Buying from used car dealership, need advice

[Tone Loc]

Hello,

Long story short, I've bought plenty of used cars of varying ages/KMs from private sellers, but I've never bought one from a dealer before. I am not talking "certified pre-owned", but more like a small dealership on Kingsway, etc.

I'd rather buy from a private seller, but this is a rare case where dealers are selling for cheaper than private sellers.... I am sorry private sellers, but nobody is paying $10,000 for 99-00 Toyota 4Runner with 150,000+ KM. I find quite a lot of people on Craigslist are asking way too much for this particular car, when I can find a similar one at a dealer with the same, year, trim package, options and only 50,000 KM more for literally half the price.

Any bad experiences? Things to watch out for? The specific dealer I contacted regarding their stock told me that they have a warranty and that they "welcome independent mechanical inspections". Is this a sign that I should take the truck to Toyota to get inspected before buying? Also, they include claims reports with every car they sell. Too good to be true? Last thing I want is to be suckered into buying a rebuilt/salvage status car or a lemon with a ton of mechanical issues.

Thanks in advance.

[320icar]

Only one reason why the dealer would sell less than private. It's a POS and its on kingsway

Edit: I've had experiences with almost buying cars from Kingsway dealership. It was a '93le Miata at a good price. But every time I dug into the car there was more wrong they didn't disclose. They re sprayed the front but over sprayed on the Pop up headlights and radiator etc. trunk was full of mould, and then the heater started smelling like really bad burning plastic. Typical shit from a used car dealer.

I like buying a car and being able to judge the previous owners too. A 5 minute face to face meeting can give you a lot of insight from how it's been maintained in the past

[meme405]

There is a reason everyone makes fun of shady kingsway dealers. Buyer Beware.

[fliptuner]

Originally Posted by 320icar

I like buying a car and being able to judge the previous owners too. A 5 minute face to face meeting can give you a lot of insight from how it's been maintained in the past

+1. I just gave my friend this advice yesterday. You can't judge pride of ownership from a dealership - at best, they'll have full maintenance records.

[dared3vil0]

Dealerships are generally more expensive. If private sale dictates a market value of 9-10k, a dealer will be at 12k. Only reason they'd be cheaper is if the vehicle they're selling isn't in the same condition as the private ones.

[ninjatune]

Their service/history records will most likely not be accurate or complete. The ONLY reason they are selling is to make a profit, and there's a reason it's going to be a ghetto building/lot in a ghetto neighbourhood. Avoid at all cost.

[freakshow]

The dealer isn't pricing their car that cheap because they're good guy kingsway dealer.. they're pricing it like that because they can't sell it for more because of the problems/history

[StylinRed]

don't.

[vitaminG]

ive bought my last two cars from used car dealers. both were great, still driving one. neither dealer knew shit about the car or its history but thats expected.

im sure some dealers are better than other, but just do your due diligence and dont be a pussy

[jjson]

Let's just say I end up finding a posting of my old car (same VIN) on one of those shady dealerships on Marine and Byrne after said car had been totaled for 3 months. Did not mention "Rebuilt" status in the ad. So yaaaaaaaa.....

[thumper]

which dealer on kingsway? i'm wondering if it is the same one my coworker looked at (and ran away from)...

[white rocket]

First off, great choice of vehicle. I just bought my 2000 Limited in August. I too searched for 8 months on CL only to find jokers asking the moon with 250k+ kms. I lucked out and found a one owner senior owned fully maintained with docs and snagged it up the same day they posted the ad.

On to the dealers. As others have mentioned there is a reason they are asking what they are asking. If it's too good to be true is most likely is. They are there to make money, no question. However, a full mechanical inspection including compression test should tell you everything you need to know. Add a CarProof report to that for any claims/accidents and liens and you should have enough info to make a decision.

I would always be weary of shady dealers based on their reputation but a little due diligence on the buyers end and you'll know what you are getting into before you hand over your hard earned money.

Good luck!

[Tone Loc]

Sorry guys, I don't mean it WAS a dealership on Kingsway, but "more like" as in a small dealership such as this one:

1999 Toyota 4Runner 4dr Limited 3.4L Auto 4WD

That being said, I'll try to keep waiting for a private sale to come up. I'm looking to spend about $5000 on a 4Runner, and I find that a lot of private sellers are smoking some serious crack to ask upwards of $8000 on a 15-year-old SUV with 200,000 KMs...

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll definitely follow it!

[b0unce. [?]]

Import a surf. Ive had a gas 3rd gen runner before, I think the diesel model is way better. It'll also be closer to your budget.

1996 1kz turbo diesel. 90k km's

[vitaminG]

Originally Posted by PARANOiA-R34

That being said, I'll try to keep waiting for a private sale to come up. I'm looking to spend about $5000 on a 4Runner, and I find that a lot of private sellers are smoking some serious crack to ask upwards of $8000 on a 15-year-old SUV with 200,000 KMs...

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll definitely follow it!

id say your the one on crack if you expect to find a nice 3rd gen 4runner for 5k. people ask 8k for ones with 200k because thats what buyers are willing to pay.

[fliptuner]

Just saw that ad yesterday. Keep in mind, the odo is listed in miles.

[dachinesedude]

99-00 are the most sought after 4runner years, of all gens

good luck finding one for $5K and under 250K KM

[b0unce. [?]]

4runners with like 200km is considered pretty low. My last one made it to 580k.

[murd0c]

I've been thinking of selling my 97 4runner the last while

[white rocket]

murd0c, meet PARANOiA-R34. I'll take my standard $300 referral fee please. Haha!

[Lomac]

Originally Posted by ICE BOY

Just saw that ad yesterday. Keep in mind, the odo is listed in miles.

x2

190k miles = roughly 300k km's

Looks to be an American import, hence the MPH in bold rather than KMPH.

[thumper]

not the mileage you wanted and needs some work but... supercharged?

99 toyota 4 runner limited supercharged

[white rocket]

^^I almost bought that one but it has a big suspension damage claim and wasn't repaired properly. He was asking $7K in the summer. His new asking price is pretty decent depending on the required repairs.

[Tone Loc]

Not looking for something that uses premium gas... the 4Runner using 87 is a lot of fuel already. Points taken guys, I'll just spend the next few months saving up more cash to get a better example from a private seller.

Personally I am not all about the KM, I'd rather have a higher mileage truck that was maintained properly than a low-mileage truck that was serviced at Jiffy Lube all its life... I am willing to pay extra for a truck that I don't have to fix up other than the typical fluids flush, brake inspection, etc. common to all used cars.

I'm not in a rush to buy, I am still trying to get rid of my current DD (96 Civic DX) and get my fun car summer ready (86 Corolla GTS). So I will spend the next few months saving up a little more. Thanks for all the advice!

[hchang]

^ I was rooting that you wouldn't do it.

Wise decision my man