What used car dealer do you recommend?

Submitted by X_PRSN t3_1177zap in pittsburgh

So later this year I'm going to be in the market for a new commuter car for work. Don't need anything fancy - reliable and fuel efficient is all I care about (got a 70-mile round trip work commute). I've been browsing here and there, and everywhere I look used cars are stupid overpriced. Hoping that changes soon.

So I turn to yinz for perspective. As used car dealers go, who do you think it the most trustworthy and reasonably priced? Bonus points if you've dealt with them directly and can vouch. Cheers!

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B0bb3r7 t1_j9ahi72 wrote

Shouldn't the question be, "What is the least hated used car dealer?"

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StupidOldAndFat t1_j9ane51 wrote

Unfortunately. We’re not all bad, but we’re not all good, either. Research dealerships and salespeople as well as cars.

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StupidOldAndFat t1_j9alrq7 wrote

Car salesman here. Not gonna make a recommendation, because I’m clearly biased. Values are dropping but interest rates are climbing. Are you looking for a sub-$10k cash purchase or 2-3 year old with low miles? The sub 10k market is rough. Mostly 10+year old or well over 100k miles. If you’re going that route, Toyota or Honda. Later 2-3 year old car, buy Certified. To your actual question - Research dealers as well as cars. Dealerrater is a nice resource for reviews. I have had customers come to me specifically because of my ratings.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_j9blkb0 wrote

I just bought a car last week, the market is stupid right now. 2-3 year old models going for the same price as new (this may be specific to Toyota). I bought new for the first time in my life because of it.

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StupidOldAndFat t1_j9blw2x wrote

It’s every brand, but Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru have always commanded a higher price.

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CARLEtheCamry t1_j9bmdn8 wrote

Yeah but my point is it's extra stupid right now. I've always been a "buy a 5 year old model" but the used market is insane. My 2010 got totaled and insurance paid out $1k less than I paid for it 7 years ago.

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X_PRSN OP t1_j9cdgfd wrote

I appreciate the perspective. If it's okay with you I'll DM you later when I have time and explain my situation. Would like to know what you think my options are.

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GoodGravy412 t1_j9ahy8z wrote

Blue Knob Auto. - Good Selection of late model, low mileage cars, No haggle pricing, financing available, will hold a car for you. Worth the trip.

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HomicidalHushPuppy t1_j9aj4ci wrote

Good cars but as of late their prices are quite high, from what I've seen

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Dancing_Hitchhiker t1_j9akjrg wrote

Everytime i debate about buying a new car, I look at prices and reconsider lol

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Legitimate-Ice3476 t1_j9aot5w wrote

I’ve noticed the same thing. However, they’ve been great to deal with previously. My extended family has purchased several cars from them over the years.

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Snoo28181 t1_j9czpdw wrote

Cannot beat the value and experience, best to go during week, very busy on a Saturday. Purchased quite a few vehicles, very easy.

They will hard sell the extended warranty package

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EmmBeeDeePSU t1_j9bp34a wrote

Can vouch for them as well...bought 2 cars. No idea on prices because I am now leasing but they were good to deal with.

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civilwar142pa t1_j9az3c5 wrote

Carshop. Carshop. Carshop. Their prices are decent. No haggling. The salespeople are paid on salary so they'll actually help you find the best car for you and won't pressure you into anything. They'll actually suggest you drop by on sunday when they're closed to look at the vehicles they have on the lot. They'll transfer a vehicle to your closest location for free. Home delivery has a fee.

They have a lifetime powertrain warranty on all cars at no extra cost. You just have to keep up with regular oil changes.

My family has gotten 3 cars from them so far and won't ever go anywhere else.

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Flacka_0431 t1_j9bh3x3 wrote

I second this. Become friendly with the folks who work there, and let them know what you're looking for. They will call you first if a used vehicle matching your needs and budget comes in

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mandyjd t1_j9bz0y7 wrote

Really? That's great that you had good experiences and I know others have too. But my ex and I had the worst time there - the Robinson location.

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Lincassable t1_j9ahkrd wrote

I bought my first vehicle new from Monroeville Dodge. Terrible experience. Bought my second new vehicle a couple years ago from VW South Hills and it was the exact opposite. Great experience!

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dannygloversghost t1_j9az9l7 wrote

It sounds like it may be out of the price range you’re working with, but my most successful car purchases have been certified pre-owned from a same-make dealership.

Most recently I bought a CPO Mazda from Rohrich Mazda and had a good experience – not much haggling to be done (which apparently is pretty standard these days with “internet pricing”), but the salesman (Jay, I think?) was low-pressure and communicated well, got me a good deal on my trade-in, and threw in some nice little extras. A nice add-on perk is that Rohrich offers lifetime free oil changes and state inspections (though not emissions tests) on every car they sell. I’ve done both multiple times – in and out with no charge and no upselling.

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vivolorosso t1_j9b0dew wrote

Martin Auto Sales and Martin Auto Gallery. My car was priced very fair during the worst of the covid used car crunch. They seemed to be good people.

Seriously, how many used car lots have a 4.7 and 4.8 google reviews rating?

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jonathanownbey t1_j9ccmsx wrote

I've purchased 3 used cars from Enterprise over the years and never had a bad experience with the people or the cars.

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Specific-Health-8956 t1_j9clg8r wrote

I bought a used Civic from Valley Honda in Monroeville in 2018 and had a great experience. I know that overall the used car market has been way tougher since the pandemic but that was my experience. I take my car there often for service, and I know everyone says not to take your car to your dealer for service but I swear they’ve been nothing but helpful, fair, and nice, which honestly as a 27 year old woman makes a difference bc a lot of times when I walk into any car-rated place I immediately get talked to like a 5 year old and it is very annoying lol

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1MagnificentMagnolia t1_j9akzt9 wrote

ATCAuto Sales and Service. Bought from him twice. He lists on Craigslist and has a page he keeps up to date.

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VietBongArmy t1_j9b5mpj wrote

I bought a used 2017 Charger from Krebs in Gibsonia in 2021. They were fine, salesman really didn't have to do much because I was pretty interested in the car so it was a just a matter of me test driving it really. Salesman let me test drive by myself, so that was great.

Cochran in Monroeville I dunno, I drove a used CTS before the Charger, the salesman was an old guy who generally seem bothered I showed up on a Friday to test drive the car. He had to come with me on the test drive, so pretty quickly after leaving the dealership, it was easy to feel a vibration in the car. I asked him if he felt it, he said yes but you could tell he didn't like what I asked after that. I asked him if the dealership would fix the vibration and was generally evasive in his answers "I don't know" "I'll have to get back to you"...the old curmudgeon never even bothered contacting me back to give me an answer. So I assume some sucker bought that car.

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AlreadyMoved2Houston t1_j9bcw1p wrote

Bought one from Lot 1 Cochran dealership in Robinson and regret that day. Swear to hid they just put a sticker on there and called it a day. Things started going wrong almost immediately and they completely screwed up the title transfer. 0/10

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drfranff t1_j9b746p wrote

It was kind of a pain because it's a bit of a drive, but I had a great experience with Delaney (specifically Delaney Subaru) in Indiana when I bought a CPO from them. I bought it in 2017, though, so things may have changed! I suppose the used car market is a bit different now than it was back then.

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RowerBoy t1_j9b7n3v wrote

If you’re comfortable with it and have a good mechanic, Facebook marketplace is always good if you have your mechanic check it out

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Fit_Buyer6760 t1_j9bcw1w wrote

I feel like most of the answers here are recommending the most expensive options like blue knob and carshop which isn't what you're looking for.

You basically need to look everywhere (used car dealers, facebook, craigslist) as long as they let you check the car over properly. If you want the best chance at a decent car you need a third party opinion of someone who has experience with that particular make and model.

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KS_Brian t1_j9bva1o wrote

Do NOT go to Compact Cars on Route 51. I lost $3000 on a rolling piece of garbage I bought there

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Jupichan t1_j9dyafj wrote

That name rings a bell. I think my dad used to buy cars off those guys when I was a kid. He was fixing them all the time (which he liked to do back then), but they were cheap.

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pittpanthers95 t1_j9cqx9s wrote

I bought a used Toyota from Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi by Ross Park Mall. Their sales experience was really good.

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Snoo28181 t1_j9czc4w wrote

Blue Knob in Altoona

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pegolasgreenleaf t1_j9d1v3k wrote

I had a good extant Compact Cars on Saw Mill Run. Bought a little Suzuki for a fair price that served me well.

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Burghflex t1_j9d2yss wrote

I’ll sell you my 2004 Honda Civic for $5,000. 85,000 miles. Nothing wrong with it.

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Burghflex t1_j9d3lh2 wrote

That I bought on Craigs list in 2017. It’s been a great car.

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