*UPDATE*Im buying a car, and the CARFAX report says it was a FLEET Vehicle?! what is that?

[JImmyK]

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHi...fm?partner=CRD_1&vin=JTHFN48Y920031861


Does it mean it was purchased as a company vehicle? and was probably abused pretty badly?



EDITED

here is almost the EXACT car same interior, same exterior.


http://www.ebizautos.com/excellauto/

scroll down to the 2002 Black Lexus with rust brown interior.

 

[StageLeft]

It was a company vehicle, and yes it was abused badly. It doesn't mean the car still can't be worth owning, at the right price, but tell me how do you treat cars that aren't yours (or your friends')?

 

[Queasy]

Yes, it was a company car. Doesn't look like it was abused in anway though.

 

[radioouman]

Lots of cars with relatively low miles on the used market used to be fleet vehicles. I think that a fleet vehicle is generally better than starting it's life as a rental. Normally fleet vehicles are well maintained, even if they are driven hard.

 

[JImmyK]

I AM getting it from a Dealership directly, BUT that doesnt mean much I mean sure its still going to be good at 20 K miles but what about the long haul?

 

[codeyf]

lol....no one must've noticed....but I sure as hell want to work at a place that has 2002 LEXUS SC430's as their company car!!!

Fleet vehicle or not, with only 20k miles, you're (probably) fine on it.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Depending on the position in the company, and what company it was it can be a sweet ride. If it was a chaufered car, then it was easily driven and well maintained. Given the vehicle, it could have been a small buisness tax writeoff deal.

Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus==most likely pampered.
Crown Vic, Caprice, any compact==beaten
Trucks==More beatings than a KKK rally in Compton.

 

[Lonyo]

Fleet vehicle = regular servicing most probably, which = good.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: codeyf
lol....no one must've noticed....but I sure as hell want to work at a place that has 2002 LEXUS SC430's as their company car!!!

Fleet vehicle or not, with only 20k miles, you're (probably) fine on it.

it must be a CEO/Director/VP's car then.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Fleet vehicles tend to have the piss beaten out of them, and its not uncommon for them to go 7k+ miles without an oil change... but at 20k, its probably not too bad. With a good deal, I'd say its worth it.

 

[Baked]

Man, wish I can get a deal like that. That car's a steal. It's most likely an executive's personal joy ride bought using company fund.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
It was a company vehicle, and yes it was abused badly. It doesn't mean the car still can't be worth owning, at the right price, but tell me how do you treat cars that aren't yours (or your friends')?

I disagree with this. Just because a car was fleet does not mean it was abused, and fleet cars are usually maintained better.

Anyway, look at the car. It's a 2002 Lexus SC430. This was the boss' car, not a run-of-the-mill fleet car abused daily by the delivery driver. In a lot of smaller, privately-owned companies, the principals keep ownership of their private vehicles with the company for tax purposes.

edit: I guarantee this was the boss' car. Note how under the Detailed Vehicle History section it says "sold at auction, listed as a manufacturer vehicle"... ? This was a returned lease, probably a 2 year, the preferred way that business owners have their company own their private vehicles for tax purposes.
If you like the car and the price, you should jump on this.

 

[GasX]

Based on how I drive in rental cars, I wouldn't touch a used one with a 100ft pole...

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Skoorb
It was a company vehicle, and yes it was abused badly. It doesn't mean the car still can't be worth owning, at the right price, but tell me how do you treat cars that aren't yours (or your friends')?

I disagree with this. Just because a car was fleet does not mean it was abused, and fleet cars are usually maintained better.

Anyway, look at the car. It's a 2002 Lexus SC430. This was the boss' car, not a run-of-the-mill fleet car abused daily by the delivery driver. In a lot of smaller, privately-owned companies, the principals keep ownership of their private vehicles with the company for tax purposes.

That's true... given that its a Lexus, it probably got treated better than the typical fleet car.

Still, if the seller happens to have a service history lying around... couldn't hurt, eh?

 

[aircooled]

If it were a cavalier or an escort, then I'd question it, but odds are the Lexus was not driven by the hired help to run daily route jobs.

 

[JImmyK]

Im getting it for about 46K from a dealer....

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: codeyf
lol....no one must've noticed....but I sure as hell want to work at a place that has 2002 LEXUS SC430's as their company car!!!

Fleet vehicle or not, with only 20k miles, you're (probably) fine on it.

it must be a CEO/Director/VP's car then.

Word, it's probably received no more abuse than the average lease vehicle then, which I consider fair game for a used car. Enjoy your new sexus!

 

[freebee]

edited.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JImmyK
Im getting it for about 46K from a dealer....

That seems a little high to me. But then again, I would never pay that much for a used car. Do some research though. KBB says $50k for retail value (which I think is sky high), Edmunds says $42k for retail. Either way, you're gonna be hosed in it the second you drive it off the lot. Personally, if I was looking for a hot V8 convertible in that price range, I'd get a brand new C6 Corvette.

 

[JImmyK]

ARGH! tough decision

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: freebee
Lexus treated better?... No fleet vehicle is treated well. Have you seen how we drive these cars? Most of these cars are redlined since new, neutral dropped, and swtiched from rev to drive while in motion. Buyback of these vehicles don't take into account the huge amount of unseen wear and tear thats not readily visible. They'll wash it, wax it, steam clean the interior, meanwhile your tranny will fail within the first 40k miles.

btw, the 20k mark should give you a hint of where this car is coming from.

*yawn*

First, the whole thing about fleet vehicles is just a myth. Not every fleet driver is a nose-pickin' 20-something punk who neutral drops every time he gets the chance. Most of them are people with families who need to maintain their perfectly clean driving record or they'll lose their job. In addition, a great many fleet companies use devices like CarChip which plug into the OBDII and monitor every aspect of their employees' driving habits. Abusive or illegal driving means losing your job, even if a cop doesn't catch you.

Second, a Lexus SC430 convertible is the boss' car. I've already addressed this in this thread. Probably the owner of successful but small privately-owned corporation, leasing the vehicle through the company for tax purposes.

 

[JImmyK]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: JImmyK
Im getting it for about 46K from a dealer....

That seems a little high to me. But then again, I would never pay that much for a used car. Do some research though. KBB says $50k for retail value (which I think is sky high), Edmunds says $42k for retail. Either way, you're gonna be hosed in it the second you drive it off the lot. Personally, if I was looking for a hot V8 convertible in that price range, I'd get a brand new C6 Corvette.

I need something a bit classier, I test drove the corvette it was just too low and not practical enough. and damn did it have too much power

a new one is almost 68-72 so mid 40s aint so bad.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JImmyK
I need something a bit classier, I test drove the corvette it was just too low and not practical enough. and damn did it have too much power

a new one is almost 68-72 so mid 40s aint so bad.

No such thing

 

[JImmyK]

here is almost the EXACT car same interior, same exterior.


http://www.ebizautos.com/excellauto/

scroll down to the 2002 Black Lexus with rust brown interior.

 

[JImmyK]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: JImmyK
I need something a bit classier, I test drove the corvette it was just too low and not practical enough. and damn did it have too much power

a new one is almost 68-72 so mid 40s aint so bad.

No such thing

Vic, I have to be honest its the fiance thats stopping me.. haha oh well the lie was worth a shot.