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It's been over 10 years since we've purchased a vehicle, so I'm a little overwhelmed trying to process all the information available. We are going to look at a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL. Asking price $17,718. The vin number is 3FAHP0JG0CR274559. The Carfax report confuses me, because the vehicle is now is in Georgia, but was originally from California and was sold at auction in Illinois at some point.
Does anyone have any input on how to interpret this information? I'd really appreciate it
Late model cars sent to auction are suspect. Usually the dealer that takes it in on trade can make more money selling it locally than shipping it 1000 miles to auction, so if they could not... it raises questions.
It may just be a matter of the local market not being a good place to sell that particular model/options/color/whatever, but it also increases the chances it has an unreported accident - so these cars have to be looked at with scrutiny.
Molly, don't even consider the car if you're going to spend that much. You can buy a NEW 2014 Fusion SE for the same money. We just bought one last week for that same money. It's white with more crap than you'll ever use on it. Sirius radio, automatic everything, power everything, drives like a dream, incredibly quiet inside, and she's already getting over 20 mpg for in town driving. It's for the wife who believes a car is just transportation. She's NOT a car person at all....until the Fusion. She's now a raging car fanatic and wants to show our pristine Lincoln LSC in some upcoming shows. Take a look at the new Fusions and skip the Carfax crap along with buying someones Lemon. You'll like the new ones a lot better, and they come with a warranty not to mention you can get the color you want most likely. But you need to hurry as the 2015s are just around the corner.
I'm be a little concerned / suspicious, Molly . . .
There's gotta be something up with the little history you've already uncovered. I'd definitely feel more comfortable with a local vehicle and possibly being able to speak to the original owner.
Good Luck and keep in mind that CarFax only reports the information supplied to them.
Late model cars sent to auction are suspect. Usually the dealer that takes it in on trade can make more money selling it locally than shipping it 1000 miles to auction, so if they could not... it raises questions.
It may just be a matter of the local market not being a good place to sell that particular model/options/color/whatever, but it also increases the chances it has an unreported accident - so these cars have to be looked at with scrutiny.
Late model cars go to auction all the time. They are lease returns and vehicles that were at the end of their rental fleet life.
It's been over 10 years since we've purchased a vehicle, so I'm a little overwhelmed trying to process all the information available. We are going to look at a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL. Asking price $17,718. The vin number is 3FAHP0JG0CR274559. The Carfax report confuses me, because the vehicle is now is in Georgia, but was originally from California and was sold at auction in Illinois at some point.
Does anyone have any input on how to interpret this information? I'd really appreciate it
Molly,
That price is way too high. That is about $1000 less than I paid for my 2012 Focus SEL NEW 2 1/2 years ago. I wouldn't go any higher than 14,000 on that car.
Thanks everyone! I REALLY appreciate all the input.
Our budget for our vehicle is $15,000 so we wouldn't have paid the asking price, although the price seemed right in line with KBB and other on-line car valuation sites.
We're going to go test drive some cars today, so we'll see how that goes. But we definitely won't purchase anything today, just looking! (As I will have to tell the salesperson if they get too pushy
Thanks again, I welcome any and all opinions and advice.
Some dealers automatically send cars to auction that are not of the same manufacturer that they represent.
Ex: A Toyota dealer might always send Chevy's it takes in on trade, to auction. A dealer has different business reasons as to why they would do this. Since used vehicle prices vary by region, it also makes sense that cars get transported across the country.
Don't put a lot of faith in KBB pricing - KBB was essentially created by dealerships, to benefit them - not the consumer. The prices are NOT real, they are just guesses. Black Book (although a subscription is pricey) is the only real way to get true pricing as it uses actual sales prices from auctions and is updated weekly.
Honestly the car was most likely a rental (a lot of fusions are) that went to an auction company after the company was done with it. Either that or the car was traded in and the dealer didn't feel it was worthy of selling on their lot so it went to auction. Either way you wouldn't want it.
Some dealers automatically send cars to auction that are not of the same manufacturer that they represent.
Ex: A Toyota dealer might always send Chevy's it takes in on trade, to auction. A dealer has different business reasons as to why they would do this. Since used vehicle prices vary by region, it also makes sense that cars get transported across the country.
Don't put a lot of faith in KBB pricing - KBB was essentially created by dealerships, to benefit them - not the consumer. The prices are NOT real, they are just guesses. Black Book (although a subscription is pricey) is the only real way to get true pricing as it uses actual sales prices from auctions and is updated weekly.
This is 100% correct. Auction doesn't automatically mean junk. I purchased an Audi from a Dodge dealership and it was going to auction the next week if it didn't sell. It didn't make sense for an Audi to be on their lot. I got lucky to buy this car almost 10 years ago and it has been amazing, but it could have been an auction car.
Take your time looking. Private sellers are many times a good find, if you can wait a while.
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