Who else hates buying cars?

[Jrboulder]

I for one hate buying cars. I hate driving across town to look at a car that's totally misrepresented and being sold by someone not on the title. I hate dealing with scumbags who get defensive when you ask about things like how long they have owned it or receipts for claimed recent work. I hate it when "new timing belt" means "I took the belt cover off and cleaned it up".

What happened to actual private party sales instead of these unlicensed dealers masquerading as private individuals? The only private party listings on Craigslist I see last more than a day are way out of the ballpark in terms of price.

I guess the internet is to blame...

[porsche4life]

Dude... That's part of the thrill of the chase.... Being able to cull the idiots before you get there.... If you can't handle that.... Stick to Carmax....

[naples911]

I think you mean selling cars...

[HardDrive]

I love it personally. Selling cars? Not so much. I'm on the cusp of selling my 997. I'll consign it at a Porsche dealer. I hate dealing with the schit bags that show up and want to drive your car, or worse yet, the endless brokers who call even though you clearly have stated you are NOT interested in a broker.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Dude... That's part of the thrill of the chase.... Being able to cull the idiots before you get there.... If you can't handle that.... Stick to Carmax....

+1 to that! I get some sick satisfaction out of car buying... so much so that friends and family often ask for my help.

Yes, cheap Craigslist cars sell fast (and are likely to return at a higher price).

[porsche4life]

Must be something about the name Lee...

My dad(also named lee) has bought multiple vehicles sight unseen in the last year... Thats how I ended up on a plane to AZ last dec with 10k cash in my backpack... He's bought quite a few big trucks that way as well...

Its all in the thrill of it. Like I said if you can't handle it, stick to carmax, but I for one will continue to hunt them down from afar.


Oh and just out of curiosity Lee, whats your firstname? My family has a theory that every man who goes by lee, is using his middle name... My middle name is Lee as well....

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Oh and just out of curiosity Lee, whats your firstname? My family has a theory that every man who goes by lee, is using his middle name... My middle name is Lee as well....

Hate to bust your theory, but Lee is my first name. I'm a 3rd. Named after my father, who was named after his father, who was was named for Robert E. Lee. My family roots run deep in eastern Tennessee.

[sc_rufctr]

Buying a car can be hard work or a lot of fun. 12 months ago I bought a car for my daughter but for complex reasons my mum now drives it. It's a 94 Audi 80. No great thing but it was cheap, solid and drives well.

I had lots of fun buying that car. I paid the in cash and drove away feeling pretty good about the whole deal. It's been great so far. The auto gearbox still shifts well.

But I really hate dealing with "back yarders"... Dodgy repairs or body work seem to be the norm. As soon as I realise what they are I find a reason to leave.

[Jim Richards]

When I'm buying, I hate sellers. When I'm selling, I hate buyers. But I still like cars.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by LeeH

+1 to that! I get some sick satisfaction out of car buying... so much so that friends and family often ask for my help.

Yes, cheap Craigslist cars sell fast (and are likely to return at a higher price).

Same here. I've gone to Denver, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin, and many more for vehicle purchases. Sometimes I strike out, sometimes I get lucky, but it's always an adventure.

I'll drive across town in a heartbeat for a good deal, if it's crap I'm not out much. Lots of specific questions are the key when buying from afar. If the seller won't take the time to answer you, if the seller won't take the time to take decent photos, what are the odds they will hold the car and pick you up at the airport when you arrive? I've met some very cool and interesting people buying and selling cars, it has proven to be a fun hobby.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by jim richards

when i'm buying, i hate sellers. When i'm selling, i hate buyers. But i still like cars.

+1

[911 Rod]

I've in the market to buy 2 cars.
Everyday I check the listings and when I find one that I like they don't return my calls.
WTF!

[lukeh]

I remember driving 6 hours to potentially buy a 911 targa. The pictures checked out so the plan was to drive down and see it and then take it for a PPI that I had arranged. When I saw the car my jaw dropped. There was a hole in the middle of the drivers seat. I didn't see it in the picture because he had his 3yr old sitting in it. I could go on and on how he hid every flaw the car had. Then as I was looking he told me how another interested buyer was coming by that day so I better move fast. When I said the other guy could have it and tried to leave he he would accept a lower offer and that I should give him a number. I said I wouldn't take it for half the price as if he was hiding mechanical issues like he was covering up cosmetic ones the car was was way to risky to even consider.

I was furious as it was a 6 hour drive down and a 6 hour drive back. I never understood what the guy was thinking. Did he really think I was still going to buy the car once I saw what he had all covered up?

I had this happen again but this time I was smart enough to find someone to stop by and look at the car before I made the 5 hour drive. Turned out the car had been repainted and my friend could spot where damage had been repaired. Of course when I first inquired about the car I was told it had never been in an accident.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by lukeh

I remember driving 6 hours to potentially buy a 911 targa. The pictures checked out so the plan was to drive down and see it and then take it for a PPI that I had arranged. When I saw the car my jaw dropped. There was a hole in the middle of the drivers seat. I didn't see it in the picture because he had his 3yr old sitting in it. I could go on and on how he hid every flaw the car had. Then as I was looking he told me how another interested buyer was coming by that day so I better move fast. When I said the other guy could have it and tried to leave he he would accept a lower offer and that I should give him a number. I said I wouldn't take it for half the price as if he was hiding mechanical issues like he was covering up cosmetic ones the car was was way to risky to even consider.

I was furious as it was a 6 hour drive down and a 6 hour drive back. I never understood what the guy was thinking. Did he really think I was still going to buy the car once I saw what he had all covered up?

I had this happen again but this time I was smart enough to find someone to stop by and look at the car before I made the 5 hour drive. Turned out the car had been repainted and my friend could spot where damage had been repaired. Of course when I first inquired about the car I was told it had never been in an accident.

Sometimes people are just a-holes. I still have much better luck with individuals than car salesmen though. Individuals are sometimes telling the truth, but salesmen are always lying.

[speeder]

I've found private sellers to be much worse than the worst used car salesman much of the time. I look at a lot of cars for sale and somehow cannot seem to learn my lesson about not traveling to see one that I haven't seen good pictures of. I've been burned for plane tickets and a LOT of fuel, not to mention time. It can be just too tempting to check something out.

I've also been burned by not trusting photos when they indicate a panel that's been refinished and does not quite match. Those pics never lie, IME.

[stevepaa]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Sometimes people are just a-holes. I still have much better luck with individuals than car salesmen though. Individuals are sometimes telling the truth, but salesmen are always lying.

Amen to that.

I have had fun searching for cars. Just got my latest. a 2001 Jaguar xk8 to replace the 2000 Xk8 which was totalled in January. I took me 5 months the first time and looking at cars from the bay area down to san diego to find the right one.

This time it was 8 months. I get as much detailed information that I can from the seller and then run the vin throught a dealer to get its history. And if there is any questionable issues off for a PPI.

good luck

[matt711]

I love buying cars. Flew out to Louisville a few months ago on a one-way ticket. Picked up an 06 BMW 330Ci for the wife and drove it back home 500 miles. Only dissapointment.... it wasnt an M3.

Matt

[vash]

Hate it. Hate paying for them more.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally Posted by speeder

I've found private sellers to be much worse than the worst used car salesman much of the time. I look at a lot of cars for sale and somehow cannot seem to learn my lesson about not traveling to see one that I haven't seen good pictures of. I've been burned for plane tickets and a LOT of fuel, not to mention time. It can be just too tempting to check something out.

I've also been burned by not trusting photos when they indicate a panel that's been refinished and does not quite match. Those pics never lie, IME.

Denis,

Have I got a deal for you: Back on the market for a very good price - for you and you only, and only today - you pay what you think it is worth.

FS: 1987 560SEC - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

[mreid]

Love it! The thrill of the hunt and knowing I am in the driver's seat (pun intended).

I always get a great deal when you are the buyer and if you don't you only have yourself to blame.