Prices on low mileage '05 roadsters continue to drop like a rock. I am talking with a couple of Chrysler dealers who are ready to move them under 18K. With certification and maxcare, its basically bumper to bumper coverage until April of 2014 or 80K miles. All for well under 20K. I'm about ready.

I have carfax for the cars I am talking over, but is there a way to "read between the lines"? A low mileage lease to a company official is great. Use on some kind of traveling "track day" less so. Thoughts?

 

The main thing is to look for accidents. I did 20 cars before I bought mine. A couple had "minor" accidents (so the dealers said). Whe I got an accident report, it was almost a major. I got to the point I wouldn't look at one that had an accident.

The other thing Carfax does, is to tell you how long the dealer has been sitting on the car. Mine had been sitting on it since May and was anxious to move it.

Lastly, make sure there are no breaks in ownership or a salvage, flood or "totaled" title.

 

are you sure you have your numbers right? roadsters?

 

I try to avoide those that have been rentals, dealership lease car is cool. but have your mechanic look it over on a lift, as the dealerships pretend they did an inspection. They are too lazy.

 

Unfortunately, Carfax doesn't get everything. People put a lot of faith into them but they only get what's reported to them. If it's not reported, you won't know. They recently (within last 18 months) got into trouble becaseu of this. Just like people can "wash" titles (ie go to states that don't recognize salvage titles and then register in another state) people can pull one over on carfax.

www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/carfax_suit.html

www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/carfax_inacc.html

 

Be Careful, Depends on what state you live in. Illinois does not require to report any accidents at all some states do. Title information and mileage will be on carfax in Illinois, leans and other title information will be all you get. Hope this helps.

 

Carfax is valuable, but it still only knows what has been reported. I use NADA and some other dealer-specific services. I'm not a huge Carfax fan, because I know how often it misses things, and how knowledgeable people can affect the report.

Mike

 

One dealer mentioned in passing that his certified crossfire had new rear tires. This car has 24,000 miles. Is this a normal range for needing new rears, or does this suggest a hard life?

 

With That kind of mileage, either the previous owner did not pay attention to tread wear and did not have the tires rotated, or it was abuse, What year is your Crossfire and is it certified by Chrysler. Some of the untitled 06 Cars we have sold had flat spots on them from sitting so long in storage. They were turned in and manufacture backed them up.

 

The one with the new rear tires is an '05. I am looking at three '05 roadsters at three different dealers. In two cases, the dealers are willing to do the certification, but I don't beleive it is done right now. The third has already gone through the process. It is a bit more money, with the only option difference the two tone leather. In all three cases, I would get the certified powertrain protection and spring for the maxcare protection on the rest of the vehicle. That said, the gentlest prior use is for the best...