Second most expensive purchase in an average life. More stressful than getting married? Ugh . . . .
And this may be the worst possible time in American history to buy a car.
Dealers are holding inventory they would normally dump at auction, instead selling this inventory to customers directly. These are the vehicles that you would never see on the lot of any larger car dealership—the wrecks smaller, less reputable sellers would normally buy and fix, or sell as-is. Today, even the auto giants don't even bother cleaning their used inventory—because they don't have to, apparently!
At a big-name Honda dealer, I drove a Pilot that had melted ice cream in the center console, and a bullet hole next to a crack running top to bottom through the front windshield. This poor thing had been rode hard and put away wet. It shook during acceleration and braking. The engine was torn to hell. $18,000.
At a big-name Buick dealer, I drove an Accord that had the roof liner held in place with staples, and the driver's visor held in place with a wire clothes hanger. The suspension was shot. The engine didn't quite want to start. The glove box did not open. There was a microphone set in the dash. A Microphone. In. The. Dash. $4,000.
At yet another big-name dealer, I drove a CR-V that was stained, stunk of urine, and was full of personal belongings and food debris. It ran well enough, but the air conditioning did not work. $11,000. A poor Honda Pilot wobbled all over the road—the suspension was a mess. It shook when braking. $12,000.
These are automotive giants in the Indianapolis area: Tom Wood, Ed Martin, and Andy Mohr. Any other year, these vehicles would not be on the lot, let alone command these prices. Dealers cannot get new inventory, and are instead selling anything they get their hands on, so long as it runs.
The lone exception I've seen are dealers specializing in luxury brands. Their inventory is not so compromised.
Late-model used vehicles are probably going to be clean, but the price will be the same as or within a couple grand of a new vehicle.
Beyond a few minutes with Facebook Marketplace, I've not looked at sales by private individuals. I saw a lot of obvious scams on Facebook. Back in the day, there was AutoTrader magazine. I think AutoTrader is an online buying service, today. I've no idea how people manage private individual sales today. Newspaper want ads? Craig's List? I don't want to get robbed and murdered buying a car!
And I don't want to drive something with bullet holes or urine smells.
Is it really too much to ask for?
So, if you have dared ventured forth into the wilds of America, care to share your experience?
Yes isn't that the truth people are greedy but maybe they'll catch up with them in the long run and people won't do business with them anymore
I was pursuing a dealer lot the other day, and saw a 12 Year Old Yaris for going for $10,000. YARIS. TWELVE YEARS OLD.
This market is crazy.
For example, my BMW X5 that was 14 years old barely fetched $8,000-$10,000. C'est la vie, that's how the market works.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/12-year-old-yaris-for-10000/#post-116068
It's bad today, but I'd say the worst possible time in American history to buy a car was after the war. Since there had been no production of new cars for years there was a huge shortage. People were lining up and paying anything they had to to for anything that would roll under its own power, new or used.
