Snap Judgement Items on Used Cars

BostonB6 · Apr 7, 2014

7.62 said:
Aftermarket wheels.

Not all aftermarket wheels are a problem. Nice set of Vossen's would be OK. Cheap aftermarket are a problem, especially if they're "universal fit" rims.

Yo Teach · Apr 7, 2014

My first snap judgement occurs before I give an ounce of thought to the car. I pass by ads using a stock photo or lacking a picture at all. There's no point to such an ad. Photos get attention.

But, if they actually do the minimum to get my attention, I usually snap to judge cars in poor shape. I know that's not a rare judgement, but I am really concerned with the condition of any car I own or may own. I don't give a second glance to cars that are beat. I'm also a bit of a purist and want the car to be as close to original as possible.

Chiropractor JW · Apr 9, 2014

If it has black wheels. I don't care if everything else about the car is perfect, I'd rather purchase a car on blocks than see it with black wheels.

MK5golf · Apr 9, 2014

Tires are a very good indication of vehicle condition and how the owner took care of the car.
I would also look for wear on the steering wheel and seats when looking at an older vehicle with suspiciously low mileage. Could be a case of roll back.
Also very important is if the badge has four rings. If such is the case, run!

someguy123 · Apr 9, 2014

The number of dents, scratches and curbed wheels tells me about the driver and whether he/she cared for the car.....

Harpoon · Apr 9, 2014

Performance mods. I don't want somebody else's half-baked project where I don't know which mouth-breather installed the parts or how the car was treated.

But there are certain tell-tale items that make me run instantly that aren't performance related too. Basically anything you'd find in a Pep-Boys or the MkV forum.

teileguy · Apr 9, 2014

Chiropractor JW said:
If it has black wheels. I don't care if everything else about the car is perfect, I'd rather purchase a car on blocks than see it with black wheels.

:thumbup:

nm+ · Apr 9, 2014

Crimping Is Easy said:
I automatically dismiss a used car if it has:

2. Rust

Likewise, I will automatically lust after a used car if it is:

1. French

*Lives in Mid-west*
You must be a conflicted person.

SCHWAB0 · Apr 9, 2014

*RARE* ... insta-phuck-off

Chrome wheels

*Highway miles* = 150k+ miles .. I don't care... its a HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE

Kar98 · Apr 9, 2014

Big tell tale for me is the paint being rubbed off on the buttons in the dash and around it. Cool, this car only 30,000 grandma on the highway to church miles! How come the paint on the window button and the cigarette lighter is worn off so much it shows the bare plastic?

ncbrock · Apr 9, 2014

If I had money to spend on Michelins, I wouldn't. I'll have a snap judgement about people who judge people if they have Michelins or not.

Flame suit on.

Crispyfritter · Apr 9, 2014

I buy lots of crap, but if the car smells terrible, its a deal breaker.

Chris

Mr.Nobody · Apr 9, 2014

When I see them proudly state they but Raceland coilovers on the car, tells me right away that they used the cheapest crappiest parts/hack jobs to maintain the car.

Harpoon · Apr 9, 2014

ncbrock said:
If I had money to spend on Michelins, I wouldn't. I'll have a snap judgement about people who judge people if they have Michelins or not.

Flame suit on.

Thank you

Numbersix · Apr 9, 2014

Also look at tires first.

Off-brand/mismatched tires are a BIG red flag for me. It says that the owner has invested only what they absolutely had to in order to keep the car on the road.

crannky · Apr 9, 2014

ClothSeats said:
I said the exact same thing and got crucified for it a week ago. :facepalm: You have an old join date though so it's all good.

I don't like ClothSeats. Deal. Breaker.

The Igneous Faction · Apr 9, 2014

If it's more than $1200 I walk. I mean, COME ON.

Posted via Topify using iPhone/iPad

JettaMobile · Apr 9, 2014

I probably would hesitate to buy a used car in a state that doesn't have some form of road worthiness inspection. I'm looking at you Ohio and Indiana.

quadcammer32 · Apr 9, 2014

Chiropractor JW said:
If the driver's seat has excessive wear.

Also if there is excessive wear on the steering wheel or the gear shifter. Might have zero affect on how the car is driven, but it just screams that a mouth breather that could can't be bothered with exiting the car without sliding all over the place owned the car. Bothers the bejesus out of me.

x2, worn and clapped out bolsters are a no-go for me.

Sporin · Apr 9, 2014

ncbrock said:
If I had money to spend on Michelins, I wouldn't. I'll have a snap judgement about people who judge people if they have Michelins or not.

Flame suit on.

I should clarify, it's not that I think Michelins are the best tires ever or perfect in any situation. But they are a pricey tire, not sold at cheap-o tire places, so a nice set of Michelins implies good maintenance overall to me.

Snap Judgement Items on Used Cars

BostonB6

Yo Teach

Chiropractor JW

MK5golf

someguy123

Harpoon

teileguy

nm+

SCHWAB0

Kar98

ncbrock

Crispyfritter

Mr.Nobody

Harpoon

Numbersix

crannky

The Igneous Faction

JettaMobile

quadcammer32

Sporin

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