Used 2015 FRS - Should I take this opportunity?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, now, strat61caster, you just don't know that for sure ........ maybe it was traded in by an old lady that just drove it on Sundays to go to church ........


humfrz

That would still make it a lie

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

I work at a GMC dealer in the service department

I hold techs in a slightly higher regard than salespeople.


Edit: For the OP, it doesn't hurt to wait imo, you don't NEED a new car. It took me 4 months to get mine.

[cat94]

Information from carfax:

~13,000 miles driven per year
3 oil changes
A couple of dealer inspections
When the car was sold

I haven't spoken to the salesman in person yet so I can't really judge whether he was telling the truth, but I do plan on taking the car to a 3rd party for an unbiased inspection. Any suggestions on what to look for in a well maintained vehicle? (or any red flags, etc.)

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

That would still make it a lie



.

Well, now, here is a few indicators that exist IF, the car was traded in by an old man.

* the turn signal bulbs are burnt out

* the right hand side wheels have curb rash

* the lower part of the front lip has several mild scratches

* the engine bay is not clean

* the hood, top and upper parts of the fenders have more wax than the lower parts of the car

* the edge of the drivers door have a few nicks

* NO stickers of any kind, anywhere

* the manual is still in the glove box

* no modifications (other than maybe an axle back muffler)

* tires (if OEM) are hardly worn

* a cushy center armrest has been installed

Just to name a few indicators .......


humfrz

[cat94]

What if I were to increase my budget by $5,000 to $25,000? Then look for a CPO with low miles, etc. But then this would be nearing a new model's msrp...

[Tcoat]

DO NOT pay attention to people that say it is a good or bad price unless they are within about a 100 miles of YOU. The prices swing massively based upon region. Check the price against other vehicles in your area not what some dude in Asswipp Missouri tells you.


It is fun how so many tell everybody that every price is too high and then whine that the resale on these cars is so little as soon as they want to sell.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

DO NOT pay attention to people that say it is a good or bad price unless they are within about a 100 miles of YOU. The prices swing massively based upon region. Check the price against other vehicles in your area not what some dude in Asswipp Missouri tells you.

True. The pricing for the year/mileage is actually slightly below market value (from my personal observations). The main issue now is the fact that I have no experience buying used vehicles, or for that mater, vehicles at all. I'll be contacting some local garages today to see if they can do a pre-purchase inspection.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

True. The pricing for the year/mileage is actually slightly below market value (from my personal observations). The main issue now is the fact that I have no experience buying used vehicles, or for that mater, vehicles at all. I'll be contacting some local garages today to see if they can do a pre-purchase inspection.

That is the best bet. If the price is good for your area and an independent garage gives it a clean bill then jump all over it.

[mazeroni]

Deal sounds good. Lucky you. The prices are clearly tanking the further we go into this generation. A 2015 model has the upgraded head unit, right? Not the crappy pioneer unit? You probably also have the better interior trim piece on the dash. Plus, based on other forum member opinion, Toyobaru worked out a lot of kinks* post-2014 MY.

Here's the thing, even if the old guy beat the shit out of the car, look at how many people on this forum have modified, tracked, and really, really beat the ever living shit out of the car on a daily basis. Aside from those people that went FI and blew and engine, we don't much hear about these cars succumbing to poor treatment. It's designed for the 20-something hooligan that wants to thrash around town.

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!

[Summerwolf]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

DO NOT pay attention to people that say it is a good or bad price unless they are within about a 100 miles of YOU. The prices swing massively based upon region. Check the price against other vehicles in your area not what some dude in Asswipp Missouri tells you.


It is fun how so many tell everybody that every price is too high and then whine that the resale on these cars is so little as soon as they want to sell.

We actually had a conversation about this before and the topic came up. It is very regional, but you can break down the US pretty easily on what they're going for and where.

[cat94]

Got a loan approval and set up appointments to look at the car and have it inspected by a local garage this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice, and if there's anything else should look for please let me know!

[cat94]

Test drove the car and there was a very distinct thump/click when at the biting point. Dealer said it was normal, but afterwards I drove my friends '13 FRS and there was no click or thump. =(

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cat94

Test drove the car and there was a very distinct thump/click when at the biting point. Dealer said it was normal, but afterwards I drove my friends '13 FRS and there was no click or thump. =(

What do you mean by "thump/click"? There were some suspension changes in between the years that could indeed make it normal.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

This is absolutely 100% guaranteed a boldfaced lie. I bet none of the salespeople could pick the prior owner out of a lineup.

But if the car checks out it doesn't matter.

When i got my sti they told me it was a woman in her 50s who traded it in to get her daughter a Legacy. Thought they were full of it until I saw the car had a tape deck installed lol.

Got the full service history later and googled the woman. She was an attorney for the indian casinos in the area I bought the car. Granted the woman I bought the car from was in her 60s herself and very caring grandma type so the truth is likely the exception there.

[cat94]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

What do you mean by "thump/click"? There were some suspension changes in between the years that could indeed make it normal.

In every other manual transmission car I've driven ('04 s2000, '13 FRS) from a standstill in first with no gas, the car starts to smoothly move forward when the clutch is held at the bite point. In the car I test drove today, at the bite point there was an audible click it did not smoothly engage. I don't have much experience, but there was definitely something that felt wrong about the vehicle. I may be wrong, but to my knowledge the only mechanical changes in the 2015 model was spring rates.