Posted on 07/10/2011 10:03:54 AM PDT by CGASMIA68
Never purchased a used car. Looking at an 07 accord exl, 57000 for 12000 private owner at a garage Price looks in line with vehicle. I know about car fax and will pay to have a Honda dealer look at it but before I get that far; How can a novice tell if the engine is the original and what else should I keep an eye out for? Thanks in advance
Purchasing a used car is a practical decision. Certainly, pay attention to the suggestions offered here. However, whenever a part of the nation has experienced severe flooding be especially wary whether it be a new or used car.
Purchasing anything requires the same protection freedom requires, eternal vigilance. Americans haven't done such a good job of protecting their freedoms. I hope you have better luck with your car purchase.
Age + observation = wisdom. Knocking down anecdotes from those with experience is folly.
The biggest of all foolishness with logical argument is to claim, ahead of time, that the results are known. You led off that way, when you preemptively discounted all anecdote, or my or anyone’s experience, no matter how refined or tested that experience.
What good is any study that is not backed with wisdom, and where does wisdom come from?
There’s no fallacy to say that because there is a correlation that suggests or even strongly implies causation a person a bit older than greenhorn informs his or her words before saying them with the wisdom of age that has already accounted for that distinction.
The kind of personality that fits a heavy smoker is also the kind of personality that drives cars hard, and with lack of care. But that’s their choice to do so. A smoker drives a car into the ground, a smoker’s vehicle doesn’t make for a good value buy.
These are my observations.
It may be that there are smokers with refinement who don’t leave butts to smolder out at all reachable points from the driver’s seat, or leave layers of smoke on every surface in the car. I’m talking about smokers who leave a obvious spoor.
LOL! That’s as whimsical as rainbow devouring black unicorns.
It’s called not getting into a flame war over this. A waste of time and bandwidth.
You, as a buyer, are allowed to take that correlation as far as you wish, and if that means you turn the sale down cold, it's your right. Until Obama gets his way.
The biggest of all foolishness with logical argument is to claim, ahead of time, that the results are known. You led off that way, when you preemptively discounted all anecdote, or my or anyone’s experience, no matter how refined or tested that experience.
You claimed there was a causation, yet offered no proof. You should know, as I read and understand your reasoning, the burden of proof lay with you, not me. You chose not take it on.
That is why I discounted your anecdotal evidence. Please desist with the calling of names. It makes you look foolish. IOW, be nice.
I could say, for example, the following is the biggest pile of crap I've ever seen converted into words:
There’s no fallacy to say that because there is a correlation that suggests or even strongly implies causation a person a bit older than greenhorn informs his or her words before saying them with the wisdom of age that has already accounted for that distinction.
But I would be cruel to point out you are being "an old fart."
Price sounds a tad high, but not out of line. Price would be justifiable if the owner had the service records for the vehicle, especially if the service was performed at the dealer the vehicle was purchased at or at minimum, another Honda dealer.
Honda dealers keep meticulous records on the vehicles they sell and service. If the owner were to try and trade that vehicle in to another Honda dealer and there were no dealer service records for the vechicle, they'd take a hit on the trade in value.
Honda's traded in at a Honda dealer, in which the service records indicating Honda Service had maintained the vehicle will always fetch a higher trade-in value since Honda will know the vehicle.
So ask for the service records, if it was maintained by Honda or elsewhere. If it was maintained elsewhere and parts were replaced, I can all but 100% guarantee you OEM Honda Parts weren't used on any repair.
Having said all that, Honda's are about as reliable as a vehicle as you can find. If the service records the owner has show nothing more than oil changes, inspections, and perhaps brake service or transmission service (fluid changed) don't be surprised. Honda's are that good.
Can you clarify exactly what you think I wrote that was a “causation”?
Heavy smoking causes sh*t lousy automobile maintenance.
Have to say I still miss my mustang. :(
Drive a Civic now, no complaints.
In reply 10 I said:
“(2) Was the owner a smoker? Bad if so. Smokers tend to abuse cars.”
In reply 49 I restated that with more punch:
“Smokers abuse cars.”
In reply 55 I replied to you regarding correlation and causation:
“I found a sure and strong correlation [between] smokers and abuse of car.”
I am unable to find support for your restatement of what I purportedly stated as a causation.
My own view that the personality types of people who become heavy smokers mesh with the kind of personality characteristics found in people who drive cars into the ground. My statements speak to correlation, not causation.
The signal of that correlation is, imo, strong. A car with evidence of a heavy smoker having owned it is a risk of being a money pit to get into safe and comfortable operational shape.
Whatever you say. I am too tired to fight your logic. I am reviewing your advice, and I realized it’s all hooey, anyway. I was wrong to suggest you had anything of value to offer this guy.
I blow smoke at jerks just like you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.