Nairaland Forum

Ileke-IdI:
On my first car purchase, i made the worst mistake ever! I'm sure that I'm not the only one whose driven off the lot not realizing that they bought a "dead car" until months or years later. The world is full of sneaky and dirty dealers, but a few advise from honest dealers won't hurt anybody.


1. What should a buyer be aware of?

2. What should a buyer be looking for?

3. What should a buyer avoid?

4. What's really the difference between new, used, certified pre-owner?


I understand that cars are huge investment, some cars' value drop 75% once it's driven off the lot. So buying or owning a car is something that requires critical thinking and patience.


Any other advice would help. . . .

US-AutoBuy:
First of all, you NEED to know what you want.

If you are not good with cars, get a GOOD mechanic.

BE REALISTIC: Don't be like some of these clowns that come here looking for a 2006/2007 Honda Accord with full options for N1.3m. Thats not a realistic price or offer.

If you find somebody that gives you and unbelievable offer, i GUARANTEE you that you will find yourself in an unbelievable situation rather quickly.


If you wanna employ the service of someone who knows what to look for in customs paper, that won't hurt too.

That's my 2 cents

Fhemmmy: If it is too good to be true, it is probably a bad deal.
Make sure you buy something that you will be able to maintain, it is easier to buy a ride, but to keep it aint easy.
If you are buying in person, make sure you have your mechanic with you to inspect and be sure you can trust him too and not a mechanic that will collect some change and sell you out.

Except you have a way to get the parts, stay away from a ride that you will have hard time finding the parts.
Do your research well before you by and buy with your eyes open.

Also, buy what will gladden your heart and not just anything.

But stay away from a ride that had a front collission accidental ride, they often develop problems . . . . . .

New ride = You are the first owner.
Used Car (Toks) you are the first owner in Nigeria (If you reside in Nigeria)
Used Car (Generally) means you are not the first owner.
Certfied Pre-Own means that the ride has been certified by the dealer or the maker and mostly comes with warranty.

Happy Hunting

Ileke-IdI:

Note: My friend just bought a new 2012 corolla today, it's soooooo sexy!!! But i dont want it, the interior is really not that much up to my standard. She told me that the best time to buy a new car is during the end of the month, when dealers are trying to meet their quota. How true is this?

Fhemmmy:

Your friend is so right, dealers have a quota and always wanna seal deals to make the months look good, but that does not mean that they will give you a deal out of the world.

I do agree with you that the Corolla is too boring for such price paid for it . . . Lol