Sam

Hi Folks,
There is a dealer who has got a Ford Escort 1994 for sale. His asking
price is about 2997 dollars. He refuses to budge from that price. The
VIN # is 1FARP14J9RW235637

I do not hold an American Driving Licence and hence I have to pay about
860 dollars for six months of liability insurance. Thats very expensive
in my personal opinion.

Also the KBB value of the car is less than 2000 dollars. However the
dealer told me that a KBB value is not accurate for the low-end market.
The car has gone about 75000 miles.

Can anyone get a carfax report on this car? Are cars bought from a
dealer usually sound ones?

Help,
Sam

Happy Traveler

I feel your insurance pain. Assuming that you are here legally, why not
obtain a US driver's license? Unless you are on a visit, it's the law, and
spending the time to learn the traffic rules of your state is just the
proper and responsible thing to do anyway.

If you are willing to part from $3000 for a used car, why not spend $20 on
Carfax subscription? It's less than a tank of gas and, I believe, will let
you review an unlimited number of VINs for a while, so you will feel more
free to shop around.
Have you asked the dealer to provide you with the Carfax printout? Most of
them subscribe to the service, and it costs them nothing to print a report
for you. If he refuses, it will be a good sign that he's got something to
hide. The dealer should also show you the title, which will have the name of
the previous owner - a good thing to check.

I am assuming that it's a Ford dealership, not a used car dealer lot.
Indeed, factory dealerships are generally more selective with what they put
on their used car lot. They have a reputation to maintain, and more so, a
pile of junkers sitting next to the shiny new models is not good for their
main business. But I would definitely not count on this alone -- make the
sell contingent on inspection and spend the $150-$200 or so to do it. It
will be money very well spent. Do not use the dealership's service
department for this - go elsewhere. If they refuse to make the sale
contingent on independent inspection, walk away from the deal. If any major
problem is found, drop the deal -- a bad engine or transmission (if
automatic) will double your cost (not to mention the hassle). Adjust the
price for anything else deficient, or have the dealer fix it before you take
possession of the car.

Most used cars at a dealer's lot come with some minimal warranty - like 1000
miles on the power train. Take it, to avoid nasty surprises.

As for the value, what the salesman told you about KBB is bullshit, and you
know it. A used car salesman will say anything to make the sale - the
commission feeds his kids. You should do enough research to find exactly
what the vehicle is worth (Edmunds.com is another good source. Your
insurance agent will tell you the 'book value'). Don't argue about KBB or
anything else. Set your price and be prepared to walk away if they won't
meet it.

Above all, remember that the dealership door is your friend. If they won't
come down to your terms, thank them for their time and head toward it. There
are many more 12 year old cars for sale in your town.


"Sam" <tiredoflogins@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132924552.943010.226600@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> There is a dealer who has got a Ford Escort 1994 for sale. His asking
> price is about 2997 dollars. He refuses to budge from that price. The
> VIN # is 1FARP14J9RW235637
> I do not hold an American Driving Licence and hence I have to pay about
> 860 dollars for six months of liability insurance. Thats very expensive
> in my personal opinion.
> Also the KBB value of the car is less than 2000 dollars. However the
> dealer told me that a KBB value is not accurate for the low-end market.
> Can anyone get a carfax report on this car? Are cars bought from a
> dealer usually sound ones?

Al Bundy

Sam wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> There is a dealer who has got a Ford Escort 1994 for sale. His asking
> price is about 2997 dollars. He refuses to budge from that price. The
> VIN # is 1FARP14J9RW235637
>
> I do not hold an American Driving Licence and hence I have to pay about
> 860 dollars for six months of liability insurance. Thats very expensive
> in my personal opinion.
>
> Also the KBB value of the car is less than 2000 dollars. However the
> dealer told me that a KBB value is not accurate for the low-end market.
> The car has gone about 75000 miles.
>
> Can anyone get a carfax report on this car? Are cars bought from a
> dealer usually sound ones?
>
> Help,
> Sam

For liability reasons a dealer will usually safety check the vehicles
he sells whereas a private seller will not. Dealers have these and
other marketing costs that drive the price up. Everything is somewhat
negotiable. The dealer won't budge here because he senses rightly that
you are not a good negotiator. He has asked you the right questions and
knows you are dealing from a position of weakness. That's what they
love.

If accurate, the mileage on that car is real low. Still, if you knew
what to look for you could find a better deal from a private party. Why
not apply for a license in the state where you are residing and cut
that insurance cost?

Get a Carfax if you must, but don't expect it to protect you from much.

joe schmoe

On 25 Nov 2005 05:15:52 -0800, "Sam" <tiredoflogins@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi Folks,
>There is a dealer who has got a Ford Escort 1994 for sale. His asking
>price is about 2997 dollars. He refuses to budge from that price. The
>VIN # is 1FARP14J9RW235637
>
>I do not hold an American Driving Licence and hence I have to pay about
>860 dollars for six months of liability insurance. Thats very expensive
>in my personal opinion.
>
>Also the KBB value of the car is less than 2000 dollars. However the
>dealer told me that a KBB value is not accurate for the low-end market.
>The car has gone about 75000 miles.
>
>Can anyone get a carfax report on this car? Are cars bought from a
>dealer usually sound ones?
>
>Help,
>Sam

a) Anyone who is willing to pay for it can get a carfax report (they
are even available online).
b) Cars bought from a dealer are usually sound ones. Because Usually
dealers are selling new cars with full warranties.

A used car is a used car is a used car.(Dealer, Auction, Private)

I agree with the dealer KBB won't be accurate for the low end of the
market. Basing this on the fact that the low end of the market
includes many $50 cars on their way to the bone yard.

If the car is a good car the dealer will have no qualms extending a 6
month 5,000 mile warranty. OTOH.......

I know that you feel that $860 for 6 months liability is expensive
however keep in mind that 1 oversight on your part (red light for
example) could cost an insurance company $1,000,000.00+ I would say
that as a driver unlicensed for the area you are driving in, $860 is a
bargain. (I found my Oldsmobile 98 was cheap on insurance).

If you really want to deny the insurance companies money and have a
reliable means of transportation purchase a new bicycle. Comes with a
warranty, doesn't require insurance and walmart has them from $53.00
(plus heart healthy too !)

Sorry, Don't take it personally. It's 1:05AM & I'm heading to bed.

If the Escort is a good car the dealer will stand behind it. Failing
that:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem
44000 miles with A/C

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem
77000 Miles (& it's a 1999)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CUSTO...QQcmdZViewItem
59000 Miles (though it's "But it now price is $3 more than you're
talking)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-Fo...QQcmdZViewItem
77000 miles Plus the reserve has been lowered

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem
66000 Miles (though it might need a bit of seeing to :-)

nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca

On 25 Nov 2005 14:45:44 -0800, "Al Bundy" <MSfortune@mcpmail.com>
wrote:

>
>Sam wrote:
>> Hi Folks,
>> There is a dealer who has got a Ford Escort 1994 for sale. His asking
>> price is about 2997 dollars. He refuses to budge from that price. The
>> VIN # is 1FARP14J9RW235637
>>
>> I do not hold an American Driving Licence and hence I have to pay about
>> 860 dollars for six months of liability insurance. Thats very expensive
>> in my personal opinion.
>>
>> Also the KBB value of the car is less than 2000 dollars. However the
>> dealer told me that a KBB value is not accurate for the low-end market.
>> The car has gone about 75000 miles.
>>
>> Can anyone get a carfax report on this car? Are cars bought from a
>> dealer usually sound ones?
>>
>> Help,
>> Sam
>
>For liability reasons a dealer will usually safety check the vehicles
>he sells whereas a private seller will not. Dealers have these and
>other marketing costs that drive the price up. Everything is somewhat
>negotiable. The dealer won't budge here because he senses rightly that
>you are not a good negotiator. He has asked you the right questions and
>knows you are dealing from a position of weakness. That's what they
>love.


Around here, if you do not both safety check and e-test a car you will
NOT get anything close to market value for it - private sale or not.
If you have a 1994 low mileage escort without safety and e-test here,
you would be doing REAL good to get 1200 for it. E-tested and
safetied, with good body and coametics no problem getting $3000
>
>If accurate, the mileage on that car is real low. Still, if you knew
>what to look for you could find a better deal from a private party. Why
>not apply for a license in the state where you are residing and cut
>that insurance cost?
>
>Get a Carfax if you must, but don't expect it to protect you from much.

In Ontario you MUST provide complete disclosure, in the form of a
"sellers kit" report from the DOT if you are not a licenced dealer.
Costs $20. If looking at a used car dealer, it is well worth it to pay
the $20 and get the report yourself on a car you are serious about.
Then you know if the dealer is telling the truth about where it came
from.

nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca

On Sat, 26 Nov 2005 01:11:21 GMT, joe schmoe <me@virgin.not> wrote:

>
>a) Anyone who is willing to pay for it can get a carfax report (they
>are even available online).
>b) Cars bought from a dealer are usually sound ones. Because Usually
>dealers are selling new cars with full warranties.
>
>A used car is a used car is a used car.(Dealer, Auction, Private)
>
>I agree with the dealer KBB won't be accurate for the low end of the
>market. Basing this on the fact that the low end of the market
>includes many $50 cars on their way to the bone yard.

Not only that, but KBB is an AVERAGE. In some areas you can not GIVE
AWAY certain models, much less get KBB price. In others, that same
model may be in high demand - making KBB price the minimum you will
buy it for.
>
>If the car is a good car the dealer will have no qualms extending a 6
>month 5,000 mile warranty. OTOH.......
>
>I know that you feel that $860 for 6 months liability is expensive
>however keep in mind that 1 oversight on your part (red light for
>example) could cost an insurance company $1,000,000.00+ I would say
>that as a driver unlicensed for the area you are driving in, $860 is a
>bargain. (I found my Oldsmobile 98 was cheap on insurance).

Here in Ontario, $860 for 6 months is CHEAP if you don't have a 5 star
driving record. Many beginning drivers (no insurance record in the
province or country) pay well over $3000 per year.
>
>If you really want to deny the insurance companies money and have a
>reliable means of transportation purchase a new bicycle. Comes with a
>warranty, doesn't require insurance and walmart has them from $53.00
>(plus heart healthy too !)
>
>Sorry, Don't take it personally. It's 1:05AM & I'm heading to bed.
>
>If the Escort is a good car the dealer will stand behind it. Failing
>that:
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem
>44000 miles with A/C
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem
>77000 Miles (& it's a 1999)
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CUSTO...QQcmdZViewItem
>59000 Miles (though it's "But it now price is $3 more than you're
>talking)
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-Fo...QQcmdZViewItem
>77000 miles Plus the reserve has been lowered
>
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem
>66000 Miles (though it might need a bit of seeing to :-)

scott21230@gmail.com

Generally speaking, $3000 is the minimum any used car dealer sells any
car for. Evne one that is only worth $1200-$2000 like the Escort you
referenced. I would not even bother shopping at such a place.

Hank

I paid, two years ago, 3400.00 for a great running 97 Escort. Don't
even think of that older version.

Hank

On 28 Nov 2005 13:24:43 -0800, scott21230@gmail.com wrote:

>Generally speaking, $3000 is the minimum any used car dealer sells any
>car for. Evne one that is only worth $1200-$2000 like the Escort you
>referenced. I would not even bother shopping at such a place.

Sam

I have decided not to go ahead with the deal. So it stands cancelled as
of now.
I went for a 1993 Toyota Camry with 100,000 miles. It was much cheaper
and more bigger.