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"What should I really expect when buying a previously owned vehicle? |
That question is probably one of the most frequently thought of things
that come to mind when someone decides to purchase a pre-owned vehicle.
We would like to dispel some assumptions and define more clearly what
you should expect when buying a pre-owned vehicle.
People buy used vehicles because of the tremendous savings over what new
vehicles cost. A vehicle that is several years old can often cost half
what a new one does! Also, buying a pre-owned car allows one to avoid
the depreciation SLIDE of buying a new car often with "new car" warranty
still remaining. Warranties can always be purchased second hand if the
original warranty has already expired.
Pre-owned vehicles are not the same as brand new ones in every measure.
Even brand new cars can receive a small mark, ding or scrape during the
first few days of ownership. Tiny surface scratches can appear from
small pebbles, stones, gravel, bugs or foreign objects on even the
smallest roadways which can mark finishes and windshields.
A vehicle that has a certain number of years or miles on it should be
expected to have "reasonable wear and tear" on components, mechanical
parts, paint, upholstery and trim.
If a vehicle has over 5,000-6,000 miles, you should expect a few small
stone chips on paint, bumpers or glass. If it has 50,000 or more miles,
you should expect a fair amount of "peppering" from sand and gravel
resulting from highway travel.
If we are presenting a current year model vehicle with only 2,000 or
3,000 miles, you should expect a vehicle in like new condition, free of
any marks, dings or scratches. And likely still having that "new car
smell" we all know so well.
Reasonable Wear and Tear
Reasonable wear should include suspension and mechanical items such as
brakes, tires, axles, shocks and seals and gaskets as well. A vehicle
that is nearly new or still under manufacturers warranty should be
expected to be free of any defects or leaks. If a vehicle is 4 or 5
years old, out of warranty or has around 30,000 miles, one should expect
seepage at hoses, seals, gearboxes and gaskets. Seeps are considered a
normal part of aging and reasonable wear. Seeps are not the same as
leaks. A leak is where fluid is running down and hitting the floor.
Beyond that, your expectations should decrease according to age and
mileage. Pre-buy inspections are always welcome by reputable service
centers. We are happy to make recommendations of local, independent area
shops [not affiliated with us in any way] to allow you to have the
confidence you need when purchasing a used vehicle. Please keep in mind
that an Authorized [Factory Franchised] Dealership will inspect and make
the most detailed inspections, but will also be extremely critical and
often detail every single thing that it would take to make a vehicle
"brand new" again (generally in an effort to run up maintenance and
repair costs beyond any reasonable expectation). Their job is to sell
service - not always taking into account reasonable wear and age for a
given vehicle. The costs that they detail will also often be 2x to 4x
what the repairs or maintenance would cost if performed by an excellent
outside service facility.
We work very hard to present the cleanest, freshest and most presentable
pre-owned vehicles sold anywhere. Most of our offerings are equal to
first line vehicles sold in reputable franchised dealerships across the
country. In fact, many of these dealers buy our inventory only to turn
around and sell it at much higher prices on their lots. It is important
when buying a used vehicle to understand that it is not brand new, but
that it has been driven a certain number of miles. Our vehicles will be
presented with good tires unless stated otherwise.
Please be reasonable in your expectations. We sell over 20 pre-owned
vehicles monthly to happy people - many of whom will call or write us
back with their satisfaction: "exceeded expectations", "better than
described", etc. We want to sell you one of our quality vehicles with a
clear understanding of what to expect for what you are paying for. We do
not sell brand new vehicles, but indisputably we sell some of the very
finest pre-owned vehicles anywhere!
Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions.
Best Regards,
President |
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