Used auto purchase from Portland dealer
November 19, 2015 2:12 PM
I've found a low mileage car I like in Portland. I live 2 hours away and would need to come in, get the car checked out and make a buying decision all while dealing with a professional seller. What are my best tactics to do so?
I have not purchased a used car in 20 years so I am somewhat out of date on services like Carfax. My basic problem is how to get the vehicle checked out by someone I pay rather than the dealer's mechanic. The dealer has already stated to me that they have a mechanic they work with and can have it over there for me to discuss with the mechanic.
So, in essence, what's the norm for this type of situation? I'm getting the repair history report from the dealer, I can run the VIN, and check Carfax, then I'm at the dealer's site wanting to get it checked out thoroughly. What usually happens in this situation? Are there any guidelines or web sites that might help me get up to speed and have a clue?
Should I check the dealer's rep on Yelp or something similar? What can help give me an edge in this?
I'm paying cash and seriously not wanting to drive away with buyer's remorse. I'm under no pressure to buy, but have a pretty limited time frame to see, check out and make that decision. The car looks really clean and in great condition, really perfect for my needs, yet I've only seen one image on a web site so far plus the description and a short conversation with the dealer.
Thanks for any tips.
I have not purchased a used car in 20 years so I am somewhat out of date on services like Carfax. My basic problem is how to get the vehicle checked out by someone I pay rather than the dealer's mechanic. The dealer has already stated to me that they have a mechanic they work with and can have it over there for me to discuss with the mechanic.
So, in essence, what's the norm for this type of situation? I'm getting the repair history report from the dealer, I can run the VIN, and check Carfax, then I'm at the dealer's site wanting to get it checked out thoroughly. What usually happens in this situation? Are there any guidelines or web sites that might help me get up to speed and have a clue?
Should I check the dealer's rep on Yelp or something similar? What can help give me an edge in this?
I'm paying cash and seriously not wanting to drive away with buyer's remorse. I'm under no pressure to buy, but have a pretty limited time frame to see, check out and make that decision. The car looks really clean and in great condition, really perfect for my needs, yet I've only seen one image on a web site so far plus the description and a short conversation with the dealer.
Thanks for any tips.
I would check the dealer reviews on Yelp for sure. I used eLemonators for the exact purpose you want this summer when buying a used corolla and was very satisfied.
They checked out 4 cars for me and only charged for inspections on the first and last one (although you shouldn't count on that). They're totally independent and only exist for this purpose, so not after any future business relating to the car in question. I always looked at the cars myself first and then brought in Dave for an inspection, but you could definitely just have him meet you at the dealership since you live farther away.
posted by Muttoneer at 2:37 PM on November 19, 2015
They checked out 4 cars for me and only charged for inspections on the first and last one (although you shouldn't count on that). They're totally independent and only exist for this purpose, so not after any future business relating to the car in question. I always looked at the cars myself first and then brought in Dave for an inspection, but you could definitely just have him meet you at the dealership since you live farther away.
posted by Muttoneer at 2:37 PM on November 19, 2015
I use Tom Dwyer in Sellwood. They are pricey but very good. I would be hesitant to rely on a mechanic connected to the dealership. I would want someone independent from the process.
posted by cairnoflore at 4:11 PM on November 19, 2015
posted by cairnoflore at 4:11 PM on November 19, 2015
I agree that getting the car to an independent mechanic is the best possible thing to do. If you are able to, I'd second Tom Dwyer. They are friendly and very honest in my experience--they have told me in the past that the repair I brought my car in for was not actually necessary and my car was safe to drive without it.
They do tend to be busy, so call a few days in advance to make an appointment.
posted by janerica at 4:23 PM on November 19, 2015
They do tend to be busy, so call a few days in advance to make an appointment.
posted by janerica at 4:23 PM on November 19, 2015
If you're looking for an independent mechanic to check out the car in Portland, I absolutely recommend my own mechanic George (also the owner) of Burnside Auto Repair (Yelp link) on the east side (about 26th and E. Burnside) . He's fantastic - warm, kind, completely honest and fairly cheap. The shop is very "old school," nothing fancy. He's been my mechanic for the last 15 years and I totally trust him - even sold him my last car, in fact. Tends to be very busy so I'd call ahead and arrange a time in advance, should you decide to go with him. (503) 234-7900
posted by Auden at 5:55 PM on November 19, 2015
posted by Auden at 5:55 PM on November 19, 2015
The dealer has already stated to me that they have a mechanic they work with and can have it over there for me to discuss with the mechanic.
Obviously, your gut is going to tell you not to use the dealer's mechanic and that is a smart, if conservative, decision. I used to sell cars for a living, my father has been in the car business for 25+ years and I have several other family members in the business too. I've worked for dealers where you could take them at their word that this is an independent mechanic who you can trust to give you objective advice about the car and I worked at least one that would likely be giving kick-backs to the mechanic. If the Yelp and other reviews give you the impression that this is an honest dealer, then you're probably okay using their mechanic if you have to. Though you've gotten some good recommendations on that front.
Speaking of reviews, please keep in mind that even best, most honest dealership in the history of the world will have reviews from people claiming that they are dirty scam artists who should still be wearing polyester sport coats. More than any other kind of review, I take negative reviews for car dealers with a grain of salt.
The Carfax report they'll have or get for you at their expense. It's cheap for them and it's so easy to get caught trying to pass fraudulent reports that I've never heard of anyone even trying it nor do I think anyone would be stupid enough to ever try.
I have TONS of good negotiating advice in my posting history but here is the short-ish version.
Don't bring up price until you're sure that you want to buy that car or until the price of the car is the only thing preventing you from buying it.
Motivated buyers get the best deals. If you tell them, in no uncertain terms that you are 100% buying a car today, they will work their assess to make sure that you buy it from them instead of someone else.
If you get a version of the "traditional" closing question "If we can make the numbers work, will you buy this car right now?" don't be afraid to say, "Yes!" If they don't ask it, and you want to buy the car, go ahead and tell them something like, "If you can make the price work, I'm going to buy this car."
Unless it's their very first month in the car business, every single salesperson that you talk has sold more cars that you're going to buy in your lifetime. They are better at selling them than you are at buying them. Do try to play games or "outsmart" them. Even if it feels like it's working, they probably know exactly what you're doing because they've danced that particular dance before and they're just playing along because it's the most likely way for them to sell you a car, which is the only thing they really care about. Just be up-front and honest and stick to your guns on pricing.
I know you said you're paying cash, but there is no harm in seeing what kind of rate you can get from your bank and then letting the dealer see if they can beat it (because they can and will). They would rather you finance it through them as they get a kick-back from the bank that ends up underwriting the loan (they'll shop around on your behalf and they actually have good incentive to find you the best rate they can).
Lastly, everything is negotiable. Until you drive off the lot, you have ALL the power. You can find other cars a LOT easier than they can find other customers as ready as you to buy a car. You can always just walk away and you can negotiate the price of every single thing that you're offered in addition to the price of the car.
posted by VTX at 6:39 AM on November 20, 2015
Obviously, your gut is going to tell you not to use the dealer's mechanic and that is a smart, if conservative, decision. I used to sell cars for a living, my father has been in the car business for 25+ years and I have several other family members in the business too. I've worked for dealers where you could take them at their word that this is an independent mechanic who you can trust to give you objective advice about the car and I worked at least one that would likely be giving kick-backs to the mechanic. If the Yelp and other reviews give you the impression that this is an honest dealer, then you're probably okay using their mechanic if you have to. Though you've gotten some good recommendations on that front.
Speaking of reviews, please keep in mind that even best, most honest dealership in the history of the world will have reviews from people claiming that they are dirty scam artists who should still be wearing polyester sport coats. More than any other kind of review, I take negative reviews for car dealers with a grain of salt.
The Carfax report they'll have or get for you at their expense. It's cheap for them and it's so easy to get caught trying to pass fraudulent reports that I've never heard of anyone even trying it nor do I think anyone would be stupid enough to ever try.
I have TONS of good negotiating advice in my posting history but here is the short-ish version.
Don't bring up price until you're sure that you want to buy that car or until the price of the car is the only thing preventing you from buying it.
Motivated buyers get the best deals. If you tell them, in no uncertain terms that you are 100% buying a car today, they will work their assess to make sure that you buy it from them instead of someone else.
If you get a version of the "traditional" closing question "If we can make the numbers work, will you buy this car right now?" don't be afraid to say, "Yes!" If they don't ask it, and you want to buy the car, go ahead and tell them something like, "If you can make the price work, I'm going to buy this car."
Unless it's their very first month in the car business, every single salesperson that you talk has sold more cars that you're going to buy in your lifetime. They are better at selling them than you are at buying them. Do try to play games or "outsmart" them. Even if it feels like it's working, they probably know exactly what you're doing because they've danced that particular dance before and they're just playing along because it's the most likely way for them to sell you a car, which is the only thing they really care about. Just be up-front and honest and stick to your guns on pricing.
I know you said you're paying cash, but there is no harm in seeing what kind of rate you can get from your bank and then letting the dealer see if they can beat it (because they can and will). They would rather you finance it through them as they get a kick-back from the bank that ends up underwriting the loan (they'll shop around on your behalf and they actually have good incentive to find you the best rate they can).
Lastly, everything is negotiable. Until you drive off the lot, you have ALL the power. You can find other cars a LOT easier than they can find other customers as ready as you to buy a car. You can always just walk away and you can negotiate the price of every single thing that you're offered in addition to the price of the car.
posted by VTX at 6:39 AM on November 20, 2015
They do tend to be busy, so call a few days in advance to make an appointment.
Seconding this. I flew 1000 miles to buy an expensive, gently used luxury car and this was my one regret. Set up the mechanic first---dealerships are flexible about schedules while mechanics are not. I ended up extending my stay a few days to accommodate the mechanic.
posted by Monochrome at 2:14 PM on November 20, 2015
Seconding this. I flew 1000 miles to buy an expensive, gently used luxury car and this was my one regret. Set up the mechanic first---dealerships are flexible about schedules while mechanics are not. I ended up extending my stay a few days to accommodate the mechanic.
posted by Monochrome at 2:14 PM on November 20, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
They don't really have to be your mechanic real mechanic. Here in Portland, for most makes, I'd suggest Everett Auto Works. If its a VW or Subaru, I'd check out Heckman & Thiemann. For a Volvo, i'd check out Swede One.
posted by furnace.heart at 2:26 PM on November 19, 2015