Was my used car dealer kinda sketchy?

[u/supermonistic]

So I’m in the market for a new vehicle and I went down to a local used car lot. The car that I had originally wanted was already sold but I noticed a 2012 Toyota Highlander that seemed to be in pretty good condition.

I took a look around on the inside and outside of the vehicle and I was a little astonished to see that it had 200,000 miles on it or so. The salesman assured me that since it was a Toyota, that’s a pretty unsubstantial number in the grand scheme. We took it for a test drive and I really liked it so we went back inside to talk financing.

I told him that I was preapproved for a fairly significant amount and the Highlander final price including tiling and registration was around $10,400. I said my bank had already approved me and they could give me an ACH loan to send directly to the dealership so that I could drive off a lot today. He asked me if I had a physical check and I said no.

He said to come back with a physical check whenever I receive that so that he could give me the vehicle. I really like the car so I agreed to it and my bank is sending me the check as we speak, but it felt a little bit sketchy that I couldn’t just transfer the money directly over to him at the dealership.

Is this dealer kind of sketchy? Should I be wary or call off this transaction?

[u/DavefromCA]

" it had 200,000 miles on it or so. The salesman assured me that since it was a Toyota, that’s a pretty unsubstantial number"

lol even on a toyota, 200,000 miles is a lot.

[u/GatorWok → u/DavefromCA]

Yep, can be. 200,000 miles is kind of an inflection point for Toyotas. May have plenty of life left, may be on its last leg, or anywhere in between.

I'm stunned that OP isn't asking for a PPI to figure out where this particular vehicle falls on the gamut. It could be an absolute financial disaster.

But nope, OP took it on a quick drive, slapped it on the hood and said where do I send the money? Zero due diligence.

There's a chance OP ends up right back in this sub asking what recourse they have against the dealer and we snarkily tell them that As-Is means As-The-F*ck-Is and why didn't they get a PPI?

[u/supermonistic → u/GatorWok]

My apologies I guess I’m really inexperienced. Sorry

[u/GatorWok → u/supermonistic]

No apologies needed. Just .. cars are the second most significant purchase in most people's lives and they're extraordinary complex pieces of machinery. And just about every car buying resource for decades recommends a PPI.

It's a great way to lessen risk. If the dealer won't allow it, you assume all the risk of buying something that could leave you stranded and/or empty your bank account to keep on the road.

[u/supermonistic → u/GatorWok]

Well the ink isn’t signed yet maybe I can still request one. I really appreciate the advice and guidance. I know you said no apology necessary but even going out of your way for a few seconds to give me some crucial information like this truly helps. Genuinely thank you so much

[u/GatorWok → u/supermonistic]

Sorry for the tone. We see it week after week after week, month after month, over and over for years in this sub. People buy used cars without a PPI and the car implodes. Sometimes sob stories and sometimes heartbreaking. I was just frustrated.

[u/supermonistic → u/GatorWok]

You don’t need to apologize I just really appreciate the advice you’re probably saving my life here lol

[u/As-the-F-Is → u/GatorWok]

You rang?

Yes, a PPI should be done before buying this vehicle. It might be great, it might have a hidden catastrophic issue.

As for the check, I don't consider that sketchy at all. Some smaller dealerships don't want to deal with this type of electronic transfer.

Sketchy would be if the salesperson or finance manager asked you to Venmo the down payment to his personal account.

[u/supermonistic → u/DavefromCA]

Seeing it typed out now it does feel kinda absurd, you’re right. Should I back out?