Shopping for small SUV

[jagermeister]

Took a look and test drive. Guy started at $6k. Ad said $5k. Paint faded bad. Was a NM car it's entire life. Gravel road paint chips bad. Windshield had 3-4 stone chips. Tires weather checked. Smokers car. Blower motor only worked on high. AC did work though. Brake rotors pitted from sitting. Battery looked corroded and old. As we talked he mentioned scammers and people who wanted him to hold it who never came up with money. Told him I had cash in hand but wasn't sure it is what we are looking for. He talked himself down to $4k before we left. Honestly a fair price for a kid driving locally. Drive it a few years and get your investment back. My gut said to walk away. Never made an offer. Dude wants it gone NOW so he can go buy a pontoon. Lol

I would have ran away too. Everything you mentioned just screams "poorly maintained." Cheap isn't always the best way to go.

 

[hickslawns]

I would have ran away too. Everything you mentioned just screams "poorly maintained." Cheap isn't always the best way to go.

Agreed. Looking at half a dozen like this to find "the right one" is key. Sure, it was his deceased mother in law's vehicle. One owner for many years. Probably never ran hard. Honestly thought about tossing $3500 on the table just to flip it. A solid detail and proper marketing would enable a $1-2k profit. Still might do that. For now I'll bring my folding money home and be patient.

 

[hickslawns]

I'm a firm believer in trusting your gut. "The right one will find it's way into your driveway." Took Mom with me to look at the Rav4 today. We did the scenic route and drove around the lake. Took her back home. Piddled around helping her move some plants. Lady pulls in front of the house to put some realtor signs up. Driving a 2010 Honda CRV with 80k miles. 4wd. I asked her how she liked it. Told her we have been looking. She asked how soon? Says she has been putting off shopping but the one she was driving was her mother's. She wanted something different as she didn't like the color but hasn't looked because she really doesn't "need" something different. We chatted. She told me about a couple properties coming up for sale. Took my info to offer to new customers moving into the area for lawn service. Told me to stay in touch about the CRV.

Who would've thought? I just wanted to know how she liked it. A first hand consumer review if you will. Next thing you know she is considering selling it. lol Brings us back to my last post: Patience. It will happen.

 

[Chass]

One thing to think about when looking at stuff in that price range. Generally you're gonna be the last owner so in a way you're tossing the cash. If the driver is responsible and you dont feel like their first vehicle will be totaled the 10k range can get a very nice newer reliable car. Once they're done with it or ready to buy their own first car they can either use it to trade in if your so kind to let them or get half or more of your money back out.
I always worry about the cheap ones, usually they start nickle and diming you on maintenance straight away. And a vehicle in the shop does no one good.
One last thought. Get them involved in the entire buying process. Its extremely good knowledge to have if they move away and need to buy their first alone. They won't be so likely to get bent over a barrel. And if they got a job, have em help with payments. Won't be so likely to get talked into a vehicle they cant afford by a shoddy salesman in the future and end up losing it and more can be afforded with their help!

 

[Big_Holla]

Yep, lack of maintenance and a few missed oil changes and that things toast in a few years.

 

[PSE13]

I have worked on most mentioned here. I’m a GM guy myself as I was factory trained but I also would stay away from the Terrain and Equinox. Toyota seems to have about the most reliable as far as car and small suvs. I wouldn’t go anything under the Edge with Ford. Can’t really say to much about the Hyundai. As mentioned before the regular maintenance and upkeep is a big issue with today’s vehicles. Missing just one oil change can cost a lot in the end.


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[hickslawns]

I've been searching off and on. Pretty much decided CRV or RAV4. Resale value, and low cost of ownership are key. Anyone familiar with Paley Auto Group in Grove City? They have a 2011 CRV with 111,000 miles. $8k. Guy seemed straight up. Asked about Carfax. He said 3 owners. One accident. Report made it sound like car versus animal. Waiting on his call. He said it had a vibration apparently from the rear. Front tires are new. Rears are well used. He believes it is tire issue but doesn't want to sell it until he confirms. I told him that was a stand up thing. Call me as soon as it is good to go. He didn't have to disclose that but it was the right thing to do. Habib/Moustafa Houssein with the rebuilt title "only a dented bumper was reason for rebuilt title" story would not disclose such a thing. Seems there are a crap ton of rebuilt title "cheap" SUV out there. Maybe a grand cheaper than this one. Peace of mind with someone you feel is shooting straight is worth a grand to me. As is a clean title.

Hopefully someone on here can vouge for Paley Auto Group?

 

[hickslawns]

The search is over. Looked at two yesterday. 2010 RAV4 silver with 89000 miles. Apparently hard miles. Lots of paint work. Poor paint work. Was a great day. Took the bike with Graci (17yr old daughter) on the back. We laughed. I taught. She learned.

After seeing the first one we drive 15min to look at a 2011 RAV4 with 115000 miles. She was picking out paint work. I was proud. She noticed a few things I didn't. Good little detective. Paint work was minimal and sort of expected on an 8yr old vehicle in this price range. Didn't scare me and I told her why. She was a sponge. Then came time to negotiate. We got him down another $1600 without looking like a low baller jerk. Made offer. Explained I understand they have margins to meet. I have a budget to meet. If can't go this low no hard feelings. He countered $1500 lower than my $2k lower offer. I knew he was scraping bottom. So rather than meet in the middle at $1750 lower I asked for another $100 off to seal the deal. Put an envelope of cash on the table. He accepted and later admitted he was $400 lower than the owners "bottom dollar." Then again he was retired with 30yrs in the industry and knew the ride had been on their lot a month. He had a cash offer on the table. Smart move on his part as I've seen a lot of similar rides on lots which are not moving.

Taking it to Missouri in a couple weeks to tour Mizzou. Graci will drive the 8hrs to see if she is ready to travel this far to school. That might change her mind. Feeling satisfied right now.

 

[5Cent]

Great stuff right there Phil, congrats to you and the proud lady with her ride!

 

[Big_Holla]

Looking good there Phil!! Congrats to Graci on the new ride!!

 

[hickslawns]

First tank of gas all highway driving: 26.7mpg. air running. Daughter driving. 85-90 degrees outside. I'll take it for a 115k mile, 4x4, 8yr old vehicle. I think 27mpg is what they were rated for at the factory. Maybe I'll try a tank of higher octane gas later to see if it improves.

 

[giles]

E85 is the highest octane, I think 108...race fuel levels.

 

[hickslawns]

E85 is the highest octane, I think 108...race fuel levels.

Never run E85. Never had a vehicle which required it. Lowest grade pump gas is what is in there now. Do you suggest the E85 over 87/89 or whatever low grade pump gas is?

 

[giles]

If I was to suggest, I would suggest looking up what that vehicle was designed for. I’m guessing it was designed for lowest octane and will get the best performance/mileage/longevity using that. Being that old and fuel injected, I don’t think you get a gain. Might even hurt it in mileage and run hotter, neither good things in this heat.

 

[5Cent]

Phil, I wouldn't run anything but 87 unless the book says you can. It's all about detonation/engine knock for higher compression/higher performance engines.

I would recommend a set of new plugs, wires, and fresh fluids head to toe over just putting higher octane in it. Sounds like it is running pretty well so why not just a couple good doses of Seafoam?

 

[hickslawns]

If I was to suggest, I would suggest looking up what that vehicle was designed for. I’m guessing it was designed for lowest octane and will get the best performance/mileage/longevity using that. Being that old and fuel injected, I don’t think you get a gain. Might even hurt it in mileage and run hotter, neither good things in this heat.

That crossed my mind after I set the phone down. Uhhh. . . Maybe I should Google what it calls for. Lol

 

[hickslawns]

25.83mpg average for the 870 mile round trip to Mizzou. That includes driving around campus and such. Stop and go thru Indy. And let's face it. . .my daughter is not a master fuel miser like myself. She drove all but the last 2-2.5hrs. Hard to complain.

 

[5Cent]

Good shit Phil!

 

[hickslawns]

So I had the RAV4 professionally detailed. Also had the wife's Explorer done. Amazing! Dude does great work and reasonable. While I get satisfaction in waxing and detailing my ride, sometimes you need a little more. The light scratches and swirls add up after time.

$200. The guy detailed inside and engine compartment. Wheeled the exterior with some commercial "wax". It is a sealant. They recommend twice a year. We shall see. To me it was worth it to bring the paint back and get the sealant. Conditioning the leather interior and a commercial shampoo job really made her Explorer pop. Can't wait to see it in the daylight. Picked up after dark. Wife left before sun was up. Got home at dusk. Maybe tomorrow I'll see it in the sun.

After picking up the Explorer he did the RAV4. Here are the results. Surprised me what he did on the RAV4 interior. I didn't think it was very bad. His results say otherwise. Sorry I didn't get pics of interior. Looks new.

 

[jagermeister]

Damn those look great, Phil! Makes me want to get my truck done. Uhhh... but maybe AFTER hunting season. lol