Pet Peeves in Used Cars

"yitznewton" (yitznewton)
11/02/2015 at 20:21 • Filed to: Car buying

Nobody wants to see a genuine problem in a prospective used car, but there are some things that annoy us intensely without being serious issues.

For me, it’s scratched steering wheels and shift knobs. I don’t wear any rings, and when I see scratched-up control surfaces, it just makes me throw up a little.

What about you?

DISCUSSION (12)

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:24

Trash. I know it can simply be thrown away, and that's just the thing. If you're taking pictures or showing me the car, I don't need it spotless. But get rid of the trash.

Amoore100 > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:32

I know it’s a common issue on city cars and it might make me sound picky but wheel curb rash really is a turn off for me given the time and money it would take to mend...luckily all of our cars have rather small rims protected by acres of rubber to prevent too much destruction, and it seems to have worked so far...

yitznewton > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
11/02/2015 at 20:36

Agreed; to me trash speaks to a greater lack of awareness/attention; I would feel uncomfortable about buying a car from that person.

El Rivinado > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:37

Clear coat and paint that’s starting to chip and fade. The last thing I want to do is spend money to repaint something because someone never heard of wax.

treesmakewater > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:38

Cheap aftermarket intakes, trash, torn leather on the steering wheel.

Chariotoflove > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:41

Noises (squeaks, groans, etc.) that I can’t identify.

Danger Ranger XLT > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:42

Tears in seats. There were some pretty wicked scrapes and tears in the seats of my old truck, but my grandfather had used it on a farm for 15 before I daily drove it an additional 10. It was a beat up old truck, battle scars are expected! But when it came time to replace the Danger Ranger, probably half of the cars I looked at had tears and punctures in the seats. None were more than 4 years old, all were low mileage (20k or less). That’s an issue.

Kofi > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 20:59

Windshield scratches from not changing wipers blades

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 21:03

Back in the day, my dad went and looked at a Pontiac Bonneville SSEI at Lloyd Long Oldsmobile. He didn't buy it because of how dirty the engine compartment was...it was a gross mess. This stuff matters to people, sellers need to understand that.

Captain of the Enterprise > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 21:21

Brake dust

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > yitznewton
11/02/2015 at 21:48

General cleanliness and messed up upholstery. I don’t understand how seats and things get so messed up, I’ve never damaged a seat in a car I’ve owned or worked on but some people have a 4 year old car that may as well just have stained and foam covered lawn chairs.

Even if you do wear rings it’s not hard to be mindful and avoid damaging things. My cars have soft leather shift knobs and steering wheels and wood trim all over but are in perfect condition. Don’t be rough and gorilla grip everything.

Nauraushaun > yitznewton
11/03/2015 at 22:38

I hate minor body damage. People in this country are too stupid and careless to deal with car parks properly, so all the old Japanese cars I love are covered in little dents and scratches.