Good Deal?

1191 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ::xander::, Aug 26, 2006

HatchbackGuy223

Discussion Starter · Aug 21, 2006

Hey everyone i need your help on this deal. I found a 1999 vw golf for sale at a used car dealership. The guy is selling it for $4,200. Its a 4 door, with a sunroof. I dont know what model type it is because the badge was taken off.
Its a 5 speed, and it got 122,417 miles on it. The body is in good condition. The only thing is that the hood is mis aligned on the right side (not by a lot). I went to carfax and typed in the vin number and it said 4 records were found. So would you buy this car? Thanks for your replys

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tjl

· #2 · Aug 22, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (HatchbackGuy223)

a3 or a4 platform?
If a3, it is should be a GL with manual windows. If a4, it should be a GLS with power windows (1999 a4 GL cars were 2 door). On the a4, factory sunroof was part of the luxury package which included 15" aluminum wheels (Avus style). Either should have a 2.0L engine, but some a4 cars have TDI engines (unlikely that a TDI would be offered that cheap).
Any maintenance records? Do the check engine and airbag lights turn on when starting, then turn off?
Does it have a clean title? You may want to pay for a CarFax title check.
Misaligned hood could be due to poorly repaired crash damage. Have it inspected carefully. Note that CarFax does not find all crashes that do not result in a title change (to a salvage or rebuilt title).
As far as the price goes, check the usual valuation sites. Reduce the valuation appropriately if there are needed repairs, past severe or poorly repaired crash damage, missing maintenance that needs to be done, or a dishonest seller.

Modified by tjl at 5:27 PM 8-21-2006

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HatchbackGuy223

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 22, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (tjl)

Well it does have a 2.0L engine. He opened the hood. And i think it has power windows. Im going to look at it again today, and get a test drive. The battery was dead yesterday, So he said come back the next day. Well by looking at the hood you cant tell its mis-aligned. You can only tell by sliding your finger along the space between the right fender and the hood. (the right fender is a little higher than the hood.)
And the dealer said that he buys cars crashed and fixes them up and sells them for more. But hes pretty honest. The crash damage isn't poorly done....you can only tell when you lift the hood. I have the vin number if you wanna look at it. cuz maybe that can tell you what model it is.

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tjl

· #4 · Aug 22, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (HatchbackGuy223)

Quote, originally posted by HatchbackGuy223 »

And the dealer said that he buys cars crashed and fixes them up and sells them for more. But hes pretty honest. The crash damage isn't poorly done....you can only tell when you lift the hood. I have the vin number if you wanna look at it. cuz maybe that can tell you what model it is.

If he bought the car crashed, he should be able to provide pictures of the car as it was crashed, and records (at least parts receipts) for the repairs. Assuming that the dealer is an adjunct to a body shop, or uses a particular body shop for repairs, find out the local reputation of that body shop, and find out if there is a warranty on the repair work (many body shops give warranties on their work).
What about the maintenance records and check engine and airbag lights? If there are no maintenance records, it needs the following work immediately:
40,000 mile service (about $500 at VW dealer prices)
brake fluid change (about $100 at VW dealer prices)
timing belt change ($??? at VW dealer prices)
And check the tire and brake pad condition to see if they need replacing. And if the battery is dead, it may need a new one (about $100), or there is a current leak that is draining the battery rapidly.

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HatchbackGuy223

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 23, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (tjl)

Ok well me and my dad test drove it today. And it ran like new. My dad brought it up to about 7k rpms. But the only thing that is wrong with it. Is that it needs an oil change. The car started right up and everything. It has power windows, locks and sunroof. So its an A4. Oh and the battery was fine now.

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carnutchuck

· #6 · Aug 23, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (HatchbackGuy223)

does it look like a 2000 or a 1998? 1999's came in both Jetta and new Jetta bodies. it sounds nice. what color is it? for the year I think $3500 for the A4 ...$2800 for the mklll. see if you can reach the previous owner and why they got rid of it. But if it's what you want ...hurry up and buy it.

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HatchbackGuy223

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 23, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (carnutchuck)

Its blue. and i dont know much about vw's so i cant tell you what kind of body it has. and yea im trying to get him down to 3600 but he said thats how much he bought it for. so i dont think he will go that low. He said that he bought it at an auction. So i dunno who the previous owner would be.

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You are to blame

· #8 · Aug 25, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (HatchbackGuy223)

Don't buy. Buying a crashed car with little information usually leads to a headache. You don't want the paint on the hood to start chipping after a couple of months due to a poor paint/clearcoat.

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::xander::

· #9 · Aug 26, 2006

Re: Good Deal? (You are to blame)

I wouldn't buy a crashed 7 year old car

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