Quote:
Originally Posted by ike529az
Gotcha - I agree with you on the dealers. That's why I went the used route in the first place went I got here from NYC. The problem was I never owned a car so I had no knowledge of buying the "right" used cars and I've paid for it repeatedly and I'm still paying. There are 3 repairs needed between the 2 cars right now that will cost close to $1000.00 - broken front axles on the Sonata - broken temp.controller programmer on the Buick and a future fuel line issue with the Sonata.The famous NBA basketball coach Jeff van Gundy said you have to do something to get yourself out of your dilemma, so here I am.
I didn't mean to move our target approach towards the dealers. Why pay the premium with them plus when they quote a price, your actual net out the door price will be very different after all those lines and boxes of incidental charges and fees they have to maximize their profit. When I went in and did searches on Kelly Blue Book, Autotrader and Cars.com and checked only the box: Buy used car from private seller, I still got only dealer cars for sale - literally no private sellers - I don't get it. I'll go to Craigslist and also check those grocery store circulars with cars for sales.
What is the protocol when you're face to face with a private seller concerning getting it checked out by a dealer mechanic before buying from them? I would assume people might take issue with handing the keys over to a stranger. I'm sure there's a standard acceptable way of doing it - they want the cash!
I like the southern trip to knock out the salt damage to the car. I would do it. Georgia's 789 miles / 12 hour drive - that's a nice scenic 8 hrs. w/a quick Red Roof sleepover then finish the other 4 or 5 , it would be fun. I could also just fly one way - rent a a car stay there a couple of days - - buy one there and drive it back.
The reason I keep bringing up the fuel economy is because the 1996 Geo Prism that recently died was my main car for a long time and it got 31/35mpg. I have sticker shock when I see 15-16-17-18 mpg city.(Infinity G35 - 18/24mpg) I could live with even something at 20. I'll look again at the pool of cars, but I don't think any of them are over 20... Perhaps the better car quality negates the gas premium, I need help on that one. If you say the quality trumps the gas mileage, then I'll stay with this this pool of cars unless any other ones come to mind that are high quality but have a little better fuel economy. If not, The Infinities seem to be the higher end luxury quality you described. They're smaller which means they're easier to park. I'll tell you, I'm single and they're pretty good looking. They're over my price range but still manageable and worth it in the long run.
If a dealer is selling a 08 Infinity with 69,000 miles for $8500. I wonder what a private seller is gonna sell it at? Although they tend to know what they're worth and price them high - what would you offer them say over Kelly blue book "good condition" price if the car was in "good condition?" It would vary I guess, they might be cash strapped or wanting to just wait and make a nice profit.
|
The gas mileage that the hybrids and subcompacts get tends to give folks a sense of wishful thinking when car shopping. My truck only gets 16-17 in town low 20s on flat level highway terrain. It's because it's carburated- one of the last carburated vehicles ever made. On the plus side repairs cost peanuts...a "mere bag of shells" as Ralph Kramden used to say on The Honeymooners. Haha. One caveat on the near luxury cars- a lot of them require 93 octane premium fuel. My LS did. So keep that in mind when you are considering the various models. The Lincoln 'only' got around 16-18 in town but let me tell you- that thing was faster than blue blazes and would reach close 150MPH within a minute if you floored it and kept it there. Everything is a trade-off. You are just use to the MPGs of a Prism...right? *wink* It got good MPGs but I would not want to drive it across country- no way. Everything is a compromise. When dealing with a private owner, most will not object to having it checked out by a qualified mechanic. As a buyer, it is your choice as to who and which one is used. Don't fall for the seller selling you on his mechanic. An obvious conflict of interest could arise there. He just won't hand the keys over though. LOL. He will probably insist on accompanying you and to be honest he is a dumbbell if he doesn't. Time for football. Be back shortly.