Buying a used car.... what are your expectations?

kaz109

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This weekend my brother-in-law is planning on buying his wife a used Gladiator Rubicon . From the last experience they told me I insisted that this weekend I go with them to some dealerships in which I had a rapport because I didn't like what he was telling me from the other dealerships that he went to so I'm just curious am I being too picky in what I expect when buying a used vehicle or do you guys feel the same way.

All floor mats
Full tank of gas
Owners manual
Zero scratches or dents ( regardless if they have a due bill for correction)
2 keys

My absolute biggest pet peeve is in dealership trying to sell used vehicle with only one key.....


So I ask the Ballers of SVTP...... what are your are your expectation?
 
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sonicx

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Depends on price range, how old it is, and if we’re shopping at a used car lot vs a franchise dealership.

A 1 or 2 year car still under factory warranty I’m going to have high dealership expectations for vs a 5-6 year old car pushing 80K+ miles.

Often you can negotiate in a 2nd set of keys but often dealers pick cars from the auction when they’re only given 1 key or the owner only trades it in with 1 key. Not saying again you can’t ask.

owner manual can be downloaded via pdf off the websites or another resource unless you set on the original booklet.

tank of gas shouldn’t be a biggie for a dealer to close a deal.

mats, depends on their sharp, i want them but if Their nasty i negotiation that in or buy my own (WeatherTech)

scratches n dints, sure to a degree but it’s all on preference... what do you consider a scratch?
 

Kiohtee

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Depends on the price point honestly. There's a difference between a $10K Civic and an $80K R8. Expecting to buy a used car of any kind without scratches or dents is far-fetched though. Maybe something performance-oriented or super luxurious, but a Gladiator? Only if it has near-new miles or something, but still.

Full tank of gas should be a given everywhere as it's just common courtesy. Even if the dealership wouldn't do it, as a salesman I made sure anyone who trusted me enough to do business with me got a free tank of gas.

As far as floor mats, owner's manual and two keys, meh. I have mixed thoughts on that.
 

Mojo88

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I typically look at numerous vehicles (same brand & model that I'm interested in) in similar age and mileage ranges.... then I select the best one. It usually takes me a while to buy a vehicle. But when I see it, I know it's "the one".

I will overlook small things as long as the vehicle is very sound and has obviously been taken care of.

All those things you mention, I could care less about. Those are all trivial and easily fixed IMHO. Show me a vehicle that has all your flaws... BUT ..... it runs and drives like new, and it's been meticulously maintained (with service records as proof), and I will buy likely it.

-
 

Blk04L

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It just depends.

Offroad based vehicle like a jeep? Few light scratches here and there nbd. Dents or deep scratches? Nah.

I would want a 2nd key when buying it. Either they make one or credit me to pay another dealer to make it(like if I'm buying a jeep at ford dealership).

Minor door dings I could live with along with cgips on front. Shit happens there.

Now if it's a Gt500 or corvette etc I would prefer none of imperfections above unless the price reflected the condition
 

Weather Man

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As long as the negotiated price reflects specified condition, all good. If something pops up on inspection, renegotiate or walk.
 

Recon

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Never bought a car, new or used, from a dealer. The used cars I bought from people I inspect personally with my coworker present. Depending on the severity of the issues depends on the price I’m willing to pay. The reality is it’s a used car; don’t expect it to be a brand new car.


Pick your poison.
 

nxhappy

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"zero scratches" uhhhhh not going to happen unless it's a 2020

also if buying used you might as well buy 4-5 years old, so the vehicle you are buying has had the initial negative equity depreciation

for a gladiator you might as well buy brand new and get the 0% apr for the Rona scare ...
 

ON D BIT

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"zero scratches" uhhhhh not going to happen unless it's a 2020

also if buying used you might as well buy 4-5 years old, so the vehicle you are buying has had the initial negative equity depreciation

for a gladiator you might as well buy brand new and get the 0% apr for the Rona scare ...
0% only up to 36 on the rubi.
 

Mainn

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Similarly to most responses here, I think it depends on age and price point.

Near new car (say, 4/5yo onwards)? Agree with everything except the full tank of gas.
For me, anything that's older than 4/5 years but not just a super cheap daily, i.e over $7/8k, should have at least the owners manual, floor mats, and a very limited number of cosmetic flaws and only very very minor damage, if any. Bonus if it has 2 keys.

Spending anything less than that and it becomes more difficult to expect the above. I still maintain that I don't want a car that is poor cosmetically, but other things such as 2 keys, floor mats and the owners manual start to become less important.

Regardless, unless you know what you're doing and run through a check-list, a pre-purchase inspection can save you heeaaaps in the long run, even if it's a cheap runabout.

When spending as much as you do on a car, a full tank of fuel is nice but definitely not a deal breaker whatsoever. Walking away from the right car because it is down $50 on fuel seems crazy to me.
 

Mpoitrast87

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expecting no scratches is a little much and so is expecting 2 keys depending on how old it is. I expect tires and brakes to be at least 50% life and that's all I really expect. If you expect a car in great shape then buy new.
 

Sn95Snake

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What year is this Rubicon? If he is buying a used Rubicon it is definitely best to go 4-5 years because after that they hold their value insanely well.

Personally for a Jeep I feel you are being too anal, there are other things on the list that are far more important that anything you mentioned.
 

kaz109

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I should've specified my definition of " used" ......when I said high expectations of a used car I meant a car 2017 and up with under 30k on it.

Most ppl say " of well the dealer said it only came with one key etc etc" or " bought it from an auction so you get what you get" but I have higher standards. To me that is like saying " hey sorry the person traded it in this dirty , we can't wash and detail it" ...... European keys are much harder to get so I understand that but anything American or Japanese there is no reason a dealer can't prove a second key.

All dealers have a body shop wether in house or a vendor just like they should have a vendor for keys....no reason it should be in the kit ready for sale if these things are took care of. I don't want to hear about where you got the car or what the previous owner didn't have, none of that is my problem, if it was such a big problem for the dealership then they should've of took it in on trade/bought it from auction.


Again I am not talking about a 7-10 yr old 80k no used vehicles I am more talking about certified low mileage
 

kaz109

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Depends on the price point honestly. There's a difference between a $10K Civic and an $80K R8. Expecting to buy a used car of any kind without scratches or dents is far-fetched though. Maybe something performance-oriented or super luxurious, but a Gladiator? Only if it has near-new miles or something, but still.

Full tank of gas should be a given everywhere as it's just common courtesy. Even if the dealership wouldn't do it, as a salesman I made sure anyone who trusted me enough to do business with me got a free tank of gas.

As far as floor mats, owner's manual and two keys, meh. I have mixed thoughts on that.

Please explain your mixed feelings ....
 

Kiohtee

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Well, using your definition of used (2017+ with 30K or less), there are going to be scratches and maybe a ding or two. Especially on something that has potentially seen off-road use. As far as a vehicle missing stuff, if the selling price is adjusted accordingly or it's already lower/lowest in the market, it's probably already been accounted for. It's not like dealerships are making huge money on vehicles like they were in the 70's, 80's and 90's. The possibility is still there, but it takes really aligned solar systems after reconditioning and the such.

But good luck!
 

DiB14-SAFD

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Price dictates all. I could care less if it’s got any of the items you mentioned as long as the price has been adjusted accordingly. If it is gonna cost you $200 for a second key and $250 for a full set of WeatherTechs but the vehicle is $1k cheaper than a similar model would you care?
 

RDJ

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I quit buying other peoples problems after I bough my 04 mystichrome. it was the last time I bought used. No regrets on buying that one because it was pretty much cherry. Since then ... new or nothing. eventually if I live long enough I will probably buy another used car but for now nope. you can get really good deals on new stuff.
 

slow poke

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I expect light cosmetic damage, scratches, chips, dents. What usually puts me off is how the feels when taking it out and if I notice anything mechanical that doesn't seem right.

Pick out a bunch of examples for said car you are considering. Drive them all, the right one should be readily apparent, if it's not move to the next. I don't care about a 2nd key, tank of gas, or floor mats.
 

CompOrange04GT

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I quit buying other peoples problems after I bough my 04 mystichrome. it was the last time I bought used. No regrets on buying that one because it was pretty much cherry. Since then ... new or nothing. eventually if I live long enough I will probably buy another used car but for now nope. you can get really good deals on new stuff.

you experienced world war 1 and 2

you’ll live forever
 

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