We have been looking for a 2016-2017 RX 350 under 130,000 miles with no or minor damage history and no more than 2 owners for $25k OTD (tax rate 6.5%)…so car and fees at about 23,300ish. We’ve found major issues with ones we’ve looked into (oil leak, missing wheel lock key, lower control arm brushing cracked, etc). Are we unrealistic to think we will find a car that matches our wants in our price range? UGH.
We have a friend who is a GM of a dealership. He’s told us that if we find a car to let him know and he would see if the dealership would wholesale it to him and then we could buy it from him. We found a vehicle. It’s 3 hours away. He has offered to buy it and then run the transaction through him. They did call the dealership and get some barebones additional information on the vehicle and passed it along to me. He cannot beat their price. He said he would send a driver up to the dealership to drive it, to check condition and to determine if it’s a good purchase condition-wise (wouldn’t be a mechanic, just a “retired guy who knows cars”). If we do it that way, we wouldn’t test drive it ourselves before but we also don’t know anything about cars really. Should I buy it directly through the selling dealership or buy through the friend?
We have a friend who is a GM of a dealership. He’s told us that if we find a car to let him know and he would see if the dealership would wholesale it to him and then we could buy it from him. We found a vehicle. It’s 3 hours away. He has offered to buy it and then run the transaction through him. They did call the dealership and get some barebones additional information on the vehicle and passed it along to me. He cannot beat their price. He said he would send a driver up to the dealership to drive it, to check condition and to determine if it’s a good purchase condition-wise (wouldn’t be a mechanic, just a “retired guy who knows cars”). If we do it that way, we wouldn’t test drive it ourselves before but we also don’t know anything about cars really. Should I buy it directly through the selling dealership or buy through the friend?
We have a friend who is a GM of a dealership. He’s told us that if we find a car to let him know and he would see if the dealership would wholesale it to him and then we could buy it from him. We found a vehicle. It’s 3 hours away. He has offered to buy it and then run the transaction through him. They did call the dealership and get some barebones additional information on the vehicle and passed it along to me. He cannot beat their price. He said he would send a driver up to the dealership to drive it, to check condition and to determine if it’s a good purchase condition-wise (wouldn’t be a mechanic, just a “retired guy who knows cars”). If we do it that way, we wouldn’t test drive it ourselves before but we also don’t know anything about cars really. Should I buy it directly through the selling dealership or buy through the friend?
We have a friend who is a GM at a dealership who asked us to let him know when we find a vehicle we are interested in and he will see if the dealership the car is at will wholesale it to his dealership and we can buy it through him. We found a vehicle. It’s about $2k more than we want to be at. We’ve not told our GM friend our price point. How do we go about this? Do we get an OTD cost from original dealership and then go to friend and see if they can buy it and beat it? My thought is that the dealership the car is at won’t wholesale if they have someone interested in buying retail. But I also don’t know if I definitely want this car until I know an OTD cost and then test drive it. Does it even work to involve my GM friend?
Looking at possibly getting a cx5 for our 16 year old. The 2019 is in the right spot for our range. If mileage is 90k+, what sort of issues should we expect? What issues with this model year are known? Also, NHTSA has 4 safety features that they identify on all vehicles and 2019 has all 4 OPTIONAL. Anyone know a trim that has them standard? The features are: front collision warning, lane departure warning, crash imminent breaking, dynamic brake support. Thank you!
124xxx, two local owners, most service done at Lexus, $21k. What do I need to know about this year’s model? This price seems a tad below market value per cargurus…please tell me pros and cons of this deal and this model specifically. Has “premium package” if that matters.
ETA: shows minor damage, hit parked vehicle within 6 months of original owner purchasing in 2017.
I have a 2024 MDX, that I love for reliability, handling, safety, etc. Looking to buy a car for my 16 year old daughter with safety being the far and away number one factor. Budget is $20,000 and that’s putting me in the range of 2018-2019 90-110k miles for an RDX. What do I need to know about these model years and that kind of mileage on the RDX. I only have 38xxx on my MDX but I did drive a Pilot for 160xxx, so I know Honda has longevity, but specifically about 2018/2019 RDX?
If you have any info aiding in this decision, also looking at Lexus NX and possibly Volvo XC90. Any other cars/SUV with phenomenal safety ratings to consider?
Hi, we are looking to buy our 16 year old a car with the safety/crash test being the most important factor. Looking to spend $20k (and of course get the newest/lowest mileage available in that range). This car needs to be reliable because she will have it from 16 through grad school. Looking at the following (years are approx—they fit in our price search) 2019 Acura RDX, 2019 BMW X3, 2016/2017 Lexus NX, 2018 Volvo XC60/90. Yes, we know a 16 year old does not need a luxury/3rd row, etc but we, again, are looking for well built vehicles with reliability and phenomenal safety.
Of the ones we listed, which would you pick and why?
Any we are overlooking?
We have zero BMW experience. Please bear with me. Looking to buy a reliable car with great safety ratings for our 16 year old. Looking to be in the $20k range. Stumbled upon a 2019 X3 xDrive30i AWD with driving Assistance Package. Priced at $19k with 81xxx miles. No accidents on Carfax. OK, questions:
Is this a good deal given the specs/mileage?
How much more mileage can I reasonably expect to get out of this vehicle with regular maintenance?
Known problems for this model?
Give me the good/bad/ugly.
Will insurance be astronomical?
Yes, I understand a 16 year old does not NEED a BMW, again, we are looking at reliability and great safety ratings AND for our child to be able to keep this car through college and graduate school. FWIW, also looking at Acura RDX, Lexus NX, Volvo VX60/90. Insight please!!
We are looking to spend around $20,000…any year/trim to stay away from? Looking for the newest year/lowest miles, but don’t want to get a year known to be bad (like 2016 from what I’ve read). Would a 2018-ish/75-90k miles for $20,000 get me a reliable XC90 for our 16 year old? If nothing to “stay away from” what trim/level should we shoot for?