Used cars are actually a big market, refer to eBay or the major domestic second-hand platforms, you will be surprised by the volume of used car transactions. If you pay attention, car shops in many cities also have second-hand products traded, and there will always be one or two friends around to change the old for the new.
Buying second-hand products is not a shameful thing, and most of the performance of second-hand products is not inferior, if you feel that the pressure to buy a new car is great, as long as the snack eye, you can also find the desired second-hand products. We learn from a shopkeeper who has been in the business for more than 20 years and her technicians who will tell you how to get the most suitable product at the most affordable price.
1. Figure out what you want?
In order not to let yourself be led by the nose, you better figure out what you want before you start? Here are a few questions you can try asking yourself:
In your opinion, an old car may be someone else's favorite
a. What type of riding will you do?
Commuting, racing, mountain biking or traveling? You can also ask yourself, is this car going to be used for city commuting or sports? There are always people who think of a car to go around the world, going up the mountain and going to the sea to be comfortable, can I say you don't tease me?
b. What materials do I want to buy for my bike?
Steel frame: The steel frame has a good road sense and a long storage time, the chance of fatal damage is small, and after the collision, they are at most concave. When buying a steel frame car, we must pay attention to the perfection of the surface coating, and do not rust. Japanese road cars in the mid-to-late '80s were the best choice, and an old Miyata station wagon may not be far off from the new Soma performance. Beware of French goods from the 70s and 80s, the quality is too bad.
Aluminium alloy and carbon fiber car: The shopkeeper said that from a personal point of view, she does not consider used cars in these two materials. However, the times are changing, the current owners change cars frequently, good things are still not difficult to find, but it is recommended to go through reliable people and platforms to trade.
2. The highest price you can afford?
Before starting, there must be a price range in the mind, and then appropriately mobilize when buying a car. When testing, try out the car that is out of budget, and if you find true love, you don't have to regret not buying a good car.
Can your pockets support ambition?
3. Do your own research
Find the source, check the price
See if there are car shops nearby that operate second-hand business, physical store transactions can save a lot of trouble; find cars that individuals are interested in through second-hand platforms.
After determining the desired model, enter the official website of the product and other channels to understand the model, year and other information of the product you want to buy, and you can also find the quotation of the relevant model on the BicycleBluebook.com or the Product Library of the United States. Nowadays, buyers who buy things can't compare the price of X treasure and can't be at ease, but X treasure is not a price bureau after all, and the price is not accurate. The price seen in the search may only be the lowest price of all the options for the item, and if you use this to lower the price of the seller, I am afraid it will only attract white eyes. In addition, X-treasure is full of products from various sources, and the extremely low price may be individual or temporary, and should not become the pricing standard for all second-hand items. All in all, fully understanding the product before the shot saves time and effort, which is beneficial to both parties.
And you can also try to talk to your friends about the fact that you want to buy a car and look for advice.
4. Nine steps to check used cars
These steps are for those who can see the real car, the whole online transaction can only be more ask more questions and look at the picture.
1) Seat tube: Lift the bike and put it down to hear if there is any abnormal noise. Check the position of the sitter bundle, and also loosen the sit tube to see if the sit tube can be easily pulled up.
2) Frame: Carefully check the surface coating of the frame, it is best to choose a better light or borrow a flashlight. Pay attention to the scratches under the frame tube, and directly ignore those that have cracks on the frame. Look at the integrity of the front dial mounting plate, especially riveted, excessive corrosion may lead to breakage. Pulling forward, even 3mm of movement is not normal.
3) Rudder pipe and head tube, bowl group: do your homework at home, check the difference between the car and the original car when you see the real car, if the front wheel or fork has been replaced, it is best to ask the seller why, do not buy a car that has been hit. If the rudder tube is carbon fiber, detect its status with the vertical connection end. Also lift the front wheels to see if the front steering is normal. If you can, take it down to look at the inside and fork ends.
4) Check the performance of the kettle holder screws, over-wire resistance, and rear screws, and also pay attention to the position of the fork near the smallest platter, if it is only scratched by the topcoat, it is not a big problem.
5) The connection of different parts of the frame depends on the design of the frame, even if it is a one-piece molding process, it will rivet the parts in some parts. Focus on checking the part where the carbon tube and the aluminum tube are connected, the tail hook, the five-way, the head tube, etc., the same topcoat is not important, cracks or paint bubbles are rejected.
Lives are more expensive, and don't risk accepting a bike whose parts are noticeably old. Remove the handlebars, see if the screws are rusty, and then carefully check for serious collision marks, brake handles, handle ends, saddle edges, and rear dials, and consider the cost of replacing parts when hesitating.
7) Wheel set: The wheel group and the tire shape are intact, which is the key factor that determines the performance of the car, and it is also necessary to spend another amount of money to buy it back to correct the rim. Spokes, hubs, and even brake pads are all good to look at.
8) Transmission system: push the chain to the largest disc with the front dial, pull whether the chain is too loose (too loose to replace), and by the way, see if each chain has a bruise. Cranks and pedals should also be taken a look.
9) Check the conduit according to the location shown in the figure below, where it is most likely to wear. Pinch the brakes to see their quick reaction, then turn the car head and try.
It was the mule that was the horse, pulled out and slipped. This is also very critical, after the test ride you will know whether it is suitable for you and whether it is comfortable to ride.
6. Trading Instructions
1) Bargaining is an art
Bargaining is actually also a process of communication, have the heart to shoot, rather do your homework first, one step in place, save each other's worries and efforts, and avoid stalking on the price. Encounter the price has been lower than the market price, the price has been acceptable, the knife is not too fierce, sometimes the seller to go to the fraction or pay the freight, enough to reflect the sincerity of profit, repeated counter-offer will only hurt the harmony, so as not to buy and sell and also provoke a body. In addition, some buyers are excessively pursuing the discount of second-hand items compared to new products, no matter how large and small items are discounted, which is also irrational practice, or to follow the value of the goods themselves to price, at least a well-maintained car that is not much different from the new car should be more valuable.
2) Online and in-person delivery
safety first! Online transactions should be careful of dishonest sellers, beware of paying but not receiving goods, or goods are not right, to prevent related situations, can only choose a more formal platform for transactions, reduce the probability of being deceived. Once deceived, call the police decisively.
If you choose to deliver in person, for the sake of safety, find a friend to pick up the car with you, it is best to trade in a public place.
Once deceived, decisively call the police.