Vetting a used car dealer, dishonesty, pay no attention to CarGurus rating.
Researched two cars on Cargurus that were rated by Cargurus as a 'good
deal.' Both late model Audi A3s. Dealers were asking middle retail for each.
Not cheap, $9700 and $13,000 Called the used car dealers and said since
we were 2 hrs away, we would be by later in day and to please have the cars
ready. We were assured that they cars would be ready. Researched two cars
on Cargurus. Both late model Audi A3s. Dealers were asking middle retail for
each. Called the used car dealers and said since we were far away, 2 hrs,
we would be by later in day and to please have the cars ready. We were
assured they were. Showed up to first dealer and the wipers were frozen to
windshield and it was out of gas. Both of these cars were in terrible
condition. Same model car at another dealership had the driver and
passenger seat backs falling off. The first car we paid $150 to have
reputable Audi/VW shop---wonderful Reflex in Hookset, NH---checked out
and we were told it needed a realistic $7000 worth of work. The second car
with the seat backs falling off, was missing a wheel emblem, the tires and
rims scratchedShowed up to first dealer and the wipers were frozen to
windshield and it was out of gas.
Same model car at another dealership had the driver and passenger seat
backs falling off. The first car we paid $150 to have reputable Audi/VW
shop---wonderful Reflex in Hookset, NH---checked out and we were told it
needed a realistic $7000 worth of work. It had been in an unreported
accident and the paint match was poor. The second car with the seat backs
falling off, was missing a wheel emblem, the tires and rims scratched,
damage to sidewalls, not factory hardware on headlight bracketry, missing
underbody shield....
What is with them? Is this the greater fool theory? When confronted with the
report on the first car, the salesman says he was surprised, he was the one
who left early which meant we spoke to a newby who was clueless about
the unprepared car. The second dealership sales guy said if we were still
interested, the car would be ready at a later date. Sorry, but WTF? ANd
carguru RATED BOTH HIGHLY. I would not recommend either dealer and
would be wary of any CG ratings. Also FYI, Check NADA book for middle
trade and start to negotiate from there, you will need extra $$$ to cover
these junkers.