Wanted to buy a private owned car?
16 Answers
Shop around, good used Subaru's are hard to find.
sbell58,- Hi, I purchased a certified late model , 4 years old, 21/2 years ago from a " new car dealership". Not one problem. I really recommend that you do that. The premium price for the certified car is worth it, in my opinion. Listen, new car dealers have a higher profile in the community and guard their reputation. By the way, I would suggest looking for a 2012 Subaru Legacy. It's the last model year with the old EJ Series 2 engine... Good luck.
Certification means nothing. All "certification" is, is a warranty the dealer buys for the car and adds on to the price.
One more thing, the 2006 to 2009 model year vehicles had problems with the head gaskets....not solved until 2010 with a newly designed head deck. Be careful to make sure that you get the service records on any car and check the value for year and mileage. My 2010 Subaru Outback Limited has the CVT transmission and I like it very much. You're going to find a wide divergent view on this transmission, but, I can tell you that they save fuel, are very responsive and I know someone that went 300,000 miles on the original transmission. CVTs are now standard equipment on all brand new Subarus.
Full_of_Regrets- YES, it's a warranty, what's wrong with that?? I don't think you appreciate that it's a complete inspection of the vehicle and EVERYTHING that needs attention is fixed to factory standards. Did you not get the part about my car needing "NO REPAIRS" in 30 months? And, my warranty is good until March 2017. I purchased the car in March 2014. Yes, I have a small deductible but that's it. Look, you can do whatever the hell you want, but, I'm sleeping better knowing that if something does go wrong, the warranty will cover it, period. My certification and warranty covers everything including electronics on the car. Make your choice. I've made mine.
There's. countless stories all over of people purchasing cars from private parties, used car dealers and auction houses. I don't recommend it. The only exception for the private party sale is if you personally know the individual selling the car and they can provide you ALL the documents for the car. If you don't know them personally, insist on taking the car to your independent mechanic, NOT theirs, and only accept the car if it passes through an examination for being sound. Otherwise, you're in a blind alley. I'm not saying that all "used car dealers" are bad, BUT, you have to be careful, very careful. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of bad players out there.....used car dealers didn't get this reputation for nothing. And, it's their own fault...they created this impression and have generally FAILED to clean up their own act. So, good luck.
Certification is a $5 word used to impress people that are ignorant about purchasing used cars. It implies that the car is specially inspected and prepared which it is not. I buy all my used cars private party and have never been disappointed and I saved a bundle. I find dealers are all dishonest to one degree or another. Real people are easier to read as they are not professional liars.
Dealers will certify any car on their lot at a stroke of a pen Mark, all you do is add around $2,000 for the warranty. I have bought used cars that went far longer than yours without needing repairs but I know cars and buy good ones.
Mark be sure and tell him that CVT's cost around $7,500 to $9,000 to replace. Far, far more than the pennies you will ever save on gas.
Full_of_Regrets-. Your suggestions for a different transmission... Subaru only offers CVTs now on Outbacks. And, I've got a friend with a 2009 Forester manual transmission. I've driven it and it's NOT a great transmission. She had to replace the clutch and throw out bearing, a bird noise that was really annoying and her fuel mileage is terrible. Again, I know someone who went 300,000 miles. It's all about how you drive and maintain the car. Do you really think that All of these CVT transmissions will fail? You're quoting the worst possible situation.
I have extensively driven both Mark and the mileage difference is negligible. Manual transmissions are proven technology over 100 years. CVT's are not. Your friend probably drives around in 3rd gear at 5,000 rpm and can't operate a clutch. Again anecdotal stories. Yes all of them will fail Mark and all manuals will too. The difference is how soon on average and the cost to repair them.
Full_of_Regrets- Yes, I've had two cars with manual transmissions; they've got more parts, more labor intensive to repair, i don't know how you can compare the simplicity of the CVT. By the way, for the record, CVTs were initially designed by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century... also, CVTs have been used in one way or another since about 1880, see this, http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/06/cars-best-cvt.html
See this, http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a27823/a-dual-clutch- gearbox-is-an-automatic-and-it-isnt-even-the-best-one/
Here's the real deal, http://etereman.com/blog/subaru-transmission/the-new-subaru-cvt- transmission-is-it-the-game-changer-automakers-have-been-looking- for
Mercedes-Benz patented the CVT technology in 1886. - that's 130 years. And , invented in 1490. By the way, there's no question that Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most brilliant minds of all time.
