Hi! I'm currently in the process of finding my first car and we stumbled across this type s (one of my dream vehicles)! I have a little knowledge about the vehicle and have been reading this forum for a day now. I've been told that it had its water pump and timing belt changed, it's missing a battery cover, a small scrape on the front bumper, and just some curb rash. I'm trying to get a video of it running, but the owner said to call back tmr (today), when I did he sounded a little hesitant and said the car was getting detailed. We live 3 hours away, so I would appreciate it if you could give me your opinion before we make a move! Thanks!

https://www.usmotors66.com/vdp/13666...ville-MO-63385

 

Personally I’d drive the 3hrs to see it and drive it! Plenty of threads like yours, on what to look for. Search for them, and it’ll give you ideas. There have been a few recently, prob on main page of forum still! Good Luck!


here is a thread on a manual Tl someone was looking to buy, but has some things to look for.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-s-6mt-981853/

and another with some info to check on....

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...type-s-985672/

 

If you wanted a Type S and Type S only then I would say the drive is totally worth it. These car getting rarer and rarer to find especially one that in clean non molested condition. This one looks really nice and price isn't bad either, with that being said.... the one thing you should looking for is body/ structure rust.

The car original from Minnesota then to IL which all rusted bucket state, make sure you able to have someone inspect under the car to see how bad the damage.

 

You need to get there to see it in person, drive it, and get it inspected. Confirm it shifts correctly, check all fluids, inspect underneath the car for rust, failing bushings, etc.

Also...I don't see any scrape on the front bumper? From the low quality pics they posted, it looks to be in decent shape. Those images are so highly compressed though, no real details can really be seen.

A three hour drive across MO or IL would be worth checking it out if this car fits your budget and is on your shopping list.

 

Thanks for the responses, the problem is my parents run a restaurant and can't leave often. We're trying to get 7,800 possibly and we would test drive and buy the same day. The thing that worries me is the places the vehicle has been and the owner doesn't respond to emails nor text.

 

That because he too busy to answers all of the call. IF its clean most likely people already put a deposit on it, drive down check it out in person. I spend a air ticket flew to Kansas City for one day to check out my KBP. I think 3 hours drive is doable.

 

if that car is as nice as it looks in the pics it may sell this weekend. I would have been there when the doors opened to see it rather than wait for us to give you our .02 cents. Clean TL's are hard to find so if if you are looking for your dream car you need to be ready to pull the trigger.

 

 

I just check and it's still up? Me and my parents can't leave due to the restaurant, only on like Sunday's sadly. We're trying to see if this car is worth the time and money, bc we don't want a money pit. I've been looking at these for a few months now and finally found this one!

 

FWIW, it took me $26 and 5 minutes on my phone at breakfast to run an Autocheck report on my TL S before I bought it.

However as a refugee from the salt belt, I will never again buy a car that didn't spend it's life in the South or Southwest That low of mileage *might* indicate some rich person kept it garaged all winter, but only putting it on a lift for a PPI will be able to tell... as it's actually far more likely that there are metal mites chewing away.

You may want to work with your parents to schedule a mini vacation to travel for Type S shopping. These cars are flippin' amazing.

 

If you afraid of money pit then a 13 years old car is not the fainted heart, especially if you mechanically inclined. In your situation its best bet to buy a new car and not worry about down time (since you don't have extra free time).



FIY I work 60 hours per week plus 2 hours of travel time, 6 days a week. If I am able to fly into Kansas City to check out a 13 years old car then you should able to do as well (if you highly interested into the car)

 

Update: The owner sent a video to me, if you guys would kindly check it out that'll be helpful!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1En7...w?usp=drivesdk

 

Not a very helpful video not very long enough but sounds ok. I drove all way IL from VA to grab 1 of my TLs and from Naples FL to VA for another vehicle. To me the hunt is most of the fun. Go see it drive it get some seat time in it and make a decision.

hope they're open tomorrow and you can drive it sadly no where near me or as I've done for others id check it out for ya it's a great color combo. Went thru pics and thought it looked good from seats to front console trim looked good.

good luck

 

Nothing much to check out on a 10 sec video

 

The drive has a 54 second video!

 

A dealership detail probably took $500 in value off the car. Probably going to have buffer trails all over the paint and grease on the vinyl and leather. Use that as a negotiating tool.
When I bought my G35 the dealership said they'd get it detailed and I could get it the next day since the car had just come in the day before. Told them if they detailed it I wouldn't buy it. Didn't even let them wash it. They use the cheapest people possible, guaranteed. >end rant<

If maintained, they are pretty solid cars. Plus its a non-smoker car so that's good. A video of the engine revving from inside and outside doesn't tell you much. And since you're the one putting down your money, you should find a way to get there and drive it yourself.

 

Thanks for the response, I'm thinking about offering around 7,600 or 7,700 since there is a small ding on the rear quarter, small scrape on bumper, missing battery cover, and curb rash. Do you think that's a reasonable offer, since they also detailed already? The owner of the dealership seems very hesitant and rude btw.

 

they are not going to be patient with you because you are 3 hours away and probably not the best negotiator and most likely they doubt your intent to purchase the vehicle. I don't even feel the enthusiasm. I doubt they take 7600. Is it a cash offer?

 

Yes it is a cash offer, I called them many times and the owner always shut me down and never answered my questions. He doesn't answer my emails (over 1 week) nor any texts to the "text me now" part of the website. I have some negotiating skills since I negotiated a 39k new vehicle down to 36k, but not the best. I may not sound enthusiastic since it's hard to be over text, I've been wanting a type s for over 2 years and found multiple but they sold the day of when we are going to see it.

 

So you went to see it? Thought that was the plan on Sunday and to buy at that time if it met your needs.

The smaller dealers dont have the time for endless questions and requests. You have way more credibility in person. Negotiating on a new car is usually a no brainer since theres so much mark up and generally a large supply, on an in demand older vehicle theres less wiggle room especially from an independent dealer since supply is generally lower. Im not very lucky with negotiating as Im always chasing in demand older cars that have a premium and end up that they are non negotiable. I have yet to regret any of those purchases.

go see the car and meet with dealer!

 

so who is with me?


Drive there and check the car out in person, may be then the owner/manager/sale rep etc... will consider you more seriously. Alternatively you can hire a person who willing to travel out and provide full report.

 

Just go look at it man. Make a fun day out of it. Worst case scenario is that you "waste" a day and still get to test drive a fun car. Don't let little things get in the way.

 

OP - any updates?

 

Update: Talked to the parents and they concluded that since the coronavirus is going around they want to conserve money for the worst situation since we have two newer cars and a house to pay off. So we're not getting me a car until the vaccine comes out or when things die down, I get to drive the 2016 Lexus Rx350 in the mean time. Kind of sucks but I get why they would do that.

 

It sucks that you must drive a much newer Lexus? Kids.

 

.........Wait....what!!!!.........I'm sorry Bro, I'm so sorry but that is the funniest thing I have heard ever!!!! I'm not gonna buy a car because other people are getting sick..............
You know there are other things going around too.....I'm sorry I can't. I just can't. I can't follow this anymore. Good luck getting a car when there is no more sickness in the world.

I'm Ghost

 

Sucks as in I won't get my first car for a bit, I don't mind driving the lexus. Just got to be really cautious!

 

Yeah I don't get the logic of it but my parents think that it's a pandemic and it'll affect the restaurant business. I don't really have much say, other than just updating them on how it's just another sickness🤷‍♂️

 

 

Just don't forget to stack up on toilet paper and bottled water.

 

Dealership details suck and with cosmetic issues, I'd start at $7,200 and work from there.

 

 

BRB, going to buy this car for the sole purpose of driving to OP's parents' restaurant for lunch.

 

Hope its not a Chinese restaurant

 

Don't forget to cough a lot while there, and say something like "I knew that this trip to China wasn't a good idea"

 

 

god dam, you guy are brutal lmao......

 

just can't control my laugh, made my day after being stressed by watching all the news....

 

What do all those doctors and scientist know anyway, right?


Sounds like OP's family owns a restaurant. Restaurants, hospitality, travel industries, and other small businesses are going to see a loss in revenue so I get why they'll want to prepare for the possible tough times ahead.

The coronavirus could be deadly to the older folks and those in poor health. I'll be fine. Most of you guys here will be fine, but who knows about your grandparents, older relatives, and those in poor health.

ANYWAY people, stop buying all the