Hello on this Fourth of July 2018
A month ago I scoped out a 2008 Nissan Stanza a friend had located online. It was near me so little effort was involved.
Good car it was but way too small for his lifestyle and job. By the time I called him back he had come around and realized he was just off-base.
He zeroed in on the Honda Element because of its utilitarian shape and the mods outdoorsy people had posted online. He was in smitten.
He asked me to accompany him to the lovely world of used car dealers in Paterson, NJ. This was Monday July 2nd.
The $5,995 EX was in near showroom shape except for driver's seat food stains and curb-rashed wheels.
It drove solidly for a vehicle with 125K. The RF wheel put out a wobble starting at 50 mph.
SHORT VERSION: The dealer sent the vehicle to his mechanic and they dewobbled it >95% as best as I could feel the next day.
My pal determined that this vehicle was in high demand for a certain classification of buyer so he bought it. My job was done so I took my leave.
He then surprised me by taking it to a nearby Honda dealership. An inspection they called "a diagnostic" was $125. He did this AFTER the sale.
He said they decrudded the wheels and remounted and rebalanced the cheap tires the thing had and it drove like a dream. He was even HAPPIER.
I hope some day to see the entire print-out of said "diagnostic".
MY CONTRIBUTION: I took the stack of R&M receipts from the glove box, organized and digested them for my friend.
The car was bought new in Danbury, CT for $24,002 TOTAL.
It was serviced regularly at that dealership and at a garage on the New Jersey Shore (Lavallette).
Oil changes averaged out at 8,500 miles.
Both sway bar links had been changed.
It had a transmission D&F at 68K
It had an AWD differential fluid change a little later.
It had both O2 sensors changed in response to codes only a few thousand miles apart.
The owner brought it in on two occasions to secure flopping chassis plastic.
It had its airbag recall done.
It was in for brakes regularly throughout its life and recently before it was traded in.
My friend did OK.
PLAN: I'll offer to do another trannie and diff D&F as well as a coolant D&F.
QUESTION: A receipt from Safelite (windshield repair) was coded, "MWSREPAIR" and cost $129. Anybody know?
Cheers,
A month ago I scoped out a 2008 Nissan Stanza a friend had located online. It was near me so little effort was involved.
Good car it was but way too small for his lifestyle and job. By the time I called him back he had come around and realized he was just off-base.
He zeroed in on the Honda Element because of its utilitarian shape and the mods outdoorsy people had posted online. He was in smitten.
He asked me to accompany him to the lovely world of used car dealers in Paterson, NJ. This was Monday July 2nd.
The $5,995 EX was in near showroom shape except for driver's seat food stains and curb-rashed wheels.
It drove solidly for a vehicle with 125K. The RF wheel put out a wobble starting at 50 mph.
SHORT VERSION: The dealer sent the vehicle to his mechanic and they dewobbled it >95% as best as I could feel the next day.
My pal determined that this vehicle was in high demand for a certain classification of buyer so he bought it. My job was done so I took my leave.
He then surprised me by taking it to a nearby Honda dealership. An inspection they called "a diagnostic" was $125. He did this AFTER the sale.
He said they decrudded the wheels and remounted and rebalanced the cheap tires the thing had and it drove like a dream. He was even HAPPIER.
I hope some day to see the entire print-out of said "diagnostic".
MY CONTRIBUTION: I took the stack of R&M receipts from the glove box, organized and digested them for my friend.
The car was bought new in Danbury, CT for $24,002 TOTAL.
It was serviced regularly at that dealership and at a garage on the New Jersey Shore (Lavallette).
Oil changes averaged out at 8,500 miles.
Both sway bar links had been changed.
It had a transmission D&F at 68K
It had an AWD differential fluid change a little later.
It had both O2 sensors changed in response to codes only a few thousand miles apart.
The owner brought it in on two occasions to secure flopping chassis plastic.
It had its airbag recall done.
It was in for brakes regularly throughout its life and recently before it was traded in.
My friend did OK.
PLAN: I'll offer to do another trannie and diff D&F as well as a coolant D&F.
QUESTION: A receipt from Safelite (windshield repair) was coded, "MWSREPAIR" and cost $129. Anybody know?
Cheers,
