OT: Rant...Trying to buy a car on craigslist is a nightmare!

[4Rings6Stars]

I posted a thread a while back about my potential car purchase. With the amount of miles I will probably be putting on it (maybe 5k a year?) I decided it wasn't worth it to spend a bunch or have a monthly payment. Instead I decided to spend $5k or less on something older but still decent.

What a nightmare it has been!

I think I need to up my budget or just give up. I am having such a hard time with people flaking / lying / being creepy / not responding then re-posting the ad...

One car I test drove and really liked it but had a few questions and needed to do a little research. Pulled the carfax to find the guy was lying to me flat out---he said one owner and it was on numero 4...

Another guy I called and asked if I could set up a time to come see it. We agreed on a time, he asked me to call 30 minutes before to confirm and he would give me the address. I rearranged my night, borrowed a car, then called him....he never answered. Tried a few more times...no answer but it went to voicemail after only a few rings (assume he was just hitting end call). I figured it was sold and he felt bad and didn't want to tell me. Then I see 30 minutes later he reposted the ad!!! He reposted it again the next day...I called again, no answer.

Twice I have called on cars listed as for sale by owner to find out that it was a dealer / guy who sells used cars on the side who picked them up from auction and "refurbished" them. One of those ads said "all scheduled maintenance has been performed as recommended". I asked him how he knew that if he bought it at auction and he said from the carfax. Okay fine...I asked if he could send it to me. No response, won't answer his phone.

Anybody have a 2001+ A4/A6/Passat or 2003+ Volvo V70/XC70 wagon they want to sell me?
/rant.

[Louis]

I'm guessing that if you want a car without any issues (or low probability of major issues) you either have to be patient until you find something from the right type of seller, or you have to pay a premium and buy used off a dealer lot where you can get some sort of 30-day warranty and a big-name to stand behind it.

[josephr]

Anybody have a 2001+ A4/A6/Passat or 2003+ Volvo V70/XC70 wagon they want to sell me?
/rant.

any $ you'll save buying a used XC70 will be spent on transmissions. My in-laws have bought three so far and they're not cheap!
Joe

[4Rings6Stars]

I'm guessing that if you want a car without any issues (or low probability of major issues) you either have to be patient until you find something from the right type of seller, or you have to pay a premium and buy used off a dealer lot where you can get some sort of 30-day warranty and a big-name to stand behind it.

Not looking for anything perfect. Just looking for a decent human being who is selling a decent car for a decent price. Seems that like lightweight/stiff/inexpensive bicycles, I can't get all three in one package.

[4Rings6Stars]

any $ you'll save buying a used XC70 will be spent on transmissions. My in-laws have bought three so far and they're not cheap!
Joe

From what I've read the trannies are a problem with the 2001-2002 models. That's why I am looking at 2003+. (Somebody please correct me if I am wrong)

Also, that's just my dream list of cars. Open to any other wagons or small SUVs that are quality and can be had in my price range. Unfortunately that list is small. And the one guy selling a CRV that seemed promising turned out to be a sociopath...

[donevwil]

Craigslist is a cesspool of bottom feeders, useful only if you're trying to get rid of or find stuff for free or next to free.

I've had a similar experience trying to sell a car. Good luck.

[MattTuck]

I just posted ads to try to sell my Yakima rack and a treadmill, both on craigslist. So far, no interest. In past experiences with craigslist, it definitely attracted an interesting mix of people.

The issue with craigslist for selling big dollar items (cars for example) is that these are generally not people who do transactions with any kind of regularity. It is mostly people trying to 'get a deal', and so the price discovery mechanism isn't so good.

[572cv]

Actually, I do .:)

But we're up in Vermont... It's an '04 A4 awd wagon, 6spd, w 148k on the clock. Has the good 1.8t engine. Very clean, and in your price range. The only real bad is rust that should be repaired at door bottoms, primarily on the passenger side. There is some surface rust at front fenders. It's my wife's car, and we recently lucked into her current dream car, hence reason for selling

But this isn't a car lot forum, so pm me and I'll give you my number and we can chat.

And Craigslist isn't that bad, but you do have to engage people to learn whether they are genuine. Lots of false starts on Craig's, but some great scores have been made there.

[bikinchris]

I recently sold a pickup truck. I was dreading the Craigslist thing. "I'll give you $200 for it." kind of doofus 'buyers' and such. Luckily, it sold an hour after I placed a for sale sign in the back window.

[mvrider]

Having sold 2 cars within the past 2 years, I can say that the other side can be frustrating as well.

One thing I learned: cash is king. The guy who bought my Subaru Outback XT came with $16k in $20 bills in his backpack. It was an interesting experience.

[Cameron]

...2003+ Volvo V70/XC70 wagon they want to sell me?
/rant.

any $ you'll save buying a used XC70 will be spent on transmissions. My in-laws have bought three so far and they're not cheap!
Joe

From what I've read the trannies are a problem with the 2001-2002 models. That's why I am looking at 2003+. (Somebody please correct me if I am wrong)



No correction needed -- you're right about the trouble years on the XC70s. The '01-'02s were the ones with a history of trans problems. 2003-2007 is for sure the way to go on an XC70. The '03-'07 also got a slightly updated, more powerful engine. The '01-'02 is a 2.4L and the '03-'07 is a 2.5L.

I think you're going to have trouble finding an '03+ for $5K or less though. Unless it has some nagging repair/maintenance issues or over 200K miles or both.

[djdj]

So what is the best method to sell a used car? Classifieds? I haven't sold one in several years, but I'll be selling my 2002 Cooper S soon. I'm in the DC area.

[ergott]

Shame. I just sold my 03 Civic for $3200. I actually was the original owner, 86k miles, stick, EX with sunroof. Even sold the Thule rack with two bike carriers with it.

Sold right at the end of my driveway, no ads placed. 4 days no less.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[stien]

I love car forums. Get tight into one and you'll find what you're looking for. Did it with my miata. I just passed on a cheap cheap one that needs some work if you want one of those. Local.

[thwart]

Well, from a seller's perspective…

Sold my 2000 A4 in 18 hrs on CL last summer, and had to turn away another buyer with money in hand. I take care of my cars, but it was due for a timing belt change and needed an ABS sensor… still sold for exactly twice the amount I was offered on a trade-in.

Same story with my wife's Honda Odyssey. Sold in a day, again for twice trade-in offer, using CL.

So hang in there. There are some reputable (well, maybe… ;)) folks selling.

[stien]

Also I sold my '12 Impreza and a couple miatas on CL without issue. PPI and you'll be fine.

[IFRider]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/indicaps/The%20Big%20Lebowski/LEBOWSKI-538.jpg

The Dude would abide ...


One thing I learned: cash is king. The guy who bought my Subaru Outback XT came with $16k in $20 bills in his backpack. It was an interesting experience.

[THE ARS]

...Anybody have a 2001+ A4/A6/Passat or 2003+ Volvo V70/XC70 wagon they want to sell me?
/rant.

:no:

Terrible choices for someone on a budget, even if you can do your own work.

Look for an old full frame American car or a Camry, Accord, Civic, Corrolla.

If you want an appliance, buy one that is reliable.

[4Rings6Stars]

:no:

Terrible choices for someone on a budget, even if you can do your own work.

Look for an old full frame American car or a Camry, Accord, Civic, Corrolla.

If you want an appliance, buy one that is reliable.

I want something I will enjoy driving. I just don't need something that will be dead on reliable because I will only be driving it once or twice a week and rarely ever when I really need to rely on it (commuting, etc.). I commute by train and take my bike most places that are close. Just that now that I live in the suburbs every once in a while I actually need a car and can't just grab a zip car.

I have had Audis in the past and know what I am in for...

That being said, if I could get a Camry or Accord wagon I would be all for it. But they don't exist. And a Toyota Matrix is a few grand more than a comparable year/condition Passat or A4...I would rather buy the A4 and spend a few grand maintaining it than spend a few grand more up front and have a reliable/cheap to fix but soulless Toyota with cheap interior bits, cloth seats, and 125 hp.

[Ken Robb]

I just sold my 2004 330i ZHP in 12 hours to the first guy who looked at it via Craig's List.

Have you checked CarMax? They have a separate area for cars too old or high mileage for their usual warranty but they do check them pretty thoroughly before they buy them.

[stien]

I don't see the allure of the Audi's and volvos as well. Hell to maintain. I've driven volvos and didn't find them more fun to drive. My v6 quad cam 5 speed 1993 Camry SE, there was a beast. There were luxury edition Japanese cars. If I had to buy from that part of the world it would be a TDI or nothing IMO.

[SlackMan]

I've had very good luck selling cars (and other stuff) on CL, and I would like to think I was a good seller. I think you just need to stick with and be patient for the good seller.

[Wilkinson4]

Bought a used Jeep Rubicon off CL late last year. I was worried but it was super smooth. No issues, solid deal and a fun vehicle.

mIKE

[kramnnim]

Try VWVortex and the Audi/Volvo equivalent forums?

[Louis]

Also I sold my '12 Impreza and a couple miatas on CL without issue. PPI and you'll be fine.

Why did you sell the Impreza so soon after buying it?

I've been kicking myself for not buying a WRX - my plain-Jane '14 hatchback is pretty boring, which is why I got the Alfa.

[texbike]

I've had decent success in both buying and selling cars with CL. Keep in mind that CL is only a tool and it's important to know how to use it.

From a buyer's perspective, know what you're looking for and be educated as much as you can about potential trouble spots on specific cars. Search "for sale by owner" only. Also, don't be afraid to post a WTB ad that spells out specifically what you are looking for and the price range that you want to pay. There is going to be a certain percentage of freaks and crooks on CL as it's nothing more than a microcosm of life in general. However, reasonable deals can be found if you're patient.

Outside of CL, I'd suggest contacting specialists in your area that work on and potentially resell the specific vehicles that you're looking for. They may have cars for sale or know of some that are.

Good luck with your search. I'd be happy to keep an eye out down here for you if you're interested in making a trip to Texas for a car.

Texbike

[paredown]

From what I've read the trannies are a problem with the 2001-2002 models. That's why I am looking at 2003+. (Somebody please correct me if I am wrong)

Also, that's just my dream list of cars. Open to any other wagons or small SUVs that are quality and can be had in my price range. Unfortunately that list is small. And the one guy selling a CRV that seemed promising turned out to be a sociopath...
The guys at Matthews Volvo site tend to think 2004+ are the better years, but the real issues with the transmissions seemed to be 2001-2002.

(I was looking at a local one that is a 2006 that has the valve body problem, so I was reading up on how hard it was to repair).

[dave thompson]

Too bad you're on the right coast. Our '04 V70 will be offered next few weeks in preparation for our move to Mexico this fall.

[paredown]

I posted a thread a while back about my potential car purchase. With the amount of miles I will probably be putting on it (maybe 5k a year?) I decided it wasn't worth it to spend a bunch or have a monthly payment. Instead I decided to spend $5k or less on something older but still decent.

What a nightmare it has been!

I think I need to up my budget or just give up. I am having such a hard time with people flaking / lying / being creepy / not responding then re-posting the ad...

One car I test drove and really liked it but had a few questions and needed to do a little research. Pulled the carfax to find the guy was lying to me flat out---he said one owner and it was on numero 4...

Another guy I called and asked if I could set up a time to come see it. We agreed on a time, he asked me to call 30 minutes before to confirm and he would give me the address. I rearranged my night, borrowed a car, then called him....he never answered. Tried a few more times...no answer but it went to voicemail after only a few rings (assume he was just hitting end call). I figured it was sold and he felt bad and didn't want to tell me. Then I see 30 minutes later he reposted the ad!!! He reposted it again the next day...I called again, no answer.

Twice I have called on cars listed as for sale by owner to find out that it was a dealer / guy who sells used cars on the side who picked them up from auction and "refurbished" them. One of those ads said "all scheduled maintenance has been performed as recommended". I asked him how he knew that if he bought it at auction and he said from the carfax. Okay fine...I asked if he could send it to me. No response, won't answer his phone.

Anybody have a 2001+ A4/A6/Passat or 2003+ Volvo V70/XC70 wagon they want to sell me?
/rant.
What is it that the kids say--low signal to noise ratio. On the NYC CL--probably 9 out of 10 'For Sale by Owner' are curbstoners, since the regulation of the used car market through dealers is fairly tight. Between them and the spam posts it is barely useable. For a while I would spend 15 minutes a day ratting out the obvious dealers in the FSBO section, but that got old pretty fast.

I ended up buying the worst Volvo ever, so I'm not much help--but I did decide to concentrate on neighborhoods where people drive decent cars, and watch closely for private sales where it is actually the real owner selling it--so for me, that was Northern New Jersey.

The best economics article I read was by a guy named Akerlof--it was called 'The Market for Lemons' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Market_for_Lemons)--arguing that if you have a car of average to good quality, you will tend to sell it privately where people will believe your certification of its quality, while the public market will tend to only have average to worse quality vehicles trading...

So the real answer is to find a friend who is selling their car, and who has maintained it religiously....

Edit to add: Like Dave's in the preceding thread! Maybe buy the Mulholland too, if it is still for sale!! Road trip!!!

[carpediemracing]

I sold my beloved Civic VX and the big white van on CL, the van last year, the Civic I think the same year? Prior to that I sold a car on Bargain News, but that was in 1998 or something ridiculously long ago like that.

I found that in the Fairfield County area a lot of the listings were by flippers who had a lot of cars. The titles wouldn't match their name "selling for a friend" and I realized that the phone numbers were the same for a bunch of the cars. I drove one so it wasn't like the car didn't exist (a different scam) but the same guy had at least a few cars listed, all owned by someone else officially. I think he doesn't register them so it skips an ownership count? Is that possible?

Anyway I think you need to feel out the sellers. There are normal/honest ones out there. Remember, the cars listed are there to sell. I personally wanted to get rid of the cars and for me anything was better than nothing. I also disclosed everything I could because karma.

It might make sense to poke around different areas of CL, meaning maybe some suburb towns, to see if there's less static in the ads. For example in the Hartford area there's a pretty big low price bike section. I looked down where my dad lives and not much there of anything. In Tampa, FL (where we visit grandparents) there are a ton of bikes, so much so I almost bought one down there to leave at their house.

Good luck with the car hunt.

[Louis]

Here's something fun (and FS in Boston)

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/327129-1992-alfa-romeo-164s-black-black.html


1992 Alfa Romeo 164S, black/black
I am having very hard time deciding if I should sell my beloved Alfa. Still a big fan but looking into classic Alfa soon. Lots of money, time and love was devoted in this Alfa. You can find lots of history from PO and myself on this forum. It is in really good working and appearance condition, with current 165K miles.
1992 Alfa Romeo 164S, 12V, 5-speed manual
Fuel pressure and fuel pump short hose (tank dive) is done,
Several new sensors of different kind are replaced,
Recent Spark plugs, wires, dizzy cap,
Recent Serpentine Belt. (Timing belt was done some 12K miles ago),
New Exhaust gaskets all around,
New O2 sensor,
Great rubbers & great looking Euro Sigma wheels,
Euro Headlights,
Euro fog lights,
Very rare Euro steering wheel (Lenkrad),
Undercoated for rust protection,
Magnaflow muffler,
Tight front and rear suspension (rear has adjustable yellow Konis).
ABS sensor is in need of replacement (I will include the part). AC does kicks in but needs recharging. Small area around rear jacks have some rust, and very small bubble rust at one rear quarter (barely visible). Speedo sensor is acting up (I will include the part).

It is a very reliable and great looking Alfa for which I keep receiving a lots of compliments. Car is registered, just passed state inspection and always ready to roll. Both interior and exterior is in great shape. Pictures says it all.
Price is firm at $4500.

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachments/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/568345d1403546177-1992-alfa-romeo-164s-black-black-alfa-164_1.jpg

[LJohnny]

Buying a car on CL is a whole different ballpark than selling one. For either transaction, you'll encounter flakes.
When we were shopping for cars about 2yrs ago, we tried CL and we had a somewhat similar experience. Lots of fishy cars in mediocre condition advertised in way better terms, deceiving. On the other hand, trying dealerships with good rep and "certified" used cars resulted in probably $1.5-2K lower compared to a new car. So we went with the new car...

In '08 I sold a car on CL and had a great experience. Of course you have to filter lots of lowball offers from actual dealerships that are out there buying. All in all, we got around $2.5K more than what Carmax offered us. AND we still sold it way under blue book value, as we were heading overseas and wanted a quick sale. (Can I say Carmax really lowballed us?)

[4Rings6Stars]

Here's something fun (and FS in Boston)

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/327129-1992-alfa-romeo-164s-black-black.html



http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachments/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/568345d1403546177-1992-alfa-romeo-164s-black-black-alfa-164_1.jpg

Funny you should mention that. My uncle had (actually still has) a red one very similar that he had taken off the road about a year before I got my license. I wanted it so bad and asked him for it a dozen times but he kept saying it wasn't a good car for a kid and that he was planning to restore it some day. Flash forward 9 years and it's still sitting in his driveway rotting away.


Also, I have decided that if I'm getting a car it has to be a wagon (or small SUV). It's not 100% rational, but that's what I want.

[pbarry]

Funny you should mention that. My uncle had (actually still has) a red one very similar that he had taken off the road about a year before I got my license. I wanted it so bad and asked him for it a dozen times but he kept saying it wasn't a good car for a kid and that he was planning to restore it some day. Flash forward 9 years and it's still sitting in his driveway rotting away.


Also, I have decided that if I'm getting a car it has to be a wagon (or small SUV). It's not 100% rational, but that's what I want.

Full adult status is conveyed with the post above, despite the audi fetish. :)

[velotrack]

Anyone ever go see a car, from a seemingly serious seller, only for him to tell you it has a salvage title? Yep, that's craigslist. Ostensibly minor problems, in truth major issues that make the car not close to listed.

On the flip side, there are some cool guys out there. There are.

[buddybikes]

I am an old saab guy, the 9-5 wagons are great - 3 bikes - 3 kayaks - 3 people - week's vacation. Pick up dirt cheap now they are out of business. Haven't had issue with parts there are a number of aftermarket vendors.

[Gummee]

And Craigslist isn't that bad, but you do have to engage people to learn whether they are genuine. Lots of false starts on Craig's, but some great scores have been made there.
I managed to find an 02 Focus hatch with 69k on it for ~3k on CL DC. Effectively 1 owner. Dad 'sold' it to his son. I bought it from the son.

It needs some TLC, but overall, mid-30s mpg-wise isn't too bad for a 12 year old car

M

[DerekG]

I'm having the same problem.
I am looking for basically the same vehicle. I would prefer a Subaru Imprezza or Legacy wagon but they are so hard to find. The only ones on CL are either flakes, salvage titles or some punk kid that has hacked it up.
Used dealers are not trust worthy so it seems I'll just have to be patient and try to find a friend of a friend or something...
Good Luck!

[stien]

I know a Subaru shop in the RI MA area that has good deals on great cars. If that's close for you.

[daker13]

I know a Subaru shop in the RI MA area that has good deals on great cars. If that's close for you.

I'm in RI and in the market for a new car: please share.

[stien]

I'm in RI and in the market for a new car: please share.
Craig @ The Subaru Shop
(401) 439-0106

He has a few cars. Tell him Alex sent you.

I also have a buddy on the Cape who is selling a very sick jetta wagon TDI with a golf nose. Super pimped out. Good shape. He has his own shop as well.

[brockd15]

I just went through this process recently myself. Since I commute 36 miles round trip 5 days a week (that in itself is a mistake that needs to be corrected), I decided to replace my 14mpg truck with something more reasonable.

It took about a month of solid looking on CL and dealer websites, and I ran into a lot of the things you've been dealing with, but eventually I found a reasonably priced car that was well taken care of from a private owner that was a normal guy. It took a lot of patience but now I'm set for years, so definitely worth it.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

I bought 2 our of my last 3 cars from criagslist. Both of them have been great a 120k mile honda accord from a little old lady and a 99 4runner from a mechanic both transactions resulted in good cars for what I wanted to pay. I even re sold the honda on craigslist along with a BWM 3 Series with no real problems. I just made sure any buyer I talked to understood that it was cash and carry and the first person to put money in my hand got the car.

[Ken Robb]

One of my favorite journalists is Peter Egan who writes for "Road and Track" and "Cycle World". While he always has a couple of "fun" cars he usually has a "Winter beater" since home in Wisconsin. He and some of his pals have got great cheap service buying old GM cars with the venerable 3.8 liter V-6. @5 mpg, cushy ride, lots of amenities, cheap upkeep. I saw an ad in local paper today for an estate sale for a 1990 Buick with 50,000 miles for $3500. Not sporty but sporty cars that aren't dependable wouldn't be fun for me as my only car.

[4Rings6Stars]

One of my favorite journalists is Peter Egan who writes for "Road and Track" and "Cycle World". While he always has a couple of "fun" cars he usually has a "Winter beater" since home in Wisconsin. He and some of his pals have got great cheap service buying old GM cars with the venerable 3.8 liter V-6. @5 mpg, cushy ride, lots of amenities, cheap upkeep. I saw an ad in local paper today for an estate sale for a 1990 Buick with 50,000 miles for $3500. Not sporty but sporty cars that aren't dependable wouldn't be fun for me as my only car.

I am all set on old American cars. Growing up my parents had a series of Ford/Chevy jalopies and I would be happy to never see one again.

My wife will be getting a new or CPO Subaru Forester in the near future so this will not be our only car. Just something I can use to drive to work on the occasional Saturday during my busy season when the train schedule is terrible, load with muddy people and cross bikes in the fall, drive myself to soccer games on Monday nights when she is working... I know an older European wagon is probably foolish and not the wisest way to spend money and I accept that, but I like them.

[Louis]

cheap upkeep

Cheap, but frequent upkeep.

I've decided that I prefer spending a bit more up front but way fewer failures on the back end. (and better gas mileage)

[4Rings6Stars]

Just to close the loop on this...

I bought the exact car I wanted from an awesome seller today.

Shout out to forum member 572CV and his lovely wife. Couldn't have asked for a better transaction. Spent a long time in the car today but it was more than worth it.

Now look at this picture long and hard and see if you can finally make sense of my forum handle...

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/telepciaka/A0311F96-6BFF-4166-9E9D-2B1773D4C895_zpss0dhnnec.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/telepciaka/media/A0311F96-6BFF-4166-9E9D-2B1773D4C895_zpss0dhnnec.jpg.html)

[Ken Robb]

Cheap, but frequent upkeep.

I've decided that I prefer spending a bit more up front but way fewer failures on the back end. (and better gas mileage)


I don't think these American cars require frequent repairs compared to most European cars. My 2004 BMW got new reaction rod bushings every 30-40,000 miles, new radiator, water pump, thermostat and housing, steering rack, 4 sets of pads and rotors, 3 window regulators @ $250 each in addition to "regular" maintenance in the 111,000 miles i drove it from new. When I sold it last week it still drove like new. I guess it should have. :-)

My pal's VW Jetta TDI needed a new tranny at 103,000 miles. It was out of warranty by 3,000 miles but since he had done all recommended maintenance VW split the bill with him so he only had to shell out $3500.

[Louis]

I don't think these American cars require frequent repairs compared to most European cars.

Agreed, but neither are as reliable as the Japanese. (at least in my experience)

[pbarry]

Check out GSA auctions. Usually stupid low miles for the year(s). Mostly truck or truck-like vehicles, but there are plenty of sedans on there.

[572cv]

Glad to see you made it home safe and sound. Thanks for the kind words, we're glad to see the Audi has such fine new owners. It was fun to meet 4rings6stars and his lovely wife! And yes, I get the handle....unlike mine, tough to get in a single pic!

The paceline is a real community, albeit one with scattered members. It is great to be able to share in one more building block in that community. Best of luck with the car!

[Ken Robb]

Agreed, but neither are as reliable as the Japanese. (at least in my experience)
Last week we bought a new Mazda 3 S Touring sedan.:)