Bumper to bumper inspection of car in Edmonton - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

worth · 04-17-2008, 11:34 AM

I'm looking at possibly purchasing a car, unfortunatley it's in Edmonton. Everything on the car sounds and looks great from what I have seen through pictures and talking to the guy. It's a 2004 Impala SS with about 56,000km on it.

I have done a carfax and it hasn't been in any accidents or anything like that according to them.

The fellow says he bought it from a dealer and they did a full inspection on it when they bought it and it seemed fine to them. According to carfax, the car was sold to the dealer March 2007. So this guy has had the car for less than 10,000km.

I would have a tough time laying down the cash before I get it checked out myself though. it would just make me feel a lot better.

So does anyone know of a shop in Edmonton that will take the car in this weekend to do a quick inspection on the car to make sure everything is tip top and i'm not buying a lemon?

It would be a lot easier if this car were located in Calgary, but it's not. Thanks a lot for any advice.

4X4 · 04-17-2008, 12:18 PM

No way I'd trust the guy to take the car in for an inspection. If you're seriously considering the car, you're better off driving up there with a friend, taking it in for an inspection yourself and if it is satisfactory to you, buying it and driving it back.
Kind of a crappy way to spend a Saturday, but you may be saving yourself dozens of Saturdays of lamenting.

DuffMan · 04-17-2008, 01:07 PM

Canadian tire, Fountain Tire, any of those places are open weekends and they'll do it.

worth · 04-17-2008, 01:14 PM

Yes, I will drive up to take it for inspection. I wasn't going to let him do it, I was going to do it myself.

4X4 · 04-17-2008, 01:48 PM

I really don't know how I thought otherwise.

Fozzie_DeBear · 04-17-2008, 01:54 PM

Here's what I did:

Arranged an inspection with a shop in Edmonton, paid for it by VISA, got them to drop off the car, and then received the results of the inspection via fax/converstaion by phone with inspection mechanic.

Seems like a waste to drive all the way to Edmonton....

stang · 04-17-2008, 02:09 PM

56,000 Km?

Still under warranty? Take it to a dealership and get it done.

worth · 04-17-2008, 02:33 PM

No warranty. It was only 3 years.

I'm very interested in the car. It's what I want, I just want that extra security knowing that the car isn't going to blow up on me and there's nothing majorly wrong. The guy says there isn't, and I do believe him, but I think the best move is to have it checked out no matter what.

I'm going up there with the intension to buy it as long as inspection checks out and my visual inspection is up to par.

Sample00 · 04-17-2008, 03:03 PM

not to side track your thread...
as a dealer now, we had to go through some interesting stuff through AMVIC (Alberta Motor Vehicles Industry Council) just to get licensed as a dealership. It was a few months in the works and courses that had to be taken.
Dealerships including Used Car dealerships like ours must now run every vehicle through a Mechanical Fitness test and provide that report to the customer. This reports are good for a two week period and then must be renewed. We also have to disclose each and everything about that vehicle.
so if for example the brakes are at 50% or the valve cover is leaking, we MUST disclose this.
you do not have the same protection when buying privately, unfortunately.
I would make sure you get that vehicle inspected fully before dropping any money on it.
as a side note, I was at the dealer auction on tuesday and there were 2 cars like the one you mentioned go through. I just happened to notice them cause they are a great looking car. Not sure how much they sold for.

MoneyGuy · 04-17-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Seems like a waste to drive all the way to Edmonton....

Visiting this lovely city is never a waste.

worth · 04-17-2008, 03:49 PM

I called a dealership up in edmonton and made an appointment on saturday. They said they do a 186 point inspection or some such that takes an hour or so. So i'll get the car checked out that way. it's $119, but its worth it in the long run. Peace of mind is good knowing that you have a solid car and the $119 is worth that. Better to spend that then thousands on a car and have it quit on you.

Thanks guys.