Buying used (not CPO) from a dealer far away

[BrianV70]

Howdy,

I am starting to look around for a P3 platform XC70 ('08 or newer). I live in Denver, CO and the used market for AWD cars here seems to be inflated (like everything else here recently). As an example, my wife recently bought a CPO V60 and saved $2-3K (including airfare) by driving one back from Dallas.

My price range suggests I am targeting an AWD 3.2 trim level with somewhere between 45,000 and 65,000 miles. Not likely to be a CPO. Maybe a T6, but less likely. Locations all over the map (TX, CA, midwest, east coast).

When buying used, a pre-purchase inspection by a good mechanic is always advised. How about when buying from a Volvo dealer? How would you go about that? Find an indy to look at it? Talk to their service department (totally biased)...?

Thanks!

[BrianV70]

I learned a bit on the internet this evening:

- Same brand ("franchise") dealers get better picks of used cars through customer trades and dealer auctions

- Some have standards for what they will allow/sell on their lots and are more likely to do repairs to get vehicles up to snuff to preserve both the dealer and brand reputation.

- Independent used dealers are lower on the totem pole for auctions. Public auctions (where my '00 V70 XC is going next...) is where all the crap ends up.

- One "pro tip" might be to look for your choice of car at a competitive brand dealer. I.e., find my used XC70 at an Audi dealer. You are competing against auction price, and they will be eager to get that crap off of their lot b/c they don't want customers shopping competitive brands.

[abscate]

Brian - reach out to Jim (JRL) if you are willing to spend to get the clean retail type car - it will carry a clean retail price, but it will be the real deal. A wholesaler like Jim can pick a creampuff from the auctions, but unlike you or me, if he finds something fubar, he sends it back and gets his money back.

The value is you get a car with no surprises. If you want to spend a couple years to find the clean retail at wholesale price, thats the other route - which might not happen

Jim in in South East PA near the Mainline

Disclaimer - no financial interest other than thanks for 30k miles on my "2005 standard transmission JRL clean as a whistle V70"

[oragex]

If buying from a dealership, I'd google up for reviews or forum discussions on that place. Myself not going to buy blind just because it's a main dealer - we all know well enough how dishonest are many of these when it comes to repairs. Give at least local.google.com a try with the dealer name and check the reviews.

Also, if issues happen, returns or warranty claims may be a problem because of the distance, I think.