- Thread starter william webster
- Start date
Buying a Car
Well mine aren't that finally tuned. Some are fiber belts and quiet, but I would say if you can hear a worn timing chain you either have cyborg ears or that car has been around and around and probably has a lot of other problems even more noticeable
DR.Solar . I'd say wise choice . YOU , have to drive the vehicle . You need to feel comfortable . We all have our personal preferences . Ask , and you will get everyone's preference . You're the one who needs to feel comfortable . The right color , the right price . Does it have the options YOU require . Is it user friendly to YOU . If it feels right for you , it is . So , good for you taking the time to find the right fit for YOU . You're spending some good money , you want to be comfortable . Smile at anyone's opinion . It may not be a Hyundai ( one of the least expensive ) or a Prado or Porsche Cayenne . If it feels right for you it is . You can get parts in Miami for whatever your choice , and , most parts here to . Smartest thing I've heard , you're going to ROAD test the vehicles on your short list . Happy Motoring .
belts are one thing...they are quiet. chains are noisy suckers, especially when they are so worn that the tensioner has no effect...
I think the best bet for a used-car in the dr, is through people you know.
I see some "great"deals every so often, not that i am intrested mind you, I wouldnt trade my 2005 hilux for anything.
Last in date, a GL something or other, mercedes, 1year old, half price...... i even hesitated.
Lots of folks here want a flashy SUV with all the bells and whistles and go all out........ only to realise they cant really afford such a ride, or even worse cant keep up with payements.
I see some "great"deals every so often, not that i am intrested mind you, I wouldnt trade my 2005 hilux for anything.
Last in date, a GL something or other, mercedes, 1year old, half price...... i even hesitated.
Lots of folks here want a flashy SUV with all the bells and whistles and go all out........ only to realise they cant really afford such a ride, or even worse cant keep up with payements.
....a car dealer will look at the trade as a different car deal...they will take the trade in for around wholesale, so they can sell it for around retail( thats how they show a profit and stay in business) most customers want retail for their trade , and then pay wholesale for the car they are buying, never going to happen...they are not trying to rob you its just how the dollars work out...they would rather you not have a trade, much easier to make a deal...and if you are trading a used car on a used car chances are they dont want your trade for resale anyway to old and needs to much recon.....In my first career I was the Manager that closed the car deals and put the numbers together....trying to get ahead of the car dealers almost never happens.......Doc........ohh and for the best deal, sell your trade your self, try and find a car to buy from a private party, and have a mechanic check it out, buying from someone you know can be a good idea, pay between wholesale and retail, if that person was trying to trade the car in pay them more than the dealer offered them on trade...cut the dealer out and both parties will be better off......,
Over the years men go through a lot of cars (good and bad), some way more than me. I'd be interested to hear some people's experiences. One man's dog might be another man's favorite.
Most Fun: (1) 1963 Pontiac Tempest (326 ci 4-speed floor shift) God I wish I had that car today (2) '88 Alpha Romeo Spyder Veloce (but a maintenance nightmare).
Most Problems : (1) BMW 535ci, (2) Two Volkswagen bugs, (3) VW diesel Rabbit PU ( I forgot earlier when saying I only owned 1 German car - I also owned 3 damn VWs - if you really classify VW as German ?), (4) 1995 Toyota 4Runner (yeah I guess I got the one lemon) and a (5) 1988 Ford F250 Super Duty Ext Cab - (absolute Junk)
Most Reliable Vehicles - (1) 4 Isuzu SUVs, (2) Two Subaru Outbacks, (3) 2007 Chevrolet Malibu and (4) 1974 Chevrolet C20 Pickup (work truck 272,000 miles with only repairs a throw out bearing and AC compressor).
There were others less memorable in the mix: Fords, Corvair Convertible, Nissans, Land Cruiser, Jeep, Opal, other Chevys and some I'm forgetting.
I know everyone says Honda is trouble free - never owned one, but that may be my next vehicle.
Your best and worst ?
Most Fun: (1) 1963 Pontiac Tempest (326 ci 4-speed floor shift) God I wish I had that car today (2) '88 Alpha Romeo Spyder Veloce (but a maintenance nightmare).
Most Problems : (1) BMW 535ci, (2) Two Volkswagen bugs, (3) VW diesel Rabbit PU ( I forgot earlier when saying I only owned 1 German car - I also owned 3 damn VWs - if you really classify VW as German ?), (4) 1995 Toyota 4Runner (yeah I guess I got the one lemon) and a (5) 1988 Ford F250 Super Duty Ext Cab - (absolute Junk)
Most Reliable Vehicles - (1) 4 Isuzu SUVs, (2) Two Subaru Outbacks, (3) 2007 Chevrolet Malibu and (4) 1974 Chevrolet C20 Pickup (work truck 272,000 miles with only repairs a throw out bearing and AC compressor).
There were others less memorable in the mix: Fords, Corvair Convertible, Nissans, Land Cruiser, Jeep, Opal, other Chevys and some I'm forgetting.
I know everyone says Honda is trouble free - never owned one, but that may be my next vehicle.
Your best and worst ?
i thought i had been through a lot of cars, but you are as bad as i am. well...almost. i have owned Triumph TR6s, Austin Healeys, Bimmers, a 66 Mustang which came to NYC from Scottsdale, AZ, and had never been driven in the rain, numerous Mazdas, Hondas, Toyotas, VWS of all stripes. 176, in all. some i never drove more than once.
Good find... but not easy...
need connections and luck to find a local selling....
But it happens !!
My friend just bought from a fleeing Russian... excellent car & deal... Sos/Cab area, SeaHorse Ranch
....best car was one I bought by accident....was going skiing in colorado, company wouldnt let me drive my company car out of state....bought a 1 year old toyota corolla 2dr SR5...a 1976....bought it over the phone, sight unseen, 1 year old 22k miles..thought I would drive it skiing and sell it when I returned, was in the car business then....well 85000k miles later and no problems a customer at the dealership asked to buy it from me...so I sold It for $2200 the same as I Paid for it...Doc......
Only works for US origin cars
I am looking for the export model.
Just missed a Sante Fe diesel Korean version with 30,000mi.... high $20's
Real doozer,,,,
If you are OK with diesel, maybe that Isuzu MUX would be the best SUV for you.
Isuzu has a lot more years building diesels engines than most any manufacturer.
I can't speak for their diesels. I just know after 4 Isuzu gasoline SUVs, including one I drove from Oregon to Costa Rica, they are ultra-reliable.
Not saying the Hyundai Santa Fe isn't, I just haven't heard.
1930 - 1st US diesel passenger car - Packard (Cummins diesel)
1933 - First European Diesel - Citroen
Funny how diesel cars caught on in Europe and not so much in the US.
that Isuzu is a sweet SUV. the only problem is that there may be 10 of them in the country. finding a used one is not easy, and they cost big bucks..
I'm sure you are right Gorgon and $20K, even for a well-used one isn't going to come close to buying it either. Maybe the Santa Fe is William's best bet.
It was in Corotos.
Many frogs must be kissed with a documented resume from each.
I bought a one-month subscription to CarFax. When a contact was made I asked for the VIN before further discussions.
Very enlightening, to say the least. AND a great negotiation point.
Our odometer was not rolled back. I am less concerned about odometer rollbacks than I am about the actual history of the vehicle and actual mileage.
But you gotta know cars. If you don't you're not in a position to recognize a good vehicle to hammer a better deal.
There are plenty of online resources that go into detail how to assess a used car. The #1 rule is Never Fall In Love With a Single Vehicle. Be prepared to walk away.
a 2015 Mux is like 35k...
the Santa Fe is the ticket..plain and simple. it is the best ride for the money in this country.
I'm not sold personally on diesels based on performance. I know many are. I do appreciate the torque benefits in a 4WD, I do like the relative simplicity and lack of whizz-bang electronics in it.
I also like sprightly accelleration and engine response.
Our current SUV does not have 4WD, and I wish it did. But the deal was too good to pass up. We don't use 4WD that often....primarily when going to the family coffee plantation in rainy season, or up a steep unpaved grade...but it does come in handy when you need it. "Buy the best car for the worst conditions."
I had a '76 MB 300CD turbodiesel toy car years ago. Solid as a tank. Slow as cold mud. You had to plan everything well in advance because the thing took forever to accellerate and blasted black fumes when it did. I can't imaging the sluggishness of a non-turbo diesel model. And it had that diesel stank. Love/hate.
Carfax has expanded and works for used vehicles in Canada and they have an expansion ongoing in Spain.
Additionally, the US also has AutoCheck and Canada has CarProof.
The Asian markets have mightily resisted Carfax to enter Korea and Japan and provide their services there.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Flood cars are around these days.... another issue.
Definitely, used car buying calls for a skill...
Even new car deals - be prepared to walk....
Definitely, used car buying calls for a skill...
Even new car deals - be prepared to walk....
hahaha
the Cdn CarProof guy is my neighbor in Canada.... a RICH one
big money he made....
No help here (RD) as far as I know
the Cdn CarProof guy is my neighbor in Canada.... a RICH one
big money he made....
No help here (RD) as far as I know