OK, here is what I am wondering....because this could happen to almost anyone here. Let's say there is lots of rain like they are having in the mid-west right now. Sometimes they show regular private cars sitting in water half way up the door. I assume that water is going to leak into the car. What can you do at that point? Can the car be restored? Does it affect the upholstery, carpeting, engine? Do these cars become used car bargains?
Here in Texas, if the insurance pays off on a flood damaged vehicle, it will (usually) be retitled with a “Salvage Title”. The title will not tell you why the vehicle was totaled by an insurance company, Carfax will often (but not always) show the reason.
There are people here in Houston who purchase cars at auction with relatively minor body damage, do the body work, and resell the cars not hiding the “salvage title”. They will usually have pictures showing the body damage before it was repaired, allowing you to judge for yourself how severe the damage was.
I have twice bought cars (one car, one truck, actually) that had salvage titles, but I saw proof of why they were “totaled” by the insurance company, so I knew exactly what I was getting into.
If there were no insurance on one of those cars in your picture, then it would not be “totaled”, and the title would not change to “salvage”. Those are the ones you have to worry about. One trick I was told about: pull off the inside door panel, and look for water marks inside the door.
When I was younger, back in the Paleolithic era, I had a couple of cars that were submerged in flood waters. These were beaters, no insurance, I dried them out and kept driving with no serious ill effects. But those cars had minimum electronics. No power windows, no power door locks, no power seats, no electronic ignition, no electronic fuel injection, no … Looking back now, I think the battery was just there for the starter and the headlights!
To me it would be getting in to a car with built-in performance capability that gets glowing reviews from owners and reporters alike.
We're a one-income couple and I earn the money and drive. She doesn't drive. The car and all associated maintenance and all of the driving is done by me. It's a car I could get financing for and the 2011 Kia Soul is a car that could be traded in and get resold. The man selling the car is also of the same religious denomination as we are and he is honest.
He's a man of his word. Imagine that in today's climate!
Also, I don't think a 2013 Ford Focus ST with 51,500 miles is done for, either. Still getting started.
My man, if you think you can trust someone because of their religion, you have a lot to learn about life in the world today. Just think about Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert, Robert Tilton, David Koresh, Jim Jones.
My office PC demanded I log in to the forums today and it was not easy.
First thing: it still showed the old Forums login page, which from everything I understand is a non-starter. Why is that still being offered up? We should never see that again, ever.
I refused to fall into that trap, so I went to Edmunds main page. Logged in there to my Insider account, which apparently I had already done at some time in the past on that machine as it remembered me. Went to the link on that page for Research and clicked on Car Forums. Nope, got the "Howdy, Stranger" page.
Then I remembered that computer has an ad blocker running. No joy there again when I disabled it, refreshed and re-tried.
Finally I went into Firefox and cleared all cookies related to Edmunds. When I went back I got a different log-in page. Did so again, and only then would it let me into the Forums. I can see why people struggle with this transition.
Oh, and last time I checked, still no fix to allow Safari on the iPhone to log in here.
A friend of mine found a company that offers a rather elegant solution to the problem of fitting an older BMW with BT and streaming audio. The company has produced a circuit board that replaces the cassette mechanism in E30 vintage radios and that board allows voice activation, hands-free phone operation, and audio streaming. If you aren't able to fit the board yourself you can ship your radio to them and they will install it for $45. Total cost is less than $250, which for me is a small price to pay to get those features without having to install a modern radio replete with the unavoidable "Tokyo by Night" display. Now I just need to convince the company to offer a similar retrofit for E36 cassette radios.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My office PC demanded I log in to the forums today and it was not easy.
First thing: it still showed the old Forums login page, which from everything I understand is a non-starter. Why is that still being offered up? We should never see that again, ever.
It may have been in a cache file on your computer.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
A friend of mine found a company that offers a rather elegant solution to the problem of fitting an older BMW with BT and streaming audio. The company has produced a circuit board that replaces the cassette mechanism in E30 vintage radios and that board allows voice activation, hands-free phone operation, and audio streaming. If you aren't able to fit the board yourself you can ship your radio to them and they will install it for $45. Total cost is less than $250, which for me is a small price to pay to get those features without having to install a modern radio replete with the unavoidable "Tokyo by Night" display. Now I just need to convince the company to offer a similar retrofit for E36 cassette radios.
Very cool - is it really that different though for an E36? I mean, a cassette is a cassette, right?
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
A friend of mine found a company that offers a rather elegant solution to the problem of fitting an older BMW with BT and streaming audio. The company has produced a circuit board that replaces the cassette mechanism in E30 vintage radios and that board allows voice activation, hands-free phone operation, and audio streaming. If you aren't able to fit the board yourself you can ship your radio to them and they will install it for $45. Total cost is less than $250, which for me is a small price to pay to get those features without having to install a modern radio replete with the unavoidable "Tokyo by Night" display. Now I just need to convince the company to offer a similar retrofit for E36 cassette radios.
Very cool - is it really that different though for an E36? I mean, a cassette is a cassette, right?
Yes, but the radios are different with respect to faceplates and how multi-function buttons are assigned. The board uses the cassette rewind, fast forward, and skip controls to perform similar functions when streaming audio.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
It’s more about economics, driver. You have the resources to pay more for a car that makes you feel more at ease. Many people do not have those same resources. $2000-$3000 is a lot of money to many people.
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
OK, here is what I am wondering....because this could happen to almost anyone here. Let's say there is lots of rain like they are having in the mid-west right now. Sometimes they show regular private cars sitting in water half way up the door. I assume that water is going to leak into the car. What can you do at that point? Can the car be restored? Does it affect the upholstery, carpeting, engine? Do these cars become used car bargains?
Here in Texas, if the insurance pays off on a flood damaged vehicle, it will (usually) be retitled with a “Salvage Title”. The title will not tell you why the vehicle was totaled by an insurance company, Carfax will often (but not always) show the reason.
There are people here in Houston who purchase cars at auction with relatively minor body damage, do the body work, and resell the cars not hiding the “salvage title”. They will usually have pictures showing the body damage before it was repaired, allowing you to judge for yourself how severe the damage was.
I have twice bought cars (one car, one truck, actually) that had salvage titles, but I saw proof of why they were “totaled” by the insurance company, so I knew exactly what I was getting into.
If there were no insurance on one of those cars in your picture, then it would not be “totaled”, and the title would not change to “salvage”. Those are the ones you have to worry about. One trick I was told about: pull off the inside door panel, and look for water marks inside the door.
When I was younger, back in the Paleolithic era, I had a couple of cars that were submerged in flood waters. These were beaters, no insurance, I dried them out and kept driving with no serious ill effects. But those cars had minimum electronics. No power windows, no power door locks, no power seats, no electronic ignition, no electronic fuel injection, no … Looking back now, I think the battery was just there for the starter and the headlights!
Great answer henryn. It seems there must be a huge number of cars with flood damage on the market these days. I bet a lot of private sellers get their cars that way.
To me it would be getting in to a car with built-in performance capability that gets glowing reviews from owners and reporters alike.
We're a one-income couple and I earn the money and drive. She doesn't drive. The car and all associated maintenance and all of the driving is done by me. It's a car I could get financing for and the 2011 Kia Soul is a car that could be traded in and get resold. The man selling the car is also of the same religious denomination as we are and he is honest.
He's a man of his word. Imagine that in today's climate!
Also, I don't think a 2013 Ford Focus ST with 51,500 miles is done for, either. Still getting started.
My man, if you think you can trust someone because of their religion, you have a lot to learn about life in the world today. Just think about Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert, Robert Tilton, David Koresh, Jim Jones.
Agree 100%. Some of the worst people I have come across are very religious. I think they go to Church, get forgiven so they can keep thieving. Also, psychopaths will do anything to get what they want, they like to hide behind the cloak of being religious, family oriented, or even generous....makes for a great disguise.
My office PC demanded I log in to the forums today and it was not easy.
First thing: it still showed the old Forums login page, which from everything I understand is a non-starter. Why is that still being offered up? We should never see that again, ever.
It may have been in a cache file on your computer.
The “Howdy Stranger” screen is unlikely to have been there as I seldom use that machine for Edmunds. It seems there are several seams being snagged in this transition.
OK, here is what I am wondering....because this could happen to almost anyone here. Let's say there is lots of rain like they are having in the mid-west right now. Sometimes they show regular private cars sitting in water half way up the door. I assume that water is going to leak into the car. What can you do at that point? Can the car be restored? Does it affect the upholstery, carpeting, engine? Do these cars become used car bargains?
Cars like that frequently end up on Craigslist.. The more honest sellers will list it as "salvage" if it hasn't been fixed and "rebuilt" if it went through some sort of repair. I know in NY such a car has to pass a specific state inspection before it can be registered. There's a national data base run by NICB where you can run a VIN check.
I hear that scammers will register such cars in non-title states like Vermont so that the branded status disappears.
I'd be very wary of a car like that unless it was dirt cheap. Especially a flood car.
You might find an older car that was totaled because of cosmetic damage like a sideswipe. If you could see before and after pictures it might reassure you. You'd still expect a discount over a compareable non accident car.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
The real saying is... "you can only expect so much when you put lipstick on a pig".
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
It’s more about economics, driver. You have the resources to pay more for a car that makes you feel more at ease. Many people do not have those same resources. $2000-$3000 is a lot of money to many people.
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
Trusted dealer? Isn't that an oxymoron?
BTW, getting a warranty from a dealer doesn't guarantee a clean title. Google some of the dealer horror stories on line.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
To me it would be getting in to a car with built-in performance capability that gets glowing reviews from owners and reporters alike.
We're a one-income couple and I earn the money and drive. She doesn't drive. The car and all associated maintenance and all of the driving is done by me. It's a car I could get financing for and the 2011 Kia Soul is a car that could be traded in and get resold. The man selling the car is also of the same religious denomination as we are and he is honest.
He's a man of his word. Imagine that in today's climate!
Also, I don't think a 2013 Ford Focus ST with 51,500 miles is done for, either. Still getting started.
@iluvmysephia1, I hope you not serious about the religion thing.
When I was going to school when I was in the Navy back in 1960/1961 it was in Jacksonville FL. A very large Naval air station and training center. There was a used car lot, the type that has cars pulling up one after another with the screamer guy giving the cost of each. It was more than obvious that this lot was directing these commercials to the young sailors. The guy would sign-off with, "and you can trust Christian Bob". This was not the name of his shyster lot, just his sign-off line. I still laugh when I think back on that guy.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Lots of people buy used cars with good results. I’ve never had a problem. I always had them checked by a mechanic before I bought them.
I've bought 5 cars off Craigslist and I never bothered with an independent inspection. Mostly it was because tbey were cheap (most expensive was $3500) but also because at that price point I expected to find $500-1000 in repairs required. I factor that into any offer.
Anything over 5k and I would get an independent inspection. Doing that doesn't guarantee perfection though. Way back in the day I bought a three yearold used Chevy from a new car dealer, had it inspected and negotiated fixes on what my mechanic found. Still, one day after the 30 day warranty expired, the AC condenser blew.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I see in that flooded vehicles picture someone wanted make sure the car flooded, so they popped the trunk. The blue pickup doesn't seem to be faring too badly.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
OK, here is what I am wondering....because this could happen to almost anyone here. Let's say there is lots of rain like they are having in the mid-west right now. Sometimes they show regular private cars sitting in water half way up the door. I assume that water is going to leak into the car. What can you do at that point? Can the car be restored? Does it affect the upholstery, carpeting, engine? Do these cars become used car bargains?
Cars like that frequently end up on Craigslist.. The more honest sellers will list it as "salvage" if it hasn't been fixed and "rebuilt" if it went through some sort of repair. I know in NY such a car has to pass a specific state inspection before it can be registered. There's a national data base run by NICB where you can run a VIN check.
I hear that scammers will register such cars in non-title states like Vermont so that the branded status disappears.
I'd be very wary of a car like that unless it was dirt cheap. Especially a flood car.
You might find an older car that was totaled because of cosmetic damage like a sideswipe. If you could see before and after pictures it might reassure you. You'd still expect a discount over a compareable non accident car.
There have been discussions here in these forums on that very topic, "How much to discount a car for a Salvage title?" A lot of people with a lot of different opinions, with no clear cut consensus. I think the closest thing to a real answer is, "It depends."
If you're looking at a 12 year old pickup truck that was totaled by the insurance company because it needed a new front bumper, grille, and hood (with no structural damage), and the clean value was $7,500, then the salvage value with the damage nicely repaired would probably be no more than 20% less.
A fairly new car, with a clean value of $25k, nicely repaired, would probably drop closer to 40%. YMMV
The car would be given a thorough check by a mechanic, as suydam says. I'd ask several questions and be there during the check, too. Like I say, 51,000 miles on a 2013 Focus ST at a price of $12,500 is a really good deal. I've done my research on the car.
As far as religion goes, a lot of false preachers **cough**cough** like Catholics **cough**cough** have not followed the word of God, yet they claim to be authorities on the word of God. There will be double the punishment for them. Know that is true. I trust in my faith and I trust in the living God. I know that what I believe, he also believes. Enough so that I trust this guy selling the Focus ST. Besides, I would get the car checked out first. And his used car dealership has a great reputation in town. He's been in the business 26 years.
Having said all that, the car could have a failure of an expensive part at any time after I buy it. Just a part of the car business.
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
The real saying is... "you can only expect so much when you put lipstick on a pig".
I see in that flooded vehicles picture someone wanted make sure the car flooded, so they popped the trunk.
The blue pickup doesn't seem to be faring too badly.
I remember many decades ago me and a friend were driving around at the end of a really heavy rain. We came on one viaduct that had standing water and I stopped to turn around. My friend said that the water didnt look to deep. I responded "but I know this viaduct". If I would have gone through we would have looked like those cars.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
It’s more about economics, driver. You have the resources to pay more for a car that makes you feel more at ease. Many people do not have those same resources. $2000-$3000 is a lot of money to many people.
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
Driver, the comment you made about not trusting individuals as much as you would trust buying a used car from a dealer can be said for a dealer, as well. I can't tell you the numbers of people I have dealt with when I was in the car business who bought cars from dealers and had awful experiences. Just because a dealer sells you a used car doesn't mean you are getting a better deal or price and/or a better, safer and cleaner car.
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales.
abacomike I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing.
That's why I don't spend a lot of cash on anything that doesn't have some sort of guarentee, especially something as complicated as a car.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
The real saying is... "you can only expect so much when you put lipstick on a pig".
jmonroe
Oink, Oink!!!
The real saying: "To put "lipstick on a pig" is a rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product or person.
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
It’s more about economics, driver. You have the resources to pay more for a car that makes you feel more at ease. Many people do not have those same resources. $2000-$3000 is a lot of money to many people.
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
Driver, the comment you made about not trusting individuals as much as you would trust buying a used car from a dealer can be said for a dealer, as well. I can't tell you the numbers of people I have dealt with when I was in the car business who bought cars from dealers and had awful experiences. Just because a dealer sells you a used car doesn't mean you are getting a better deal or price and/or a better, safer and cleaner car.
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales
.
A few comments Mike; I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
The real saying: "To put "lipstick on a pig" is a rhetorical expression, used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product or person.
Condescinding -- having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority; patronizing, supercilious, superior, snobbish, snobby, disdainful, lofty, haughty
Just watched a Motorweek episode where they tested a 2018 F150. It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list). 0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Just watched a Motorweek episode where they tested a 2018 F150.
It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list).
0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
Doesn't Edmund's give the more powerful 5.0 liter V8 at a 6.9 seconds 0 to 60?
Seeing it has a gross weight of about 3 tons I tend to find Edmund's more believable.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Makes me very leery about buying a used car from an indie lot or private person. Too much can go wrong. I wonder about iluv's Focus. I would rather pay a few $1000 more and get a car with a warranty and a dealer that has to preserve their reputation, than chance spending $11000 on a car that is a gamble. What is that saying about buying a pig in a poke?
It’s more about economics, driver. You have the resources to pay more for a car that makes you feel more at ease. Many people do not have those same resources. $2000-$3000 is a lot of money to many people.
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
Driver, the comment you made about not trusting individuals as much as you would trust buying a used car from a dealer can be said for a dealer, as well. I can't tell you the numbers of people I have dealt with when I was in the car business who bought cars from dealers and had awful experiences. Just because a dealer sells you a used car doesn't mean you are getting a better deal or price and/or a better, safer and cleaner car.
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales
.
A few comments Mike; I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
Agree with all of the above. I’ve had really good experiences buying used cars from a dealers lot. I still get them checked out, though! I remember buying a very used Mazda 626 hatch MT for my college son, and finding out upon inspection that the CV boots were leaking and needed replacing. The dealer did so and honored the price we had agreed on. Glad I had that checked out first though, because it ways definitely an AS IS car. Turned out to be a great buy and he drove it for several years.
I scoped out a 43" Sanyo TV at Walmart today selling for only $198. Think I'll snag one in 6-8 weeks after DirecTV sends me my $200 VISA gift card for coming back to them.
I just bought a 55” TCL Roku TV for $369 @ Costco.
Some of those TCLs have picture quality that rivals the big boys that cost 3x the price. I’m going to be redoing my home office at some point soon and will likely pick one up.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Just watched a Motorweek episode where they tested a 2018 F150.
It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list).
0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
Doesn't Edmund's give the more powerful 5.0 liter V8 at a 6.9 seconds 0 to 60?
Seeing it has a gross weight of about 3 tons I tend to find Edmund's more believable.
Plenty of reviewers have the 2.7 at under 6 secs. It is the reason I chose that engine.
and gross weight only matters when you max the payload, which isn't how they make 0-60 runs usually. The curb weight is 4500 lbs. Less than even my wife's minivan.
'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
I just bought a 55” TCL Roku TV for $369 @ Costco.
Some of those TCLs have picture quality that rivals the big boys that cost 3x the price. I’m going to be redoing my home office at some point soon and will likely pick one up.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The car would be given a thorough check by a mechanic, as suydam says. I'd ask several questions and be there during the check, too. Like I say, 51,000 miles on a 2013 Focus ST at a price of $12,500 is a really good deal. I've done my research on the car.
As far as religion goes, a lot of false preachers **cough**cough** like Catholics **cough**cough** have not followed the word of God, yet they claim to be authorities on the word of God. There will be double the punishment for them. Know that is true. I trust in my faith and I trust in the living God. I know that what I believe, he also believes. Enough so that I trust this guy selling the Focus ST. Besides, I would get the car checked out first. And his used car dealership has a great reputation in town. He's been in the business 26 years.
Having said all that, the car could have a failure of an expensive part at any time after I buy it. Just a part of the car business.
Careful, you'll cause more trouble here being critical of other people's religion than their politics.
Stick to slamming their car choices.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Just watched a Motorweek episode where they tested a 2018 F150. It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list). 0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
I saw that too. Amazing, and look at the 2.3L in the Mustang, Ford does a good job withturbos.
That Motorweek episode was even kind tothe Mitsu Outlander hybrid.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Careful, you'll cause more trouble here being critical of other people's religion than their politics.
Stick to slamming their car choices.
Especially if it's a GM model. LOL
X2 on the religion. Although these days I think politics has been made more polarized them religion topics with a couple exceptions.
I'm waiting to see if the 2019 Malibu remake will have all the safety features available with the normal engine. I don't want to have to buy the 2.0T to get automatic highway front braking, e.g..
An Edmunds double post. The first post acted like it was frozen and hadn't posted. So I clicked again. Still it kept the edit window text and the post button was hot.
Reminds me of the spelling on our local TV stations when they put up messages or crawls. They're the same ones always running stories about how much better the parochial schools were in the area than the public schools. Many of their employees came from -- guess which schools... LOL And then all the grammer and spelling errors.
Daughter just moved out and needed a new tv to work with a digital antennae. Got a 40” Vizio smart TV with chrome cast built in. Very nice picture for $199. At shoprite of all places.
I have over $400 in rewards built up on a Superstore (Cdn grocery/general merchandise chain) account and am saving it to buy a new TV this winter. Sadly the screen on my my 10 y-o 46" Panasonic plasma seems to be getting dimmer and the resolution just isn't as sharp as the new sets. That Panasonic was $1500 back in 2008.
Comments
There are people here in Houston who purchase cars at auction with relatively minor body damage, do the body work, and resell the cars not hiding the “salvage title”. They will usually have pictures showing the body damage before it was repaired, allowing you to judge for yourself how severe the damage was.
I have twice bought cars (one car, one truck, actually) that had salvage titles, but I saw proof of why they were “totaled” by the insurance company, so I knew exactly what I was getting into.
If there were no insurance on one of those cars in your picture, then it would not be “totaled”, and the title would not change to “salvage”. Those are the ones you have to worry about. One trick I was told about: pull off the inside door panel, and look for water marks inside the door.
When I was younger, back in the Paleolithic era, I had a couple of cars that were submerged in flood waters. These were beaters, no insurance, I dried them out and kept driving with no serious ill effects. But those cars had minimum electronics. No power windows, no power door locks, no power seats, no electronic ignition, no electronic fuel injection, no … Looking back now, I think the battery was just there for the starter and the headlights!
First thing: it still showed the old Forums login page, which from everything I understand is a non-starter. Why is that still being offered up? We should never see that again, ever.
I refused to fall into that trap, so I went to Edmunds main page. Logged in there to my Insider account, which apparently I had already done at some time in the past on that machine as it remembered me. Went to the link on that page for Research and clicked on Car Forums. Nope, got the "Howdy, Stranger" page.
Then I remembered that computer has an ad blocker running. No joy there again when I disabled it, refreshed and re-tried.
Finally I went into Firefox and cleared all cookies related to Edmunds. When I went back I got a different log-in page. Did so again, and only then would it let me into the Forums. I can see why people struggle with this transition.
Oh, and last time I checked, still no fix to allow Safari on the iPhone to log in here.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Now I just need to convince the company to offer a similar retrofit for E36 cassette radios.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I hear that scammers will register such cars in non-title states like Vermont so that the branded status disappears.
I'd be very wary of a car like that unless it was dirt cheap. Especially a flood car.
You might find an older car that was totaled because of cosmetic damage like a sideswipe. If you could see before and after pictures it might reassure you. You'd still expect a discount over a compareable non accident car.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Trusted dealer? Isn't that an oxymoron?
BTW, getting a warranty from a dealer doesn't guarantee a clean title. Google some of the dealer horror stories on line.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When I was going to school when I was in the Navy back in 1960/1961 it was in Jacksonville FL. A very large Naval air station and training center. There was a used car lot, the type that has cars pulling up one after another with the screamer guy giving the cost of each. It was more than obvious that this lot was directing these commercials to the young sailors. The guy would sign-off with, "and you can trust Christian Bob". This was not the name of his shyster lot, just his sign-off line. I still laugh when I think back on that guy.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Anything over 5k and I would get an independent inspection. Doing that doesn't guarantee perfection though. Way back in the day I bought a three yearold used Chevy from a new car dealer, had it inspected and negotiated fixes on what my mechanic found. Still, one day after the 30 day warranty expired, the AC condenser blew.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The blue pickup doesn't seem to be faring too badly.
If you're looking at a 12 year old pickup truck that was totaled by the insurance company because it needed a new front bumper, grille, and hood (with no structural damage), and the clean value was $7,500, then the salvage value with the damage nicely repaired would probably be no more than 20% less.
A fairly new car, with a clean value of $25k, nicely repaired, would probably drop closer to 40%. YMMV
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
As far as religion goes, a lot of false preachers **cough**cough** like Catholics **cough**cough** have not followed the word of God, yet they claim to be authorities on the word of God. There will be double the punishment for them. Know that is true. I trust in my faith and I trust in the living God. I know that what I believe, he also believes. Enough so that I trust this guy selling the Focus ST. Besides, I would get the car checked out first. And his used car dealership has a great reputation in town. He's been in the business 26 years.
Having said all that, the car could have a failure of an expensive part at any time after I buy it. Just a part of the car business.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Driver, the comment you made about not trusting individuals as much as you would trust buying a used car from a dealer can be said for a dealer, as well. I can't tell you the numbers of people I have dealt with when I was in the car business who bought cars from dealers and had awful experiences. Just because a dealer sells you a used car doesn't mean you are getting a better deal or price and/or a better, safer and cleaner car.
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales
A few comments Mike;
I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list).
0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
Seeing it has a gross weight of about 3 tons I tend to find Edmund's more believable.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
Agree with all of the above. I’ve had really good experiences buying used cars from a dealers lot. I still get them checked out, though! I remember buying a very used Mazda 626 hatch MT for my college son, and finding out upon inspection that the CV boots were leaking and needed replacing. The dealer did so and honored the price we had agreed on. Glad I had that checked out first though, because it ways definitely an AS IS car. Turned out to be a great buy and he drove it for several years.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
and gross weight only matters when you max the payload, which isn't how they make 0-60 runs usually. The curb weight is 4500 lbs. Less than even my wife's minivan.
'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
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Our first 50" we bought about 15 years ago, Sony part projection, about $8000.
Next year your TCL will be $169!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Stick to slamming their car choices.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That Motorweek episode was even kind tothe Mitsu Outlander hybrid.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
X2 on the religion. Although these days I think politics has been made more polarized them religion topics with a couple exceptions.
I'm waiting to see if the 2019 Malibu remake will have all the safety features available with the normal engine. I don't want to have to buy the 2.0T to get automatic highway front braking, e.g..
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'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
They're the same ones always running stories about how much better the parochial schools were in the area than the public schools. Many of their employees came from -- guess which schools... LOL
And then all the grammer and spelling errors.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I want to strangle people who put "sent from my iPhone. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors." at the bottom of their emails.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Due to a typo in the Vatican's communication Father Tim got the demons possessing Sue's body to drop 10 pounds.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D