Used cars - you can't trust internet photos....

[dave 911]

I went to look at a very low mileage, all records, second owner 02 Celica yesterday that was priced higher than high blue 'excellent'. My thinking was, if it really is that clean and low mileage, I may pick it up for my high school daughter.

When I got there, I was shocked at the appearance of the car. The paint was completely faded and looked like someone had taken fine grit sandpaper to it, I bet it had never been waxed. The interior was filthy, the driver's seat was worn along the edge to the point where the foam was starting to show thru in spots, paint chips galore on the front end, etc...

They did have all records, the oil had been changed every 3K, and it drove well, but there was no way it was a high blue book car.

When I commented about the paint, the owner said, 'well it is a 10 year old car, you can't expect it to be shiny'. And they wouldn't budge on the price at all. Needless to say, I politely declined, but this really got my attention about how important it is to see a car in person.

So a couple questions for the group here:
1) How can someone be so meticulous about engine maintenance, but not give a rip about paint/interior maintenance?
2) Are we an overly-anal group when it comes to our cars? Are there alot of people out there that fit into #1 above?

[A930Rocket]

If it was on Craiglist, you're lucky they responded. I'm getting about a 25% response rate to cars I'm looking at.

[gacook]

I feel ya. When I see a car that looks like it hasn't been well-maintained cosmetically, I automatically assume they've shown the same disregard to the engine; records be damned.

[Por_sha911]

To some folks a car is a way to get from point A to B and nothing more and yes, we are overly anal about our cars.

Everyone thinks their car is "excellent condition".
I was amazed at how many "showroom" or "like new" rust-buckets I looked at when I was looking for my 911
Call ahead, ask questions, never buy a car sight unseen.

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's why I ask LOTS of specific questions. Someone may tell you that their car looks nice, but upon more probing questions admit to scratches, dents, stains, etc. Pictures can hide a lot. People that buy cars sight unseen are nuts.

[KevinTodd]

I would absolutely look at the appearance of the exterior as to what overall shape the car was in--it simply doesn't make sense that anyone would be routine with scheduled maintenance and not be concerned with cosmetics. The two just go together.

I also have never seen a true representation of any car I have viewed on the internet once I actually saw it in person. This was even more evident when I was searching for my first 911.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by KevinTodd

I would absolutely look at the appearance of the exterior as to what overall shape the car was in--it simply doesn't make sense that anyone would be routine with scheduled maintenance and not be concerned with cosmetics. The two just go together.

I also have never seen a true representation of any car I have viewed on the internet once I actually saw it in person. This was even more evident when I was searching for my first 911.

My '86 944, I bought it beat up, but have torn the car apart to rebuild the engine, drive train, and suspension. The paint and body, are not that important to me with that car. I've also made the interior as nice as possible. So long as the paint is there to keep rust off, I'm good. The purpose is to drive it...

A Celica, falls into a similar category - its frustrating to try to keep a driver in concours quality. I live on a dirt road......

The interior though, is a make or break. You want it to be nice, you're sitting in it whenever you drive it.

Its possible that a teenage/twenty something offspring drove the car paid for by parents? Parents took care of maintenance, girl/boy didn't take care of how it looked.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Its possible that a teenage/twenty something offspring drove the car paid for by parents? Parents took care of maintenance, girl/boy didn't take care of how it looked.

My oldest stepson will be driving soon. I bought him a slightly better than POS Civic del Sol close to a year ago. His mom drives it back/forth to work because it's better on gas than her minivan. When I bought it, I told him there are responsibilities that go along with ownership: maintenance--mechanical and cosmetic. He washes the car every 2 weeks (give or take) and waxes it pretty much when I remind him it's time. You gotta instill that "sense of ownership" and pride in taking care of your things in your kids.

[biosurfer1]

The first time I sold one of my cars I learned the cost of ownership, but in a good way. I always liked cleaning/detailing my car (hell, I was even a detailer for a while) but when I listed my truck for what I thought was a high price, i.e. over high blue book expecting to be bargained down, the first guy who responded bought it without haggling and told me afterwards he had seen junk for the same price, it really showed me how keeping your car clean and running well REALLY can pay off in the end.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Distance is a girl's best friend. Cars too.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Distance is a girl's best friend.

I thought it was alcohol and the proximity to closing time.

[Don Ro]

I love Humanity; it's people I can't stand.
.

[azasadny]

Frankly, we expected the 2002 Ford Focus we bought a few months ago to be shabby, too, but it wasn't. We got it for $3100 and it has 64k miles on it and looks and runs great. Nice ones are out there, just keep looking and put the word out.

[pc100porsche]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Distance is a girl's best friend. Cars too.

I never heard a chick described as a good 10 footer ..... is that what a 10 is now ?

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

The first time I sold one of my cars I learned the cost of ownership, but in a good way. I always liked cleaning/detailing my car (hell, I was even a detailer for a while) but when I listed my truck for what I thought was a high price, i.e. over high blue book expecting to be bargained down, the first guy who responded bought it without haggling and told me afterwards he had seen junk for the same price, it really showed me how keeping your car clean and running well REALLY can pay off in the end.

Ditto

Bought a car with 72k on the clock, drove it/rubbed the paint for 5 years, sold it for $300 more than I paid with 122k...

Its amazing what people will pay for something when clean

[T77911S]

a 2 at 10 is a 10 at 2(am).

10ft'r. you may be on to something. i have seen some that may require

butterface. everything looks good but her face

[Laneco]

If you are selling a car - clean is your money making friend. Nobody wants to buy somebody else's dirt. There is also an assumption that a car is well taken care of if it's clean. It's not true at all...but people do assume that.

angela

[asphaltgambler]

I have lots of experience with this very subject. Overall the newer high pixel cameras, even the smart phone cameras will take a better picture of an object than what it really looks like. Especially if the lighting and camera angles are right. The last vehicle I posted for sale on the 'ol interweb the pics looked much better than what the vehicle actually looked like.

My wife even said that no way that thing looks that good, what did I do? also I have had a few experienced buyers say the same thing. "OK ..............so the pics look really good, how much difference (worse) in person"?