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Go rent a car, it is way, way cheaper than buying a rental you haven't even laid eyes on yet. Edit: not even editing the quote in here for a new page because this probably applies to you too
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Feb 27, 2024 03:13
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Why are you interested in that vehicle in particular? And willing to buy it sight unseen from 100 miles away? Is it because it's a very good deal, especially compared to the cars available near you? Have you given any thought as to why that is
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Feb 27, 2024 03:40
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Thanks for the sanity check, I was absolutely rushing to consider stupid options out of a desire to get back on wheels. The hunt resumes with new rules and a search radius narrowed to 20 miles :V
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Feb 27, 2024 03:56
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redstormpopcorn posted:Scale of 1-10, how bad an idea is this used 2023 Toyota Camry? It was (briefly?) a rental, but I'm not sure how much wear & tear would come from like 20K miles around New Mexico. The CarFAX looks pretty good, but I know that's not a complete picture. if a salesperson tells you to jump you specifically should do the opposite of that and not jump
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Feb 27, 2024 03:58
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redstormpopcorn posted:Thanks for the sanity check, I was absolutely rushing to consider stupid options out of a desire to get back on wheels. The hunt resumes with new rules and a search radius narrowed to 20 miles :V Sometimes you do have to take a chance on something you would otherwise reject when you are in a time crunch and absolutely have to have wheels now, and it's the best available. Life happens, you don't always get optimum conditions. Take as much time as you can, but if you have to take a leap on something, cross your fingers and hope there aren't any surprises. An ex-rental is probably fine, but the odds of getting a lemon are higher.
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Feb 27, 2024 04:01
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I'm not a fan of this cross your fingers and pray strategy when it comes to $20,000 vehicles, although I understand what you are saying since I last bought a car in a crunch having totaled mine. But that was a high demand car constantly sold out. You should be able to find camrys or equivalents around pretty easy right now. In my case I had to compromise on color and options to get back on the road quickly enough. There's always time to thinks things over in my book, reevaluate your price expectation and whether your budget is in line with what car you're searching for.
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Feb 27, 2024 04:07
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As a renter I can first handed tell you not to buy the cars I rent.
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Feb 27, 2024 05:09
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An alternative when you're in a time pinch is to buy the cheapest piece of junk you can find that will do the job for the short term. Plan on owning it only for a few months and just write off the cost of it. Use the time it buys you to learn the market and settle on the right car that you plan to keep.
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Feb 27, 2024 14:42
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Deteriorata posted:An alternative when you're in a time pinch is to buy the cheapest piece of junk you can find that will do the job for the short term. Plan on owning it only for a few months and just write off the cost of it. This is great advice, you don't want to be buying under distress and even spending $3/4k can get you a car that will last a couple of years if you can put up with a driving an older/beat up car. PPI/test drive before you buy is definitely still just as (if not more) important for that case.
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Feb 27, 2024 15:04
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DildenAnders posted:This is great advice, you don't want to be buying under distress and even spending $3/4k can get you a car that will last a couple of years if you can put up with a driving an older/beat up car. PPI/test drive before you buy is definitely still just as (if not more) important for that case. Pre-covid, maybe. Its getting better but a quick look at autotrader < 4k shows only 20+ year old cars and 10+ year old cars with obviously misaligned body panels and crash damage. Its worth looking but its still dire.
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Feb 27, 2024 15:25
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In addition to all the other good and accurate advice you have recieved, you should especially not throw money in desperation at a commodity car like a Camry. Toyota makes like 200k of them a year.
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Feb 27, 2024 16:47
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in a well actually posted:Pre-covid, maybe. It’s getting better but a quick look at autotrader < 4k shows only 20+ year old cars and 10+ year old cars with obviously misaligned body panels and crash damage. Autotrader is pretty bad for the bottom of the market, unfortunately cl/facebook marketplace is the best (even then, 90% of them are inadvisable). Again, a mechanic looking it over is essential
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Feb 27, 2024 18:26
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I'm looking at 6th gen Outbacks to finally make us a 2 car household again and tow our pop-up camper. There are two that we're looking at that are local-ish and in our price range. There are a few details on the history reports of each that I wanted to run by this thread. Outback #1 has had 3 owners in 45,000 miles, and it was apparently a commercial vehicle for the first year or so. My understanding is that rental vehicles generally show up that way, but I'm drawing a blank on what other "commercial" use a Subaru Outback could have. Is the three owners in such a short time a red flag? Outback #2 was a lease and only has 36,000 miles on it. It looks fine in the listing, but the history report shows 6 visits to the dealership to check the radio/sound system in the first year. There are no instances of that over the next two years. What kind of issue can crop up with the radio that needs so many return visits?
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Feb 27, 2024 20:44
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Commercial could mean owned by a business. Company car, real estate person, whatever. The owner should show on the CarFax. You need to PPI whatever you're looking at, ideally with a mechanic who knows anything about Subarus because there are few charming design idiosyncrasies to them. Are you looking at 5th or 6th generation (MY2020+) cars? Anecdote and not data, but our family friend's Crosstrek EV has had horrible radio problems. It has gone back multiple times to get the head unit replaced. I wouldn't touch their car and I'd be wary of a Subaru with similar problems. The problem with integrated head units is that if things go wrong it can impact other control systems.
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Feb 27, 2024 21:10
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What the current best practice on selling cars private party? In this case, I have a 2004 LS430 with 40k miles on it, with a stereo that's flaking out but otherwise in good shape as it spent the first 17 years of its life as a winter car in Arizona. I'm thinking it'd be a great step up form a beater kinda thing, maybe $7500. Last time I sold a car was on craigslist 7 years ago. Seems like Facebook Marketplace is the thing now? Last time I did this I called the guy's bank to check available funds, but my understanding is that that's not foolproof and you really need to just do cash?
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Feb 27, 2024 21:19
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:In addition to all the other good and accurate advice you have recieved, you should especially not throw money in desperation at a commodity car like a Camry. Toyota makes like 200k of them a year. Right on, I appreciate everyone's input; better to do it right than do it (relatively) fast. I think a couple of market issues I'm running into locally are the flood of Hyundai and Kia models that insurance companies don't want to touch and most other decent-looking sedans at 60K+ miles after two years of rental service in a tourist city. Might as well get the template out: Proposed Budget: Under $22,000 New or Used: Probably used, not entirely opposed to new Body Style: Mid-size sedan/coupe/wagon; my legs are too long for a Mazda3 to be comfortable How will you be using the car?: Mostly urban commuting, occasional freeway trips What aspects are most important to you?: No JATCO CVTs, Nissan or Ford of any variety, Hyundai and Kia are probably out thanks to TikTok dipshits ruining their insurance market. Model year 2018+ would be nice for the mandatory backup cam and common Bluetooth audio. Decent trunk space or hatchback are welcome, I might need to haul a dozen boxed laptops & monitors across town sometimes. Maintenance and reliability are significant concerns, I've got a basic tool set and am fine with doing some work but no lift/garage access. I've mostly been looking at Honda, Mazda, and Toyota based on friends/family recommendations but if something else fits the bill I'll check it out. Thanks again for the input so far!
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Feb 27, 2024 21:24
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Since you don't mention fun to drive, you're an ideal candidate for a Toyota Prius.
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Feb 27, 2024 22:06
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No selectable 4wd is something Id miss. The bed Im thinking I can go back to surviving without. I need whatever to get through any winter weather / ski mountain weather you can think of. with the exception of deep snow. Im noticing we have these things called snowplows driving around Id have to wave goodbye to my Covid era interest rate Prius too small Edit: Bought a '24 rav4 hybrid xse ethanol fucked around with this message at 00:59 on Mar 2, 2024 |
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Feb 27, 2024 23:17
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I didn't hate the Prius company car I used a few times back around 2016, but the only ones I've seen locally are well into six-digit mileage or otherwise significantly compromised. If I had to prioritize fun above sense, I'd probably become a machine that converts ramen into blood plasma, learn stick, and dive on the Lancer Evo FE that Carvana just e-mailed me. :V https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/2997478
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Feb 27, 2024 23:23
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KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:Commercial could mean owned by a business. Company car, real estate person, whatever. The owner should show on the CarFax. 6th generation. Would it be best to do the PPI at a Subaru dealership if I can get it in, or anywhere as long as they have a bit of familiarity with them?
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Feb 27, 2024 23:34
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ethanol posted:Talk me out of wanting to downsize my gas hog 21 Tacoma to a 24 hybrid cr-v or rav4. Im doing like 18 k miles a year lol. How big/small and how much money? I drive up and back to ski resorts every week in the winter and have had zero problems with a Haldex AWD car (Audi TTS) and a 4WD Porsche so I would not say you need anything like off road ability for this use case. In Switzerland everyone has some kind of AWD though. The TTS was very economical so I am going to make my usual recommendation of a Golf R, which is basically the same thing but more practical and still like 300hp.
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Feb 28, 2024 12:48
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Baronash posted:6th generation. Would it be best to do the PPI at a Subaru dealership if I can get it in, or anywhere as long as they have a bit of familiarity with them? Find an indy that does Subarus. I would not get a PPI at at dealer and they probably aren't super interested in doing it.
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Feb 28, 2024 14:35
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zedprime posted:As a renter I can first handed tell you not to buy the cars I rent. This makes me sad. I don't stop myself from enjoying my rentals but I definitely don't abuse them. Most of the time I'm in no rush, doing 5 over on the freeway and trying to figure out how to turn a feature on or off.
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Feb 28, 2024 17:28
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Nocheez posted:This makes me sad. I don't stop myself from enjoying my rentals but I definitely don't abuse them. Most of the time I'm in no rush, doing 5 over on the freeway and trying to figure out how to turn a feature on or off. I normally don't abuse rentals but sometimes you want to go to Pedra Grande up an unimproved road and you got to use the tools you have (Fiat Uno)
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Feb 28, 2024 17:38
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Oh, that Grand Cherokee I took up a Mount Rainier road.... Don't buy that one for sure.
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Feb 28, 2024 17:40
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I followed an actual rally course in a rental Fiat Punto, it was fun as hell, and the 60hp diesel engine was bouncing off a redline the entire time. That car is not going to live long, I guarantee you that.
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Feb 28, 2024 18:32
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQKNkvzQ3g
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Feb 28, 2024 18:58
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You better believe I was redlining my EcoBoost mustang rental
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Feb 28, 2024 23:38
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knox_harrington posted:How big/small and how much money? Ill nip any debate in the bud and say it has to be awd (or 4x4). Tacoma in 4x4 is probably the best winter highway vehicle ive ever had but the gas mileage just blows. Think mountain search and rescue but not the off-road part. Getting to and from home on road. And it can be wet slush. Im cognizant of the fact the rav4 awd is forward biased. The hybrid has a different drivetrain apparently. Cant seem to find a lot of specifics on how its different from the gas version. Guessing its not all that different. I also vainly hope theyve made improvements to how much slip it takes to actually send power since I drove one like 15 years ago Im sad to hear a new rav4 is coming in 2025. Maybe I need to wait a year to consider. Edit: no Subaru because Ive been badly burned by their reliability already Edit: Bought a rav4 ethanol fucked around with this message at 00:57 on Mar 2, 2024 |
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Feb 29, 2024 00:49
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I have dumb question related to the car buying process and it's likely because I just don't know what I'm talking about here. My truck got totaled a few weeks ago and I'm currently going through the process of finding another vehicle. I test drove one yesterday and had them work up numbers. While doing so I noticed they had my credit rating at like 30 points below where I know it to be (credit karma and experian accounts). When I asked about it he tried to explain but it wasn't really registering. If someone can explain it like I'm a 5 year old I'd love to hear it. Per credit karma I'm in the 730s on equifax and transunion, his pull was for transunion and it had me at 695.
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Feb 29, 2024 16:56
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Scores can vary based on different factors for different uses. There are a number of different models. As a random example, Transunion auto loan new car model #2 may weigh 24-36mo credit card payment history heavier than Transunion Generic CreditKarma. Which model they use depends on what their lenders want. Tldr: whose line is it anyway rules.
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Feb 29, 2024 17:12
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It depends on what number theyre using. VantageScore 3.0 is different than 4.0 is different than FICO 8 is different than FICO 9 is different than (there are 16 different FICOs). Its just a different score is all. They are all as equally made up. Your equifax or transunion or credit karma is checking the same data but using a different scoring system. Personally I put no weight in a numerical credit score, and neither does any lending agency worth their salt. They check the credit reports, not the scores (beyond a cursory glance). Theyre a semi-useful shorthand in very specific contexts, depending on which score is used. Fun thing: they dont exist in most other countries. Our system is not transferable to other countries, save maybe Canada. They didnt exist before the 80s. We got bamboozled as a country into accepting that any of this poo poo was important.
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Feb 29, 2024 17:13
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Oh I know it's all pretty much made up social credit bullshit, and I'm glad they just look at payment history instead to see I've never missed a payment. I was just annoyed/worried because it takes me out of the "best" bracket (720-850) and was wondering why that would be. As long as it's not loving me over I don't care. Much appreciated. Now I get to decide on a 2023 tacoma with 14k miles or a 2021 tacoma with 37k miles.
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Feb 29, 2024 17:56
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Proposed Budget: $25k-30k New or Used: Prefer new, but used would be fine Body Style: 4 door sedan, but a suv or hatchback would work as well How will you be using the car: Mostly going to and from work and driving locally, so lots of stop and go driving. I also drive 400 miles round trip a few times a year to visit my brother in another state What aspects are most important: Long term reliability and comfort. Good gas mileage and MPG are a plus, but not top priority My current vehicle's (2012 chevy malibu) power steering went out while driving and it's going to cost more than it's worth to fix. I've been saving up for a new vehicle anyway so rather than sink more money into it I've decided to just get a new one. What I'm looking for is a reliable 4 door sedan that is comfortable to drive. I don't need any high performance since I mostly drive locally and to and from work, plus I'm usually a pretty slow driver anyway. I sometimes go on the freeway but even then I'm one of those guys that drives you crazy with how I'm going 65 when the limit is 70, so I hardly ever use a car's full performance capability. Acceleration and top speed aren't a huge concern. Good city gas mileage would also be great as well, but it's not the most important thing. What I want is a car that I can rely on for a long time to get me from point A to point B in comfort- not necessarily style or fun. I'm thinking of a Toyota Corrola or Camry, Honda Civic or Accord, or even a Buick Envista.
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Feb 29, 2024 19:31
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Prius
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Feb 29, 2024 19:34
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I think for a while the template had a line that made everyone say why they shouldn't get a Prius. We should bring that back.
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Feb 29, 2024 19:43
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Big agree. Everyone asking what car to buy should ask first "should I just get a Prius" first.
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Feb 29, 2024 19:50
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Priuses are difficult to find around my local area, at least new ones or good ones with low mileage. The nearest one used is at a dealership about 2 hours away, and the new ones aren't in stock and cost about $10k more than I would like to spend. I haven't checked any private sellers. I don't have time to wait for one to become available. If by some chance I can find one that's both local and affordable then that would most likely be exactly what I'm looking for. But it's not likely. Failing that, are there any other recommendations?
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Feb 29, 2024 20:32
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You are on the right track looking at Corrolas, Camrys, Civics, and Accords if you need a car right now or else. You can also rent until a Prius shows up. If you're just sticker and feature shopping what's on the lot right now for immediate purchase and are ok with crossovers I'd also look at Rav 4s and CR-Vs. You could also consider a Mazda 3. It's straying a little from some of the important aspects but gaining in comfort if you jive with Mazda interiors (which I do).
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Feb 29, 2024 20:49
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jokes posted:Big agree. Everyone asking what car to buy should ask first "should I just get a Prius" first. I'm not looking right now, but my standing reason is "I can't stand being inside a Toyota every day". No one big thing, but death by a thousand papercuts that I never would have realized until driving our Sienna for a year. Luckily, my wife drives it 90% of the time and I can just relax in my Fusion.
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Feb 29, 2024 21:24
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