Trying to buy G8 from Craigslist… need some help

"NYSS" (NYSS)
11/05/2013 at 22:51 • Filed to: None

Its actually not me, but a guy in my Camaro club, wants this G8 as a daily… the listing is from Craigslist, here is the full story my friend sent me…

" Im picking up a G8 as a daily driver. Found one online that Im going to buy on Saturday if all is ok.

Its a woman's car- her son posted it for her. He sent me pics of it inside and out, and the plate is showing in all of the exterior pics. I don't think its a fake posting, because based on the research Ive done on the car so far, it seems to be checking out with all the facts he has told me so far.

I texted him twice today to get the vin number, and he hasn't responded to that question specifically, even though he has texted me back about other questions. So that fact alone is making me think theres something in the history that they're trying to hide.

I know car fax you can do lookups by plate number, and when I type it in, it does show as an 08 G8, so it will work."

Rhode Island plate: YK-78

Is there a way to look up a cars vin from a plate number? I work at a Chevy dealer so I can run the vin, but I don't know if I can run a plate to get a vin.

personally, I'm wary of high dollar cars like this from CL.

HERES THE CL POSTING

Thanks Opponauts!

DISCUSSION (26)

maristgrad > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 22:55

Its interesting that the listing doesn't have any photos from the side. I would check the VIN from a phone when you see the car in person. Make sure all the VINs match, check the gaps between the panels for alignment. Use a small magnet to check for repaired panels. Make sure you go to the persons house, dont meet them in some random parking lot. But to be honest for an $18,000 car, all issues can be avoided if you have 100 point inspection done at a Pontiac repair shop or GM dealer

NYSS > maristgrad
11/05/2013 at 22:59

yeah I'm wary of cars like this on CL

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:11

Honestly, doesn't have any of the tell tales that usually push me away.

Matt > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:12

super jelly your friend* is getting a G8, just sayin. Edit: Supposedly has warranty, clean title, you do the inspection at your own peril, some body shops are good...I live in FL btw. Edit: how WOULD it have a warranty?

NYSS > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
11/05/2013 at 23:13

the guy isn't giving him a vin tho which makes me suspicious

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:14

The ad says it still has 4 years on the warranty. Did they get an extended warranty? Motortrend says the longest warranty from dealer was 6 years. I might be out to lunch here, but it seems strange to me.

NYSS > Matt
11/05/2013 at 23:14

its not me its my friend, its only a v6, me and him both are in the same Camaro club

NYSS > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/05/2013 at 23:15

yeah i saw that, it must be an extended warranty, which usually aren't transferable

which makes me suspicious, because he's also not giving my friend the vin off the car

Matt > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:16

oh my b

NYSS > Matt
11/05/2013 at 23:17

its all goo brother… I'm jealous that he's buying one too lol

Kailand09 > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:17

Man do those cars retain value.

NYSS > Matt
11/05/2013 at 23:17

if it was an extended warranty sold separate, but there usually not transferable… which makes me suspicious

Matt > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:17

Maybe just ask pointedly again?

NYSS > Kailand09
11/05/2013 at 23:18

yeah they really do! and this is only a v6!

once the chevy ss comes out tho, these will drop

NYSS > Matt
11/05/2013 at 23:19

yeah thats what he's doing, but he asked twice, and the last time was 3 hours ago, and he still hasn't gotten a response

Matt > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:20

yeah but it's hard to read sellers sometimes, it could literally be the son-woman duo not taking pictures or recording the VIN, that stuff is still foreign to many, not to sound elitist lol

Kailand09 > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:20

Yeah it's crazy.

I hope that does it, maybe I'll look into a gt if they drop. I just can't justify prices approaching a new wrx for used older car.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:22

Oh, think I skimmed that too quickly. Yeah, that'd put me off.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:23

You could probably look up what warranty the car came with and your friend would have to sort it out. It could of been in an accident and then another warranty plan was purchased, or they could of just purchased it without the accident. Some people just don't like giving out info.

NYSS > Kailand09
11/05/2013 at 23:23

agreed, they are great cars tho… especially the GXP version

NYSS > Matt
11/05/2013 at 23:25

you don't sound like an elitist, but its the son that did the posting… if your buying a G8 you know what a vin is….

its not like its a beige camry lol

Kailand09 > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:25

Yeah they are. I've lusted for one since those came out. Ls3 with four doors? Count me in.

NYSS > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/05/2013 at 23:26

back in 08 it was a 3yr/36,000 bumper to bumper and 5yr/100k powetrain at most… i work in sales at a chevy dealer so this all seems fishy to me

NYSS > Kailand09
11/05/2013 at 23:29

take a look at the new 14' chevy ss, its a g8 with chevy emblems and the ls3

Kailand09 > NYSS
11/05/2013 at 23:44

Yeah, for whatever reason I really don't like the styling. It's a sweet car. Something just doesn't do it for me though :(

NYSS > Kailand09
11/06/2013 at 00:04

yeah I agree, its kinda bland