by "Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
Published 01/15/2017 at 12:47
by "Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
Published 01/15/2017 at 12:47
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STARS: 1
Tacomas in Colorado, in the right configuration, fetch an extra $3,000 for equivalent miles. Or, have 100,000 more miles for the same price. Of course they’re popular here. So at what point do you consider flying out to drive one back when looking at what can go wrong? I might be discovering that myself.
Even if I fly for free, a cheap ticket can be found, especially one-way, for those that don’t. So an extra 100 or 150 expense is planned on. Fuel cost to drive back at 20 mpg and an updated gold AAA membership for that 90 mile tow range should also be included. Not thinking about fast food, and a day’s drive, the costs could be $300 for a truck 800 miles away. Plug in an online hotel reservation and $350 is a good bet, not including a disaster.
So how much would you have to see in savings before triggering the fly n drive option for you? What else would you budget in there? The independent mechanic inspection? Could that be mitigated by buying only from a manufacturer dealer? What concerns would you have over what I listed and how much of a savings would you need to see to make it happen for you?
"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
01/15/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0
The chances of a major problem with a Tacoma in good looking condition like that are very slim. You could have them put it on the lift for you when you arrive before you close the deal so that you can get under it and do a quick inspection on the suspension, brakes and bushings etc...
make sure you ask all the right questions about major accidents, repairs, oil change frequency etc...
I would do it. I bought my 5 series wagon sight unseen and had it shipped to my front door. It turned out to be a great car for the 3 years i had it.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/15/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
That’s just a search pic, but what I’m trying to find isn’t far off; same config. An 03 like that one in CO for $14k has 200k miles. I also see an 03 with 79k miles for same price 700 miles away, so I could be doing this for the mileage on the clock as well. More investigation....
"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
01/15/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 3
Another thing to consider is the time to drive back home - how much is your time worth to you? However, this can somewhat be mitigated by turning the drive into a roadtrip if you’ll be going through some interesting areas.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/15/2017 at 13:50, STARS: 0
Exactly. People and places.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
01/15/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0
This is quite common for us in Montana, my mom bought a Mazda CX 5 in Tacoma for $5k less than in Missoula.
My co-worker bought a Subaru Outback for 2-3k less in Auburn WA than she could have in Kalispell MT.
It’s just supply and demand, we are isolated and the dealers sell their cars so they have no incentive to discount. I’m thinking of doing the same with my next purchase, maybe incure up to $500 of expenses for a multi-thousand dollar savings.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
01/15/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 1
I live in Wisconsin and bought my car from a guy in San Diego, because it was the only car I could find in the country with my preferred options and color combo. We split the cost of a pre-purchase inspection at a BMW dealer, and once we agreed on the purchase I paid $800 to have it shipped to me. I booked the vehicle shipping through uship.com.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/15/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0
Thank you for this reply. Definitely will consider.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
01/15/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
I flew to Utah from Oregon for my car. But it was a rare option package on a rare car, one of three for sale in the country at the time and the other two were rough. Grand total, flight (last minute ticket), hotel, gas, and food were all under $700 if I remember correctly. But I also had a pre purchase inspection done at a dealer before hand and did most of the paperwork electronically.
I would do it again even if it only saved me a few hundred dollars. The experience alone was worth it.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
01/15/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 0
I agree. My free time is priceless to me. I’m sure I could find exceptional vehicles out there if I traveled for them, but I’ve driven vast distances for garbage before and it just left me bitter. Now that I work even more and have a needy dog and would just like to sit down and have a beer, I’ve only shopped locally the last few years.
"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
01/16/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 0
It seems like us in Colorado have the same issue with Wranglers, and Subarus.
If you buy from far way, save yourself the time and money and just get a PPI and ship it, as shipping is
kinda
cheap right now. I sold my old 2007 Volvo S60 R on eBay to a guy out in Seattle. I just told him of a good mechanic (just so happens one of the most well-known indy Volvo Mechanic is a mile from me), he got a PPI, and I put it on a truck...easy as that!
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
01/16/2017 at 23:55, STARS: 0
Question for you. Are you a tacoma person? I just found one, locally, just like the one in the pic but red, 254k miles, dude says it’s rust free with all maintenance done right. I’ll have to email him tonight to get the real deal on what he’s sayin but if it’s kept up on, it’s at least worth the look, nevermind he’s asking 1k over KBB’s ‘excellent’ condition.
"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
01/17/2017 at 09:03, STARS: 0
I am not. I’m an F150 owner. That being said, I wouldn’t shy away from a high mileage Tacoma. I wouldn’t pay premium pricing for one though.
Avg auction pricing for a 2003 Double Cab Tacoma V6 4WD with 257,000 miles is $5000 above avg is $8000.