Carvana
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 45
From: Ridgefield, Washington
Carvana
I am looking at 2012, 2013 Grand Sports on Carvana. I am a little nutty about rock chips and have repainted the front bumper on my 2006 Base Model several times as well as having added clear bra.
Carvana shows photos of what they consider "paint imperfections'. To those of you who have purchased off of Carvana or who have direct knowledge, would this include rock chips in the bumper, hood or front fenders? Is Carvana usually very accurate in their description of paint and interior.
I don't want to buy a car that looks great in the pictures only to discover I need to make an appointment at the paint shop.
Thank you for any information or experiences you can share on this subject.
Tom
Carvana shows photos of what they consider "paint imperfections'. To those of you who have purchased off of Carvana or who have direct knowledge, would this include rock chips in the bumper, hood or front fenders? Is Carvana usually very accurate in their description of paint and interior.
I don't want to buy a car that looks great in the pictures only to discover I need to make an appointment at the paint shop.
Thank you for any information or experiences you can share on this subject.
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 824
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From: Fort Worth Texas
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
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I have sold 2 cars to Carvana, but never bought one. I will say that they give you a valuation based solely on your answers to a few questions, and if you state there is no damage, they do not ask for pictures or any supporting documentation. Both times they showed up to pick up the car with check in hand, and the driver didn't really even look the car over. I was very surprised. That being said, I could easily see there being blemishes on the car that would be completely fine for most used car buyers, that would not be acceptable to most Corvette owners. My personal opinion is that Carvana is also quite expensive. I would look for a private party sale or local trade in. There are plenty of pristine garage queens to be found with a little patience.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,081
Likes: 1,592
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Paint imperfections could include anything and everything concerning the paint. I would try to get close-up pics of the "paint imperfections" from Carvana. Just plan on repainting the front facia and maybe some other paint damage. Reflect the repairs in your offer and see what they come back with.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Algonquin, IL
I bought my GS from Carvana. It looked great in the pictures but the paint is not superb, and parts of it were repainted. There is overspray on the weatherstripping.
Honestly, I feel like I paid premium money for an average car, and I almost refused delivery, but mechanically it turned out to be solid and at the time there simply weren’t many others available, so I still have it. I bought and returned a pair of cars from CarMax before I ended up with this one. And I often wonder why I didn’t return it when I see how swirled and scratched and repainted it was.
So, yeah, the exact situation you are worried about is where I landed. The other Carvana problems like registration and plates and whatever, that was all super smooth. And, again, mechanically great, just cosmetic challenges. I think a repaint may be in my future.
Honestly, I feel like I paid premium money for an average car, and I almost refused delivery, but mechanically it turned out to be solid and at the time there simply weren’t many others available, so I still have it. I bought and returned a pair of cars from CarMax before I ended up with this one. And I often wonder why I didn’t return it when I see how swirled and scratched and repainted it was.
So, yeah, the exact situation you are worried about is where I landed. The other Carvana problems like registration and plates and whatever, that was all super smooth. And, again, mechanically great, just cosmetic challenges. I think a repaint may be in my future.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 45
From: Ridgefield, Washington
I really appreciate all of the replies that I have received. Thank you!
Knowing I am a little nutty about perfection and what I want, I think instead of dealing with all of these dealerships and looking at cars with 3 or 4 previous owners, I will calm down and start watching for those one-owner ads I see and pursue them. As we approach the fall time of year, I may even put a want-ad on this site and look for that one-owner car I can talk to about their experience with the car. I just need to remember patience.
Thank you all again for your comments. They have helped get me back on the right track.
Tom
Knowing I am a little nutty about perfection and what I want, I think instead of dealing with all of these dealerships and looking at cars with 3 or 4 previous owners, I will calm down and start watching for those one-owner ads I see and pursue them. As we approach the fall time of year, I may even put a want-ad on this site and look for that one-owner car I can talk to about their experience with the car. I just need to remember patience.
Thank you all again for your comments. They have helped get me back on the right track.
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,324
Likes: 6,507
From: Melbourne, FL
People here put too much stock into a one owner car. Condition is all that matters, a great condition car that's had 3 or 4 owners I better than a 1 owner car that sat outside, got blasted by sand, etc.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 123
Likes: 45
From: Ridgefield, Washington
I agree with every word you said, however...I would probably not be buying a car that sat outside being blasted by the sand.
And, a car with 3 or 4 previous owners, I can see what I can see regarding it's condition but cannot see how each owner treated the car. With one previous owner or possibly two, I can speak to that owner and learn a lot about how he cared and took care of the car.
And, a car with 3 or 4 previous owners, I can see what I can see regarding it's condition but cannot see how each owner treated the car. With one previous owner or possibly two, I can speak to that owner and learn a lot about how he cared and took care of the car.
Drifting
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 672
From: Lakeland, Florida
I agree with every word you said, however...I would probably not be buying a car that sat outside being blasted by the sand.
And, a car with 3 or 4 previous owners, I can see what I can see regarding it's condition but cannot see how each owner treated the car. With one previous owner or possibly two, I can speak to that owner and learn a lot about how he cared and took care of the car.
And, a car with 3 or 4 previous owners, I can see what I can see regarding it's condition but cannot see how each owner treated the car. With one previous owner or possibly two, I can speak to that owner and learn a lot about how he cared and took care of the car.
Usually the one owner cars are very well taken care of, but there's still no way to know exactly how the car was driven. There is risk (big or small) with any used car.
I looked for a Vette for a long time, looked at many different situations of cars (mileage, number of owners, condition, GMVIS reports, CarFax reports,..).
My current Grand Sport was a three owner car, and in Dallas, TX (I'm in Lakeland, FL) with 25k miles. The BMW dealership provided me excellent pictures (it looked brand new under the hood, interior, everywhere) and i had a 3rd party inspection conducted. I pulled the trigger and it still looks like it just came from the showroom floor. Another thing i learned , if you snooze you lose - if you hesitate on car you really like, chances are someone else is looking at that same car and will buy it if you don't. Best on your journey, let us know when you buy one and post pictures here !