Buying a car that is the first of it's model...

[paqman]

Hey, we're shopping around for minivans right now, and I've found one that seems like an excellent deal, but I'm a little hesitant, so I want your opinion. We're looking for a Toyota Sienna with low miles. I've found one at a small little dealership that is an '04 with only 12,000 miles on it. The ad states that it was previously owned by Toyota, because it was one of the first two vans of this model to come off the production line for 2004.

Are there typically problems with buying cars that are the first off the line of a new model? Or would this be a pretty good steal? Other Sienna's with this low of miles, with these options are going for a much higher price. They are only asking $15,000 for it. It's fully loaded with leather, DVD, the works. Opinions anyone? I don't want to post the link yet just in case this is a steal, but if you're interested, I can send you the link.

[Shpuker]

Sounds like its in good condition,
the first models do typicaly have little bit of issues that need to be worked out.

only other advice I have for you is look at the Kelley Blue Book Value on the car and get a CarFax from the dealership.

[paqman]

Originally Posted by Shpuker

Sounds like its in good condition,
the first models do typicaly have little bit of issues that need to be worked out.

only other advice I have for you is look at the Kelley Blue Book Value on the car and get a CarFax from the dealership.

Thanks. I did a check on the recalls on this model, and there were about 5 recalls for various problems. None of them seemed too serious, and most of them sounded like Toyota would still repair or replace most of the offending parts for free. Thanks for the info.

[wafrederick]

Go by the NADA book instead of the Kelly Blue Book.Problem wth the Kelly Blue Book is they over prive the value of a vehicle and that is is incorrect.Any Carfax report is off too and it is NOT free,$40.00 for a carfax report.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Any Carfax report is off too and it is NOT free,$40.00 for a carfax report.

Please check your facts BEFORE posting. It IS NOT $40 for a Carfax report. See here. One report is $29.99, 10 reports are $34.99, and unlimited is $39.99 Many times the dealer will provide a Carfax report for free on the vehicles they sell. It doesn't hurt to ask.

[wafrederick]

That is what Carfax charged my father since he is an used car dealer and another used car dealer I know,$40.00 for one carfax.It is not always right too.My father bought a 2005 Impala which was in a possible hit and run accident killing a motorcyclist,replacing the left inner tie rod end and left fender.Carfax never shown this accident on this car in the report,this other used car dealer checked it.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

That is what Carfax charged my father since he is an used car dealer and another used car dealer I know,$40.00 for one carfax.It is not always right too.My father bought a 2005 Impala which was in a possible hit and run accident killing a motorcyclist,replacing the left inner tie rod end and left fender.Carfax never shown this accident on this car in the report,this other used car dealer checked it.

Is your father part of the dealer program where they get a discount on Carfax services and reports? If not he should look into it. Dealers don't normally pay more for a report than a consumer.
Carfax, like any other reporting service is not perfect. They rely on sources for their info to present to the customer and sometimes not all the data or details are available. Here is a quote directly from the Carfax site wich explains this:

CARFAX compiles the CARFAX Vehicle History Report from information it receives from thousands of sources. As extensive as our database is, we do not have all accidents as many have never been reported, or may only have been reported to a source to which CARFAX does not have access.

If you know a vehicle was involved in an accident and it is not on the CARFAX Vehicle History Report, please take a minute to let us know about it by emailing us through the "Email CARFAX" tab above.

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Go by the NADA book instead of the Kelly Blue Book.Problem wth the Kelly Blue Book is they over prive the value of a vehicle and that is is incorrect.Any Carfax report is off too and it is NOT free,$40.00 for a carfax report.

Everyone uses the Blue Book.... Dealers, car buying websites. etc...

And NADA doesn't even have 2000 or newer Dodge's
well exept for the limited edition Viper SRT-10 roadster............

[wafrederick]

The 2000 and up Dodges are in the NADA book and most dealer get updated books.Most dealers in my area use the NADA book instead of the worthless Kelly Blue Book.Carfax screwed my father,sent him a letter doing this.He has another dealer do it now for $20.00 for a carfax report.

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

The 2000 and up Dodges are in the NADA book and most dealer get updated books.Most dealers in my area use the NADA book instead of the worthless Kelly Blue Book.Carfax screwed my father,sent him a letter doing this.He has another dealer do it now for $20.00 for a carfax report.

1) learn how the space button works
2) STFU?
3) I just looked at the online NADA book and they didn't have them
4) Your dad let them screw him
5) EVERY CAR DEALER HERE USES THE KBB VALUES! Trust me, I know

[wafrederick]

Carfax screwed my father!The Kelly Blue Book is way too high and very 100% unaccurate.I know of three used car dealers I know that use the NADA book over the Kelly Blue Book.My father will never use the Kelly Blue book due to being to high and unaccurate.

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Carfax screwed my father!The Kelly Blue Book is way too high and very 100% unaccurate.I know of three used car dealers I know that use the NADA book over the Kelly Blue Book.My father will never use the Kelly Blue book due to being to high and unaccurate.

Dude stop trying to fill us with this crap. We get it you hate KBB but every single car dealership within 1,000 miles of me uses it. and its the only one that actualy has an online database. And CarFax is what every dealer uses. Now do us a favor and shut up. I'm making more posts correcting your BS than answering questions.

[paqman]

Lol, thanks everyone for staying on topic. Now everyone is confused about the price of a carfax report, or the validity of KBB vs NADA. Well the van I posted about in the original post got sold before I could go check it out, but I'm still interested in everyone else's opinion about it.

[Shpuker]

Dealerships will give you the CarFax free. So if you buy from a dealer you should ask for one, and if they don't giive it to you, then they have something they don't want you to know about it. as for an independent seller. You can ask them to get one but its kinda a toss up

[freedhardwoods]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Carfax screwed my father,sent him a letter doing this.

What did the letter say?