Dealership Used Car Inspections

[DusterRT]

I've found a really good deal on a used car that I'm pretty unfamiliar with. I contacted a dealer local to the seller and asked about used car inspections, and they had a few options ranging from $120-300 (1-2.5 hours) depending on how in-depth I wanted them to get. A little pricey, yes; but it's a dealer in downtown Chicago so I don't think it's too out of line to be honest. But is it likely a good investment, or just a, "Yes it runs great, and it's not leaking anything, do you know it was repainted?" I-coulda-told-you-that-myself type of thing? I've never dealt with dealers beyond the parts counter before, so I am not sure what to make of it.

I saw the car in person yesterday, and it ran and drove just fine, but has been repainted; I'd give it a B, as it looks perfect from 5 feet but get up close and you can see some minor flaws around the edges. This would explain the price and why it hasn't been snatched up yet, but it also puts a somewhat "higher end" car quite comfortably within my reach (it's an '02 IS300 with less than 37k miles, clean title/******).

On the other hand, if it's too good to be true...

[JoshStratton]

I would be curious as to why an 02 was repainted with less than 37K miles. That sounds quite fishy. Maybe he wrecked it and didnt file a claim?

If I buy used cars, I like to take them to a local mechanic. They can run diagnostics and look for anything you might not catch. Granted my track record with used cars SUCKS so maybe there isnt really a benefit.

[6'9"Witha69]

I agree that an 02 being repainted with 37k is a little fishy. Is there a body shop around also that can take a really good look to see if the car has been pulled straight due to collision repair? There are some telltale signs.

[DusterRT]

The title stated it spent the first few years and ~24,000 miles in Florida...storm damage maybe? I forgot what the exact area was.

The body shop would be a good idea, I'll have to check around and see what I come up with. If anyone knows any places in the SW Chicago suburbs they'd reccomend, I've got open ears!! I'm from Champaign so I don't have any idea where to start looking other than with a phonebook.

I Google'd the VIN, he's been trying to sell it for a while, twice on eBay, and has come down almost $4000 in the classified ads since November. Hmmm..

[Chad-1stGen]

A good mechanic inspection (dealer or otherwise) can find a lot of stuff the average person is not gonig to find. Unless you have access to a lift to thoroughly inspect the underside of the car, plan to remove the wheels to check things like brakes, and plan to run diagnostics on the engine, etc. It may be worthwhile investment.

[MrQuick]

If its a dealer dealer then they had to put it through a pretty extensive inspection. But if its a corner lot dealer then it went through an auction then through the detailer.

If in doubt go through your guy and have him pull up a section of carpet. Another good spot to check is the seat base. Look for water damage...interior and transaxle.

[DusterRT]

The seller is an individual, it looks like he washed it and threw some tire shine on, but a good detailing certainly wouldn't kill it as-is. He claims to have not known anything about the repaint, but who knows..I'm buying the car, not the story.

[JoshStratton]

He claims to have not known anything about the repaint, but who knows..I'm buying the car, not the story.

It's been my experience that this never works our right. Maybe it is just me, but I have been fed so many stories that if something sounds not right, I have to walk away. Just make sure there are no fish in the glove box. I bet this car was in Katrina.

I would check the internet for stories about Katrina cars. I seem to remember hearing that a lot of dealerships\individuals were cleaning up Katrina cars and shipping them around the country to try and recoup some of their loses by hiding the fact they were underwater. From what I remember, there have been lots of rust and electrical problems as a result.

[DusterRT]

The car was bought at a Carmax in the Chicago area January, 2006. I called to ask where they had gotten it from, but they said they won't release that information (not surprised, unfortunately). Seems to be about the right timeframe for a Katrina car. I guess if I decide to go any further, I'll start with the dealer inspection.

[69TAPoser]

I think you are jumping to some pretty strong conclusions regarding the Katrina angle. If the car was in a flood, it would be noted on the original title. Not to say this can't be hidden. It is possible to "wash" a title by registering in another state depending on that States lax rules. If you have the original title from the dealer, you are good 2 go. If not, see my later comments about flood damage.

Repaint on a car with 37K miles is not unusual. Things happen. Is it a full body repaint or just a panel, side, or bumper cover?

If you think it has been in a flood there are are few things to check for:

1. Lift the plastic cover at the bottom of the door opening that holds the carpet down. Is there sand UNDERNEATH the plastic?
2. Pull the spare tire out. Is there water/sand in the spare tire recess?
3. Look up under the dash at the metal supports that support the dash. Any sign of surface rust?
4. A quick but not always accurate check is to look at the seat mounts. Are they surface rusted (this is not always 100% accurate as surface rust can develop here anyway due to people with wet fee, carpet cleaning, etc).

A quick explaination about ******...the only thing that will show up on a ****** is a claim that has been turned into the insurance company or if a police report is filed. If someone gets into a fender bender on their own, or a police report is not filed (which is very common), it will not show up on a ******.

One last thing about ******. Everyone is worried about accidents on the ****** (great marketing by ****** to buy their service). The reality is, throughout a cars life some sort of body damage is bound to happen to the car. Most cars at some point will have some touch up work. Whether that is a tree branch falling off a tree and leaving a panel repair, a 5 mph parking lot bump that requires a bumper cover replacement, or the kids down the steet accidently takes his handlebars to the entire side of your car, most cars receive some sort of body repair before they are put to pasture. As long as the repair is done to your satisfaction, body paint is all asthetics (unless there has been frame damage). Heep in mind if the repair is shoddy, it will effect resale value.

My point? Once you determine it hasn't been in a flood, focus on the mechanicals of the car. That is what will cost you $$. You yourself can determine if you can asthetically live with the body repair or not.

Phil

[DusterRT]

I wasn't assuming it was a flood car, but merely noting that the timeframe of the vehicle making the move from Florida to a dealer in another state fit the potential 'Katrina Car' situation.

The car happens to be yellow, which is the same color as a car that is for sale locally is. The difference between the two; the local one has over 100,000 miles but has been in the Illinois-Indiana area since new. When I went to look at it the first two times, it was raining so it obviously looked glossy (and unwaxed!). I went back after it dried up today and it was noticably faded all over. I suspect if it wasn't garage kept, the fading would be all that much more apparent after being in the Florida sun.

[paul67]

Also if he's having probs moving it when you come to sell you might have the same problems

[brn agn]

If the seller is having a hard time selling it, would he/she be open to paying for 1/2 the inspection? If he/she is completely against it, I would walk away.

On another note, the IS300's are awesome cars in my opinion. I work for a Tier 1 supplier to Toyota and had the opportunity to drive an IS on a track for a few days last summer. I was really impressed with it and have been trying to talk my wife into one as a daily driver ever since. :)

[aonghus]

Crazy how threads like these pop up...

I just bought a 2003 IS300 2 days ago. I looked at probobly 6 different IS300's, settled on the first one I looked at over the Sportwagon. All these guys have sound advice, I just wouldnt over pay, low ball low ball lowball.... The dealer I bought mine at was trying to charge me for options the car didn't have. Be careful of sites like autotrader too, read the individual car details. A lot will claim options they dont have, if you ask the dealer what the story is, they say "we decode the VINs and that is what pops up, we can't help it."

I made it my business to not pay $4000 above what bluebook is for my particular car.

On another note, I love my IS, other than the lack of a LSD. 2JZGE motors are great, almost the same engine as the Supra!

C

[Restomod]

Just my .02 here.....Any car involved in a flood to the extent of Katrina (saltwater) would not likely even be in running condition by now! EVERY electrical connection would be shot. Also just hit on the "suface rust" on the seat frames/underdash,some very light (willl turn your finger brown) rust can be seen on cars that have not been flooded. Just as long as it is not heavy flakey rust.
BTW my SC400 came from FL and it to had been repainted,clear ****** and the leather was dry/cracking.....but CHEAP!