CARFAX Just Saved My Ass!

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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Been looking for a replacement for da Bomb. This time it's for real! After driving a Roadmaster, they're off my list. It's either going to be a Grand Marquis or Town Car. I was hoping to spend only $5,000.00. It's gradually dawned on me that I'll have to spend more like $10,000.00 for a nice one with lower miles. We found a 2000 with 29K miles for $13,000 out the door. The salesman is a REALLY old guy who has been selling for 50 years, no exaggeration! Very nice guy though.

Well, I don't know if he knows it or not, but the damn thing was a rental for 1 year of it's life in Detroit! He's waiting for us to come in tomorrow and close the deal. Um.... NOPE! :frown:
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
I wish I would have used Carfax for my previous car. :(

Just another case that proves it's always wise to do your homework!
 
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PsychoAndy

Lifer
Dec 31, 2000
10,735
0
0
Ornery, are you sure you want a 2000 model? You should be able to get closer in your price range with something from 92-96 in the towncar department. My mechanic just picked up a 96 TC for around $3500 with about 130k on it.

-PAB
 
Rallispec

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
thats a big reason why i'm not a fan of used cars.. you never know what its history is with 100% certainty.

even if it means paying more, i tend to believe that buying a new car is worth it.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,393
8,552
126
always use carfax. get the one you pay for and run every vin of every car you test. all sorts of things turn up. sure, it might have low miles and drive ok but 3 owners in 3 years should tip you off that its not a nice car.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,393
8,552
126
Originally posted by: Rallispec
thats a big reason why i'm not a fan of used cars.. you never know what its history is with 100% certainty.

even if it means paying more, i tend to believe that buying a new car is worth it.
Click to expand...

yeah... i'm the same way... i like to know the exact history, and nothing can tell you that other than getting one new or getting one from someone you know really well. but the biggest rule of used car buying is don't buy from someone you know.
 
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Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2000
6,369
0
71
Originally posted by: Rallispec
why is it bad to buy from someone you know?
Click to expand...

Because if something goes wrong with the car, it will put a lot of stress on the frienship and will likely end it altogether.
 
Rallispec

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Originally posted by: Rallispec
why is it bad to buy from someone you know?
Click to expand...

Because if something goes wrong with the car, it will put a lot of stress on the frienship and will likely end it altogether.
Click to expand...

true.. hadnt thought of it like that. that could really suck.
 
Rallispec

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
Originally posted by: Yzzim
Why is a rental car bad?

And why are you taking pictures of the salesman?
Click to expand...

rental cars are bad becuase they've often been drive 'like a rental car'.. people tend to be especially abusive on them becuaes they know they dont have to worry about its maintenence.
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Never had a car payment in my 25 years of driving and I hate like hell to start now! Got our son's '95 G. Marquis with 80K on it for $4000.00. I know deals can be had, but I haven't been able to duplicate it. The lower the miles or later the year, the more the price jumps. There doesn't seem to be a sweet spot. It always seems to be a wash. I'm looking for an LS model rather than the GS, which adds a few bucks.

Found a 1998 that's identical to the 2000 above. It has a clean CarFax, but it's got some blemishes. Any idea what could have caused these scratches? There are vertical scratches down the trunk deck too. They pass right over the lens as well. That one has 59K and they're asking $9,000.00.

Found a teal colored 1995 with 100K for $5,000.00. There's a light blue 1997 with 29K for $9,000.00, but it's a GS. Oh, and I found one that wasn't for sale. It belonged to the sales manager of a dealership. It's a 1995 with 70K and it's loaded. He's going to call me when he decides on a price.
 
E

Entity

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
10,090
0
0
Originally posted by: Ornery
Never had a car payment in my 25 years of driving and I hate like hell to start now! Got our son's '95 G. Marquis with 80K on it for $4000.00. I know deals can be had, but I haven't been able to duplicate it. The lower the miles or later the year, the more the price jumps. There doesn't seem to be a sweet spot. It always seems to be a wash. I'm looking for an LS model rather than the GS, which adds a few bucks.

Found a 1998 that's identical to the 2000 above. It has a clean CarFax, but it's got some blemishes. Any idea what could have caused these scratches? There are vertical scratches down the trunk deck too. They pass right over the lens as well. That one has 59K and they're asking $9,000.00.

Found a teal colored 1995 with 100K for $5,000.00. There's a light blue 1997 with 29K for $9,000.00, but it's a GS. Oh, and I found one that wasn't for sale. It belonged to the sales manager of a dealership. It's a 1995 with 70K and it's loaded. He's going to call me when he decides on a price.
Click to expand...
Those scratches look like they are from bumping into a bush of some sorts. I've seen those on U-hauls before from hitting the branches of Oak Trees. Did you just consider asking, and seeing if the story turned out?

Rob
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
"And why are you taking pictures of the salesman?"

Initially, I took his picture because I liked him and wanted to remember the whole deal. We really were going to buy the car from him! We hit it off pretty well. You can't believe how old he is. Too bad he has to spend his final days selling used cars. I hope he enjoys it! :confused:
 
Rallispec

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
Originally posted by: Ornery
"And why are you taking pictures of the salesman?"

Initially, I took his picture because I liked him and wanted to remember the whole deal. We really were going to buy the car from him! We hit it off pretty well. You can't believe how old he is. Too bad he has to spend his final days selling used cars. I hope he enjoys it! :confused:
Click to expand...

i guess its better than sitting at home doing nothing, just rotting away.
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
"Did you just consider asking, and seeing if the story turned out?"

It was after hours when we saw that one. It's got a few more scratches here and there, but those particular ones are pretty weird. Perhaps they can be rubbed out, but you would think they would do that when the car is detailed. They're permanently in the tail light lens, though!

Edit: Scratch closeup.
 
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toph99

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2000
5,505
0
0
the horizonal scratches are from backing up against something while turning, been there, done that. the verticle ones look like he was backing up real fast and hit the brake so the back end dipped down(soft suspension) and rubbed against something, but the likelyhood of that happening is pretty slim, especially with them that high up
 
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gump47371

Senior member
Dec 18, 2001
726
0
0
Hint on the scratches, if you can catch your fingernail on them, then it will need to be painted, if they still feel smooth, then they will buff off. Not sure what they are from, the horizontal ones look deep, but I believe the ones on the back of the bumper will buff off, just by looking 2d.
 
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Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Oh brother! I saw the Marauder at two different dealerships today. My wife can't understand what all the fuss is about. $33,000.00 hell, I ought to get a couple! Got pics too...Just did a CarFax on the white Lincoln Town Car behind the second Marauder. $13,000.00 and about 65K miles. Turns out it was "Registered as corporate fleet vehicle" for it's first two years of life! :Q

Edit: I'll ask about those scratches tomorrow if they're open. Looks like a damn automatic car wash brush went ape on it or something! It's got more problems here and here. How much will they take off for that? How much to put it all right?
 
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