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

If you are in Des Moines, I recommend you stay away from Charles Gabus Ford. I had good luck at Toyota of Des Moines.

You may or may not know it. But those two stores have the same owner.

 

[usedcarguy]

Re: Used Car DealershipReccomendations

My first recommendation is to buy it from an actual owner. They don't need to make money on a car so they don;t have to try and polish a te**.

My other experience has been that most used car only dealers have questionable cars as apposed to new car dealers. This has just been from what I've seen in the past from places like Car City.

Your concern with Car City is well founded.

 

[4429 mcc]

I bought my wifes car from Lithia...good car. Ask for Carfax or even the previous owners name/number.

 

[rhlentz]

doesn't mighty good cars fix cars that have been damaged pretty severely and that is why they sell them cheap? not sure if this is true but i heard it somewhere

 

[clones26]

doesn't mighty good cars fix cars that have been damaged pretty severely and that is why they sell them cheap? not sure if this is true but i heard it somewhere

They would have to disclose this with a salvage title though...right?