View Poll Results: Would you buy a used car with a malodor?
Yes
1
2.70%
No
22
59.46%
Maybe if I got a GREAT deal!
14
37.84%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll
Would you buy a used car if...
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
After two experiences with "malodorous" cars, I'd say no. One company car returned by a cigar-smoking salesman cleaned up fine . . . until I turned on the AC. Evaporator coil was coated in stink that required removal and steam cleaning. It was never really de-scented, but was at least tolerable if you kept a window cracked open.
A ladyfriend traded her Eldo for a smaller car during a fuel crisis. It had belonged to several gentlemen, representatives of some odd culture that had no idea what soap was used for. The body-stench was simply overpowering. It went back to the dealer several times and was returned odor-free . . . that is until she parked it in the sun on a hot day. We're baaaack! Dealer took the car back and sent it to the crusher.
Depending on the source and type of the smell, it may be impossible to remove. If you DIY it, you stand to further damage the car. Mold can be a health hazard, and simple detailing to remove the smell is not often enough; it may require a good bit of disassembly to get carpets and door panels out, and may not be successful in the long term. Unless the discount was 30% or better, I'd say no.
A ladyfriend traded her Eldo for a smaller car during a fuel crisis. It had belonged to several gentlemen, representatives of some odd culture that had no idea what soap was used for. The body-stench was simply overpowering. It went back to the dealer several times and was returned odor-free . . . that is until she parked it in the sun on a hot day. We're baaaack! Dealer took the car back and sent it to the crusher.
Depending on the source and type of the smell, it may be impossible to remove. If you DIY it, you stand to further damage the car. Mold can be a health hazard, and simple detailing to remove the smell is not often enough; it may require a good bit of disassembly to get carpets and door panels out, and may not be successful in the long term. Unless the discount was 30% or better, I'd say no.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,417
Likes: 370
From: Las Vegas
I probably wouldn't. My friend's house smells really bad because of his pitbull, which he keeps indoors. So pet odors would be a no. I did however, buy my car with the understanding that the seller was a smoker. I was pleasantly surprised upon receiving the car(purchased sight unseen, sent my folks to pick it up because I had work). I have never detected even a hint of cigarette smoke odor.
Not all odors......
My old SC400 was smoked in HEAVILY.
We took it to a shop that normally takes care of odors in homes after a fire. They ran their machine for 3 hours on end. Odor went away for 1 week...then came right back. Smoke residue in the A/C is a HUGE turnoff in car buying for me.
My old SC400 was smoked in HEAVILY.
We took it to a shop that normally takes care of odors in homes after a fire. They ran their machine for 3 hours on end. Odor went away for 1 week...then came right back. Smoke residue in the A/C is a HUGE turnoff in car buying for me.
I bought a GS4 and it came with a weird smell, didn't know what it was and couldn't get it out of the car, until one day I was installing the wires for my system and found a half ouce " grass looking " thing under the shifter cover, it was WEED!! Man, I could have get caught by transporting drug!!!!