Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
1998 Saturn SL2 sedan
Automatic
90,000 miles
Dark blue exterior/tan cloth interior
Atlanta metro
Power windows, power locks, power passenger mirror, cruise, AC, AM/FM cassette, alloy wheels
Couple of scratches on the trunk and passenger rear door. Nothing major. You can barely catch them with a finger nail. No dings (gotta love those plastic panels)
Interior just needs a good vacuum. No tears, stains, or strange smells. Non-smoker
2 new tires .. the other 2 have about 80% tread left. The AC is cold. Everything works. Engine runs smooth (well as smooth as a Saturn from 98 can be) and the transmission shifts smooth as well.
I paid $1900 including 2 new tires, replaced serpentine belt, and a mechancial inspection.
How'd I do?
We have found this
2000 Honda Accord EX V6 sedan
Dark green with tan leather
82,000 miles
Automatic transmission
Atlanta metro
Power everything, cruise, keyless, CD player, leather, roof, wheels
Exterior has a couple of dings and scratches. There are about 3 door dings and 3 miscellaneous scratches. The scratches could probably be taken care of with a good wax.
The interior needs a good rub and a vacuum. But the leather is in good shape, no weird odors, and everything works.
It has been in an accident and the rear quarter panel was rewelded according to the owner. The Carfax checks out and there is no evidence of salvage history.
So far he is down to $8600. Is this fair?
-Mathias
========================================
So, we have a 02 Camry LE with 17,000 short miles, no power seat - right.? .. we have the power pack, we have the no-sale blue thing going on and you have the right interior with some tunes, if it hasn't been whacked cracked or smacked ... then trade side, in and around the mid to tall $12's, might find a dealer to drop the low low low low $13's in it, if it's really a nice one and it needs -0- ................
Terry.
Long time fan of your service here! I finally need your advice. I'm parting with a '98 mb c230.
Black with Ivory all leather interior, (not the mb tex),auto,61k miles. Power moonroof, power driver and passenger seats and the interior is in terrific shape. A few scratches on the front quarter panel, caused by a shovel falling on it, are the only outside blemishes. I'm certain a french fry never saw the inside of this car since my mother never let the grandkids eat in it. Your thoughts on it's value as a trade and what my expectations on retail rd. would be greatly appreciated!! I am located outside of Wilmington,Delaware
Thanks!!
I have decided not to look at those sc430 or clk in NYC.
I am currently looking at a 2002 Cadillac Escalade AWD, GM Certified in my local cadillac dealer.
It is white with 42000 miles. and I am in rochester NY. The suv was a trade-in, and was brought and service at the same dealership, with no repair or accident.
They are asking $37995. what should i offer them tomorrow, and what is a good price?
Thanks!
===============================
I remember this deal .. this was the one with the hinky CLK, been around the block, multi owners, many visits to the auctions, north/south vehicle, yatti yatti yatti - right.?
Now, standing at the plate: we have a 02 Escalade AWD (not a EX) right color anywhere, miles are kinda ho-hum, CPO and their only *asking* $37,900 .... thats a great price.! If your backed up like Indy is right now and with less than 2 minutes to go - oooop's sacked.! - damn, they blew the kick .... great game though.
The dealer might-maybe-could have the tall $31,0 low $32ish in the vehicle, add a little "Sillyfied" warranty, a little service, a nice detail a this and a that and Wango Tango, it probably hits the table at the super tall $32, maybe the low/mid $33ish figure ... $37,900 .? that's nice, tell them you will do $35,5 and $35,9 will flat kill it - it has 42k, not 22k ..... $37,9 .? I think thats the conversion rate between the American dollar and the Tibetan Yak.
Terry.
"No sale green (or blue)"
"Taliban attacks".
The french fry attacks I get along with most of them....
BTW, the Intrigue was the victim of a near-sighted driver trying to park next to it at the mall two weeks ago. Caught the right headlight, scratching it and pushing the assembly back into the fender, the fender from there to just before the wheel opening is pushed in. GEICO says $1100.
Replacement headlight is estimated at $180!
Took it to a friend who does restos, hot rods and customs and he's cutting my $500 deductible in half..... Says no problem and I'll never know there was any damage when he's finished.
Guess the value of the Intrigue is lowered by $1 now??
BTW, there was a 65 TBird convert ready for paint in his shop along with an almost completed 51 Lincoln Cosmopolitan - 5 inch chop, nosed, decked, lowered, etc, etc....
Deke
Taliban attack means that the car looks like it has just arrived from a war zone, in other words, beat to a pulp.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
She originally wanted the Catalina Blue - Toyota dropped it as being unpopular; 40% of the Camrys in NY are that color!
Looking at a Dodge Magnum SXT for myself - I like the Cool Vanilla, but it doesn't really seem to shine or stand out like the Super Silver one..... Choices, choices...
Thanks for the reply.
Deke
defecation = "number 2"
tributary = creek
proper propulsion = paddle
;-)
What does that mean? To me, it sounds suspiciously like burying the deductible to me--i.e., increasing the labor on the estimate that he normally doesn't charge, increasing parts price, etc so that those costs, when paid by the insurance company can reduce the amount you have to pay him. If that's the case, it's insurance fraud and a felony. If I've misinterpreted "cutting my deductible in half", then I apologize--but enlighten me as to what you mean.
we settle on $36000. with new wiper, floor mats, and cargo mats.
The truck drives great.
Thanks for the help terry.
Anyway, needing to go bye-bye:
1999 Nissan Quest SE with 52,000 careful clicks.
Silver, gray cloth insides
Loaded for it's day (orig Msrp of 26K - ouch)
Moonroof!, audio package (changer, etc), convenience package, alloys, ABS (standard equipment)
1-owner, all records (including 30K service at dealer)
Never any body work, just a few parking lot kisses on the sides, and a few chips on the rear bumper. No dents.
2 tires have 10K, Fronts are brand new (same brand/model).
Pretty much drives like new, not that it was that exciting then, but solid and reliable.
I prefer to trade it in, but what say the oracle for trade and retail road?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Terry.
Since he's an ace body man, he knows better what's involved in the repair and can do for less than estimated. I'm also paying in cash.
Didn't mean it to sound like fraud in any way.
This was a hit and run - I parked the car at 6AM and returned at 5:30PM to the damage. GEICO did not drop my deductible; I got a check for the difference today.
I guess you can equate the situation to getting a second opinion on a repair; you go with the lower price as long as you're getting quality service. I'm not one to go to MAACO or any of the "churn" shops.
Deke
Anyway, needing to go bye-bye:
1999 Nissan Quest SE with 52,000 careful clicks.
Silver, gray cloth insides
Loaded for it's day (orig Msrp of 26K - ouch)
Moonroof!, audio package (changer, etc), convenience package, alloys, ABS (standard equipment)
1-owner, all records (including 30K service at dealer)
Never any body work, just a few parking lot kisses on the sides, and a few chips on the rear bumper. No dents.
2 tires have 10K, Fronts are brand new (same brand/model).
Pretty much drives like new, not that it was that exciting then, but solid and reliable.
I prefer to trade it in, but what say the oracle for trade and retail road?
==============================
Getting them a new vehicle is fine, it's when they want to wear your underwear that gets me ...
So, we have a 99 Quest SE with 52,000 carefully monitored miles - who did the work, NASA.? .. we got us a slider - kinda rare, good color in and out, we have the tunes, C package, wheels, ABS, service is steady, 1 owner, a kiss over here, a few little love bites over there and some newish rubber .. all in all, it sounds like a pretty nice little van and the miles are low for the year ...
Actually these little dudes still do well in the market, I buy quit a few of these every year and the two tone Nautica's sell like popcorn ... this one should see the ultra super tall $7's, maybe/might see the low/mid $8's trade side if it's a "looker" and it needs -0- ... Retail Rd - $10,495 *asking* and it gets a new owner at $9,5/$9,9 ... you get the tax savings in NJ, right.? might be the better way to go .................
Terry.
I'm toying with the idea of trading in my Vue. I'm in Joliet, IL (far southwest suburb of Chicago)
2002 Saturn Vue AWD V6
silver
just under 20,000 miles
auto, air, pm, pw, pl, cruise, tilt, am/fm/cd/cassette, factory power sunroof, and ABS
it's clean, no accidents, a couple of paint chips here and there.
What can I expect in trade-in? I'm looking at new Toyotas and Mercurys.
Thanks!
$36,0 ..... ? .. thats my boy, you did great.!
Terry
'98 S70 T5 automatic
cowhides
slider
bun warmers
coral red out, tan in
94K miles
knee deep in rubber. has zero dings and dents, but has its share of rock chips and small surface scratches. Had $2k of front corner damage last year, but top-notch fix. Clean inside. So I guess it balances out to average condition?
As always, in NJ.
thanks, terry!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Didn't mean it to sound like fraud in any way."
Well, still. You are doing what amounts to a cash settlement. That is, again, I don't have complete info here, apparently, but when you say "I'm paying in cash" it often means something like "the insurance company's cash" (a good conversation on something analagous is going on in Incon Salesmen). So, if I understand correctly, the insurance company wrote up its estimate, subtracted your deductible and cut you the check. You go to friend the body man who agrees to do the work and find overestimated labor and less expensive parts. You pay him the original est + 1/2 the deductible amount.
My point? It's a gray area, IMO. But, he says he can do it for less than the estimate that was the basis of the payment. Your deductilble is your deductible, period. That means whatever the ultimate cost of the repair is, you still pay the same deductible. You're not doing that is this case. Costs the company the same amount and you're saving. It's worth pondering when you wonder why your premium keeps going up.
Corvette,
"in cases of hit-and-run there is usually no deductible. If the accident was not "your fault," you will recover your deductible from the insurance company after subrogation."
This assumes the hit and runner is a known person. Damage to your vehicle from such a loss is a collision loss, subject to deduct. If it's a true hit and run (i.e., I was parked at the store, dude bashed my fender and took off), there is no compamy or person from which you can recover. Thus, out the deductible and the attempts to find a friend to make the repairs.
Both Green Bay
96 Dodge Dakota SLT 4wd
V8 (I plead ignorance here, but I think the only V8 avail then is 5.2L)
Red
96k mi
Auto
Standard options for SLT (power all, AC, cruise)
Haven't "seen" except on the miracle of science I'm using now, but assume "decent tires and condition" as it's on a lot. It does indeed appear to rust/dent/stain free with good shoes.
(Asking $5995)
99 Chrylser Sebring LXi Coupe
V6 (2.5L, I think--whatever the V6 was that year)
Dark Red/Black (hard to tell on screen and they don't say color)
67k mi
Leather, all power, hole, premium sound (which on this, I believe, is 4cd changer, bigger amp, couple more speakers)
(Asking $6450)
Thanks. And realizing you're on east coast, so it's not your turn till next week to evac, tie down the flamingos, just in case. (Translation: Stay safe).
Broke my own rules....added updates for engine sizes.
DrFill
Terry.
I had a key scratch on my van, so I went to the guy who does all the Toy/Lex work around here.
My "former" body shop does great work, but the customer guy is a complete dipstick, can't get any information from him... you bring, he paints, that's all he knows...
Anyway, my new friend Chuck eyeballs the damage, tells me what he needs to do it right, asks me my insurance co. and says "If I do an estimate for Citizen's, it's all done on the computer, and I'm on the fast track for 'em, don't need another quote... then everything goes on there, remove and replace this, that, and the other, and when it's done, it's gonna cost 'em...(thinks, theatrically punches buttons on his calculator)... $8-850. If I do it for you, I'll write my own estimate, and it's $500." No mention of cash, mind you, this is all on the up-and-up.
He then explains to me what I need to know; will this be counted "against me" when I do it through insurance, will my rates rise, tells me what questions to ask.
Now, the other shop wouldn't tell me ANYTHING except they gave me an estimate, and it was -- you guessed it -- $800.
In the end, I had Chuck "touch up" the scratch for me so it looks OK -- you still can tell, though -- and he guaranteed that it wouldn't rust, and I could have it fixed at a later time if I changed my mind. He also told me he'd charge me extra if I tried to fix it myself and brought it to him rusty 2 years later.
When I dropped off the van to have the touch-up done, I gave him $20 as motivational incentive to give to the kid who'd do the work, and when I picked it up, the charge for the job was -0-. Nothing. AND I have a piece of paper with an estimate of $450 to do the whole thing properly if I change my mind, and I suspect he'll honor the price if rust appears. That is a great piece of paper to show to the next guy when I sell the van; better than have a complete repaint on the driver side, thank you very much. The hit in value is pretty much the same, I'd guesss...
This is the same guy who eyeballed my '98 Sienna with frame clamp marks two years ago and told me how he knew there hadn't been frame work, but simply body work, and showed me exactly where the marks cam from and what had been done, and that it was a good quality job.
Not everytime a price changes is there a crook involved...
-Mathias
Yeppers, computers are nice and all, but this stuff is becoming a "thriving" .. (how do I say this in a nice way) hmm, I can't, it's Insurance Fraud and the body shops ..
I just went through this 4 months ago, I followed all the parts, I watched them disassemble the damage, took copys and pics, stopped by on at least 4/5 occasions, took copys of every computer fax from the shop to the ins co, I passed on the "lets repaint the rear quarter" deal (didn't need it) and the last and the final bill was $16,5 (after all the adjustments) which I had copys of .. in the meantime, I called the ins co a week later to see about my $1,000 deductible (obviously the other driver had -0- ins) and fax me the final paper work - and Wango Tango, I'm paying my deductible off of $18,500 .. needless to say, this hasn't been a pleasant experience .l.o.l...
Terry.
Terry.
Long time fan of your service here! I finally need your advice. I'm parting with a '98 mb c230.
Black with Ivory all leather interior, (not the mb Tex),auto,61k miles. Power moonroof, power driver and passenger seats and the interior is in terrific shape. A few scratches on the front quarter panel, caused by a shovel falling on it, are the only outside blemishes. I'm certain a french fry never saw the inside of this car since my mother never let the grand kids eat in it. Your thoughts on it's value as a trade and what my expectations on retail Rd. would be greatly appreciated!! I am located outside of Wilmington,Delaware
Thanks!!
===============================
Shovel.? sounds like snow country ..
We have a 98 Benz C230, auto, it's black with tan hydes - good color for the area, we have 61k which is short for the year, we got the slider going on, pwr seats and you say it's pretty nice ...
If the rubber is deep and the stoppers are fresh, the paint is clean, no Popeyes in the seats, no Swirlomatic car washes, no K-Mart kisses, no curb burners and the service is from yesterday .. then trade side, in and around the mid to tall $8's, might "maybe" find a dealer that will fall on his sword and drop the low low $9's in it, but it better be "jam-up" ... me personally, finish any service and I would have a wonderful detail done, a superb 5/6 liner Ad in the biggest paper in your area, $12,900 *asking* and kick and scream at the first $11,5/$12,5 - but I would take it .. if it's a nice one, it won't last long.
Happy hunting and let me know.!
Terry.
The old 190's and the W124 E-class are considered absolutely bullet proof.
-Mathias
He then explains to me what I need to know; will this be counted "against me" when I do it through insurance, will my rates rise, tells me what questions to ask.
Now, the other shop wouldn't tell me ANYTHING except they gave me an estimate, and it was -- you guessed it -- $800."
No offense, Mathias, but please explain to me how an estimate written for Citizen's is $800 and an "estimate written for you" is $500 and that is up and up?
I can see why, for a couple reasons. 1) The overhead of having the computer and dealing with Citizen's procedures, etc increase his costs. Thus, doing an insurance job (and the occasionally audit, reinspection, etc) necessitate a higher price. (Ok, so far). 2) As a friend, many places charge their friends less--whether it be an invoice deal at the car dealer or a free hunting vest with purchase of a rifle at the sport shop--or an estimate they can live with to repair your car.
Now, if you have a $500 deductible and he writes you that $500 estimate and you pay him directly and don't file a claim, that's perfect--the cost to you is the same. The problem, however, comes in when you file the claim, submit the $800 estimate to the company and they pay the shop the $300 directly (which, with this type of shop-company arrangement is how it normally works). Then what happens is the shop still charges you the $500 Steiner price, so it's only $200 out of your pocket (when regardless, it should be $500) and the insurance company is out $300 when they should be out $0 (because of the "for you, $500" estimate).
Like I said, it's a gray area, but normally, we're not talking about 2 estimates that make difference between filing and not filing--it's normally the insured trying to find a way to bury the deductible. (That is, the estimate to the company is $2500--and it might even be a legit $2500; I'm not talking about places making up extra labor or parts--the estimate has to fly with the ins company; but once the company makes the payment less deductible, the shop calls it even--because he figures he could have done the job for $2000 if you came in w/o insurance or if you're a good friend or whatever.)
The most likely scenarios, however, are the "cash settlement" claims I described previously--insured submits estimate from big and good shop, gets check from company less deductible and finds dude in a garage that does this on Saturdays to do it for that amount. THAT sort of thing is fraud.
Secondly, maybe it's a price that cannot be jacked up once the car is torn apart -- but that's pure speculation. This was a key scratch, so it was perfectly clear from the outset what needed to be done.
Part of it might be attitude; it was very obvious that I wanted "somethign" done at "some time", and there was no hurry on my part. Filler jobs are always nice to have for any auto repair business.
And he's not really a friend, just a guy that talks to me like a human being when I have a question. As opposed to a lot of other places. The only way it would have been illegal is if he had offered to kick back part of the deductible to me... but he didn't. He made it quite clear that he thought the best route was to leave the insurance out of it, because they have a nasty habit of kicking out people who cost them too much money, at fault or not.
"[..] insured submits estimate from big and good shop, gets check from company less deductible and finds dude in a garage that does this on Saturdays to do it for that amount. THAT sort of thing is fraud."
I disagree, but I'm willing to be educated. On my wife's Sienna, the bill would have been $6k. I elected to not have it done at all but rather take the check and sell the wreck. The co. sent out an appraiser and cut me a check for that amount. At that point, I can set fire to the car, sell it on ebay, or have Tony fix it in his spare time... I'm up front about what I'm doing, certainly this is legal...
From things Terry has said before, people do it all the time; take the $4k check and have the car "fixed" for $2k.... is THAT fraud? It's just a bad car afterwards, but it didn't cost the insurer any more or less...
I was under the impression this was OK to do, if not necessarily a smart thing...
-Mathias
The way I view it, the claim payment is for you to do as you wish - it is an insurance company's estimate - nothing more, nothing less. Not sure why I am obligated to spend exactly that amount for the repair. What if I want something done to a better spec than they allow in the claim, and do not want to pay - is that fraud on their part?
And I made it quite clear, I thought, that taking this route is not the problem, at all. You're not filing a claim, so you can do anything you want. Further, I also stated that even if you had filed a claim, your sort of scenario is a pretty light shade of gray, anyway, IMO. I was focusing more on people who take the ins co check and get the work done for less, thereby subverting the payment of their deductible.
"I disagree, but I'm willing to be educated. On my wife's Sienna, the bill would have been $6k. I elected to not have it done at all but rather take the check and sell the wreck."
Let me explain it a little better. Again, I am NOT a lawyer or a claim rep--this is just my personal view. But, anyway, let's take a look of what I am talking about.
I hit a deer. I either a) go to "preferred provider" shop and get an estimate or b) an adjuster comes out and does a company estimate. For the purposes of simplicity, lets just say in either case, the estimate is the same amount, $2500. I carry a $500 comp deductible and I tell the insurance co "I'm not sure what I'm doing, just send me a check." They do so, sending me $2000. I then decide (of, what I am getting at, the more nefarious immediately go to Joe's Backyard Garage) I can't live with it damaged and decide to get my car fixed. So I go to Joe's Backyard Garage and ask him "can you fix this for $2000?" He says, "Well, I guess so, sure". Thus, no money out of my pocket. Now, if I had gone to Joe's Backyard Garage and said, "I hit a deer, covered by insurance", I can tell you with near certainty his estiamte would have been at or near the $2500. In this case, the ins co is still out the $2000, but at least I also incurred the $500 expense.
My point? If Joe can repair the car for $2000 after I ask, why isn't his estimate $2000 (and the expense to the ins co, in turn, $1500 instead of $2000)? It might not meet the legal definition of fraud, but it meets my personal one--it allows me to get the car fixed w/o me incurring the shared expense of repairing the car, as the deductible is intended to do.
Taking the cash and simply not repairing the vehicle, selling it, starting it on fire, whatever are entirely different issues. After taking the payment, no further coverage applies, of course, unless the repairs paid for are performed, so what you do in that case is your deal and I personally have no problem with that. Sort of like an older car that has collision, is easily totalled. You take the total loss payment, retain the salvage and just drive the car with a dent in it, but with cash in your pocket. Again, no problem. My issue is, simply: If you repair the vehicle and you secure a repair satisfactory to you, but at a reduced rate, a rate that in any way reduces your own expense, that is dishonest and fraudulent--it increases costs for all policyholders, because YOU (not you, personally, generic you, as in the you who is getting this done) have chosen a $500 deductible and then found a way to avoid paying it.
To be clear: I'm not accusing you of doing anything wrong--the scratch example is not a huge deal--I'm just talking about claims where people "need to get my car fixed, but I can't afford the deductible".
As I continued to read your post, I started to think that the time to call for fraud probably occurs when there is inital intent among parties to deceive the insurance company. So, if person A brings his car to body shop A, and both agree to submit a claim for $5000, when the damages are only $3000 - probably a basis for fraud there.
But on the other hand, if person A gets an estimate and check for $5000 from the insurance company, and then shops around and finds a shop willing to fix the damage for $3000 - good for person A, probably not so good for person B who is going to buy the car next year.
Good discussion - sorry to get in the middle of RWTIV.
Now, Terry, how much is my 2001 Toyota worth? Enough details there for 'ya??? Just kidding!
Damon
Then you usually end up getting a job that looks like a $3,000 job, no OEM parts, bondo and fill instead of the new stuff and Jack the Ripper as the painter .. but hey, who will ever know .........................
Terry.
I always thought the W124 E-class was the last generation of what .........M-B "used to be": cars you could run up 100--200K miles on w/o freaking out too much when the warranty ran out because of all the complicated electronics, etc. And the I-6--I don't know why they got away from that.
But I'm curious about your *trusty German used-car guides*--are those people, or books? If books, would you mind sharing what they are?
thanks, woody
>>According to my trusty German used-car guides, the C class from that generation is pretty darned solid... as compared to, say, the current one.
The old 190's and the W124 E-class are considered absolutely bullet proof.
-Mathias
I'm toying with the idea of trading in my Vue. I'm in Joliet, IL (far southwest suburb of Chicago)
2002 Saturn Vue AWD V6
silver
just under 20,000 miles
auto, air, pm, pw, pl, cruise, tilt, am/fm/cd/cassette, factory power sunroof, and ABS
it's clean, no accidents, a couple of paint chips here and there.
What can I expect in trade-in? I'm looking at new Toyotas and Mercurys.
Thanks!
=============================
Yes, I always wanted a room with a Vue ...
But anyway, in Chi-Town we have a 02 AWD V6, it only has 20k, we have the slider, power pack, and the ABS, plus you say it's nice, no road rash, no drive by's, no K-mart kisses, except for a few of those darn Love Bug attacks, if it's as nice as you say it is .. then trade side, in and around the super tall $13's, maybe the low low low $14's .....
Have a nice day and thanks for stopping by -- and whatever you do, "don't" tell me what happens .....
Terry
Terry.
As in, lets weld the fender back on ..? .. you lost me here ..
Terry.
Terry.
It is: 2000 Toyota Tacoma
Xtra cab
2WD
4 cylinder
manual
SR5 (so it has A/C and AM/FM/Cassette/single CD), sliding window (latch is cracked)
fiberglass shell
white paint with blue interior.
Body has no damage or repairs, interior has wear and tear, some minor stains on carpet, one spot of gum on seat (I'll work at getting rid of this if I sell rather than trade), but not thrashed.
No mechanical problems, runs great (only repair was a defective radiator replaced under warranty at 70,000 miles). Tires are OK, but not new, brakes and rotors replaced around 125,000 miles. 175,000 miles on it now, all highway.
I'm in Southern California, more or less L.A. area (could be sold in Bakersfield area - I'm in between).
What can I reasonably expect to get out of it?
==============================
Good description - Tanks ..
You have 2 things going for you ..
#1 - you live in SCal and the whacko's out there will drive 75 miles just to get a fresh Cappuccino ..
#2 - Large miles, but still, it's a 00 Yota 2wd Tacoma SR5 Xtra cab ..
The negatives ..? large miles, oops' I said that, the handshaker doesn't help and it's a 2wd 4 banger - did I say it has large miles ..? .. we have the Xcab, we have cold breeze, we have some tunes, fiber shell and the color is good anywhere .....
IF ------ it looks, drives and feels like 50/60k, the shift is strong and the stoppers and the clutch are even stronger, no paint by numbers, no Burger King battles, deep round things and the service is 110% .. then trade side, in and around the $4/$5ish figure, maybe even get close to the $6,0 figure, big maybe -if- you been going to church and you were born on the 6th Tuesday of October (and depending on the dealer) if it needs stuff start deducting ... some dealers will know what to do with this ~ most won't .. now, if it looks like you been hauling hay and dead pigs, then your in trouble.
Me personally .. finish Any service and do it right, I would get the detail god to make it look like it's on it's way to the Academy Awards, a superlative Ad, $7,900 *asking* and kick that bad boy loose for the first Cashola deal of $6,0/$7,0 .......
This one has my interest - so don't forget to let me know .!
Terry.
There is "auto motor und sport", which also exists as a translated english-language rag, but I forget the name. "European Sports Car" or something similar inane... at least these were available a decade ago....
These people publish lots of information on used cars based on their old tests, reader correspondence, and information they get from the "TUV" (the U has an umlaut, sprechen sie html?), the insititution conducting the semiannual safety and smog inspections. Conducting, as in trying to poke a big screwdriver through your floor panels. No, I'm not kidding.
And then there is the ADAC; German version of AAA, which provides similar information and is using reader feedback (sorta like CU) as well as data they get from their tow and trouble trucks... these are the guys that come when you get stranded on the Autobahn.
BTW, in the Rhein-Main area, which is well-equipped with American soldiers, approx. HALF the cars you see stopped by the side of the freeway have American license plates. Seriously.
Woody: How's your German? And what are you interested in? If it's a certain make/model you're after, I'll be happy to scan a few pages and post them so you can download them... just don't make me translate...
As far as W124's... people are buying these up with high miles and in decent shapes, and off they go to Northern Africa or the Middle East, where they'll live and work another decade. Truly outstanding vehicles, and worth the money when new. As opposed to today's Benz's....
-Mathias
=================================================
What correlation does that have? Do they tend to be American or Japanese cars?
and
Are VW and Mercedes having the same quality catastrophes across the pond as they are here in the US?
anyway, just giving this post a bump up to the top:
i think i post this every 6 months or so, i just can't get myself to part with it, but let's try again.
'98 S70 T5 automatic
cowhides
slider
bun warmers
coral red out, tan in
94K miles
knee deep in rubber. has zero dings and dents, but has its share of rock chips and small surface scratches. Had $2k of front corner damage last year, but top-notch fix. Clean inside. So I guess it balances out to average condition?
As always, in NJ.
thanks, terry!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
This is just an update. We sold our 99.5 Nissan Pathfinder LE loaded today to our local Nissan dealer. He offered $12.5K within a few minutes we signed the papers and I was off. He said that the check would be ready on Monday morning.
20 minutes later he calls me saying that Carfax shows 2 accidents! These were low speed rear ends which happened 4 years ago with bumper being changed. Though we had signed all the paper work, he said that he has to back out of the deal. They heavily advertise CARFAX for their used cars and will have a problem selling a car which shows up with two accidents. We finally agreed to a price of $11750. I did not shop the car around since the number was right in the ballpark you had mentioned. The dealing was smooth and without any confrontation.
I know technically I could, and perhaps should have stuck to the original deal. After all, it is a wholesale, as is deal with no cool-off period. He had not explicitly asked about any accidents, and I did not volunteer any information. The car had been fixed using OEM parts at a body shop attached to the Nissan dealership, and we had driven it for four years without any problem.
On our way back the sales guy who was giving us a ride told us that 4x4 are in the right season now. He said we got the price we got since not too many 4x4 come to the Riverside Nissan auction, especially a 1999.5 with 52K miles. He felt that we could have easily sold it to a private party and made quite a bit more. But we did not want to do that for this vehicle, since we are busy with too many things right now.
They poke screwdrivers through your floor panels, sweet! See now that is real world testing. The closest thing we have for used car evaluations is Consumer Reports/Union (ugh) which only recommends Hondas and Toyota subcompacts and midsizers. Everything else is new car evaluations, and new car crash tests.
But then again, a screwdriver, or any sharp object, driven through the floor panel is kind of a rare accident...
Oh and Terry, I really hope the Ivan hurricane doesn't do the type of damage that the past two have, but this one looks big.
They also can buy cars that have failed inspection from Germans -- these are cheap. I mean CHEAP. -- and drive them into the ground. Which is cute, since they are on the same roads, but hey, it's a small perk in a generally lousy job... If they brought over their American rides, they take care of them as best they can -- better be sure brakes are sorta OK on the 125 mph run down to Stuttgart early Sun morning -- but they get stuck as often as your "normal" American driver.
What I'm driving at is that Germans tend to take much better care of their cars than Americans do... they also haven't been spoiled with Japanese quality since the 70s... it's quite normal to take a 3-year-old Golf or C-class Benz to the shop, just 'cuz it's that time of year again, and drop $1k in maintenance, just 'cuz the dealer sez it's a good idea. If the head gasket ist starting to let go, they'll find out before it gets to be a fatal problem. Add TÜV to that, and it's easy to see why so few Germans get stuck on the freeway.
Of course, this comes at a hefty price tag tag. And: Good maintenance habits will not protect from the increasingly popular electronics failures. And those have AuBenzBMWVW owners seriously mad at the companies.
I was just commenting on some differences in car culture.
-Mathias