2012 Honda Accord 96k $13k or 2013 Toyota Camry XLE 84k $13k
Considering trading in my 2015 Kia Rio LX 65k rn for one of these two cars. No accidents per CarFax and I've tried to use Scotty's method per his book to check both cars for distorted parts, shift gears (no sudden jerks), sped up in the highway seamlessly. The Camry needed a jump and the dealership promises to put a new battery in upon purchase. Clean oil and fluids are filled but I can't check the transmission oil. The Accord started with no issues during the test drive. I forgot to check fluids. Both cars were bought from the auction but the Camry got a maintenance check before it was sold to the auction and bought by the small dealership. Any thoughts?
Dealership - bad
Salvage title - worse
$13K - worst
Three strikes and you're OUT!
Both cars were bought from the auction
So they both have auction/salvage titles?
Vehicles sourced from auction have no known history and are a risky purchase, even more so when a used car dealer is involved. (The Camry needing a jump start is certainly not a good sign.) You cannot rely on Carfax for information beyond the odometer reading and you cannot trust anything the dealer tells you. You would absolutely need a good mechanic for a thorough pre-purchase inspection but of course that goes for any used car purchase.
I could not run away fast enough from both these deals. Do you even know for certain that your insurance company will even write a policy on salvage title cars?
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Dealership - bad
Salvage title - worse
$13K - worst
Three strikes and you're OUT!
Darn 😬 you got me!
I don’t know, I’m asking you. You checked out the vehicles without looking at their titles?
The Accord had no accidents for sure. Camry report is mild accident per Carfax.
I think I'm pushed further to try getting a car from someone privately with good receipts. Thanks for the input everyone!
What do the actual vehicle titles say?
So they both have auction/salvage titles?
Does being at an auction make it an automatic salvage? If so, then I'm glad I dodged a bullet. The dealership tried to charge me an extra $2000 anyways.
I don’t know, I’m asking you. You checked out the vehicles without looking at their titles?
As the others here have commented, buying an auctioned car from a used car outlet with no record of proper maintenance is "risky" at best. And with those mileages just about anything could be hidden from view and perhaps just on the verge of breakdown. I would advise you to keep your Kia until you can find a used car that has a good and honest (documented) history. Plus a "thumbs up" inspection from a qualified independent mechanic.
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What do the actual vehicle titles say?
I didn't actually see the titles myself. In fact, they gave me the numbers and it wasn't looking too good after they tried to upsell $2,000 worth of uselessness. So at that point there was no need for me to look at the title. But if I am ever looking at a car, I will definitely ask for the title first. Even if I had to go to a stealership.