Buying a used vehicle on Oahu

My Scion Xb is holding up nicely and customers love it. It also takes time to clean it up each time we go house hunting - generally at least once a week. I've been looking for a truck or station wagon for those tasks that get the car dirty - like surfing and taking the dogs for a ride.

One of the better places to look for vehicles is craigslist.com. Here are a few things I've learned while reading craigslist ads and from previous purchases of used vehicles. This info applies to both buyers and sellers.

- A good photo is important in an ad. Take a look at some poor photos and ask yourself who would be interested in this vehicle? The price would have to be less than comparables to catch a buyer's attention.

Examples of cruddy car photos

Note to sellers - don't take a partial picture with your car shaded by trees.	Second note to sellers - Make sure there's enough light when you take your photo!

- In Hawaii, air conditioning is a "must" for the average person. Sure, we don't have the highest temperatures in the U.S. - just ask somebody who lives in Arizona, Nevada or even the midwest and they'll tell you they get higher temperatures than Hawaii.

Beware of ads that say "a/c just needs a recharge" or "have parts, just needs to be fixed." The seller might actually be sincere, but bear in mind that repairing air conditioning systems can be very expensive. If the a/c truly just needs a recharge, the cost would be $40-$50. Ask yourself - why did the refrigerant leak? If the a/c compressor is shot, it will leak. It will also cost $500+ to replace. The condenser (looks like a radiator) is also susceptible to damage and leaks. It will also cost some bucks to replace. So the "minor a/c problem" might end up costing you $1,000 or more. The best solution is to avoid cars with a/c problems.

- Hawaii has trade winds, which are prevailing winds that blow from the northeast. On an average day, the wind will blow more or less from this direction. Communities on the north and east sides of the Hawaiian Islands will be exposed to this salty ocean air more compared with communities on the south and west sides.

On Oahu, that means vehicles in neighborhoods such as Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo are more likely to develop rust - especially if they are parked close to the ocean! If you're buying a vehicle from these areas, take a close look for rust.

Areas on the leeward sides of Oahu, such as Hawaii Kai, Honolulu and Pearl City generally are not subject to the onshore breeze and vehicles hold up better against rust.

- Sun damage is also an issue. This can be more of a problem with an inverse relationship to salt air. The leeward areas of Oahu see less rain and more sun. Thus the sun bakes a car's paint more in these places.

Windward Oahu gets more clouds and rain and usually stays a bit cooler. This weather tends to kinder to a car's paint.

In summary, take a good look at a vehicle and don't let your emotions push you into a quick decision to buy. These days the economy is slow and cash is king! Take your time and find the vehicle that fits your needs.

Aloha, Mike