Purchasing Used Vehicles

guss

I thought the Green Trucks work for Hess gas and not Chevron ?

bushhog

I am looking to purchase a new or used fuel effecient sedan within the next 6-8 months. I drive about 60 miles a day so I am thinking about buying a rebuilt salvage vehicle. I understand that if I purchase this type of vehicle I should expect to drive it till the wheels fall off, to which I am ok. I have a local business in the area that rebuilds salvage cars and sells them for about half the cost. I have the option of picking out a damaged car and having them fix the car. Is there anything I should watch out for when selecting a car. Is this a decent option or should I just buy a new car.

cccompson

I think it's an option if, in fact, you'll drive it forever. The problem with any rebuilt is it comes with all of the caveats of any used car plus the possibility that damage was not properly repaired or was overlooked.

Personally, I would avoid anything that was hit really hard, especially in the front. Something that's been hit fairly light on multiple panels might be a good choice.

zodiac2004

That's a great idea given your parameters.

Any mid/upper level luxury car about 8-10 years old is probably going to get totaled for anything more than a fender bender. So it shouldn't be too hard to pick one that didn't have any structural damage.

isellhondas

I agree. These can be VERY risky and even dangerous to drive.

They can also be a good value sometimes.

Yesterday, I had a customer with a beautiful 1996 Accord that had been totaled by her insurance company. They gave her the option to buy her car back for 1200.00 and she jumped at that.

The car had hail damage that was hard to see unless you looked for it. Still, enough to total the car.

thedude5

i'm looking to buy a car for a HS teenager. I prefer a car thats reliable/safe and a little sporty (a compromise I made with my son). I am willing to spend $15,000 for the car before taxes, registration, title, etc. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

thetrumphet

when you buy an used vehicle you're suppose to take it to a mechanic to have it checked up, however this can cost ~$50-%100, and if you're going to do this to 4-5 used cars you're interested in, it gets pretty expensive. is it fair to ask the seller to pay for the inspection?

jwilliams2

Sure it is. And don't forget to ask if you can be reimbursed for your gas and time to come see the car. The seller should be happy to pay these expenses for the 5-10 people interested in his car.
But seriously, if I were the seller I would offer to reduce the asking price by the cost of the inspection if you buy.

isellhondas

I sure wouldn't be willing to pay for you to have a car inspected that I was selling!

4-5 cars?? You need to narrow your choices!

mrolind

there is a private seller selling a used 03 Accord EX-V6 coupe w/ all options except navigation system, 59000 miles, exterior looks very clean except for a few scratches on the front bumper. Inside is clean, leather was taken care of, however there are some oil stains behind the steering wheel and a few stains on the chairs. Seller is asking for $15,995. KBB lists excellent condition as 16.4k, good condition as 15.4k. Going to get the car inspected on Tuesday but he says anything that comes up he won't fix it and he won't decrease the price, so basically $16k is lowest he will go. However, the seller told me he has his own private dealership he owns and he said he worked as a Honda/Acura specialist in repairing cars for 15+ years and he strongly suggested us to bring the car to a Honda dealership to get is inspected, he'll make the appointments/arrangements, etc.. Maybe I'm just really paranoid but maybe he knows people in these Honda dealerships that might hide certain things that are wrong? I'm thinking of finding a different place to bring the car to, maybe even a Firestone or a National Tire and Battery and make my own arrangements and just telling him to bring the car to meet me there. And lastly, what kind of inspection should I get? just a basic quick checkup?

Thoughts?

cccompson

If you're willing to spend that much for used, the best advice I can offer is to bump it up a bit and buy something new with full safety equipment (including head curtain airbags and, if possible, stability control). The best used cars tend not to be particularly good values compared to new because of their slow rates of depreciation.

Does your son agree with your definition of a "little sporty?"

cccompson

Given what you've said about the seller, I'd be far more concerned about the ownership history of the vehicle than what any inspection might show. Run a Carfax on it and consider it ONLY if he bought it new (which seems unlikely) and has the complete service history. The price seems a bit high for the miles too.

I don't know that it matters who does the inspection as long as they are competent and really look the car over.
Personally, I would prefer an independent shop that specializes in the make under consideration.

mrolind

I ran a carfax on this vehcile and nothing came up, nothing was wrong on it. The first record for carfax shows it being registered as a personal vehicle in Florida at the motor vehicle department. The very last record shows the vehicle being serviced at MIDAS in Jacksonville, Florida with the mileage showing 46, 303. This was in 6/25/05. No records since then but the car currently has 59,000 mileage and the seller said he bought it from Jacksonville.

He never gave me the complete service history, I doubt he has it too. In case I'm giving off the wrong vibe, this guy was very friendly, I'm only trying to cover all my bases. If I want to be extra secure I should bring it to a body shop as well to see if paint/body work has been done to it.

thetrumphet

the private seller told me that the sales tax where he lives is different than where I live. His sale tax is 5%, in our area it's 7.6%. He said that I am suppose to pay him the %5 and I pay the difference at the DMV. Does this sound right/correct?

qbrozen

nope. Private sellers can not collect sales tax.

qbrozen

no way in heck i'd go to a dealership he worked at or let him arrange any kind of appointment.

krony

Wow...$15,000 for a HS teenager...are you adopting? I'm 32, married with 2 kids but don't let that hold you back

For insurance reason's I'd probably go with a 4dr sedan like a Pontiac G6. For $17K you can get a base version new. Quite honestly though, given how a typical teen would treat a car I'd look for used sedan in the 50-60K mile range. Your kid may be more responsible than most but I'd still anticipate scrapes, dings and the like.

Your first task may be to have him narrow it down to 4 or 5 models he thinks is "sporty", then checking insurance rates.

backy

I am not sure about the Accord, but with many other cars the 60k service is quite pricey, several hundred bucks at least (more if the timing belt needs to be replaced; I think the Accord V6 has a timing chain though). That could be another negotiating point, if the 60k service has not been performed (and I'm betting it hasn't). I've used that point in negotiating with dealers before, and got the dealer to "throw in" the $500 60k service including timing belt when I bought a car last winter.

mrolind

does this look like a legit dealer? www.kcmotorcars.com, however the website lists the owner's home address and his cell phone. all the cars are being sold at this person's house...

thedude5

I hear that you're not suppose to buy any used cars that were sold at auctions. Is this true?

isellhondas

Another myth.

Some great cars go through the auctions. Lease returns etc.

And some junk does too. A smart buyer knows the difference.

thedude5

if the car is certified, should you still have it inspected by a mechanic?

isellhondas

Just be a waste of time and money but, hey, if this makes you feel better, do it!

british_rover

The majority of used cars go through an auction at some point. There are just too many of them around to have all of them moved direct dealer to dealer wholesale or trade in.

tidester

however the website lists the owner's home address and his cell phone.

Indeed it is a cell phone but how do you know it's a home address? I would be a little put off by a business operating without a land line but that's just me.

tidester, host

phinneas519

Personally, I think the best way to go is to just have him buy his own car. It'd make him appreciate it a whole lot more - it instills a greater sense of responsibility too. Ever since I started driving at age 17, I've been paying for my own vehicles and insurance. I definitely plan on having my children do the same.

imidazol97

The address given for the business is one of several fair-sized homes which may be in the car pictures on website. There appear to be no business buildings on the terrace where it's listed. Note the whole street is the 91st Terrace with nodes off of it. The 91st label is on one of the nodes but the street from left to right is the Terrace.

danielj6

In my opinion this guy is not to be trusted. If I'd buy used I take it to a shop I trust.

Look at pre owned and/or certified from Honda dealers, if you want a Honda.

isellhondas

He may be a curbstoner.

I think I would look elsewhere.

tidester

Good sleuthing! I'd definitely look elsewhere.

tidester, host

w9cw

As one who at one time worked at a new car dealer (Dodge/Jeep), most of our used cars came from auctions. The Sales Manager made a bi-weekly trip to the Indianapolis, IN auction, and came back with 2 to 3 vehicles each time. I would bet this is the case at many new car dealers. Very few come from new car trade-ins, because those tend to be high-mileage vehicles, and are automatically off-loaded to the secondary used car dealers. BTW . . . this dealer would occasionally place one vehicle on eBay from time-to-time, and the vehicle was always a high quality certified Chrysler product.

Now, for buying a car on eBay, I know of several who have done so without incident or regret, but frankly, I don't have the guts to do so - sight unseen!

yogiowner

Hi there,

I am now looking for a car that handles and performs like the infiniti g35; but gets better gas mileage and has a better quality interior....

Does anyone have any ideas? Any thoughts are appreciated.

thanks!

qbrozen

do you have a price limit in mind?

bmw 330i is the first that comes to mind.

yogiowner

about the same price as the infiniti, but with better maintenance records than BMW. I love those cars, but the maintenance is prohibitively expensive. My biggest issue with the infiniti is the lack of long term warranty (three to five years; lack of transferability of the warranty to a second owner), poor gas mileage and the low quality interior, as compared to other cars in it's class.

if anyone has different info, please let me know.

krony

Try this Edmunds comparo...
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/infiniti/g35/100632262/VehicleComparison;jsessio- nid=FG5QKJ2tWvP1ffF1Wng1vSCt1Y238b7pYtWyn9QBLDpxJSPWvQwc!-734617626?basestyleid=- 100632262&styleid=100598048&styleid=100649803&styleid=100610532&styleid=10055248- 0&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specs

Always going to be tough to get the 300hp performance of the G35 with better mileage. A4 is probably the best interior but smaller in size, 9-3 and S60 match the price with better mileage but wouldn't have the same power. IS350 would be the best match but a couple grand more. Guess you gotta decide what's most important (and the dealer you prefer...)

backy

How about the Mazdaspeed Mazda3? It would cost a lot less than the G35 yet have great performance and handling, and good fuel economy because it's a turbo I4 vs. a V6. Up to you whether the interior quality is adequate. Another possibility is the new Civic Si sedan, which is supposed to be out in a few months. Not as quick as the Mazdaspeed, but should handle well.

Other possibilities are the VW GTI or even the Passat V6. The interior of the Passat in particular might be to your liking.

yogiowner

I appreciate the input..but i don't think the mazda3 compares to the infiniti..I did consider the audi a6 (horsepower and sporty drive is what i like). The mercedes has an excellent inside, but it seems to have more mechanical problems than the infiniti...

does anyone know what the significant maintenance issues are that i should be concerned with. i've read edmunds and consumer reports, etc. so i'm aware of the break problems. are there others out there?

thanks!

yogiowner

i also forgot to ask; on behalf of someone else who is looking to buy a luxury car at adessa's off lease auction..

any input out there? conerns to be aware of, are these cars still under manufacturer warranty, what pitfalls should he be aware of?

thanks again!

qbrozen

WELL, you may be out of luck, IMHO. The only vehicle I can think of that delivers similar speed, better interior, better mileage, and a similar price is the Acura TL. But then you loose RWD, which is a big deal to a lot of folks.

If you don't like the maintenance of the BMW, you won't like it in the Audi.

If you drop the mileage factor, a car that has a better interior and possibly even better performance is the S60R. The MSRP is a bit higher when equipped, but they are usually discounted quite a bit.

Obviously, the problem is, if you want more car, you have to pay more. The Infiniti is priced the way it is because you get so much in the performance area while sacrificing on the interior.

british_rover

I have driven a S60R automatic, the auto tranny kills that car, and a V70R manual.

WOW, WOW, WOW most fun Volvo I have ever driven that did not have a 5.0 conversion.

That funky suspension is very cool.

yogiowner

that makes sense. thanks for the answer. i'm in an four season climate, so the rear wheel drive is a bit of a hinderance for me. i did look at the acura TL. you are right, the interior is better and the horsepower is similar...

btw, what does IMHO mean?

thanks again!

british_rover

IMHO equals In My Humbel(or Honest) Opinion.

qbrozen

I have driven a S60R automatic, the auto tranny kills that car, and a V70R manual.

yeah, i was going to ask whether the buyer is looking for an auto or manual because it makes a big difference on this car. Up until '06, though, the 5-speed geartronic was even more of a hinderance because the engine was electronically torque limited in the first 2 gears to avoid overstressing the tranny. In '06 they adopted a new auto trans. I never did get around to finding out if they removed the torque limiter, though.

yogiowner

thanks guys! if anyone has any input on the adesa auto auctions, please reply. i'm interested in the auctions for off lease vehicles. i don't know how they work or what to look for.

it does seem to me, however, if the car is in excellent condition it would not make it to the auction.

please provide some input, if i am incorrect.

jlawrence01

thanks guys! if anyone has any input on the adesa auto auctions, please reply. i'm interested in the auctions for off lease vehicles. i don't know how they work or what to look for.

Adesa is a remarketer of fleet vehicles, just like Mannheim and a few other DEALER auctions. In most of their auctions, they are NOT open to the public. However, the Adesa website notes that several of the auctions DO sell to the general public.

it does seem to me, however, if the car is in excellent condition it would not make it to the auction.

That is NOT correct. I send perfectly good vehicles to the auction on occasion as a fleet manager. I can generally sell any vehicle under $8k to one of my employees. However, if I have a used Infiniti or Lexus that I need $15k or better, they generally go off to the auction.

My wife's employer will be sending off 100 2003-2004 Impalas to the auctions next month. They are in the insurance business, not the car business.

i don't know how they work or what to look for.


And that is a darned good reason NOT to buy at an auction. You do not get to test drive the vehicle and you don't generally don't have your trsted mechanic to look the vehicle over.

I have seen dealerships make $10-15k mistakes at auctions ... and they are professionals at it (for the most part)

yogiowner

again, thanx.

i have a very good mechanic who is also a dealer. he's offered to take me to that auction (for free).

i am looking for a 2005 to 2006 car. is there a chance that i can find it there? it's in pennsylvania...

yogiowner

also, can you give me a little more insight as to what you mean by a $10-15K mistake? what kinds of mistakes?

jlawrence01

also, can you give me a little more insight as to what you mean by a $10-15K mistake? what kinds of mistakes?

Used car manager purchases a 1 yo Lexus at an auction. Rules of the particular auction allow return of the vehicle under certain conditions - namely frame damage. The car had sustained about $20k in damages.

UCM fails to adequately inspect the car and puts it on a used car lot of a very reputable dealership. Long-term customer purchases the car. Two weeks later, returns the car mad as hell as damage was not disclosed. Car was purchased back from the customer and was later sold at auction with proper discloures at a $15k loss. Needless to say, UCM is no longer employed at that dealership.

I am not going to name names or get any more specific (or debate all the particulars) as the story came second-hand.

krony

jlawrence01
You do not get to test drive the vehicle and you don't generally don't have your trusted mechanic to look the vehicle over.

So would you treat a traditional auction similar to eBay? (Make sure you buy at significant discount to offset any issues...)

british_rover

Yup I have a story almost exactly the same as that although luckily we did discover the frame damage before it was sold to the customer.