| Author | Message | ||
     D. Howell (Blackandtan) New Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 35 Registered: 04-2003 |
Hmm... this 97 Disco I'm looking at started life as a lease car. In 2001 it was sold at auction (listed as a fleet vehicle). In late 2002 it failed emissions, then passed after having been serviced (there's what I think is an official smog/repair station listed - Belmont). The current owners say they bought it a couple years ago from a Land Rover dealer in town, also say it was recently smogged (I've yet to see the report). They have service records since their purchase (routine upkeep, no biggies). What particular worries do I have here - aside from perhaps paying particular attention to the engine, maybe having a compression test done, etc.? Do all or few lease cars eventually get sold at auction? Hmm.... drat... hmm... Thanks.. | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) New Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 36 Registered: 04-2003 |
Update: CA DMV smog records show a smog fail and then pass on the same day, 29 minutes apart, at a quick-change oil place (on that date in '02 where CarFax mentioned the smog fail). | ||
| Tony Zuniga (Tony23007) Member Username: Tony23007 Post Number: 132 Registered: 05-2003 |
I don't know about all, but I bought mine from a dealer and it was a previously lease car! | ||
| Justin (Vanroth) Member Username: Vanroth Post Number: 55 Registered: 02-2003 |
Honestly I would not worry about the failed smog test... I have had perfectly good running cars fail for some stupid reason or another (sometimes just visuals). If the car passes the second time that is usually what the problem is... Something small. It gripes me sometimes after failing for something small, it goes on record an then I have to explain it to a buyer (who, for obvious reasons, now wary). For cheaper auto's I would stay away from off-lease cars as people tear them up, but for the more upscale vehicles like a LR, lease cars are just the same as a used one. -justin | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) New Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 37 Registered: 04-2003 |
Thanks very much for the perspective... good points! And how about the point of it having been sold at auction some time back... does that happen with many lease cars/nothing to worry about as regards general quality? (I believe the current owners actually bought it from a Land Rover dealer, who might've picked it up at the auction - or something!) | ||
| Matthew Shoup (Dr_bubble) New Member Username: Dr_bubble Post Number: 12 Registered: 06-2003 |
My car was originally a leased vehicle and then sold at an auction. If I'm not mistaken (and please correct me if I'm wrong) once the lease of the vehicle is up the dealer or lease owner (sometimes a bank) tries to sell it for a while and then offs the car (asking too much for most consumers[?] so they bulk sell cars) to an auction broker who usually sells it. If you're really worried about the car, take it to the dealer for an inspection before buying it. Anyone who really wants to sell the car will allow you to take it there (if you're not good at recognizing problems yourself) and they'll do a diagnostic chekup on the car for a small phenominal ammount. Lease is normal. Lease returns can lead to Auctioning. No problems with my rover. But that's just a case by case scenerio. Look at others on the web (yahoo/autotrader) [even if they're not in your area] and do the carfax report on those and compare what you find to those. Research research research. Belmont, eh? Belmont California? Matthew | ||
| Jim H. (Victor_mature) Member Username: Victor_mature Post Number: 125 Registered: 02-2003 |
Failed emmissions and then passing a retest 29 minutes later sounds like a leaking gas cap. The guy ran out, bought a new one and got back in line at the emmissions station. I wouldn't worry about any problem that took 29 minutes to fix. Hell, if you buy it, you'll be spending the next 29 months fixing it  | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 42 Registered: 04-2003 |
Belmont, CA | ||
| D. Howell (Blackandtan) Member Username: Blackandtan Post Number: 43 Registered: 04-2003 |
Thank you all ever so. |
