Belt Auction

Do you think this is a good deal or scam or some hidden problem with car?

Car info: - Selling from very small local private dealer, so there is no information about the reputation of the seller. - The car is a large SUV - v8 - gas 13/18 kind, ads priced at about 3000 below any other ads I found online, about 5000 below the average ads - even about 1000 below KBB trade-in price. - The auto history report shows pretty good. It was first registered at TEXAS at 2005, state inspection at 2007, auto auction at 2008 a few month ago. Showed the car was used as lease that seems like someone returns the car to dealer after 3 years. (Now, I am in New York seeing this car.) Concern 1 - Texas is famous for flooding. Concern 2 - If there could be any hidden problem. I am going to ask for an inspection from a mechanic I used for years. Questions: - Do you think it is safe to buy if the mechanic does not see any problem? - Any suggests on how to identify if the car was but not reported. - Any suggests on what to special inspection I should look?

Public Comments

1. Carfax reports only show what was reported, If the car was flooded, and not reported, it would not be on the carfax, same as with accidents and anything else that happens..... Your mechanic should be able to tell if it was in a flood, there would be sand or dirt everywhere under the hood, even in the carpet of the car, and it may have a moldy mildew smell inside. The bottom line is, if its mechanically sound, and the price is right, who cares if it was in a flood.......
2. I would go ahead if your mechanic gives it a reasonably clean bill of health. Sometimes dealerships get cars in that are really cheap and you can get a good deal. I work at a dealership in New York and we get cars from all over, especially used cars we buy from auctions, because they auctions are so far away, we are near buffalo and get most of our used cars from pittsburg. Your mechanic will know what to look for. If he gives it the go ahead then you should be ok, if you still dont feel comfortable then get something else.
3. Recently the market has adjusted itself in regards to the SUV's and trucks and etc. and the prices at the auctions have gone way down. Therefore, if the dealer purchased it right, he's probably just selling it right. There might even be a little money on the table.