Need Adice Buying Used

[BrianW]

Hello,
Newbie here.

I've been driving a Miata for a long time and now it has come time to retire the old rust bucket.

I'm looking to buy a used FRS/BRZ and have one lined up tomorrow for viewing.

What I'm mostly concerned about is some young buck modifying one... tracking the crap out of it... then putting it back to stock and selling it.

Can someone tell me the tell-tale signs of this?

Right off the bat I'm a little concerned as the car already has 20,000 on it and was told it's never been driven in the winter (and the guy sounds young on the phone.)

I'll definitely have an inspection before I buy but it could save me some time and cash if I could spot any tampering.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[Freetime]

Buying a used, inexpensive sports car. Just get over the fact that someone beat on it. Its why most people buy the car to begin with.

[donoman]

Easy thing to do is check for accidents by looking for repaint.
Check brake rotors for extreme wear.
Listen for creaks and thunks.

It's very hard to beat on something and not have it show in all aspects of the vehicle.
I've bought many many used cars and you need to trust your gut when dealing with people. If it feels wrong then walk.

A pre purchase inspection is good but you can do 90% as well.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Freetime

Buying a used, inexpensive sports car. Just get over the fact that someone beat on it. Its why most people buy the car to begin with.

I've never "beat" on my Miata.
Besides there's beat...and there's BEAT!

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by donoman

Easy thing to do is check for accidents by looking for repaint.
Check brake rotors for extreme wear.
Listen for creaks and thunks.

It's very hard to beat on something and not have it show in all aspects of the vehicle.
I've bought many many used cars and you need to trust your gut when dealing with people. If it feels wrong then walk.

A pre purchase inspection is good but you can do 90% as well.

Cheers!

[Jrryjms07]

If you plan on modding your car (fi, tune, suspension, wheels, etc) don't buy the extended warranty. You'll just waste the $$. Also if your financing and you don't put any or at least 1/3 down. Gap insurance might be a good decision. It shouldn't cost more than $500. Also check if your insurance company provides it as it may be cheaper. I work at a dealership and when my finance manager asked if I wanted an extended warranty I asked if they cover aftermarket parts and they said no. So I declined the extended warranty.

[Tcoat]

Make sure you ask for proof that all the required services have been done! Dealer print outs if done by the dealer or all receipts , dates and mileages if done by the owner. If they can't produce be very worried.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Jrryjms07

If you plan on modding your car (fi, tune, suspension, wheels, etc) don't buy the extended warranty. You'll just waste the $$. Also if your financing and you don't put any or at least 1/3 down. Gap insurance might be a good decision. It shouldn't cost more than $500. Also check if your insurance company provides it as it may be cheaper. I work at a dealership and when my finance manager asked if I wanted an extended warranty I asked if they cover aftermarket parts and they said no. So I declined the extended warranty.

I'm buying the car from a private seller.
I don't want to modify it.
I want to know if He modified it and and drove the crap out of it to then put it back to stock and sell it.
There will be no warranty.

I was considering a WRX a few years ago until I was told on the SUBARU forum that it's not a good idea to buy a USED WRX.

Thanks anyways.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Make sure you ask for proof that all the required services have been done! Dealer print outs if done by the dealer or all receipts , dates and mileages if done by the owner. If they can't produce be very worried.

Great advice, thanks.

[Chanpion]

Look for rust consistency on all the screws and parts. And any dirt rings on left by ununscrewed screws.
With a sports car, it's going to be hard to find a non abused version. I mean, it's a sports car. The strategy when buying one is find one that's been properly abused. Make sure all the maintenance is done properly.
Most important tip I have for you is subtly ask the owner to test drive you around in it. Take notice of how he or she drives. Determine if their driving style is what you want to have abused your car.
I'm not going to lie, I haven't seen a twin on the road that hasn't had an exhaust or intake upgrade. These little items arn't harmful though.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Chanpion

Look for rust consistency on all the screws and parts. And any dirt rings on left by ununscrewed screws.
With a sports car, it's going to be hard to find a non abused version. I mean, it's a sports car. The strategy when buying one is find one that's been properly abused. Make sure all the maintenance is done properly.
Most important tip I have for you is subtly ask the owner to test drive you around in it. Take notice of how he or she drives. Determine if their driving style is what you want to have abused your car.

Reading about cars on here is not really a good way to determine that there aren't any non abused cars. We tend to be a bit different crowd. What we forget is that for every one of the "enthusiasts" that buy these cars there are probably 200 "normal" people that just drive it like any other car. We do tend to be a tad elitist (even if we don't think we are) and forget that there are a whole lot more of these cars out there.

[Jrryjms07]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I'm buying the car from a private seller.
I don't want to modify it.
I want to know if He modified it and and drove the crap out of it to then put it back to stock and sell it.
There will be no warranty.

I was considering a WRX a few years ago until I was told on the SUBARU forum that it's not a good idea to buy a USED WRX.

Thanks anyways.

No problem! Pm me the vin number if you like and I can pull a carfax for you.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by BrianW

Hello,
Newbie here.

I've been driving a Miata for a long time and now it has come time to retire the old rust bucket.


Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Hi BrianW and welcome to the forum.......

(I drove a miata (NC) for 8 years before I got my FR-S .... you DO realize the top on the FR-S/BRZ doesn't go down .... )

I addition to the above suggestions ..... I'd suggest you have a long chat with the owner, carefully working these type of questions into the "conversation".

* did he buy it new
* what did he drive before the FR-S/BRZ
* what other cars has he had
* why did he buy it
* why is he selling it
* has he modified it; if so, how
* has he ever tracked a car
* what tires has he had on it
* what is he planning on buying to replace it

His responses should give you a good idea of how he drove the car.


humfrz

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Chanpion

Look for rust consistency on all the screws and parts. And any dirt rings on left by ununscrewed screws.

Most important tip I have for you is subtly ask the owner to test drive you around in it. Take notice of how he or she drives. Determine if their driving style is what you want to have abused your car.

More great advice!

I've been considering an S2000 for about a year now and test drove one last summer.
After my modest run he took the wheel to "show me what it could do"
Man... he launched that thing
THAT sent a major red flag so thanks for the suggestion...cheers!