Reasonable offer ?
08-26-2010, 02:59 PM
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Reasonable offer ?
I have an appointment to look at a couple TL's on monday. One I'm most interested in is an 06 with 35,000 on it . Their asking is 17,990 . Do you think if I like the car and an offer of 16,500 would be to low an offer for an 06 with low miles ?
Still need to find my TL .......Thanks
Still need to find my TL .......Thanks
08-26-2010, 03:20 PM
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Is it a Base TL or Type S? Manual or Auto?
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08-26-2010, 06:10 PM
#10
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Is this a dealership? Either way, there is no harm in asking for the lower price. If they don't except, you can meet in the middle at $17200 and you still win. Have it checked out by a trusted mechanic. If it's a dealership, ask for new tires. I got a $1000 off and new tires when I asked. Very similar numbers that you are dealing with. glwp!
08-26-2010, 06:15 PM
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It is a dealership. I'm going to have to trust my own judgement on this purchase. It is 3 hours away and I have to trusted mechanics in that area. I do know my way around cars though.....I do my own work on cars .
08-26-2010, 06:17 PM
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(key board acting up)
08-28-2010, 09:04 PM
#14
That does not mean ANYTHING. Carfax is worthless.
What they don't tell you is that it was in a single car, unreported accident, and there was $20,000 in work done when it had 4,000 miles on it. It started as a $10K job, but they found more hidden damage and ended up fixing it...
What they don't tell you is that it was in a single car, unreported accident, and there was $20,000 in work done when it had 4,000 miles on it. It started as a $10K job, but they found more hidden damage and ended up fixing it...
08-29-2010, 02:08 AM
#15
That does not mean ANYTHING. Carfax is worthless.
What they don't tell you is that it was in a single car, unreported accident, and there was $20,000 in work done when it had 4,000 miles on it. It started as a $10K job, but they found more hidden damage and ended up fixing it...
What they don't tell you is that it was in a single car, unreported accident, and there was $20,000 in work done when it had 4,000 miles on it. It started as a $10K job, but they found more hidden damage and ended up fixing it...
a carfax is not worthless, it's just not 100% of a history of a car. A carfax is merely one of the tools you use when buying a car. A little history of the vehicle is better than no history at all.
08-29-2010, 06:02 AM
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I can't disagree that Carfax is a good tool. And, used in an above board manner like it should be, its an excellent tool. However, in my search for a TL, I have found that there are dealers out there that have found ways around above board reporting.
One of the TLs that I looked at, in fact the local salesman that I was working with had it shipped in, turned out to have been totaled and was in horrible mechanical condition. The first tip off was that at some point, the air bags had been deployed and had cracked the dash. The dealer had taken the air bags out and put the covers back on. The brakes were shot, the axles were shot, meaning that this car had way more miles on it than what was reported. This car showed a completely clean Carfax. This car was shipped back and reported as unsafe, but I noticed that the original dealer it was shipped from has it right back on their web page like before. Last I heard, the federal LEO made a visit to them late last week.
Its one tool, but nothing can replace a complete mechanical inspection when buying used cars. And, the old saying: Let the buyer beware!
One of the TLs that I looked at, in fact the local salesman that I was working with had it shipped in, turned out to have been totaled and was in horrible mechanical condition. The first tip off was that at some point, the air bags had been deployed and had cracked the dash. The dealer had taken the air bags out and put the covers back on. The brakes were shot, the axles were shot, meaning that this car had way more miles on it than what was reported. This car showed a completely clean Carfax. This car was shipped back and reported as unsafe, but I noticed that the original dealer it was shipped from has it right back on their web page like before. Last I heard, the federal LEO made a visit to them late last week.
Its one tool, but nothing can replace a complete mechanical inspection when buying used cars. And, the old saying: Let the buyer beware!
08-30-2010, 07:19 AM
#18
Other than that - you really can't be assured of anything. A good eye is better.
Through a reputable source, there may be a class action lawsuit against Carfax and another company by major car dealers (I heard of Mercedes and Lexus) based on delayed and inaccurate reporting. One example is a dealer taking a trade on a car, based on the history at the time, putting it on their lot and then something shows up (after they take it in trade) and they take a loss on the car when it is discovered.
What started out as something to protect the insurance companies, has now turned against them - can you say "Diminished Value"? Hit my car, and you just bought it...
08-30-2010, 07:56 AM
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go ahead and try the 16,500...you never know how low a dealership will go unless you ask...look for a car with the same specs in the immediate area and compare the prices. use this against the dealership. Also, get him down to the lowest price you think he'll go and then ask him for that price in writing. Tell him that you're going to take that and see if one of the nearby dealers will beat it. Usually that will get him down a couple hundred. at least it did for me...
08-30-2010, 03:03 PM
#21
I wouldn't eliminate them from consideration because of being rentals if you can negotiate the right price and checked them out. The dealer probably paid less for them as well because of that so you might be able to get a couple grand or more off their asking price (depends on how long it's been there of course).
If their asking price is 17,990 and the car has only been on the lot for a couple days/weeks, then they probably only have maybe 14000 in it imo. I'd still drive it if you like the car, if you love it after driving it, offer 15,500, they'll say no, but so what, it gives you room to move up to the price you're really willing to pay. If you are willing to walk, most dealers will not "not" sell a car if they see you leaving and have offered a price they can make a decent profit on. If you start at 15.5 and move up to 16.5 and you'd be happy at that price and they say no, you say thanks but no thanks, leave em' your number and tell them to call you if they change their mind.
I say look for a certified used one, but that's me, I just bought mine (07') for 19.5, although it was a little high on the miles (46.6) it's just broken in imo and was off lease so it was hopefully taken care of (somewhat at least). Considering the additional warranty coverage I'm covered for another 4 yrs powertrain wise (June 2014 or 100k miles) and to 62k bumper to bumper, brand new tires as well. I watched mine drop in advertised price from 23,950 at the start to 19,950 over 2 months later before going in to drive it.
If I could afford another one that's CPO at that price I'd buy it tomorrow, I love the car....good luck with your search.
If their asking price is 17,990 and the car has only been on the lot for a couple days/weeks, then they probably only have maybe 14000 in it imo. I'd still drive it if you like the car, if you love it after driving it, offer 15,500, they'll say no, but so what, it gives you room to move up to the price you're really willing to pay. If you are willing to walk, most dealers will not "not" sell a car if they see you leaving and have offered a price they can make a decent profit on. If you start at 15.5 and move up to 16.5 and you'd be happy at that price and they say no, you say thanks but no thanks, leave em' your number and tell them to call you if they change their mind.
I say look for a certified used one, but that's me, I just bought mine (07') for 19.5, although it was a little high on the miles (46.6) it's just broken in imo and was off lease so it was hopefully taken care of (somewhat at least). Considering the additional warranty coverage I'm covered for another 4 yrs powertrain wise (June 2014 or 100k miles) and to 62k bumper to bumper, brand new tires as well. I watched mine drop in advertised price from 23,950 at the start to 19,950 over 2 months later before going in to drive it.
If I could afford another one that's CPO at that price I'd buy it tomorrow, I love the car....good luck with your search.
08-31-2010, 07:00 AM
#22
In Fall 2009, I bought our 2007 Base TL with 27K miles on it for $8,500.
Most people would not like the history... It was parked and a truck backed into it, hitting it high - fenders hood lights... No frame damage (verified on a frame machine - just the bumper mount on one side needed to be tweeked about 1/4" - heck that could have been that way from the get go...). No bags went off, but glass needed replacement as well as the bumper cover - it was cracked high.
Bottom line - $13,500 ish, with all taxes, tags, some sweat equity managing the parts - and I put the CDN market lights on it - so the front is a little unique. I'm happy overall. Spare change in my pocket. My wife loves it.
You look at it, and most people cannot tell (I know one very small thing but it can easily be fixed...) The shop that does work for me is great at matching paint, texture, cutting in, etc...
We have about 35K miles on it now.
Most people would not like the history... It was parked and a truck backed into it, hitting it high - fenders hood lights... No frame damage (verified on a frame machine - just the bumper mount on one side needed to be tweeked about 1/4" - heck that could have been that way from the get go...). No bags went off, but glass needed replacement as well as the bumper cover - it was cracked high.
Bottom line - $13,500 ish, with all taxes, tags, some sweat equity managing the parts - and I put the CDN market lights on it - so the front is a little unique. I'm happy overall. Spare change in my pocket. My wife loves it.
You look at it, and most people cannot tell (I know one very small thing but it can easily be fixed...) The shop that does work for me is great at matching paint, texture, cutting in, etc...
We have about 35K miles on it now.
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