Looking for some LR3 buying advice

[mgdeez]

LR3 owners...this is my first post...but I've been lurking on the boards for a couple months since deciding to purchase an LR3. I'd like some advice from the group on a potential purchase:

So I found what I thought was the perfect used LR3 HSE for us (myself and my wife). 2007 HSE w/Luxury package w/31k miles for $31k in the colors we are looking for. One owner previous lease vehicle, clean Autocheck, 60+ pictures make it look like a great vehicle. I was all set to purchase it until I pulled a Carfax report on the vehicle and discovered it had been in an accident about a year ago. Long story short it had $7k dollars worth of front end repair work done at an authorized LR dealership, and has been driven about 10k miles since the accident. The LR3 is covered by the 4yr/50,000 mile warranty until 3/33/2011 and has been serviced regularly by the same dealership.

My question is this, I can only get the dealer to come down to $29500 based on the new info that apparently he didn't know it had been in a crash. Resale value on this vehicle will always be lower because of the Carfax crash blemish. Is this still a good deal? Or should I keep looking around? I'm looking for honest advice from LR3 owners. What makes matters a little harder is the vehicle is several states away so I am unable to look at it until the potential sale time.

Thanks for any/all responses.

 

[roverman]

I wouldn't get it for no other reason than this dealer didn't divulge the front end damage to you, the *****.

 

[beantmt]

Well, here is my opinion...

I had a compact SUV for a while.. My wife got into an accident at a stop sign in town. A small Nissan pickup hit the front side going about 15-20mph. There was no frame damage and no damage to the axle. We took it to the body shop and they replaced a few panels, the passenger door, the wheel, and some wheel-related parts. I never thought much about it after that. It still drove perfectly, and we drove it for 10,000 more miles. When we went to trade it in, I was amazed at the low-ball offers we got from dealerships. I didn't even realize such a minor accident would appear on Carfax, but I checked and it was there. So I listed it on a local classified page for a decent price (but quite a bit more than the dealerships were offering), and sold it within a week. I was very open about the accident and even listed it in the add. I was the only owner so I did have all the documentation; I even called my insurance company and send me a copy of exactly what had been replaced. Anyway, I think the people who bought it got a really great deal on a good car.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I was out looking at vehicles. I found an LR3 I really liked and the dealer told me right off that it had been in an accident, but he didn't have any details about it. I took it too a reputable and independent body shop and had them take a look. They didn't charge me anything, and the guy told me that everything looked really good, but the rear passenger door had likely been repainted. I also took the vehicle to a Land Rover dealership and paid them to do a pre-purchase inspection. They said everything looked great, so I went ahead and bought it. I was actually quite happy knowing that I saved about $3,000. Granted, I've only put about 300 miles on, but I still have 9 months left on the warranty (and will probably get an extended warranty).

Front end damage would make me a bit more nervous, and I agree with roverman that this was definitely something the dealer should have divulged. One thing I learned after buying my LR3 is that you really didn't need "THAT ONE." There are more Also, like you mentioned, the resale value will always be lower, so you should definitely make sure you are getting a good discount for yourself because of the accident.

From what I have seen (at least locally), I would expect to pay about what NADA guides shows as the "Clean-Trade In" price for a vehicle with a minor accident. NADA shows this as $28,700 for the vehicle you described, so it's close.

 

[beantmt]

I should probably mention that I did run a Carfax report on the LR3 I purchased and there was no airbag deployment or structural damage according to the report. It was just an accident reported by the Washington state police. After a little investigation, I discovered that the Washington state police reports will show up on Carfax for any accident involving at least $500 worth of damage (which could just be a fender bender).

 

[Rover7777]

check out this link. THe dealer is located in Md., not sure where you are from. All the 2008's have some miles on them, demonstrators or exec cars. If i remember, anywhere from 3-8000 miles. This was a few months ago so....But they have a large selection of 08's. And i wouldn't let that price tag scare you away. You can probably cut a WAY better deal than advertised.

http://frankellandrover.com/New-Inv...ndex=0&modelyear=null&numberofvisiblepages=10

For the record, i know nothing about this dealership. Its just one i came across in my search for my LR.

Good luck

john

 

[jpljpl]

check out this link. THe dealer is located in Md., not sure where you are from. All the 2008's have some miles on them, demonstrators or exec cars. If i remember, anywhere from 3-8000 miles. This was a few months ago so....But they have a large selection of 08's. And i wouldn't let that price tag scare you away. You can probably cut a WAY better deal than advertised.

http://frankellandrover.com/New-Inv...ndex=0&modelyear=null&numberofvisiblepages=10

For the record, i know nothing about this dealership. Its just one i came across in my search for my LR.

Good luck

john

FYI-

I live in NYC, and originally made a deposit on a truck at Herb Chambers in Boston. 08 HSE + LUX. The truck was 39,500 in Boston, and Frankel had the same exact truck for 44,500. I showed Frankel the HC truck, thinking they might negotiate. But Frankel only moved 500 on their price, even though I was a cash in hand buyer.

Then the scumbags at LR Sudbury (Herb Chambers) sold the truck I made a deposit on locally to someone else, after they ran my Amex.

I have no further experience with Frankel, as my only attempt at a long distance deal totally soured me on trying again. Beyond the fact they would hardly budge at all.

This was in mid July 2009.

Good luck.

 

[Rover7777]

Hmm, well....if i wanted n 08..i would still try. That was 4 months ago, plus the new model year has come out so you never know. You can make them an offer, the worse they can say is no. JMO of course.