Used car buying -- its not that big a red flag is it?

"Beefchips" (beefchips)
10/09/2020 at 17:57 • Filed to: None

The search for a sports car is on and I have driven a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , in my price range, with a pparently a pretty good reputation for mechanical sturdiness.

My dealer experience is a little confusing though. When I drove it earlier this week, they insisted that their insurance would only let me go 5 miles radius from the showroom. That limited me to low-speed roads though I did manage to hit 50 with out getting a ticket or into a crash.

I told them I wanted another drive where I could open it up, drive it on some twisty roads above town. They demurred.

I told them that if I was satisfied with a longer drive I would get a PPI and then, based on the results, we could then potentially move forward with a sale. T hey said that they could take it to a shop they partner with... a new shop with no track record, a couple miles from the dealer.

I insisted I want to take it to a different shop of my choosing and I’d pay for a flatbed tow if needed. And this seemed to open it up. Now they’re telling me pick up the car, do my longer test drive all I want, get the PPI, and just be sure to deliver it back the same day.

What gives? Is it weird? I feel a little whiplash cause they seem to have gone from “slightly shady” to “bend-over-backwards-helpful” in the space of an hour. Maybe I just was finally able to convince them I’m serious and not just after a joyride?

DISCUSSION (23)

Future next gen S2000 owner > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:09

Maybe I just was finally able to convince them I’m serious and not just after a joyride?

I’d bet that. If they think you are serious and have the means to pay, they are more accomodating.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:12

The whiplash is weird but they came around to acceptable terms. I’d say go with them. Maybe they thought you looked pretty shifty at first?

Beefchips > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/09/2020 at 18:16

LoLoL I don’t think I ’m a shifty dude but I did show up in a hoodie. And I have a fair amount of ink on one arm. Should’ ve worn chinos or someth ing? I don’t know, how do people make themselves not look shifty ??

Beefchips > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/09/2020 at 18:18

That’s what I’m reading into it, but I can’t tell if my lust for this car is clouding my vision. Good to get a second opinion

VincentMalamute-Kim > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:20

First, be white.

ah, I just looked at your link. BMW. yah, probably showing up in a boy-racer WRX, hoodie, ink explains it. Seriously, I bet if you’d driven up in a “adult” German car, shirt and tie, they wouldn’t have done the initial run-around.

At least you’re buying the roadster, not the clown shoe. ;P

My bird IS the word > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:27

Khakis

Beefchips > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/09/2020 at 18:27

Being white, check!! But yeah , boy racer is written all over me. Weirdly I ’m an engineer with a PhD and a salary and a wife and a mortgage ... but appearances deceive :)

Beefchips > My bird IS the word
10/09/2020 at 18:34

OK y eah so this is turning into a fashion advice post. I’m down . So Khaki is a material right? Like, pleated and non-pleated pants can still b e khakis? Also, do I need to invest in some boat shoes?

Beefchips > My bird IS the word
10/09/2020 at 18:34

VincentMalamute-Kim > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:37

You are smart to have picked the correct skin color.

Appearances are all people have to go on. Initially. These guys sound good to go now. Good luck!

Just Jeepin' > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 18:38

Kinja'd!!!

Beefchips > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/09/2020 at 18:39

Thanks! And, thanks to my parents I guess

Beefchips > Just Jeepin'
10/09/2020 at 18:42

Yesss , g onna rock my L oubuti ns to the PPI

My bird IS the word > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 21:24

Pleated pants yes, but personally I don't trust anyone in boat shoes.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > Beefchips
10/09/2020 at 21:42

I would give them the benefit of the doubt. At my dealership, my managers aren’t comfortable letting someone go for an extended test drive or bring a car to a mechanic unless there is a reasonable certainty that they're a legit buyer.

Beefchips > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
10/09/2020 at 23:11

Good call. I have bought so many old shite cars off CL that my dealer etiquette is probably not the best either

Sovande > Beefchips
10/10/2020 at 06:32

Don't change shit. Fuck em if they don't take you seriously, these are literally used car salesmen.

Sovande > My bird IS the word
10/10/2020 at 06:33

I don't trust people in pleated pants.

Dr.Jeckyl > Beefchips
10/10/2020 at 11:50

Personally, I’m not a fan of dealers that throw up any red flags and there are several here. But then again it is a RARE CAR, I mean just check out their ad for it in all caps. If they are so worried about the car then a salesperson should go with on a longer test drive and they can drive it to the shop of your choosing for a ppi that you pay for. If a ppi doesn’t scream interested buyer then I don’t know what does.

Beefchips > Dr.Jeckyl
10/10/2020 at 18:28

RARE CAR!

ACT NOW!

WE FINANCE!

Yah, iffy to be sure. But the real deal is the car itself and I don’t see any glaring issues after the first couple miles’ drive ... hoping for a clean bill of health from the PPI. Then it’s just down to dollars and cents.

Dr.Jeckyl > Beefchips
10/10/2020 at 22:22

I hope everything turns out and you get it. I’ve never driven one but it sure is a nice looking ride.

Beefchips > Dr.Jeckyl
10/10/2020 at 22:46

thanks man. I’m hopeful too but as I found out it’s basically an M3... so if it falls thru I’ve got another vein of automotive ore to tap!

stuckMTB > Beefchips
10/11/2020 at 14:42

I’m guessing they’re just trying to weed out the tire kickers who want to drive a sports car for an hour and put some miles on it for free. Seems like once they realized you’re seriously interested they let you check it out a bit more thoroughly.

Used car buying -- its not *that* big a red flag is it?

DISCUSSION (23)

Used car buying -- its not that big a red flag is it?