CarFax Cheapskates
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Fountain hills AZ
CarFax Cheapskates
I see request - now stopped and wonder about simple logic. When I was buying my Vette, I purchased Carfax service for $25 and checked every car. Good thing as I found a Lemon Law Car that had been transported to AZ from California. It was a nice car until I read that report and I walked away.
Isn't $25 cheap insurance when spending thousands on an unknown car from an unknown buyer? I would classify dealers as the riskiest since they often pick these cars up at auction. At least Carfax will tell you where the car is from and its Registration trail - including mileage. Anything else it picks up is a bonus.
Isn't $25 cheap insurance when spending thousands on an unknown car from an unknown buyer? I would classify dealers as the riskiest since they often pick these cars up at auction. At least Carfax will tell you where the car is from and its Registration trail - including mileage. Anything else it picks up is a bonus.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
It should still be considered a tool...it's only as good as the information that's put into the database. I used it to buy my '04 Z16 and provided a report to the buyer who's interested in my '96 Impala SS. It doesn't replace a personal/professional inspection or service history through GM.
There have been people who've complained that some body shops, repair shops, etc don't report to CARFAX so some repairs could go unreported.
There have been people who've complained that some body shops, repair shops, etc don't report to CARFAX so some repairs could go unreported.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Before I bought my Vette, I got the 30 day unlimited Carfax. Great tool. After I bought my car, I still had 20 days left, so I don't mind helping someone else out. No reason to let those 20 days go to waste.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
cause its a rip if you only want to check one car, and a good deal with you want to check a mess of them.
Thats why people ask others to do it for them. If the individual pulls were a lot less compared to the unlimited, them maybe we would see a decline in requests.
Thats why people ask others to do it for them. If the individual pulls were a lot less compared to the unlimited, them maybe we would see a decline in requests.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
CAUTION:
CarFax IS NOT a cure all informational history of many vehicles.
Example - accidents NOT reported, or paid for by insurance company's WILL NOT show.
Example - same as above, but the vehicle was repaired at "Down the Street Auto FixIt"
Example - history of accident is NOT reported by the repair shop, and/or insurance company (this happens a LOT).
Etc., etc., etc.
Relying completely on CarFax is like going to the crap table and placing a bet and not waiting to see what the rolled dice came up with
CarFax IS NOT a cure all informational history of many vehicles.
Example - accidents NOT reported, or paid for by insurance company's WILL NOT show.
Example - same as above, but the vehicle was repaired at "Down the Street Auto FixIt"
Example - history of accident is NOT reported by the repair shop, and/or insurance company (this happens a LOT).
Etc., etc., etc.
Relying completely on CarFax is like going to the crap table and placing a bet and not waiting to see what the rolled dice came up with
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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It should still be considered a tool...it's only as good as the information that's put into the database. I used it to buy my '04 Z16 and provided a report to the buyer who's interested in my '96 Impala SS. It doesn't replace a personal/professional inspection or service history through GM.
There have been people who've complained that some body shops, repair shops, etc don't report to CARFAX so some repairs could go unreported.
There have been people who've complained that some body shops, repair shops, etc don't report to CARFAX so some repairs could go unreported.
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