Hey Ricki! Finally! I might be able to offer some decent advice here! As a prolific junk driver, mechanic, chronic bullshidder wise in the ways of Men, and notorious cheapskate, heres what I do when evaluating a vehicle!
First, on the phone, I ask all sorts of pertinent questions..like a massive list so as to not waste their time and especially mine..."You got any service receipts?"...I also tell them all about myself and my hard earned vehicle evaluating skillset.... "Be Honest now, If I come all the way out there, is there ANYTHING I'm gonna see that will queer this deal?"...l want to hear a solid and immediate 'NO!' or a few minor explanations...
OK, So I get a solid "NO! This rig is entirely honest!"...So over I go with a fist full of Benjamins ready to do the deal...I tell the guy, 'Dont start it up before I get there'...IMPORTANT!
I check everything cold..tires, (huge expense) brakes, battery age punchouts, radiator fluid, oil, tranny, air filter, etc..I want to SMELL and see what is up under the caps to attempt to accurately asses the Engine and drive gear situation...then, if alls honest and good, I crawl underneath to do a visual of any leaks or structural flaws from an impact or weather...I want to use my nose to smell for any evidence of water intrusion that may be masked by Fabreeze or a pine tree freshener..(Hurricane cars)....that there is a deal killer, if you get any sense that the guy is trying to mask anything he didnt tell you about...
If all looks good to this point, I have the Owner start it up and go through the lights and signals as I walk around outside...then take ME for a drive! I want to feel for any vibrations, listen for any obtuse noises as I concentrate...Then I have him pull over into a parking lot, do another walk around, look up underneath etc. Only after this do I take the wheel!
I want to see if it 'pulls' when I hit the brakes or let go of the wheel etc, Listening Feeling Smelling intently for any unnoticed or hidden problems...I need to know if all systems are operating properly or feeling for anything strange...Head back to the guys crib, and get out looking ambivalent...
OK..so it all looks good and honest, you think its a damn good deal!..Dont let on! Its Negotiating Time! Run your finger around the inside of the tail pipe and comment on how its 'burning oil!' Ask the guy if he has anything else he can throw in to sweeten the pot...! Weber Grill? Winchester? Huffy Bicycle? Whatever! It really doesnt matter what you say! You just want to get the feel of how motivated the guy is to sell while you think about it!!
Oh, make sure you see the clear title in the sellers Name first!...or all of this is for naught...unless you want a grill or a 30-30...
Most important, if you just get the creeps, about anything, something just aint Cricket that you cant put your finger on...walk away...and get the hell out of there...theres a few folks left that are smarter and more devious than we consider ourselves to be...