Need Advice on Evo I looked at a dealer
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From: whitestone, ny
Need Advice on Evo I looked at a dealer
today I went to go check out a Apex silver 2003 Evo vIII at the mitsubishi dealer. they are asking 19,500. I was looking around the engine bay, and what I first noticed was, the engine bay was dirty, I see a lot of evos on here have a clean engine bay. but this evo had a dirty, almost filthy engine bay. the dirt wasn't carbon, I don't know what it was, I couldn't rub it off. as if what ever it was, seemed to come with age. Carfax shows a clean title and an accident report. Interior was fairly clean, seat bolsters were firm, shifter felt firm. Also, I looked at the engine side of the radiator, and there was a scratch and a few dings on it. One of my suspicion was that the evo was modded at one point and parted out afterward. What's your input on this?
Keep looking. I would never buy from a dealer. I would meet a private party and judge them more than the car. Personally, I have all the service records etc on my car. If I was ever forced to sell it, the buyer would know that I took care of it.
Move along... This is not the car you're looking for.
Remember - when a dealer pulls out the "book" and shows you what the value is, that is for a completely reconditioned vehicle! It should look spectacular- matching tires, glossy paint, clean engine bay and interior. For that kind of money, I'd be looking to get into a 2005 (with some haggling).
Remember - when a dealer pulls out the "book" and shows you what the value is, that is for a completely reconditioned vehicle! It should look spectacular- matching tires, glossy paint, clean engine bay and interior. For that kind of money, I'd be looking to get into a 2005 (with some haggling).
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: whitestone, ny
Move along... This is not the car you're looking for.
Remember - when a dealer pulls out the "book" and shows you what the value is, that is for a completely reconditioned vehicle! It should look spectacular- matching tires, glossy paint, clean engine bay and interior. For that kind of money, I'd be looking to get into a 2005 (with some haggling).
Remember - when a dealer pulls out the "book" and shows you what the value is, that is for a completely reconditioned vehicle! It should look spectacular- matching tires, glossy paint, clean engine bay and interior. For that kind of money, I'd be looking to get into a 2005 (with some haggling).
actually I never mentioned the book, I KBBed it after I got home.
if I can haggle the price a couple lower would it be worth it? what does a dirty engine bay signify?
Last edited by Chknkatsu; Aug 27, 2008 at 05:47 PM.
For s**ts and giggles I KBB'd an '03 Evo with 75k on the clock. Amazingly retail came back at $19.5k (assuming excellent condition).
I then went to the private party section, and the same vehicle came back:
The emphasis is mine, but in my humble (but correct) opinion, for a car to be sold at retail the bolded sections must be met. In your case the engine is not clean, it possibly (probably) had paint or body work, and you do not mention the service history.
Let's move onto Good:
Based on what you've mentioned, I would think that this vehicle falls into this category. Now, I'll point out that the difference between PP excellent and retail is about $2.7k; I'd estimate that this approximately represents the margin on this vehicle after reconditioning back to excellent. If the vehicle (as you mention) has a blemish on its history or is not completely reconditioned, then this is additional margin for the persons selling it.
Now I have a mental picture of the vehicle in question that may or may not be right. Their asking price is $19.5k, and I think I'd pay not more-than $16.5-17.0k (give or take) based on an accident in its history and less-than excellent condition. The dealership probably has $13-14k in the vehicle, and they have incurred costs in obtaining and presenting the vehicle. I think the $16.5 amount allows them to make a reasonable profit on the vehicle.
If they don't go for it, then walk away! It's not like Evos are hard to come by. For $16.5k you should be able to find a very clean (non-accident) example and meet the person who has taken pride in that car for the previous five years. You can offer them top-dollar on their ride and know that you have a car that's worth it.
I'm gonna get of my soapbox now.
I then went to the private party section, and the same vehicle came back:
Excellent - $16,815
* Looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning.
* Never had any paint or body work and is free of rust.
* Clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection.
* Engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects.
* Complete and verifiable service records.
Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.
* Looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning.
* Never had any paint or body work and is free of rust.
* Clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection.
* Engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects.
* Complete and verifiable service records.
Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.
Let's move onto Good:
Good - $15,795
* Free of any major defects.
* Clean title history, the paints, body, and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems.
* Little or no rust on this vehicle.
* Tires match and have substantial tread wear left.
* A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail.
Most consumer owned vehicles fall into this category.
* Free of any major defects.
* Clean title history, the paints, body, and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems.
* Little or no rust on this vehicle.
* Tires match and have substantial tread wear left.
* A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail.
Most consumer owned vehicles fall into this category.
Now I have a mental picture of the vehicle in question that may or may not be right. Their asking price is $19.5k, and I think I'd pay not more-than $16.5-17.0k (give or take) based on an accident in its history and less-than excellent condition. The dealership probably has $13-14k in the vehicle, and they have incurred costs in obtaining and presenting the vehicle. I think the $16.5 amount allows them to make a reasonable profit on the vehicle.
If they don't go for it, then walk away! It's not like Evos are hard to come by. For $16.5k you should be able to find a very clean (non-accident) example and meet the person who has taken pride in that car for the previous five years. You can offer them top-dollar on their ride and know that you have a car that's worth it.
I'm gonna get of my soapbox now.
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Where is this car located in New York? Get the VIN and have Mitsu run it. They will give you the run-down of where the car has been serviced and what for.
Although, if this is the Apex Silver I'm thinking of, I would steer clear of it. I know a few other members on here have also seen it, and know it's history. But like I said, call Mitsu and give them the VIN - they'll tell you what the car has been in for.
Although, if this is the Apex Silver I'm thinking of, I would steer clear of it. I know a few other members on here have also seen it, and know it's history. But like I said, call Mitsu and give them the VIN - they'll tell you what the car has been in for.
I'm glad you said ALMOST....because if you search hard enough, they can still be found. I picked up my BBY '03 with 23k on the clock, single owner, no accidents, garage kept with a custom car cover over it, no winters, every service record, and pratically stock.
well i guess im 2 of 2 for the unmolested '03 edition...
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