I'm looking for someone in houston to take a look at a car for me.
The price on ebay is almost too good to be true, about 5K below average retail, and 1500 below fair trade in. A phone call finds that it's a dealership.
100% feedback, over 244 since starting on ebay. Guy on the phone seems nice, clean title, one owner, etc.
The vehicle report ebay gives shows it was registered 3 times in the same city, no owner name though. Claimed 1 owner, and believable I suppose.
I'd really appreciate someone being nearby that could check it out. Please let me know, I'd be happy to compensate you for your time.
TWO WORDS:
FLOOD DAMAGE!!
Remember a little storm we just had down this way?!
What type of car you looking at?
Jetta TDI
06, 81K miles
$11K
carfax doesn't show anything related to a flood.
It was registered new in 1/25/06 in Livingston TX w/99 miles
Registration renewal in 07 and 08, no mileage updates
Title transferred 1/14/2009 sutoauction, indicates 81K miles.
Not sure, doesn't sound like a flood car to me, but I've been wrong before. I could always fly out to take a look and drive it back. 40+ MPG wouldn't be too bad.
Which dealer, Theo?
Ebay "dealer", called "Euro Motor Sales"
I will get their address tomorrow. Other one I'm looking at is also from them, a 2001 540i sport (but auto [bang]) for $13 something.
The TDI is waaaay more practical for me though. Once gas goes back up in 3-4$ a gallon range, that 40mpg diesel will be nice to have.
Still.......I'd much rather have a 540 or C43AMG......I'm afraid the parts costs and 20mpg on the highway won't be good for the budget though :(
If I go to Houston this weekend, I'll let you know. However, I don't have any experience doing more than oil changes on cars, so I probably wouldn't be the best person to look.
I appreciate the offer! Let me know if you are in the area [thumbsup]
If this was in San Antonio I would be happy to look at it for you.
Ill take a look at it. [thumbsup]
My Sis used to have one of those, I know a few things to look for that might mean future problems with them.
Just drove a trade in at the dealer while my Touareg was being serviced (new items being installed). It was an 06 Jetta TDI that was pretty loaded, but had a couple issues. The passenger airbag was not working (light on and "AIRBAG FAULT" on the MFD) and something wrong with the TPMS...
Quote from: TAftonomos on March 09, 2009, 05:43:55 PM
Jetta TDI
06, 81K miles
$11K
carfax doesn't show anything related to a flood.
It was registered new in 1/25/06 in Livingston TX w/99 miles
Registration renewal in 07 and 08, no mileage updates
Title transferred 1/14/2009 sutoauction, indicates 81K miles.
Not sure, doesn't sound like a flood car to me, but I've been wrong before. I could always fly out to take a look and drive it back. 40+ MPG wouldn't be too bad.
be weary.
I'll be the first to tell you they are good cars.. BUT..
these TDI's if not maintained correctly (using OE spec oil ONLY) will wear the camshafts and cam followers. when the wear first starts, it will be difficult to tell, but as it goes on the vehicle will lose power, and smoke. its not a inexpencive repair either.
Make sure they have all the records, showing 505.01 oil use only.
if you do pick it up, and the cam fails, probably run about 1500 to fix depending on what gets damaged. thats the only real problem I've come across with these cars. all other problems are minor if diagnosed correctly.
Hmmm....doubt a car thats come through the auction is going to have any service records, but I'll ask. Locally I've found a few, but in the 15-17K range...which is about 1.5 above retail. Not sure if these cars just bring more than their book value, but in the current economy I doubt dealers are moving anything very fast.
I sold my G35 sedan about 2 years ago for $17K private party.
Looked at the same car, 04-05 w/50K miles, optioned out.....they are selling for 10K right now (about 3 under book).
I'd rather have the TDI for fuel economy reasons, but a 300hp RWD nissan sedan is quite a bit of fun, and much cheaper to maintain than the 540 or C43 amg.
Get an Autocheck from experian. They give info if the car went through an auction or not, and what the auction found. Auctions do not report to carfax, only autocheck. It's also more detailed and less expensive than carfax.
Autocheck (http://www.autocheck.com/?nf=3&nf=4&siteID=0&WT.mc_id=0)