OT-Selling a used car-what a game

Fogey · 12-03-2010, 04:37 PM

Today, I sold my 99 Passat. Ask $3500, got $3300. In the process though I took the car to three different mechanics, all of whom were loved by the potential buyer. The first one said the car needed $4600 of repairs. BTW this car is a creampuff for an 11 year old car. The next guys says, $2200, the final guy says $1200. But the funniest thing was that no list of repairs from the mechanics looked alike. It was like they were looking at different cars. The prospective buyers would have been better off just trusting me as I have been driving the car and know what it needs. But no, they each spent $100 or so, for what I consider to be a Mickey Mouse inspection.

Entaille · 12-03-2010, 04:41 PM

boils down to mechanics being very difficult to trust.

bigted83 · 12-03-2010, 04:59 PM

Not all mechancs are dishonest, my best friend and his dad are mechanics and I would trust them more them a big name garage

LS1owner · 12-03-2010, 06:45 PM

Hence why I went to the dealer and sold my 10 year old Camaro (3rd car) in 15 minutes for a couple grand.

Entaille · 12-03-2010, 07:05 PM

Never said all mechanics are dishonest. I have a preferred shop that I would trust with anything auto related.

yeah, screw selling used cars. I'll let the dealer profit off of me and keep my sanity. too many tire kickers. I sold a 68 camaro and finally caved on price after having 10 lookers come just to look at it then never make an offer. just wanted to get rid of it after that. I lack the patience and commitment

Big Brunsy · 12-03-2010, 09:16 PM

when I bought my impala several years ago (from used car lot) I took it to my mechanic to look over, and he only charged $15

Zabo · 12-03-2010, 10:21 PM

Buying one is 'fun' too. Especially with the story behind 'The Falcon'

Take it to the mechanic that does all prebuy inspections for us.

"Transmission bearings on 1st and 2nd are gone, pinions shot.. I'd pass"

Turns out he was dead wrong/probably wanted it for himself. In the end I only had to change the fluids (which aside from oil all came from St. Therese), a door motor, and the pads and rotors (It sat too much, warped 'em good), the rear pinion seal due to age, and all 4 headlamps (moisture contamination in one, I changed all 4 for good measure).

The car only has 35000 miles on it right now. Closest approximation I've found had 35000 miles on it and they wanted 15K before negotiations.

My car had 29,715 miles and was purchased for $10,300 -> ~$12,000 after taxes.

derklug · 12-03-2010, 11:53 PM

As a mechanic who has done numerous used car inspections, the inspection is more for me than the customer. Good reliable car that will never need any work= POS that is falling apart and needs thousands to fix. Car that is a maintenance nightmare and will generate enough income for the new boat=fine quality automobile at a steal of a price.

jk

Shifty 6 · 12-06-2010, 08:47 AM

My dad sold a '77 Cadillac to a guy. Told him don't touch it. The buyer promptly took it to his mechanic, and called my dad asking for help on the repairs. That car was amazingly reliable.

OP: how many miles on the passat?

12-03-2010, 04:37 PM	#1
Fogey Drives: 2011 2SS/RS A6, IOM Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 1,242	OT-Selling a used car-what a game Today, I sold my 99 Passat. Ask $3500, got $3300. In the process though I took the car to three different mechanics, all of whom were loved by the potential buyer. The first one said the car needed $4600 of repairs. BTW this car is a creampuff for an 11 year old car. The next guys says, $2200, the final guy says $1200. But the funniest thing was that no list of repairs from the mechanics looked alike. It was like they were looking at different cars. The prospective buyers would have been better off just trusting me as I have been driving the car and know what it needs. But no, they each spent $100 or so, for what I consider to be a Mickey Mouse inspection.

12-03-2010, 04:41 PM	#2
Entaille Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Stevens Posts: 1,005	boils down to mechanics being very difficult to trust. __________________

12-03-2010, 07:05 PM	#5
Entaille Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Stevens Posts: 1,005	Never said all mechanics are dishonest. I have a preferred shop that I would trust with anything auto related. yeah, screw selling used cars. I'll let the dealer profit off of me and keep my sanity. too many tire kickers. I sold a 68 camaro and finally caved on price after having 10 lookers come just to look at it then never make an offer. just wanted to get rid of it after that. I lack the patience and commitment __________________

12-03-2010, 11:53 PM	#8
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	As a mechanic who has done numerous used car inspections, the inspection is more for me than the customer. Good reliable car that will never need any work= POS that is falling apart and needs thousands to fix. Car that is a maintenance nightmare and will generate enough income for the new boat=fine quality automobile at a steal of a price. jk __________________ The biggest mistakes in life come when you know exactly what you are doing.

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12-03-2010, 04:59 PM	#3
bigted83 They call me captain slow Drives: 2010 camaro lt Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Springfield Illinois Posts: 1,241	Not all mechancs are dishonest, my best friend and his dad are mechanics and I would trust them more them a big name garage

12-03-2010, 06:45 PM	#4
LS1owner Drives: 2000 Camaro SS- SOLD!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: USA Posts: 304	Hence why I went to the dealer and sold my 10 year old Camaro (3rd car) in 15 minutes for a couple grand.

12-03-2010, 09:16 PM	#6
Big Brunsy Drives: 2010 supercharged LS3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Le Mars, Iowa Posts: 2,235 View My Garage	when I bought my impala several years ago (from used car lot) I took it to my mechanic to look over, and he only charged $15

12-03-2010, 10:21 PM	#7
Zabo Gunning for Sixth Drives: '03 ZR2 Blazer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Woodhaven, Michigan Posts: 9,358 View My Garage	Buying one is 'fun' too. Especially with the story behind 'The Falcon' Take it to the mechanic that does all prebuy inspections for us. "Transmission bearings on 1st and 2nd are gone, pinions shot.. I'd pass" Turns out he was dead wrong/probably wanted it for himself. In the end I only had to change the fluids (which aside from oil all came from St. Therese), a door motor, and the pads and rotors (It sat too much, warped 'em good), the rear pinion seal due to age, and all 4 headlamps (moisture contamination in one, I changed all 4 for good measure). The car only has 35000 miles on it right now. Closest approximation I've found had 35000 miles on it and they wanted 15K before negotiations. My car had 29,715 miles and was purchased for $10,300 -> ~$12,000 after taxes.

12-06-2010, 08:47 AM	#9
Shifty 6 Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 679	My dad sold a '77 Cadillac to a guy. Told him don't touch it. The buyer promptly took it to his mechanic, and called my dad asking for help on the repairs. That car was amazingly reliable. OP: how many miles on the passat?