2022 Ford Maverick — how much reconditioning is worth doing before listing?
2022 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid, about 14,500 miles. Car needs tires soon and has a few cosmetic issues. I am not sure whether spending money first will return m…
Buying & selling
2008 Honda Accord — open carrier or enclosed for a normal enthusiast car?
The car is valuable to me but not exotic. Enclosed transport costs noticeably more. When is the extra protection actually worth paying for versus a reputable o…
1988 Toyota Land Cruiser — trade has positive equity — apply it or take the money?
1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62, about 254,000 miles. My trade is worth more than the payoff. I am deciding whether to use the equity in the next purchase or kee…
NewCarWeekend848Community StarterFeb 23, 20261988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62Sacramento6 replies0 helpful
2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata — should I tell the dealer I am paying cash up front? — second opinion before I spend money
I do not need financing, but I keep hearing conflicting advice about when to mention that. I mostly want a clean transaction. Does payment method really change…
ColdStartDIYer320Community StarterFeb 22, 20262024 Mazda MX-5 Miata ClubPhiladelphia13 replies0 helpful
2015 Volkswagen Golf — buying a car 1,200 miles away without seeing it
2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI, about 55,500 miles. A hard-to-find spec is several states away. Dealer has provided video and history, but I have not seen it in pers…
2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range — fun daily that still works for one-car ownership
I want something I enjoy on back roads but still need to commute, carry luggage and survive bad weather. Trying to avoid buying a car that only makes sense on…
2024 Chevrolet Corvette — dealer APR is higher than my credit-union preapproval — Portland owner
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51, about 46,500 miles. I have a preapproval in hand and the dealer offered a higher rate. Is there any reason to let them tr…
ApexGarage956Community StarterFeb 20, 20262024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51Portland18 replies0 helpful
2021 Mazda CX-5 — open carrier or enclosed for a normal enthusiast car?
The car is valuable to me but not exotic. Enclosed transport costs noticeably more. When is the extra protection actually worth paying for versus a reputable o…
2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T — cPO luxury SUV or brand-new mainstream SUV?
Budget works for either a lightly used luxury SUV or a new mainstream model with a full warranty. I'm more worried about three-to-five-year ownership cost and…
2023 Audi S5 — would you buy an ex-rental car at the right price?
A former rental is cheaper than privately owned examples and has frequent service records. Cosmetics show normal wear. What extra inspection points matter beca…
CanyonEnthusiastCommunity StarterFeb 18, 20262023 Audi S5 SportbackNorthern Virginia32 replies0 helpful
2023 Ford Bronco — dealer lowered price but added accessories back in
We agreed on a vehicle price, then the worksheet included dealer-installed products I did not ask for. The total is now higher than before. What is the cleanes…
2015 BMW 335i — would you buy an ex-rental car at the right price?
A former rental is cheaper than privately owned examples and has frequent service records. Cosmetics show normal wear. What extra inspection points matter beca…
2022 Cadillac Escalade Sport — used truck versus new compact pickup
2022 Cadillac Escalade Sport, about 62,000 miles. Same money buys an older full-size truck with capability I may never use or a newer compact truck with better…
DetailWeekendCommunity StarterFeb 18, 20262022 Cadillac Escalade SportDallas–Fort Worth2 replies0 helpful
2008 Honda Accord — dealer lowered price but added accessories back in
2008 Honda Accord EX-L, about 130,000 miles. We agreed on a vehicle price, then the worksheet included dealer-installed products I did not ask for. The total i…
2021 Audi A6 — buyer wants to pay with cashier check on a weekend
2021 Audi A6 Prestige, about 72,000 miles. A buyer wants to meet Saturday when my bank is closed and use a cashier check. I am not accusing them of anything; I…
2013 Nissan 370Z — buyer wants to pay with cashier check on a weekend
2013 Nissan 370Z Touring, about 96,500 miles. A buyer wants to meet Saturday when my bank is closed and use a cashier check. I am not accusing them of anything…
2021 Lexus ES 350 — who is actually discounting below MSRP in this region?
Inventory looks better but dealer quotes still vary a lot. I'm not looking to name-and-shame anyone—just trying to get a sense of whether people are seeing rea…
2021 BMW X5 — safest way to handle a test drive with a stranger
2021 BMW X5 xDrive40i, about 94,000 miles. I am selling privately for the first time. I want serious buyers to drive the car but do not want to be careless wit…
2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T — who is actually discounting below MSRP in this region?
2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T, about 8,200 miles. Inventory looks better but dealer quotes still vary a lot. I'm not looking to name-and-shame anyone—just trying to g…
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee — should I negotiate the trade and purchase separately?
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, about 70,500 miles. I have a trade with some equity and I am buying another car. Dealer wants to talk only in payment numbers…