Any reason I shouldn't buy this car?

[Triumph]

Can anyone think of any reason I shouldn't buy this car? Car is a 2009 VW GTI with 18,000 miles on it. Has everything I want: 4 doors, upgraded chip, 6 speed manual, leather, HID's, sunroof. Although strewn throughout his glove box, he does seem to have most receipts for maintenance, and with 18,000 miles and 1.5 years left on the VW warranty, how much trouble could it be, mechanically? Took it for a test drive last night, everything looked fine, drove fine, felt fine, didn't see any visible damage. He claims the only damage was a snow plow that rear ended it last winter, which was fixed obviously.

Guy is married with kids, I saw his house and all that, so he's not some scammer. I mention that because his asking price is $17.5k, which is a pretty darn good deal for this car. He doesn't own it outright, and he's not even sure if he can get out of his loan at this sale price. So the only thing that really worries me is, why is he asking a low price then? Just ignorance? Doesn't care? What am I missing here? I hate to ask him flat out, because if he is simply ignorant, I don't want him to know! Unless there's something I'm missing, or unless he can't get out of his loan, I'm buying this car. What say you?

*edit* financially no reason on my end to not buy it, btw.

 

[ravana]

Run away if he is not sure he can get out of the loan for the sale price.

Had a friend that got screwed over by a guy who was in a similar situation.


edit: Just noticed, your PO Box is missing in your wanted ad

 

[Triumph]

Run away if he is not sure he can get out of the loan for the sale price.

Had a friend that got screwed over by a guy who was in a similar situation.

Can you explain why? I'm not going to buy the car if I can't get the title free and clear, that's just a given. No way am I going to take over his loan if that's what your friend did.

 

[amdhunter]

I was in a similar situation when I was looking for a car this last time. A kid had a really nice RX-8 that he owed money on (through Allstate, who I didn't even know did car loans.)
The way Allstate explained it was, I had to just show up with him at a local branch and pay off the entire car note. They'd give me a receipt and sign the title, and I could go ahead and register the car as usual.

I have really good credit, so I probably could have just signed a new loan with them at the same time, but I eventually chickened out. I just felt more comfortable with a dealership, and it paid off in the end.

 

[joesmoke]

get a vehicle whose brand name matches your user name

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I miss my 08 GTI every day

 

[ravana]

Can you explain why? I'm not going to buy the car if I can't get the title free and clear, that's just a given. No way am I going to take over his loan if that's what your friend did.

My only fear is this dude can't calculate his payoff...wth.

The GTI is not so rare of a car, so I am sure you'd be able to find a deal on one in good time.

(On my buddy - he flew out to buy the car from the guy and found out what "title in hand" meant & ended up flying back instead of driving back.)

 

[coxmaster]

Not a lot of problems with the TSI engine in that GTI.. Car is a hell of a lot of fun, and if you're getting a good deal I see no reason not to go for it

 

[HarryLui]

My only fear is this dude can't calculate his payoff...wth.

Talk to the financial institution that he got the loan from and ask them.

 

[Arkaign]

I'd personally never pay that much for a FF vehicle, but it is a nice one, and chipped it has pretty darn good power. The interior is nice as well. That seems to be a less problematic VW than many.

Are you set on VW, or on FF?

Anyhow, I agree with others, it's possible to find GTIs for around the same rough price range from other sources.

Even with very low miles, I would never_ever_ever_ever_ever want to buy a car that's been modded to produce higher than stock boost from an individual. There's just no way of knowing what that guy did during those 18k miles Speaking of which, is the chip (assuming this is for extra boost?) covered under the VW warranty? Most often that kind of thing voids warranties unless it's a dealer option.

 

[coxmaster]

I'd personally never pay that much for a FF vehicle, but it is a nice one, and chipped it has pretty darn good power. The interior is nice as well. That seems to be a less problematic VW than many.

Are you set on VW, or on FF?

Anyhow, I agree with others, it's possible to find GTIs for around the same rough price range from other sources.

Even with very low miles, I would never_ever_ever_ever_ever want to buy a car that's been modded to produce higher than stock boost from an individual. There's just no way of knowing what that guy did during those 18k miles Speaking of which, is the chip (assuming this is for extra boost?) covered under the VW warranty? Most often that kind of thing voids warranties unless it's a dealer option.

I cant say for sure, since I dont know what chip it is. But yeah, i almost guarantee it makes some extra boost and advances the timing. I can say for sure it is NOT covered under VW warranty; although most dealers dont notice its running, and you can usually swap back to stock anyway.

 

[Triumph]

I'd personally never pay that much for a FF vehicle, but it is a nice one, and chipped it has pretty darn good power. The interior is nice as well. That seems to be a less problematic VW than many.

I've had the GTO for almost 4 years, I really like RWD but I am not married to it. Driving it in the winter is NOT fun.

Are you set on VW, or on FF?

I am set on a GTI.

Anyhow, I agree with others, it's possible to find GTIs for around the same rough price range from other sources.

Even with very low miles, I would never_ever_ever_ever_ever want to buy a car that's been modded to produce higher than stock boost from an individual. There's just no way of knowing what that guy did during those 18k miles Speaking of which, is the chip (assuming this is for extra boost?) covered under the VW warranty? Most often that kind of thing voids warranties unless it's a dealer option.

I had a chip in my old Passat 1.8T and ran it for 60,000 miles like that. It ran like the day I bought it when I went to sell. I have absolutely no qualms about it. I know the way I drove my Passat, there's no way anyone could drive a car worse. It's not the same as the old days where vehicle modding was a lot more particular - some guy just upping the boost on his Saab without doing anything else could have done something majorly wrong. These new chips are highly developed and pretty much safe.

 

[coxmaster]

I had a chip in my old Passat 1.8T and ran it for 60,000 miles like that. It ran like the day I bought it when I went to sell. I have absolutely no qualms about it. I know the way I drove my Passat, there's no way anyone could drive a car worse. It's not the same as the old days where vehicle modding was a lot more particular - some guy just upping the boost on his Saab without doing anything else could have done something majorly wrong. These new chips are highly developed and pretty much safe.

Just curious, which company did the GTI chip?

 

[Triumph]

Just curious, which company did the GTI chip?

He didn't remember, but it was done by a very reputable VW tuner in the area, so I'm not concerned. Pulled like a freight train from 2000 rpm up.

 

[coxmaster]

He didn't remember, but it was done by a very reputable VW tuner in the area, so I'm not concerned. Pulled like a freight train from 2000 rpm up.

Yeah, these engines will do that.. It's probably either tuned by APR, GIAC, or REVO. Regardless its amazing how much power these engines can make with a little tuning. Im guessing its only stage 1 (everything else requires more mods).. you should feel stage 2/2+/3 ... :thumbsup:

 

[amdhunter]

He didn't remember, but it was done by a very reputable VW tuner in the area, so I'm not concerned. Pulled like a freight train from 2000 rpm up.

Man, I regret not chipping my GLi when I had it for those 2 years...I feel like I missed out on something. :\

 

[Triumph]

Man, I regret not chipping my GLi when I had it for those 2 years...I feel like I missed out on something. :\

You did. You really really did.

I can see myself doing more mods in the future. I could feel the power waning as it approached 5-6 grand while accelerating on the highway. The GTO on the other hand, just absolutely flies when you're "accelerating to a safe highway speed."

 

[PhoKingGuy]

You did. You really really did.

I can see myself doing more mods in the future. I could feel the power waning as it approached 5-6 grand while accelerating on the highway. The GTO on the other hand, just absolutely flies when you're "accelerating to a safe highway speed."

Stage 1 is the beginning of the tuning bug for the 2.0 TSI, I had mine up to stage 1, but I got to ride in a friends stage 2 O_O, what a difference.

See if hes had an aftermarket diverter valve put in, mine never failed when I had mine, but supposedly its the only real weak part of the engine if you tune it. Supposedly 08's had a newer version of it that didnt fail. That was with the FSI engine though, i'm assuming the TSI is the same way.

Other than that, its really the only weak part of the drivetrain, these things are pretty solid contrary to all the FUD people drop on them.

 

[coxmaster]

Stage 1 is the beginning of the tuning bug for the 2.0 TSI, I had mine up to stage 1, but I got to ride in a friends stage 2 O_O, what a difference.

See if hes had an aftermarket diverter valve put in, mine never failed when I had mine, but supposedly its the only real weak part of the engine if you tune it. Supposedly 08's had a newer version of it that didnt fail. That was with the FSI engine though, i'm assuming the TSI is the same way.

Other than that, its really the only weak part of the drivetrain, these things are pretty solid contrary to all the FUD people drop on them.

If its an 09 the diverter valve shouldnt be a problem, all but the earliest TSIs came with the newest (strongest) diverter valve. As for other mods, its really not all that difficult to go to stage 2 (needs a downpipe) or stage 2+ (downpipe and upgraded fuel pump). At that point you're pushing 300+ Torque, which is definitely enough for these cars

 

[AsianriceX]

If its an 09 the diverter valve shouldnt be a problem, all but the earliest TSIs came with the newest (strongest) diverter valve. As for other mods, its really not all that difficult to go to stage 2 (needs a downpipe) or stage 2+ (downpipe and upgraded fuel pump). At that point you're pushing 300+ Torque, which is definitely enough for these cars

You'd be surprised with the DV. Some folks on golfmk6.com are claiming that they have the a diaphragm (rev G) DVs in their TSIs vs the superior piston (rev D).

For TSI you won't need the fuel pump upgrade (damn my FSI). It has a different pump that is more than capable of keeping up with Stage 2+ demands so you just need the downpipe.

 

[coxmaster]

You'd be surprised with the DV. Some folks on golfmk6.com are claiming that they have the a diaphragm (rev G) DVs in their TSIs vs the superior piston (rev D).

For TSI you won't need the fuel pump upgrade (damn my FSI). It has a different pump that is more than capable of keeping up with Stage 2+ demands so you just need the downpipe.

Heh, shows what I know (ive got an FSI too)

 

[Triumph]

figures. guy came back today and said, "uhhh i need closer to $19k to get out of my loan." which is still a good deal according to edmunds and kbb, just not a smoking hot deal like $17.5k was. i'm really not sure how anxious he is to sell. i may go back and say $18k, but i don't know how well i'll be able to stick to my guns, either. i want the car!

 

[Triumph]

Ok new update. I told the guy hey, the bank only cares about money, but I can be compensated in other ways - extra set of tires, bike rack, something like that. He came back and said "How about a macbook, dated 2008, not the white one but the aluminum?" So not being an expert, the nearest I can figure (waiting on confirmation) is that it is a 2nd gen Macbook 5,1, which are still going for anywhere from $750 to $1,000. Any of you nerds can confirm this? So I could offer him maybe $18.5k, maybe $18,750, buy out his loan so he's happy, then sell the macbook and I'm happy. I hope this works!

 

[Tristicus]

If you want the damn car just get it. If it is a good deal, and not overpriced, why not? Sounds like he took care of it and is trying to get out of the payments...maybe he was stupid and just can't keep up with them. Just take the Macbook if you need and hock it off.

 

[basslover1]

Ok new update. I told the guy hey, the bank only cares about money, but I can be compensated in other ways - extra set of tires, bike rack, something like that. He came back and said "How about a macbook, dated 2008, not the white one but the aluminum?" So not being an expert, the nearest I can figure (waiting on confirmation) is that it is a 2nd gen Macbook 5,1, which are still going for anywhere from $750 to $1,000. Any of you nerds can confirm this? So I could offer him maybe $18.5k, maybe $18,750, buy out his loan so he's happy, then sell the macbook and I'm happy. I hope this works!

Let me see if I got this right. You're going to pay off his loan of 19k, and get the car and a Macbook in return? 19k for that car is a good deal IMO, if you want the car you might as well buy the thing.