I'm a car salesmen, Go ahead and ask me anything

[C-Four]

Just wondering how long '08 models stay in stock for? End of March? April? Looking to get a 08 matrix but not quite ready to pull the trigger on it yet.

Thanks!

Also, anyone here have a matrix (or vibe), how is it? reliable?

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I have a question about buying a car in the US and driving it back. How does the registration/insurance work? Should the dealer provide a temporary 'in-transit' license plate or something? What if you buy private what plates and registration are in effect? I know the process for importing a car from point of view of crossing the border, paying duty etc.

But am totally clueless about how I would buy one and drive it back....

[NinePack]

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

I think this site has most of the information, i have had 2 friends import a cars, they say it was really simple.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by NinePack

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

I think this site has most of the information, i have had 2 friends import a cars, they say it was really simple.

Thanks 9!

[TimSJ]

Hey all, Sorry for the delay.. Been busy as hell this week.

The 08 will be in stock for a while. It just depends on the model. I still actually have one 07 left in stock here and the 09's aren't that far away.

Fozzie i would say you would need to get a transit sticker as you said.. If you buy from a dealer i am sure they would supply you with one. As for a private sale i am not sure.. maybe if you went to the local DMV you could get one.

As for the US in general it is not as good of a deal anymore on used cars. The market in Canada has really shifted down and prices are pretty much the same if you search out the deals.

[woob]

Hi Tim,

My wife and I have been looking at possibly purchasing a Mazda 6 Wagon. We are in Calgary and I found a 2006 in Nanaimo at a Mazda dealership out there. As for the specifics, here they are:

Mazda 6 Sport Wagon - 2006 - 29,995KM
Stock# 81327
VIN: 1YVFP82D165M35586
Automatic, V6 3.0
Cloth interior, power seats, alloy wheels, A/C, cruise, etc.
Car was purchased from auction, originally sold in Ontario.

Price is $19, 995 - Sales guy I was talking with said he might do 19,500 and free shipping to Calgary.

Couple of questions for you:

1. How is the pricing, in your opinion? Being that is a 2006, I know it will still have some bumper-to-bumper warranty left (approx a year or so) as well as the remainder of the 5 year powertrain warranty. Should I look to deal a little further with him on this?
2. What's your opinion on buying a vehicle, sight unseen. I've done a carfax check on the vehicle and it is good. Also considering a CarProof report as well, seeing as is it more Canadian specific. My wife and I have driven one before in Calgary, so we know that we like how it drives, etc.

If there is anything else I should be checking up on for this vehicle or discussing with the dealer, let me know. As well, if you need more information from me, let me know as well. Appreciate any and all input you have on this vehicle and possible transaction.

Thanks!!

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by woob

Hi Tim,

My wife and I have been looking at possibly purchasing a Mazda 6 Wagon. We are in Calgary and I found a 2006 in Nanaimo at a Mazda dealership out there. As for the specifics, here they are:

Mazda 6 Sport Wagon - 2006 - 29,995KM
Stock# 81327
VIN: 1YVFP82D165M35586
Automatic, V6 3.0
Cloth interior, power seats, alloy wheels, A/C, cruise, etc.
Car was purchased from auction, originally sold in Ontario.

Price is $19, 995 - Sales guy I was talking with said he might do 19,500 and free shipping to Calgary.

Couple of questions for you:

1. How is the pricing, in your opinion? Being that is a 2006, I know it will still have some bumper-to-bumper warranty left (approx a year or so) as well as the remainder of the 5 year powertrain warranty. Should I look to deal a little further with him on this?
2. What's your opinion on buying a vehicle, sight unseen. I've done a carfax check on the vehicle and it is good. Also considering a CarProof report as well, seeing as is it more Canadian specific. My wife and I have driven one before in Calgary, so we know that we like how it drives, etc.

If there is anything else I should be checking up on for this vehicle or discussing with the dealer, let me know. As well, if you need more information from me, let me know as well. Appreciate any and all input you have on this vehicle and possible transaction.

Thanks!!

Hardball him down to 18k.. The blackbook value is between 15k and 17k.. You can check that on www.gmcanada.com - Under Finance Tools.

I would phone a registry in BC to make sure its hasnt been hit. Also you will need an out of province inspection prior to registering it in Alberta. Those are $500 now due to more stringent guidelines. I would go out there and check it before buying. If it was an auction car you never know whats happened to it.

[kobasew19]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Give this man a square! Thanks Timsj. All fixed and ready to go.

Hello TimSJ,

Would this trick work on a 99 Honda Accord as well? The maintenence light is really annoying to say the least.

Thanks in advance!

[TimSJ]

Give this a try kobasew

1. With the Car Off, Press and hold down the Odometer Trip Reset Button.
2. While still pressing the Trip Reset Button, Turn the Ignition Key half way on where all your oil, check engine lights etc.. turn on. Don't turn it as far as you would to normally start the car. Wait a few seconds and the Check engine light will turn off.
3. Turn the key back to the Off position and you're done.

[Johnny 99]

Tim - I'm looking to buy a Civic or Corolla. I've got about 12k max to spend on it. What would be a reasonable expectation in terms of make, model, year, and kms? Thanks.

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by woob

Hi Tim,

My wife and I have been looking at possibly purchasing a Mazda 6 Wagon. We are in Calgary and I found a 2006 in Nanaimo at a Mazda dealership out there. As for the specifics, here they are:

:

1. How is the pricing, in your opinion? Being that is a 2006, I know it will still have some bumper-to-bumper warranty left (approx a year or so) as well as the remainder of the 5 year powertrain warranty. Should I look to deal a little further with him on this?
2. What's your opinion on buying a vehicle, sight unseen. I've done a carfax check on the vehicle and it is good. Also considering a CarProof report as well, seeing as is it more Canadian specific. My wife and I have driven one before in Calgary, so we know that we like how it drives, etc.


Thanks!!

Get a CarProof... shows a heck of a lot more than carfax does.

I had a quick look on Adessa the auction site and there was one that sold with 60k for $16,700 last week. if they bought it in ontario they would have about $1000 in shipping if i was a betting man they prob paid right around $16k for it to make it worth shipping out and with recon and shipping have $17 to 17.5 in it.. You might get it for 18.8 shipped.. the km's are def good on the car and 19 prob isn't really even overpaying that much.

Now that i think of it some more i would say you should be able to buy it for 19k.. He is already offered to drop the price $500 plus the shipping another $500 over the phone with nothing.. so he is giving away $1k without much work.. i would try to get to $18.5 shipped and would be fairly happy at $19k shipped

I am not afraid of buying sight unseen.. but i do it for a living and do it every day.. I bought 7 cars last week (worth close to $300k) at the toronto auto auction online from my desk in NB.. as long as you have good pictures description (and can trust who is giving you that information etc. i wouldn't be that afraid.. put a deposit subject to inspection.

Hope that helps.. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
tim

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by Johnny 99

Tim - I'm looking to buy a Civic or Corolla. I've got about 12k max to spend on it. What would be a reasonable expectation in terms of make, model, year, and kms? Thanks.

you should prob be able to by an 05 or 06 for that kind of money..

[Johnny 99]

thanks tim

[woob]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Get a CarProof... (snip)

Thanks Tim!! You do not disappoint!! I'll run a CarProof on the vehicle for more info. The salesman is supposed to send me some more pictures of the vehicle. I'll let you know what I find out!

[Tooz]

Hi Tim,

I'm not sure if you're familiar with GM pricing at all but I was just curious if you've heard of something like this before. I'm looking at an '08 GMC 3/4 ton diesel SLE to pull a fifth wheel. I found a price on the internet for Alberta residents of $49,235 cash purchase price which is right around U.S. list pricing.

When I go to look at thier financing options, the purchase price jumps to $61,100 with an interest rate of 0%. So the 0% interest rate is actually around 24%. Seems very shady to me. My question to you is, are the dealerships locked in at this higher price for the lower rate or can a person get the lower price at the 0% interest.

Thanks in advance.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Tooz

When I go to look at thier financing options, the purchase price jumps to $61,100 with an interest rate of 0%. So the 0% interest rate is actually around 24%. Seems very shady to me. My question to you is, are the dealerships locked in at this higher price for the lower rate or can a person get the lower price at the 0% interest.

"0% financing" is never really 0%, is it?

You could take out a bank loan for 50K and pay the dealer "cash".

[TimSJ]

I am sure you could get the 0% along with a bit of a discount although it won't be anything near the $50k mark.. you might be able to get a thousand or 2 though..

All they are doing is putting the money towards buying the rate down.

[woob]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Get a CarProof... (snip)

So I got the CarProof - Everything checks out good. Going to be speaking to the salesman again today. Question about the comment you made regarding an inspection. At what point, if I decide to purchase the vehicle without going out there, would I get the inspection done? Do I put a deposit down on the vehicle and then contact a 3rd party garage in the area to pick it up for a test drive and inspection, or? Also, if I do decide to hop on a plane to go and check it out, I'm thinking I should aim to buy it for $18k.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[MJK]

Hey Tim,

WHat do u think of this price on this Civic and what can I expect to get for my '97 Civic on a trade?

http://www.canadatrader.com/result/d...9&pgno=1&srt=1

[photon]

Sorry I haven't followed this thread much, is this a good place to ask about value of a car?

I've got a 2000 VW Passat GLX 4Motion Sedan with 115k on it that I'll probably sell this summer, just wondering what I could get for it.