Buying a buyback car on Saturday (questions)
#21
Burning Brakes
yes, or check with the local better business organization
#22
Instructor
Thread Starter
I understand. The main problem is that most owners want more for their used car than a new one would cost. There were deals for $43,000 in December and over 90% of used cars are around that price.
Last edited by Bronsonf; 02-14-2018 at 09:48 PM.
#23
Melting Slicks
Are you sure it isn’t a Harvey flood car ? I know you said it was a buy back but sounds fishy to me that GM bought it back for a seatbelt issue . I would find the former owners names , try to locate them and then I would call them — my 82 Corvette that I bought in 1988, I found the owners name in paperwork left in the glovebox. I jotted the name down and searched and located the previous owner. I called them up to see why they sold the Corvette then I bought the car after talking to the owner. Maybe you can do the same as it’s even easier to research and find people’s information using the internet now!
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Skid Row Joe (02-15-2018)
#24
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And why would you even consider buying a buyback car? BTW, it’s called a LEMON.
Do you seriously believe GM bought a car back for a seat issue! Another hint is this car has had 3 owners already. That would make me very suspicious.
As for me, I would never buy a buyback car even at a steep discount.
Run.....
Do you seriously believe GM bought a car back for a seat issue! Another hint is this car has had 3 owners already. That would make me very suspicious.
As for me, I would never buy a buyback car even at a steep discount.
Run.....
Lemon doesn't always mean lemon when it comes to a car that was turned back in, the previous owner may have been an A$$hole that couldn't be satisfied in any shape form. By not looking, not doing your due diligence you may pass up the best deal of your life.
Bill
#25
Racer
Any GM dealer should be able to give you the history from the VIN. If one doesn't go to the next one down the street.
Honestly, I have seen buy back cars and issues like "seat belt" to me are more like "buyer's remorse". They bitched to GM to get out of a loan they couldn't afford or a wife who drove them crazy. If the GM VIN check shows this reason also, you may be OK. But be sure to budget some $$ for the unforeseen issues or you may be looking for owner #5.
Honestly, I have seen buy back cars and issues like "seat belt" to me are more like "buyer's remorse". They bitched to GM to get out of a loan they couldn't afford or a wife who drove them crazy. If the GM VIN check shows this reason also, you may be OK. But be sure to budget some $$ for the unforeseen issues or you may be looking for owner #5.
Last edited by k_arnold; 02-14-2018 at 10:13 PM.
#26
Instructor
Thread Starter
Are you sure it isn’t a Harvey flood car ? I know you said it was a buy back but sounds fishy to me that GM bought it back for a seatbelt issue . I would find the former owners names , try to locate them and then I would call them — my 82 Corvette that I bought in 1988, I found the owners name in paperwork left in the glovebox. I jotted the name down and searched and located the previous owner. I called them up to see why they sold the Corvette then I bought the car after talking to the owner. Maybe you can do the same as it’s even easier to research and find people’s information using the internet now!
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#28
Instructor
Thread Starter
It's MUCH MUCH cheaper now.
I was referencing MacMulkin when I put the $43,000 corvettes NEW in December
Last edited by Bronsonf; 02-14-2018 at 10:29 PM.
#30
Instructor
Thread Starter
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Bronsonf (02-14-2018)
#32
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have now decided not to purchase the car. The guy seems awesome, the car was immaculate on the outside and inside, but I'm going to spend a few thousand more on my dream color, package, and interior since I'm going to have this car for the next 5 years minimum. I think I made an impulse decision after panicking since I'm without my corvette for the first time in 5 years.
PM me if you want me to pm you the listing. It was almost impossible to find and seems like a bargain given that the previous 2 owners didn't pay a discount for the buyback title. Honestly it's a beautiful car in person.
PM me if you want me to pm you the listing. It was almost impossible to find and seems like a bargain given that the previous 2 owners didn't pay a discount for the buyback title. Honestly it's a beautiful car in person.
Last edited by Bronsonf; 02-15-2018 at 04:42 PM.
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#33
The vIN number can lead you back through its history, find the original dealer, etc be leary of flood damage. A PPI from a good shop will cost you 300ish (pre purchase inspection) and its money well spent.
Now i have seen this go both ways, twice with a wiring harness, my buddy never could find the issue on one and lost a lot of money, the other truck I ran across he removed the harness, couldn't find anything wrong with it, put it back in, truck ran perfect for then next 80k miles he owned it???? But was a killer deal for how it worked out so it's 50/50 but keep in mind he was a mechanic...labor costs were his own time.
One of my guys took me years ago to look at a buy back Tahoe, (not sure if offical GM buy back or dealer dealing w a cranky customer) issue was it was on its 3rd fuel pump in about a year, talked w the tech and he told me every time it came in the shop the tank was real low on fuel, and he suspected that the owner either couldn't afford to keep it full or just didn't, either way the pump was never fully submeresed and that the fuel helps cool the pump and he suspect thats why they were burning up. At the price he was getting it for I told him to buy it, if it became an issue we could cut a clean access panel in the hatch under the carpet to change the pumps easier and install a stand alone relay if we thought it was a voltage or signal issue, funny thing we never had to do either, he had that truck 4-5 years, treated half tank like empty (I do too) and never put another fuel pump in the truck, guess the tech was right...
keep in mind though all of these were MY 99 thru 06, simpilier times then a modern vette with AFM, ESLD, NPP, NAV, and like 30 other costly acronym systems lol
Now i have seen this go both ways, twice with a wiring harness, my buddy never could find the issue on one and lost a lot of money, the other truck I ran across he removed the harness, couldn't find anything wrong with it, put it back in, truck ran perfect for then next 80k miles he owned it???? But was a killer deal for how it worked out so it's 50/50 but keep in mind he was a mechanic...labor costs were his own time.
One of my guys took me years ago to look at a buy back Tahoe, (not sure if offical GM buy back or dealer dealing w a cranky customer) issue was it was on its 3rd fuel pump in about a year, talked w the tech and he told me every time it came in the shop the tank was real low on fuel, and he suspected that the owner either couldn't afford to keep it full or just didn't, either way the pump was never fully submeresed and that the fuel helps cool the pump and he suspect thats why they were burning up. At the price he was getting it for I told him to buy it, if it became an issue we could cut a clean access panel in the hatch under the carpet to change the pumps easier and install a stand alone relay if we thought it was a voltage or signal issue, funny thing we never had to do either, he had that truck 4-5 years, treated half tank like empty (I do too) and never put another fuel pump in the truck, guess the tech was right...
keep in mind though all of these were MY 99 thru 06, simpilier times then a modern vette with AFM, ESLD, NPP, NAV, and like 30 other costly acronym systems lol
#34
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
OP, I appreciate your post with your capabilities to tackle the car(s). But, I also appreciate the rejection of this car by many on this thread and your decision not to go forward with the purchase! Good luck in your search.
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Bronsonf (02-15-2018)
#35
Safety Car
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There is an old saying that goes like this. "The cheapest Corvette you can buy is the car that you pay the most money for." In other words pay a good price for the car so you don't have to pay for problems later on from abuse, flood, salvage, neglect, poor maintenance or just buying a POS.
#37
Le Mans Master
"Penny wise, dollar foolish" may apply in your situation. If you could buy a new C7 for 43K do it. I would hate for you to look back and say to yourself "what was I thinking" when I bought a lemon to save a few bucks.
#38
2014 is the car to buy. For $33,000 you should buy it. If you don’t buy this car try to find another 2014 or a M7.
#39
I realize you're asking specific questions, but just a few questions before my suggestions. You've been on here '13; how much do you actually know about Corvettes? Are you technically savvy?
Now to the questions you asked: where in TX is the car? I'd say you can find a good dealer, or with all the vendors there are there from just CF you should be able to find some of the good ones to ck over the car. It will cost you something (anywhere from $100-maybe $250, but it could be the best money you spend vs. getting a real money pit, dog.
As to ckg the record of the car, if you have the VIN, local-to-you, you can go into any GM dealer svce. dept.(any not just Chev) and ask them to print out the VIS report on the car---it's free. Publish it on here for others to read and comment on. And yes, I'd do all that BEFORE you go to buy the car or even look it over.
Is it just the price that's pushing you to this car? Then ask yourself this question: what happens if something goes wrong (and, of course, it will not be under any warranty) to the tune of $1K, $2K---what will you do?
Now to the questions you asked: where in TX is the car? I'd say you can find a good dealer, or with all the vendors there are there from just CF you should be able to find some of the good ones to ck over the car. It will cost you something (anywhere from $100-maybe $250, but it could be the best money you spend vs. getting a real money pit, dog.
As to ckg the record of the car, if you have the VIN, local-to-you, you can go into any GM dealer svce. dept.(any not just Chev) and ask them to print out the VIS report on the car---it's free. Publish it on here for others to read and comment on. And yes, I'd do all that BEFORE you go to buy the car or even look it over.
Is it just the price that's pushing you to this car? Then ask yourself this question: what happens if something goes wrong (and, of course, it will not be under any warranty) to the tune of $1K, $2K---what will you do?
Many dealers are going to be hesitant to print and give a copy to someone off the street of a VIS inquiry. The dealer is absolutely under no obligation to do so and you should not be upset if they refuse to disclose this information. While some dealership employees may well not understand, there is definitely a liability on the dealer's part by disclosing this information to a third party.
#40
What is the old saying "a fool and his money are easily parted". Man don't be that guy. Keep looking something will turn up in your price range with no issues. Lots of them out there don't panic on this one in fact just move on.