GS430 ebay auction. Your thoughts?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
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From: ontario
GS430 ebay auction. Your thoughts?
Hey guys,
So I've been following this ebay auction for an '06 GS430:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus...3A1|240%3A1308
The car looks nice and although I'm not big on chrome rims, I do think that they suit the car.
What do you guys think about the car?
Overall I think it's a nice one with decent mileage but here is my concern:
Here's the Carfax report which is found at this link:
http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_Displa...BN96S665003938
Firstly, the Carfax report states that the "vehicle color noted as Gray"
The car is white! What gives?
Also, it states that the car has no title problems (ie: salvage, rebuilt, fire, flood, mileage) and it also says there were no other problems like total loss, frame/body damage etc...
However, when I scroll down to the fine print, I read the following:
Is this something I should be cautious about? I already e-mailed the dealer about it and am awaiting a response. So far, they've been very quick to answer my questions and have been helpful. As well, they have a 100% positive feedback rating on eBay as a Titanium Power Seller.
What are your thoughts on the above and as well, are there any tips/advice you can lend to a fellow hopeful GS owner about purchasing cars on eBay in general?
Thanks again and hope to join in more of the discussions as soon as I'm a proud owner!
jigga78
So I've been following this ebay auction for an '06 GS430:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus...3A1|240%3A1308
The car looks nice and although I'm not big on chrome rims, I do think that they suit the car.
What do you guys think about the car?
Overall I think it's a nice one with decent mileage but here is my concern:
Here's the Carfax report which is found at this link:
http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_Displa...BN96S665003938
Firstly, the Carfax report states that the "vehicle color noted as Gray"
The car is white! What gives?
Also, it states that the car has no title problems (ie: salvage, rebuilt, fire, flood, mileage) and it also says there were no other problems like total loss, frame/body damage etc...
However, when I scroll down to the fine print, I read the following:
Autocheck reports that the vehicle was previously sold at a wholesale auto auction with a disclosure that the vehicle has frame/unibody damage or had frame/unibody damage. We have not detected any visible damage, issues or concerns with this vehicle. This often means that an off lease auction detected that the vehicle had previous body repair work/paint work. The quality and appearance of bodywork or paintwork performed by a franchise facility such as Mercedes, Cadillac, BMW, etc is generally same as on a new vehicle. Before completing your purchase, you will have a full opportunity to inspect the vehicle and/or have a third party or mechanic of their choice complete the inspection on their behalf.
What are your thoughts on the above and as well, are there any tips/advice you can lend to a fellow hopeful GS owner about purchasing cars on eBay in general?
Thanks again and hope to join in more of the discussions as soon as I'm a proud owner!
jigga78
Last edited by jigga78; Jan 26, 2009 at 05:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: ontario
thanks for the opinions and the help so far.
toyemp, good detective work!
here is the email i got back from the dealership when I asked them about the disclaimer (fine print)
toyemp, good detective work!
here is the email i got back from the dealership when I asked them about the disclaimer (fine print)
We have this disclosure from the auction where we purchase the vehicle from. They say this because they noticed some prior repairs usually meaning they saw some repairs done in the front of the vehicle like minor paintwork on the bumper or possibly a replaced fender. When they see this they automatically flag the vehicle as having possible frame damage. This vehicle is CarFax Buyback Guaranteed meaning that CarFax is guaranteeing that this car has had no frame damage and if any were detected they would purchase the car back from you.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
From: TX
Take to a Lexus dealer or a good body shop and have them look at the damage before you purchase the car. Any good body shop will see where the damage is on the car with their paint measure meter. Than if the car was slightly damage and well fix...i would negotiate the price since it's been damage. Good Luck !!!
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executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
another hint whether the car is good or not is to ask the lexus dealer if you can buy extended warranty for this car. if they say no, that should raise red flags, or at least force you to dig deeper as to the reason.
find out the original destination of the vehicle and the previous owner's state of residence. if the car was registered or the former owner lived in a flood state (hello hurricane katrina anyone?), then i'd stay away to be on the safe side. there are stories out there where people buy the salvage vehicles and fix them up and sell as 2nd hand to unsuspecting people.
IMHO, a Lexus CPO would be a better option - at least Lexus stands behind it if anything goes wrong. with an independent dealer like this ebay seller, they are not going to care once they get your money. as always, buyer beware. but if you've done your homework, and all checks out, and it make sense to buy the 430, go for it.
find out the original destination of the vehicle and the previous owner's state of residence. if the car was registered or the former owner lived in a flood state (hello hurricane katrina anyone?), then i'd stay away to be on the safe side. there are stories out there where people buy the salvage vehicles and fix them up and sell as 2nd hand to unsuspecting people.
IMHO, a Lexus CPO would be a better option - at least Lexus stands behind it if anything goes wrong. with an independent dealer like this ebay seller, they are not going to care once they get your money. as always, buyer beware. but if you've done your homework, and all checks out, and it make sense to buy the 430, go for it.
Last edited by Stormforge; Jan 27, 2009 at 09:43 AM.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: ontario
The ebay listing does say that an extended warranty is available for this car. I asked whether it would be honored in Canada by a Lexus dealer and if it was a factory-backed warranty and this is what they told me:
Also, about the original states where the car was, I already looked into this and the CarFax report shows Massachusetts to be where the car was originally purchased and registered and then in October it was purchased in Maryland and then later in December it was repossessed in Maryland and sold at a fleet auction, so I think we're safe with the hail/flood issue.
The warranty that we offer is through Great Lakes Warranty Corp. It would be honored in Canada and at any Lexus Dealership, New car dealership, or franchised used car dealerhip.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
The ebay listing does say that an extended warranty is available for this car. I asked whether it would be honored in Canada by a Lexus dealer and if it was a factory-backed warranty and this is what they told me:
Also, about the original states where the car was, I already looked into this and the CarFax report shows Massachusetts to be where the car was originally purchased and registered and then in October it was purchased in Maryland and then later in December it was repossessed in Maryland and sold at a fleet auction, so I think we're safe with the hail/flood issue.
Also, about the original states where the car was, I already looked into this and the CarFax report shows Massachusetts to be where the car was originally purchased and registered and then in October it was purchased in Maryland and then later in December it was repossessed in Maryland and sold at a fleet auction, so I think we're safe with the hail/flood issue.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: ontario
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: ontario
if your homework checks out, then it's a no brainer. get the car with extended warranty and you'll be laughing all the way back home. just make sure that you have an independent shop (preferably a lexus dealership) to look over the car to make sure everything is ok. good luck!
I sent this email to the dealer:
Hi Adam,
Thanks for all your replies thus far. I'm new to buying a car online so I'm sorry if I've been asking too many but its hard to tell anything without having seen the car!
That being said, I'm a little worried about the fact that you say the auction company noticed some repairs. If there were repairs done, shouldnt there be some report of it somewhere? Here in Canada, auction companies have to disclose to the purchasing dealer all the repairs and bodywork that were done to the car.
Can you tell me exactly what repair/bodywork/paintwork was done? I'm not sure how I can buy or bid on a car without knowing this beforehand.
Also, let's just say I win the auction, is there a way to still see/inspect the car before finalizing the transaction? In other words, is there any recourse? Obviously the auction ends in a couple of hours so I don't have time to do all that but let's say I win the auction and then have the car inspected and something about it does not sit well with me, can I still opt out or am I forced to finalize the transaction?
Thanks for all your replies thus far. I'm new to buying a car online so I'm sorry if I've been asking too many but its hard to tell anything without having seen the car!
That being said, I'm a little worried about the fact that you say the auction company noticed some repairs. If there were repairs done, shouldnt there be some report of it somewhere? Here in Canada, auction companies have to disclose to the purchasing dealer all the repairs and bodywork that were done to the car.
Can you tell me exactly what repair/bodywork/paintwork was done? I'm not sure how I can buy or bid on a car without knowing this beforehand.
Also, let's just say I win the auction, is there a way to still see/inspect the car before finalizing the transaction? In other words, is there any recourse? Obviously the auction ends in a couple of hours so I don't have time to do all that but let's say I win the auction and then have the car inspected and something about it does not sit well with me, can I still opt out or am I forced to finalize the transaction?
Hello,
Unfortunately I don't know what exactly was done to the vehicle. Our mechanic has inspected the car and there is no visible damage and the car drives how it should. I can assure you there are no issues with the car and it is in full mechanical working order. You are more than welcome to have a third party come inspect the vehicle. There are companies that for a fee will come look over the vehicle and drive it and report back to you before you purchase the car. Any deposit we take on the car would be non-refundable becuase we are assuring that you will get what you see in the auction and the car will drive how it should. If you have any other questions please email or call me at 440-897-9408.
Thank you,
Adam
Unfortunately I don't know what exactly was done to the vehicle. Our mechanic has inspected the car and there is no visible damage and the car drives how it should. I can assure you there are no issues with the car and it is in full mechanical working order. You are more than welcome to have a third party come inspect the vehicle. There are companies that for a fee will come look over the vehicle and drive it and report back to you before you purchase the car. Any deposit we take on the car would be non-refundable becuase we are assuring that you will get what you see in the auction and the car will drive how it should. If you have any other questions please email or call me at 440-897-9408.
Thank you,
Adam
Hi Adam,
I understand. My worry wasn't so much about how the car drives but rather, the bodywork that was done on it. No amount of pictures that you post on an eBay auction will be able to tell me that. So the "you get what you see" portion can't really apply because you'll never see body work evidence on a picture.
How much is the deposit anyway?
I understand. My worry wasn't so much about how the car drives but rather, the bodywork that was done on it. No amount of pictures that you post on an eBay auction will be able to tell me that. So the "you get what you see" portion can't really apply because you'll never see body work evidence on a picture.
How much is the deposit anyway?
