- 1st thing 1st, I would not go 200 miles away to get a car from a small dealer who can't even tell you the history of the car.
- 150 miles is not my concern as long as I can see the service record and have good clean title.

Now go back to your buying need. I know what you mean and how you feel once you try out a car you want, then spend all your time to reserach that model, price...even give yourself a reason why you NEED another car
$200 to fix your focus? that's cheap and I will do it. As for needing another car, are you planning to keep that focus or sell it?

It happened to me all the time, every once a while when my other car need work, I said I need another ride, so I research, checking price... but couple weeks later, I don't want to buy it any more (especially when I think about how $ I need to pay)

 

Thanks for the response. We actually did get the Focus fixed up and back on the road so I'm over the "need" just not the "want" lol. I keep thinking it will go away but it hasn't and finding the car I want for increasingly cheaper prices isn't helping

If we did buy something we would sell the Focus, not likely to get more than $2k for it though... Last time I had it in the shop (well 2nd to last now) they mentioned it's burning anti-freeze, head gasket's going to go out soon. On top of that it needs a windshield and the ignition switch is going out (can't remove the key or it might not go back in). It's very likely that the car won't make it another year but then again who knows!

So, back to your 1st point, is there anything that would convince you to go for it?

 

I think I would say to you, what is your planned use for it? How many miles a year and how long will you keep it? I have no problem believing that you can get 300k from a properly cared for modern car. I have gotten close to that from several cars and that is my goal with my 09 Camry.

So that gives you 10 years at 15k a year for 300k. It is easy to justify a car when taken out over 10 years. It is the only way I could justify new over used for me personally. Paramount to all that is what kind of shape it is in and how it was cared for. The fact that you said it was a very nice car yet it had to go to auction at a discounted price to boot has me thinking maybe it is a turd in nice clothing. I wouldn't touch it without a trusted mechanic really going through it then maybe low ball them so you really get a great deal for the risk.

 

First off, love the pic in your signature! As a Vikings fan I'm required to hate the Packers :chug:

We generally keep our vehicles until they die... I believe we've had the Focus for 6 years and have put somewhere around 90k miles on it (those are both rough estimates though... oddly enough without planning I got right to your 15k/year mark though lol). We're a young(ish) family with 4 kids - 9, 9, 3, and 2. We're hard on cars to say the least! They generally get pretty trashed out after just a short period of time hauling kids around. We do have an Expedition that we use any time we all have to go somewhere but we still haul kids in the car from time to time (and would more often if it was a large car like the Avalon). That's one reason I wouldn't consider a new car currently and am a bit apprehensive to buy anything with a higher price tag (as we're very likely to destroy any resale value lol). I've really been looking at luxury-ish cars lately though and an unexpected raise this year (plus a pending payoff of the 401k loan we used to buy the Expedition in a couple months will free up even more money).

It sounds like I need to work these guys over for more information about the history before anything else. I sent them an email hoping they would get back to me but haven't heard anything, probably should just pick up the phone but don't like messing with that kind of stuff at work. After that I would definitely need to have a mechanic look at it, not sure how to find a "trusted" one 200 miles away though lol. What would be a low-ball price on this? It seems like I'm already there but maybe that's relative since they went to $11k so easily lol.

 

I guess i got lucky on mine. I just picked up a 06 Limited back in December with 78K on it for 12K plus taxes of course.

But yeah the mileage isnt the biggest issue its a matter of maintenance

 

I would not buy ANY vehicle with 150K on the clock. Everything does wear out... even Toyotas. A high mileage 6 year old very complicated vehicle can be a money pit.

 

I agree with this. I would never pay anywhere near that much for any vehicle with that many miles especially if it came from an auction..

 

Now... if this was a beater second car for three grand, it might be different, but 12 grand is a bunch of cash to pile into a 150K car. For not much more, you could buy a decent entry level NEW car.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I *may* be getting over the urge finally... probably not though lol. I've been looking for someone to help me justify it but so far of all the people I've asked about it everyone says it's a bad idea

 

Miles dont scare me. I'd rather have a car with 150k highway than 80k of all city. Its much easier on the car. My truck has 170k, my dad's suburban has over 225k on the clock. You replace the wear items as they wear out, none of them I would call money pits. If its well maintained I really wouldnt worry about 150k. My avalon is an 07 and I will be hitting 100k this week.

 

I have to say I would be kind of in in the middle on that one. I have 83k on my 09 right now and I put 40k a year on my 97 Sonoma with no real problems (fuel pump) for a long time. It sits alot now so it did develop some issues, but it is paid for long ago and I don't see getting rid of it barring a bad wreck or something.


Miles don't scare me, but miles on an unknown vehicle with an unknown maintenance history do scare me, hence the get it cheap advice.


14k to 17k seems to be about right according to ebay for what that is worth. http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Tr..._catref=1&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_fln=1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m282

They all had less miles though.

I would give it some, time if you still got the hots for it in a month and it is still there, make him an offer say 7-8k? I really don't know that might tick them off but I know they just about double the price at least according to a couple of friends that have worked in the new and used car biz.

 

Allow me to clarify my previous post. I would not buy a 150K car for big money, but I would probably trust one with 150K that I had driven for a long time. Knowing exactly what you have and what maintenance it has had is important.

Buying a 150K used car is tricky.

 

Quick update, I talked to the sellers again today and they're going to try to dig up some more information on the history. Their story is that the bigger dealers in the cities don't like to mess with high mileage vehicles so they just send them to auction. Sounds reasonable but then again it's a car salesman... lol. Good news for me is they actually called me and left a voicemail for me today = they may be willing to come down on it more after all

 

Quick update, I talked to the sellers again today and they're going to try to dig up some more information on the history. Their story is that the bigger dealers in the cities don't like to mess with high mileage vehicles so they just send them to auction. Sounds reasonable but then again it's a car salesman... lol. Good news for me is they actually called me and left a voicemail for me today = they may be willing to come down on it more after all

Not just big dealers, even in my small city of 40k the Toyota dealer does this. When it was bought at auction they got it very cheap. They have a lot of room to come down but they have to try to unload it at a high price first. They could make up the information they give you though. It would be best if you could contact the previous owner and get the real facts but it is unlikely you could find that information. You know the dealer will tell you it was all highway miles driven by a little old lady and serviced every 3k miles.

 

Bet you end up needing 3 new cats. easy way to spend a couple grand. garbage design

 

All you need is the vehicle identification number...take that number or call your local toyota dealer with it and ask them to run you a national service history report. If you go there and your dealer is a "GOOD" one, they should print it off for you...tell them you are looking to buy it and are curious about its history due to the high mileage. :thumbsup:

 

All you need is the vehicle identification number...take that number or call your local toyota dealer with it and ask them to run you a national service history report. If you go there and your dealer is a "GOOD" one, they should print it off for you...tell them you are looking to buy it and are curious about its history due to the high mileage. :thumbsup:

I think that will only show up if the vehicle was serviced by Toyota.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking that about only if dealer serviced too but it's worth a try. Worst case they don't have any info on it, best they have full service records.

Only problem is the nearest dealer is 50 miles away lol. I'll give them a call, see if they'll help me out though (and if not try a couple others near me).


I think the seller's going to get me a carfax report but I haven't heard back from them yet. Gonna give them a day and call again if I don't hear anything. My strong desire for something new is waning a bit, and specific criteria of an Avalon only is dimming slightly as well. I started looking at other (entry level and up) luxury sedans I could get in my price range so I'm not as stuck on this specific car any more. I'd still probably go for it if I can find out the history and get the price down a bit more though

The problem I'm running into with the other cars I've looked at (Hyundai Azera, Infiniti G35x/M35x, Lexus ES330, etc) is that the fuel economy isn't as good as the Avalon

 

If you can get the VIN from the selling dealer go here

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home

Create your user account and plug in the VIN of the car. If it has any toyota service history it will pop up electronically on that website and you wont have to go to the dealer. In researching buying a second new Avalon I did this with one that really looked too good to be true. It was a gen 2 with about 100K miles, but the price tag was under where it should have been for any comparable car. Turns out by checking the Toyota site the engine had been replaced with a used engine of unknown mileage....so I decided against it. It will give you the info you seek if there is any to be had from Toyota.

Jeff

 

Thanks for the tip! The sales guy actually just sent me something similar from what appears to be their local Toyota dealership but it's not formatted very well and I'd rather see it for myself. Based on what they sent the previous owner either only changed their oil twice or very rarely had it done at a Toyota dealership lol. I do now know that the recalls have been done on it though.

Another thing I got from the history report is a dealership that did most of the service on the vehicle, any chance they'll be able to get me in touch with the previous owner? I'm going to give them a ring and find out

If you can get the VIN from the selling dealer go here

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home

Create your user account and plug in the VIN of the car. If it has any toyota service history it will pop up electronically on that website and you wont have to go to the dealer. In researching buying a second new Avalon I did this with one that really looked too good to be true. It was a gen 2 with about 100K miles, but the price tag was under where it should have been for any comparable car. Turns out by checking the Toyota site the engine had been replaced with a used engine of unknown mileage....so I decided against it. It will give you the info you seek if there is any to be had from Toyota.

Jeff

 

Fuel economy....

As for the other vehicles you mentioned I can't attest for those, but the Avalon I can. Our 06 Limited averages 27-29 on the highway and approximately 23 in the city.

 

Called the dealership but they won't give me any information. They did say that it was owned by a business (red flag?) but wouldn't give me the name. They took my name and number and are supposedly going to have the business call me. I'm not holding my breath though.

An interesting note from the vehicle history, on 8/4/2009 it already had 120k miles on it. Not sure if that means anything or not, just thought it was interesting.

 

PM sent...


May mean that it was some sort of "fleet" vehicle.

 

Keep shopping/negotiating...you can find a better deal. I bought my '07 Touring over 2 years ago from a dealer and it had 121k on it. I paid $11k. I owner, highway miles (sales job)...no issues so far. The miles don't scare me on your deal I just think you can get it for less.

 

Thanks for the advice. Anyone have input on what price point I should be targeting?

 

Hmm. Quick update. The salesman's done a complete 180... I had just gotten done saying that based on the service history, and it being a business on the service account at the dealership, I was guessing it was some sort of fleet vehicle. He started to say that was possible when someone else there - who had been listening in on the conversation - started chiming in that it was a single owner tradein from an old guy that had bought it brand new. That doesn't line up at all with what the service history though and is more than just a little "fishy". They're supposedly going to get me in touch with the previous owner, if that happens I guess I'll go from there. I did talk price with them a bit but they aren't moving much off that $11k price. I told them I was thinking more like $9k and he didn't even come back with a counter, just said no way. He said if it was like $300 he wouldn't lose the sale on it but not $2k more.

 

not sure why you got so attached to that specific Avalon from that lot.
It takes time to find the right car (at the right price), just wait and I am sure you will find a better one

 

The reason I'm hung up on it is that I grew attached to the Avalon in general but can't (perhaps shouldn't is more appropriate) spend that much on a car right now. I can get this one for $4k less than any other Avalon I've found for sale in my area which really puts it within reach for me

 

$12k is pure high-retail on that car.
Dealer probably bought it for around $9k OR LESS since that's wholesale.
(( Look on Edmunds, three figures, from left to right in reality they are Wholesale // Retail // High Retail ))
You want to shoot for Wholesale price + a couple hundred profit for them;
Get your $$$ in order,
set up a loan with bank IN ADVANCE,
then go shopping.

Don't whine, and ASK them to kick you
by begging them to lower their price;
make your offer, and then stick to it.

"Too low Mr.Dealer??
"No problem, it's OK,
"I have two other dealers with the same car to visit today"

Get up and begin to walk out,
the price will fall so fast it will make your head swim.

Offer them $9,000 cash
- the day after your mechanic inspects it,
and car is satisfactory to you.

Now you can go UP to say $9157, and wind up at $9512 or so.

Do not shop on Saturday or Friday night!
You want to do your negotiating at the END OF THE MONTH,
when salesmen either need to make quota,
or it they already have, will make big $$ on any overage sale,
even one with minimum profit.

Fight Hard, get a good deal, & keep lots more of you $$ in your pocket.

Good Luck

 

$12k is pure high-retail on that car.
Dealer probably bought it for around $9k OR LESS since that's wholesale.
(( Look on Edmunds, three figures, from left to right in reality they are Wholesale // Retail // High Retail ))
You want to shoot for Wholesale price + a couple hundred profit for them;
Get your $$$ in order,
set up a loan with bank IN ADVANCE,
then go shopping.

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'm looking at something wrong but when I put this car into Edmunds true market value I get:

Tradein: $11,571
Private Party: $12,932
Dealer: $14,488

Does that put me ~$600 below the value you mentioned already without negotiating another couple hundred off?

I have already pursued financing through PenFed (I actually joined just for this, and while I was at it got their credit card) - their current 5-year car loan is 2.5% - so I've got that part covered.

 

I got an 07 TUndra Double Cab for 15K (retailed at over 22,500) and it was a fully loaded SR-5. It had one owner and had 51900 on the odometer. I ran a Carfax and it was purchased and serviced at the Toyota dealer. Within a few months, I replaced the tires (originally had BF Goodrich). I flushed the engine, changed out the original battery, washed it, three step waxing process and power steam cleaned carpet and all seatsVOILA. New truck and you've never think it was used. If you can find something with a little less than 100K, you might just be able to get an extended warranty through some place like Costco. I did for about 2000.00..for my Avalon after the original warranty ran out. It covers just about everything except wear and tear. You don't have to do that, but I got an '05 and it was the first model year for the 3 generation. NEVER get the first model year on any make until the work out the bugs/gremlins. Nonetheless, you can detail that car, have ALL the fluids changed out, struts changed out at about 100K (thats about the max you'll get on the best (Tokico and Bilstein shocks/struts) Set a priority and go from there and once you get all the all serviced and to where you feel comfortable. This car and many others, will last well past 200K miles. Cars cost just by simply turning the key.

 

You mentioned PenFed...is that Pentagon Federal C.U? if you're eligible you may want to try USAA.

 

Yeah but I used the donation method to join. For others following along Pentagon Federal Credit Union is a credit union for military families. They offer some really attractive financing options (the 2.5% on a 5-year used auto loan is their standard advertised rate, 2% on a 4-year as well... I haven't looked into their mortgage rates yet but plan to) . To be eligible you have to be in the military, work for the government, be directly related to someone in the military (something like that), OR give a 1-time $15 donation to some organization that supports military families. That's the one I chose

I looked a bit and it sounds like anyone can join USAA currently but non-military can't get access to some of their products (insurance mostly?). I did check out their auto loan page but it mentions member-only rates as low as 3.25% on used cars which would be great if I hadn't gotten used to seeing 2.5% at PenFed