<p>I don’t think you should feel tied to this car simply because you happen to volunteer with this person who just happens to be selling a car.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a used car you should first figure out what type of car you want (coupe, sedan, suv, convertible, sports car), size, fuel mileage target, and budget you’re willing to spend. You should consider objective items like number of miles, the service the car has had done (ex: replaced catalytic converter, rebuilt transmission, replace timing belt, etc.). You should then consider less objective but still sometimes important things like color, overall condition of the body/interior, brand preference if any, etc.</p>
<p>Only after you determine the above should you consider whether your colleague’s car fits what you’re looking for and whether it’s something you should even be thinking about buying.</p>
<p>Really, you should buy the best car that fits your budget and desires. Usually you’re better off with lower miles than more miles, are better off with certain brands that are more reliable than other brands (hint - VW is one of the least reliable brands the last time I checked), are better off with a car that’s been kept up to date on service, better off with a car that’s been well taken care of, etc.</p>
<p>If nothing else head to a Carmax or similar large used car sales place with your budget in mind and see what fits. You can get started by just checking online. </p>
<p>If the VW ends up still appealing to you after all that then you should consider it.</p>
<p>Check the tires well - tires are expensive so you could be facing a $400 or thereabouts hit very soon if the tires aren’t in very good condition.</p>
<p>Regardless of which used car you want to buy you need to realize that in most circumstances, including virtually all private party sales unless you have a specific written contract, used cars are sold as-is with no warranty. This means once you buy it, hop in it, and drive it down the street, if at the end of the block the engine seizes or the transmission fails you likely are stuck with it. Caveat emptor. If you buy certain used cars from some auto dealers, such a ‘certified used cars’ from a manufacturer name dealership (VW, Ford, Toyota, etc.), they might have a warranty. Unless you have a written warranty then figure you have no warranty at all regardless of what the seller implies. </p>
<p>And regardless of which car you want to buy, insist that you be able to take it to a good mechanic to inspect it so some of the issues might be able to be determined (but even then there’s no guarantee). If you buy a certified used car as described above this step is less necessary because of the warranty.</p>