Off work this week and bored. Toying with the thought of retiring my trusty but getting very rusty Olds. My Caliber has sunroof leaks that have defied dealer attempts to repair, and despite owning it for 7 years, I never really bonded with it. Probably because I am more of a sedan person.
So, why not look at a car on a similar platform? Pfft. Logic.
This is what I tried today. https://www.maocars.com/details/used-2008-chrysler-sebring/58173503
The price was lower than comparable ones for sale. 2.4L 4/auto. Ex-rental, three owner with 91k, no accidents. Various small dings, a scrape or two, and two pea sized spots of rust on a quarter, a little bubbling on the leading edge of the hood.
Tires were Yokohama Avid's that were dangerously dry rotted and bald. Front brakes are very thin. Just passed a MA Safety/Emissions inspection (!) No warning lights.
Interior needed a bit of a cleaning still, all options worked. Ran and drove pretty well.
What perplexed me was an intermittent knock/rattle. Sounded like it was coming from under the engine cover, then I thought maybe flex plate.
The noise diminished, but increased with engine speed. So I ruled out bearings with that. Didn't hear any timing chain rattle on start-up.
Noted after the drive that when I put it in reverse with wheel full lock to one side to park, the engine speed dropped and idled very roughly.
Mentioned to the salesman that I liked it for what it was, but that noise was a problem. No real flexibility on the price aside from dropping all title and doc fees. Said all cars in that price range need a bit of work.
He claimed that they are getting ready to send it back to auction. Not sure I believe that as it was bought at auction approximately a month ago.
Found the previous owner's registration in the glovebox and made note of the address, a city about 60 miles away.
Not sure if this car is worth following up on. Yeah, it is cheaper, but not sure if I am either missing a huge red flag, or known problems with this model.
I enjoy the challenge of a used car now and again but don't want to be foolish either.
Thoughts, comments or knowledge welcome.
So, why not look at a car on a similar platform? Pfft. Logic.
This is what I tried today. https://www.maocars.com/details/used-2008-chrysler-sebring/58173503
The price was lower than comparable ones for sale. 2.4L 4/auto. Ex-rental, three owner with 91k, no accidents. Various small dings, a scrape or two, and two pea sized spots of rust on a quarter, a little bubbling on the leading edge of the hood.
Tires were Yokohama Avid's that were dangerously dry rotted and bald. Front brakes are very thin. Just passed a MA Safety/Emissions inspection (!) No warning lights.
Interior needed a bit of a cleaning still, all options worked. Ran and drove pretty well.
What perplexed me was an intermittent knock/rattle. Sounded like it was coming from under the engine cover, then I thought maybe flex plate.
The noise diminished, but increased with engine speed. So I ruled out bearings with that. Didn't hear any timing chain rattle on start-up.
Noted after the drive that when I put it in reverse with wheel full lock to one side to park, the engine speed dropped and idled very roughly.
Mentioned to the salesman that I liked it for what it was, but that noise was a problem. No real flexibility on the price aside from dropping all title and doc fees. Said all cars in that price range need a bit of work.
He claimed that they are getting ready to send it back to auction. Not sure I believe that as it was bought at auction approximately a month ago.
Found the previous owner's registration in the glovebox and made note of the address, a city about 60 miles away.
Not sure if this car is worth following up on. Yeah, it is cheaper, but not sure if I am either missing a huge red flag, or known problems with this model.
I enjoy the challenge of a used car now and again but don't want to be foolish either.
Thoughts, comments or knowledge welcome.