Buying over internet?

[billabong_star]

Does anyone think buying a car over the internet despite physically seeing it is something you shouldn't do? I found a used Vibe, Lava Mono with M&T for $11,991. It's over 6 hours away. I didn't want to pass the deal up but I could have it shipped. I've seen pictures of it and I know people buy cars off Ebay so I don't know.www.autotrader.com

[AKLGT]

wow! did you see how many miles are on that? 37K! that's a lot of miles on such a new model car. I'd be very hesitant of the first one that came out, especially having such high miles. There's a reason why it's only $11K. not a bad price, but I would be very careful.buying off the internet isn't too bad if you have someone who can check the car out for you or it's still under factory warranty. this one is not, so I would stay away IMHO.

[Triton]

I would be hesitant. That is a lot of miles for such a new vehicle, but there are some members who have put a lot of miles on their Vibes too. I don't think I could buy a car over a long distance. Maybe a few hundred miles, but that would be it.

[Vibe]

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buy a car sight unseen!!! James

[joatmon]

From the VIN, it's Vibe # 22438, which was made over a year ago (Based on my higher number made 7/02). It's the lowest price I've seen on a non-wrecked Vibe yet. It's got the power package, ABSIt says it has a warranty, but it's already past the factory warranty. Get specific details on that, and make sure that you don't have to take it back to Plano to get it fixed.Will probably need tires and maybe brakes soon. Maybe you can work a deal with the seller dealership.

[billabong_star]

I didn't think 37k was alot of miles?? Maybe 60-75 IMO

[AKLGT]

it may not sound like a lot of miles to you, but come time for repairs and replacing parts, it adds up very quickly. more mileage=more wear=more repairs=lots of money! buying a used car isn't a bad idea to save money. just keep in mind that normal wear and tear items start needing to be replaced. the car is out of warranty and even extended warranties will not cover the car completely.

[Bowlsie]

It has a GMPP extended warranty on it. Find out for how long and to what milage it goes. GMPP is almost identical to factory warranty. You can even get it to where it covers trim, etc. I see 2003 vehicles come in all the time with over 30k on them. And to have that kind of milage it would of had to been highway miles which are a lot easier on a vehicle.

[joatmon]

One of the risks of buying any used car is that you don't know how the previous owner treated it.One of the reasons I bought a Vibe was that I am counting on getting a s***load of miles out of it, hopefully without too many repairs.Using the "build your own" function at Pontiac.com, the same equipment on a new 2004 is MSRP $20,760. It's hard to know what to recommend other than if you are really interested in it, it would be worth the time to go and see it before comitting. If you do go, call to make sure they still have it and will hold it before you drive all the way down there

[Sputnik]

I agree with Vibe... never buy a car without seeing it first, especially with that many miles on it... which is kinda odd that I say that since I ordered my Vibe (actually took a cancelled order) but test drove an identical one.

[ArcsVibe]

I also agree with you Sputnik, better to see it in person and drive it.Good luck!

[billabong_star]

Over 6 hours is a long way to just look at a vehicle. I've bought alot of used cars over 50k miles on them?

[joatmon]

quote:Over 6 hours is a long way to just look at a vehicle. I've bought alot of used cars over 50k miles on them? If you decide to buy the car, then it is worth the effort to go and look at it. You may find something not included in the little amount of info provided by the ad that will make you change your mind. It's cheaper than a new Vibe, but it's still a lot of money. You don't want to spend that much money and not like what you get for it.Also, if you decide to buy the car, then get someone to drive you down there and buy it, and then drive it home. That will save you the cost of having it shipped.

[ragingfish]

quote:Over 6 hours is a long way to just look at a vehicle. I've bought alot of used cars over 50k miles on them? It's your money dude. You asked us for our opinion, the majority seems to say that it's not wise.First off, the mileage is high for the price. I tried to look it up in the Kelley Blue Book, but they don't even have values for this model yet. For a car with 37k+ on it though, I don't see how they can ask over 10...although even that is a bit high by my opinion...Secondly, I would NEVER buy a car off the internet. I want to drive it, get a feel for it, take it to a mechanic I choose and have it inspected from bumper to bumper. You gotta look at every detail -- is there a horrid smell in the interior, is there a small stain that will bother you because you always stare at it (perhaps an oil stain on the rear bench seat ), does the radio not sound right.Too many risks in my opinion. Now if the car was around the corner, and I could take my time, get it checked by whoever I wanted, and get to look it over at my leisure, sure, I'd consider it. I buy books, music, movies, software, and even car PARTS over the internet...but it's gonna be years before I consider buying a CAR over the web...

[joatmon]

quote:For a car with 37k+ on it though, I don't see how they can ask over 10...although even that is a bit high by my opinion...If putting 37K miles on a Vibe drops the value in half, then I should have bought a different car that holds it value better.

[ragingfish]

I didn't mean it as a Vibe...but just as a car in general...never seen a car with that kinda mileage sell for so much...even in great shape...But hey, it's just MY experience. Perhaps it's a regional thing?

[joatmon]

It's probably too early to know how well Vibe's will hold resale value. billabong_star has probably done more research on the value of a used vibe than most of us, because he's been desperately trying to find one he can afford.I did a search on cars.com for used Matrixes (because there's always a lot more of used ones of them for sale than Vibes)There's several in the 35K mileage range, with prices from $13K to $19K. There's also one with 60K miles for $14.6K.My other car currently has 253K miles on it, and I am willing to accept that it has depreciated some as a result of the mileage. I just hope that 37K miles on a Vibe doesn't drop it's value too much, because I've had mine for 7 months and already put 20K on it.

[billabong_star]

Thanks guys. I guess it wouldn't be a good idea so I will steer clear. Used cars with 37k miles here is not many at all. I'll keep trying to find another though!

[ragingfish]

Stay optomistic, your search will yield your TRUE VIBE someday soon!

[joatmon]

quote:Thanks guys. I guess it wouldn't be a good idea so I will steer clear. Used cars with 37k miles here is not many at all. I'll keep trying to find another though!I don't think 37K miles is too many, and I think that the Vibe you posted was about as inexpensive as you are going to find. Most of us bought a Vibe knowing it was a Toyota underneath the badge, and anticipate great reliability out of them. But you need to do what is right for billabong_star. Whatever that is, best of luck! How's the sunfire sale going?

[ragingfish]

quote:The thing is, you do not know if those were hard 37,000 miles or easy ones.. Excellent point Rob! Something I never even thought about!

[billabong_star]

The Sunfire has no bids but I have sold one car on Ebay before and most people don't bid until close to the end of the auction. Since Im not buying over the internet, I don't expect anyone else to have to. I hope it sells though, Cause it's my last chance at getting my dream vibe! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2426958110

[ragingfish]

Just a word of advice -- you should take a closeup of the odometer. People like to have proof the mileage is what you claim it is.

[billabong_star]

Didn't even think to do that - Thanks!

[ragingfish]

NP...I've seen many car auctions, and noticed the ones that don't do the odo pic don't get many, if any, bids.

[billabong_star]

Well the auction was a total waste of $50... So that means no Vibe for me, unless by some miracle chance a dealership will pay it off at trade - with my luck, it ain't going to happen.

[billabong_star]

Does anyone know if dealers will pay off your car at trade if it's on a new car? Or is that a long shot?

[millster]

When I traded my Saturn on my Vibe, I came up about $2K short of payoff. Guess what I financed. The Saturn was having major mechanical problems though so it had to go. Luckily, the dealership didn't seem to mind it and gave me about $500 more than the Saturn dealership offered on trade for a new L300.

[ragingfish]

When I bought my Sunfire, my dealer took my GA off my hands, even though the steering was shot and it couldn't be driven...

[billabong_star]

There is nothing wrong with my Sunfire..but they aren't worth a whole lot. I have an Abyss Monotone and a Frosty Monotone Im going to try to make deals on. Both are 20k and I will see if either will take my Sfire off my hands.

[joatmon]

Saw a Michigan auto abyss vibe on ebay - no reserve http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 8916633VIN = 5Y2SL62863Z400280, that means its production Vibe #280