Totally agree. My main worry was the lack of activity on the carfax after the accident, with two new owners in quick succession who apparently put hardly any miles on it. Seemed weird. Turns out one of the additional owners was the son of the guy who crashed it, who then traded it in to the dealer.

Totally happy with the car, enjoying it IMMENSELY! If I'd known about the accident I would've aimed lower on the price, but I was able to get them to my original target of $15k (+~$1300 worth of tax, reg, title, and the dreaded dealer fees) from their asking price of $18,990 without too much undue wrangling. As Jsmply suggests, at least part of the deduction due to repaired crash damage is likely accounted for already. Having a car with ZERO accidents or repairs was never a requirement for me anyway.

In all, I'm happy, but for sure I won't even bother asking a dealer for carfax in the future! What's $20 or $25?

Time to drive home now

 

Glad it worked out for you! Enjoy the S experience!

 

Very true.

Also something to consider, carfax can be inaccurate. Perfect example is my car. I bought my car in December of 2005. I am still the owner today in February of 2007. Somehow the carfax shows that it changed owners from me . . . to me in July of 2006, 7 months after I bought it. You know what happended in July of 2006? I got a new license plate . . . ownership did not change? I did however go about 2 weeks late to renew my tag, so they had to give me a brand new license plate. Somehow that translates to carfax as a new owner.

Carfax also does not show the minor rear-ending that happended to me (which insurance and cops were involved) so go figure . . . I agree its worth the $20-30 to run a carfax, but I would not consider it the bible of car history . . . it can be inaccurate.

Now go enjoy your car, you can't go back in time. You have no frame damage and a minor accident repair. At least now you won't flip out as badly if you get in a minor fender bender. Enjoy the car but BE CAREFUL if you are not familiar with light RWD cars . . . very easy to loose the back end if you don't know what your doing, and very easy to mis-shift if your not used to such a tight gearbox. Take some time and learn the car . . . and enjoy it responsibly so you will have many many years of high RPM fun and hopefully s2ki membership.

That being said, s2ki has already eased your buyers remorse, so consider throwing $20 at them to become a paid member.

 

ZDan-

Get it aligned! It's about $80, and will tell you if the frame is bent. You should probably do it anyway, but I would DO IT NOW, while you've still got options as far as returning the car. (In Virginia, you can return a car within 3 days, I believe).

I purchased a used S from a dealer and drove it for a year and a half before I took it to get it aligned. It wouldn't align to spec. Turned out the frame at the front left control arm were bent. Thousands of dollars to fix. Fortunately, my dealer stepped up and paid for it, but only because I could PROVE that it was in this condition when I bought it.

Definitely get it aligned now!!!

 

I think you got a good one. If it feels good and the shop gave it a thumbs up, not too much more you could ask for when buying used.
Only one dissagreement concerning holding the clutch in at a red light-- The only wear comes at initial engagement/disengagement which you will perform once anyway when the light turns green. A fuly depressed clutch pedal will add no wear to your clutch.
Congratulations on your new S. I think your really going to enjoy it.

 

He is probably refering to the wear on the throwout bearing by holding the clutch pedal down, not the wear on the clutch disc itself. While your right that a fully depressed clutch pedal will not wear the clutch . . . but it will be wear on the TO bearing.

 

my friend does this everytime ive ever driven with him...... "whats that noise when i push the clutch"

not the worst thing you could do to a car but surely a pet peeve of mine. not as bad as the people that feather the clutch to keep themselves in place on an incline instead of the brake!!

Nate

 

[QUOTE=Nate4635,Feb 23 2007, 02:50 PM]

my friend does this everytime ive ever driven with him......

 

I think you guys already know what my argument is- -You really have no control over your car when your car is in neutral. There may be circumstances such as stuck in traffic with no expectation of moving soon etc. I consider idleing in neutral a convience option to be used with discretion which has nothing to do with driving.
The throw-out bearing will probably outlast the clutch regardless of how you drive.

 

I guess i dont know how much control i need to have when im sitting at a red light. I dont think a collision or any other adverse driving scenerio will occur if i take the time (>1sec) to push the clutch in, put it in gear and take off. I've heard that argument before and i guess i dont get it. Do you also hold the gas pedal in a little while sitting there so you are ready to go?

I sure dont think i have any less 'control' when im in neutral as opposed to when the SHIFTER is in gear.....but the car is not?

Nate