I hate used car buying....

[VaSteve]

I have been seriously looking for a new car (truck) to add to my fleet. I have targeted a Tacoma Double Cab (other threads debate the merits of this). On Friday, I thought I found a good one nearby it was red with a hard cover over the bed sold by a big area dealership. They took photos of the underside for me and I came to check it out. I was really disappointed. It looked like it had been parked under a tree for it's whole life, they washed and maybe waxed it, but it was a shabby job. LIke when the HS cheerleaders was your car. There was tree snot all up in the edges by the windows and such. The inside was clean. The big cover was a monster PITA, I didn't like it...IMHO a pick up should be open. The test drive took me all of 2 blocks to say no. It had a shudder at take off (a semi common issue). I was pissed I squandered an evening to see this thing.

Today I took off the morning and went to see a blue one at a large independant dealer. They are right across from on of the big auctions and do a lot of prep for the auction. They were running cars through in two lines, wash detail, paint fixing and were spraying undercoating in the fenderwells right as they left the cleaning line. I assume the truck I was looking at came through that line yesterday.

Truck looked good on the internet. When I got there, I think within 30 seconds, something told me not to buy it. The fenders and the frame has the same undercoating. I took it for a test drive, and felt good. It has some expensive radio with a nav built in, backup camera and a whole boatload of wiring for bluetooth. Some elaborate aftermarket alarm. I figured I could pull all that out and put a basic radio with an aux in there for myself. There was a rat's nest of wiring by the e-brake pedal. I liked the idea of the backup camera but I couldn't figure out how to turn it on. No wobbled in the driveline. I had them put it up on the lift and I could see some scaling rust on the trailer hitch and such and poked things with a tool. Seemed solid. I had spent about 45 minutes looking it over myself (it's a no frills place, they sell on price, not pushing you into a car). I kinda talked myself into buying it and sat down and wrote out some checks. My wife called in the middle and I stepped out to chat. She said I didn't sound excited. As I'm talking to her outside I'm again looking over the truck, it had a crack in the mirror shell where someone probably banged it into the garage door. She talked me out of in in 2 minutes. I went in a lied and said she wanted to check it out and I was gone. Took the windy roads home in my 10 year old BMW.

I don't know if my expectations are out of whack or what's wrong with me. I don't expect a used car to be just like a new car. But, I got cold feet on this big time and just needed a slight nudge to walk away. I don't get it. It wasn't one issue, it was just all of it I guess.

Though, I would have gotten an instant $40 rebate. When combing through the owner's manual and junk in the glove box, there was twp $20 bills in with all the paperwork. I left them.

(thanks for letting me vent/rant)

[BigInJapan]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I have been seriously looking for a new car (truck) to add to my fleet. I have targeted a Tacoma Double Cab (other threads debate the merits of this). On Friday, I thought I found a good one nearby it was red with a hard cover over the bed sold by a big area dealership. They took photos of the underside for me and I came to check it out. I was really disappointed. It looked like it had been parked under a tree for it's whole life, they washed and maybe waxed it, but it was a shabby job. LIke when the HS cheerleaders was your car. There was tree snot all up in the edges by the windows and such. The inside was clean. The big cover was a monster PITA, I didn't like it...IMHO a pick up should be open. The test drive took me all of 2 blocks to say no. It had a shudder at take off (a semi common issue). I was pissed I squandered an evening to see this thing.

Today I took off the morning and went to see a blue one at a large independant dealer. They are right across from on of the big auctions and do a lot of prep for the auction. They were running cars through in two lines, wash detail, paint fixing and were spraying undercoating in the fenderwells right as they left the cleaning line. I assume the truck I was looking at came through that line yesterday.

Truck looked good on the internet. When I got there, I think within 30 seconds, something told me not to buy it. The fenders and the frame has the same undercoating. I took it for a test drive, and felt good. It has some expensive radio with a nav built in, backup camera and a whole boatload of wiring for bluetooth. Some elaborate aftermarket alarm. I figured I could pull all that out and put a basic radio with an aux in there for myself. There was a rat's nest of wiring by the e-brake pedal. I liked the idea of the backup camera but I couldn't figure out how to turn it on. No wobbled in the driveline. I had them put it up on the lift and I could see some scaling rust on the trailer hitch and such and poked things with a tool. Seemed solid. I had spent about 45 minutes looking it over myself (it's a no frills place, they sell on price, not pushing you into a car). I kinda talked myself into buying it and sat down and wrote out some checks. My wife called in the middle and I stepped out to chat. She said I didn't sound excited. As I'm talking to her outside I'm again looking over the truck, it had a crack in the mirror shell where someone probably banged it into the garage door. She talked me out of in in 2 minutes. I went in a lied and said she wanted to check it out and I was gone. Took the windy roads home in my 10 year old BMW.

I don't know if my expectations are out of whack or what's wrong with me. I don't expect a used car to be just like a new car. But, I got cold feet on this big time and just needed a slight nudge to walk away. I don't get it. It wasn't one issue, it was just all of it I guess.

Though, I would have gotten an instant $40 rebate. When combing through the owner's manual and junk in the glove box, there was twp $20 bills in with all the paperwork. I left them.

(thanks for letting me vent/rant)

Character matters when nobody is looking. Good job leaving the $20s.

On the larger subject. I won't buy a used car from a dealer...only new. Are there no good private party trucks around you locally?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I have been seriously looking for a new car (truck) to add to my fleet. I have targeted a Tacoma Double Cab (other threads debate the merits of this).

I don't know if my expectations are out of whack or what's wrong with me. I don't expect a used car to be just like a new car.

I think your expectations are way out of whack. You'll figure it out when you've seen twenty that are all the same way, or get really f'n lucky and stumble across the holy grail, non-molested Taco Double Cab whose owner wiped it down with organic cloth diapers each night and treated it like a vintage Porsche, all for less than Blue Book.

[fastfredracing]

I like use those issues as "bargaining chips " . Figure you are going to have to do some sorting on any used car you buy anyhow.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I think your expectations are way out of whack. You'll figure it out when you've seen twenty that are all the same way, or get really f'n lucky and stumble across the holy grail, non-molested Taco Double Cab whose owner wiped it down with organic cloth diapers each night and treated it like a vintage Porsche, all for less than Blue Book.

LOL, I don't expect that exactly, but everything I have owned I take good care of. Then, all I have to do it look at my 2010 Sienna that we bought new to see what people do to their cars.

I guess I don't want a used car that I"m already making a mental list of stuff I have to do to it. I know that's some of the fun, sometimes.

The people at the dealership couldn't have been nicer and tire shine and armor all covering everything can be washed off, but I just feel gross after touching it and I got turned off I guess.

[tevake]

Ditto on looking for a private seller. May take some time but there are nice ones out there to be had. Probably have to pay a primium, but not a lot more over the dealers mark up.

It's about taking the time and putting in the effort to find a nice one.

Here craigslist has all but taken over the newspaper as the place for private sellers listings.

Happy hunting
Richard

[HardDrive]

The only cars I buy from dealers are CPO. I had good experiences with both Mercedes and Porsche (twice).

When I look on craigslist, I look for the owners that know everything about the car. The guys that go on and on about the condition and maintenance. I just bought a very high mileage (175k!) Mustang GT from just such a guy. He had maintained it, and wasn't shy about pointing out its flaws.

[biosurfer1]

tree crap and being dirty shouldn't play into this at all. A good detail takes all that away in an afternoon. In fact, I like when a seller doesn't clean the car or floor mats, etc. Bargaining tools right there just because they are lazy.

Mechanical items are the only ones of concern to me.

[masraum]

buying cars is like that. Most folks don't take good care of their cars, and if they do, they probably keep them for a while. Lots and LOTS of crap out there. Ad descriptions are almost always WAY off the mark. It's shocking how far off of the mark they are sometimes.

Another funny thing that I've run into a half dozen times in the last 10 years is, "well, the title is in my uncle's name, and he lives in another state, but I can sell it," or "I don't have the title, but if you pay me, I can get it within the week for you" or "well, the title is in my neighbor's name, I bought the car from him and never changed the title over, and he's cool with that, but you'll have a title and be legal when I sell it to you. What, no my neighbor is not available to sign the title over or for you to meet if you buy the car."

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

tree crap and being dirty shouldn't play into this at all. A good detail takes all that away in an afternoon. In fact, I like when a seller doesn't clean the car or floor mats, etc. Bargaining tools right there just because they are lazy.

Mechanical items are the only ones of concern to me.

Yes, if I was buying it off someone's front yard, I agree. I've bought a motorcycle and 3 Porsches this way.

This was from two separate dealerships (corporate and indy). I just didn't feel "good" about them and I don't think either was such a smoking deal that I was happy to put a bunch of my own labor in.

I have to laugh at guys like Matt, he LIKES detailing cars. I dislike even detailing my owned since new cars. But I sure like it when it's done.

[VincentVega]

Too funny, it's a truck! I know you dont like my Silverado because its used as, wait, a truck! I gets driven when the weather stinks and hauls crap in the back.

[McLovin]

I love buying used cars and motorcycles!

Bought my first one at 16, my last one 8 months ago, and many, many in between.

I've never had a bad experience. And, this may be hard to believe, but every single one of them I've ended up eventually selling for more than I bought it for. Every single one!

(Of course, that is based on purchase price only, not including money that I've sunk into the cars for maintenance, repairs, etc. etc. Still, pretty good).

Some keys to my success:

1. I've never, ever bought from a dealership of any kind. Not once in 30+ years. Private party every single time. These days, with Craigslist, I limit the search to private party only.

2. Why is that? There's a bunch of reasons. A savvy, experienced buyer can get SO MUCH information from the actual owner of the car. Esp. these days. I can usually tell from a 5 minute initial phone call if the car is worth pursuing. But then actually meeting the person, finding out about them, seeing their house, other cars, etc. etc. is a gold mine of information. It's never led me wrong. Also, in person most people are terrible poker players. I'll take my chances with a private party owner, as opposed to a dealer/broker/professional car seller, any day. They are the exact opposite of a private seller. A dealer must, on the whole, buy low and sell high, i.e., make a profit on you. Private sellers are the exact opposite. They generally just want to get rid of their old car, they aren't experts on pricing, don't depend on it for their living, and just want a pleasant, easy transaction. Most are willing to let money go for that (I in fact do it myself when I'm a seller, I almost never let a serious cash buyer go).

3. Unless the car is less than a half hour away, I do a fair amount of due diligence. Questions about the car, his ownership, pink slip in his name, etc. If I get past the first call, I'm generally 75% of the way there.

4. When I show up, I show up with cash ready to go. This is highly motivating to a seller and most sellers are willing to substantially discount to get the deal done, the cash in their pocket and the car out of their driveway.

You really have to have a methodical method of quickly separating the wheat from the chaff. Otherwise, it can be a tremendously time wasting and frustrating experience.

[cairns]

Advice directly above is pretty awesome. FWIW I don't think your expectations are out of whack at all. You've only looked at two trucks. Take your time and stay away from dealers who are spraying undercoating on wet frames. Lots of people take good care of their cars and those aren't usually sold by car dealers. Also while I normally wouldn't buy used from a dealer I do know a few people who've had good luck with Carmax; I'm considering at least looking there next buy.

[recycled sixtie]

There have been good positive responses so far for buying CPO from the the dealer and buying privately. I agree that buying privately it is easier to get the service history although with my buying a Lexus at the dealership the service history is on file and they are willing to let me see it.

Perhaps you would pay a bit more for a CPO from the Toyota dealership but if you get a warranty then I see it is worth it.

Something you might want to do is check the dealership reviews on the internet.
There are of course the two sides to it - the sales side and servicing side. In my case the dealership has a 5/5 star rating and it is the only dealership in Edmonton that has this.

Am I assuming that the Lexus dealership is 100%?
Yesterday I checked out an RX350. It had a flat battery and a cracked windshield.
Two others I checked out were close to perfect there.

My last 2 cars were bought used - one from a dealer and another privately. No surprises with either.

Oh yes many of these suvs have had accidents(one $180000 damage!) according to the CARREPORT . So even if the accident was not reported it could have been fixed and not reported.

So obviously a good PPI and a check for accident damage is a must. For me to get one third off the original list price for 3-4 year old car is a good situation but it must be in good shape. Car dealerships generally cannot get a 5 star rating if they sell junk. You gotta be patient whether you are buying privately or from a dealer.
Cheers, Guy

[kaisen]

Why not buy a new Toyota Tacoma Double Cab? Serious question

[porwolf]

I hate used car buying....

With the cars that I bought used I always got them directly from the owners. Never had a bad experience. Just visiting the owner and listening to their stories I always got a very good feel for what they are selling and they seem to be more honest when you meet them face-to-face. One Porsche though, a 1968 911T, I got from a German dealer in 1971, but that was after I got introduced by a personal of mine and his who knew the car, being serviced, will be up for sale shortly. I test-rode it, the price was right and I got it. Drove it every day for 3 years and sold it for twice what I paid.

[on2wheels52]

McLovin's post ought to be a stickie somewhere
I thought that's how everyone goes about buying a used vehicle but perhaps that's not the case.
Jim

[Don Ro]

Due diligence, of course - but sometimes you have to be willing to kiss some toads.
Some sellers lie through their teeth to get you there.

[regency]

I'm currently hunting for a used Honda for my daughter and i'd say that 80 to 90% of the cars listed on CL are Salvaged title cars.

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[VincentVega]

I'm currently hunting for a used Honda

I hear you. I went through that last summer, it was much harder than I expected. It seems like there used to be a ton of decent sub 5k cars around, not any more. Slim pickins around here at least.

I'm on the lookout for a GM 2500 long bed extended cab, not much else is important. Most that turn up seem to be used up work trucks or guys want $$$ for their ~10 yr old truck. No rush, one will turn up.

Steve - keep at it, there are tons of truck around. If you open up to other makes you'll be at HD this weekend looking for stuff to buy.