Is Cars.com on Crack.com? [Archive] (2024)

Greg 713

10th April 2007, 15:53

Did my 250 mile radius search on cars.com. I realize these are ASKING prices and not sold prices but some folks need to get a GRIP! Examples:

$5,998 71,879 mi. 1995 Mazda Miata MX-5 (has a hard top)
G & B Auto Sales West Allis, WI
This is high but not crackpipe high

$5,995 145,024 mi. 1994 Mazda Miata MX-5
Hubler Mazda South Greenwood, IN
145,000 miles and $6000! who has the lighter?

$5,995 87,000 mi. 1996 Mazda Miata MX-5
Ryan's Auto Sales Muncie, IN
High but not crackpipe high

$5,995 76,020 mi. 1992 Mazda Miata MX-5
Meeker Hill Auto Sales Germantown, WI
6 grand for a 92?!

$5,993 120,697 mi. 1996 Mazda Miata MX-5
Maxton Motors Butler, IN
6 grand for an 11 year old car with 120K miles? I will take 2!

$5,600 60,000 mi. 1990 Mazda Miata MX-5 (has a hard top)
personal ad Rockford, IL
No crackpipe but definately a good buzz

$5,500 145,000 mi. 1996 Mazda Miata MX-5
Trenton Auto Brokers Trenton, OH

$5,295 82,000 mi. 1996 Mazda Miata MX-5
Zimports Car Connection Indianapolis, IN
Just a buzz

$5,200 65,000 mi. 1995 Mazda Miata MX-5
1995 Mazda Miata M Edition CONVERTIBLE black, tan top, leather
personal ad Appleton, WI
This is the 1st ad that is not in the stratosphere. Black top on an M? Who knows what else lurks and is it really an M?

$4,995 140,040 mi. 1991 Mazda Miata MX-5
Graham Ford Columbus, OH
Huffs glue by the case

$4,300 136,000 mi. 1991 Mazda Miata MX-5
personal ad elmwood park, IL
Dude! you are $1000+ high and even then it is wishful thinking!

$3,995 143,220 mi. 1990 Mazda Miata MX-5
H&H Auto Haus Columbus, OH
This is the lowest priced car on my search

$3,995 146,479 mi. 1994 Mazda Miata MX-5
Sigler's Auto Sales Skokie, IL
This is the lowest priced car on my search

I put the dealer name and address so you know it is a dealer and not a misguided individual. However there are some misguided indviduals too. Would you even stop by a dealership and look? I wouldn't even call. My buying price and their selling price is SO FAR from each other.

Rich Wilkman

10th April 2007, 16:12

Nah. The folks that are on crack.com are the ones that obsess and create lists like this across such a large geographic area as to make comps impossible. It's always fun when they come off crack.com and try to sell their own cars, though. Suddenly "everybody is trying to screw them." :D

There are just as many buyers with a buying price that is outragously out of line with the car they want as there are sellers with high prices.

-Rich

Greg 713

10th April 2007, 16:31

WildKarrde

10th April 2007, 16:51

Frank Reiss

10th April 2007, 17:07

tom4416

10th April 2007, 17:31

hijack

10th April 2007, 17:44

synchromesh

10th April 2007, 18:15

D00d, I don't know where you have been but some of these are normal NA prices. At least ads 1 and 3 are not bad at all. Ad #1 is in fact a pretty good dealer price providing the car is in decent shape. Comes with hardtop to that's they actually want about $5200 for a '95 with 72K miles. I'd buy that.

The earlier cars are a bit overpriced though, agreed.

SB_92_MX5

10th April 2007, 18:24

If you want crackpipe high...you should check out our local Mazda dealership...proudly displayed in their showroom is a '93...C package....103K miles...decent repaint (mine is much better), some clunky 17" rims, and stock engine..stock suspension.....some boorish interior mod's etc.....asking "Only $15,995"....that is not a misprint. Folks wonder why it's been there for over 2 years......ugh.

No affiliation...but here is the proof...

http://www.robertsmazda.com/index.cfm?action=InventorySearch&subaction=SearchDetailUsed&InventoryID=10989874

Opus_Opus

10th April 2007, 18:32

Szturm

10th April 2007, 18:35

jebinc

10th April 2007, 19:20

If you want crackpipe high...you should check out our local Mazda dealership...proudly displayed in their showroom is a '93...C package....103K miles...decent repaint (mine is much better), some clunky 17" rims, and stock engine..stock suspension.....some boorish interior mod's etc.....asking "Only $15,995"....that is not a misprint. Folks wonder why it's been there for over 2 years......ugh.

No affiliation...but here is the proof...

http://www.robertsmazda.com/index.cfm?action=InventorySearch&subaction=SearchDetailUsed&InventoryID=10989874

Now that one earned the famed, "Please set away from the crack pipe" award!!

Greg 713

10th April 2007, 19:33

^^^+1^^^ makes some of my list look like downright theivery. Was it owned by somebody famous? Like Elvis?

I do have to call BS on some of you! :-) I have seen you post "overpriced" comments when cars nowhere near as high priced or high miles as some of these have been discussed. C'mon tell me this didn't make you laugh:

$4,995 140,040 mi. 1991 Mazda Miata MX-5
Graham Ford Columbus, OH

$5,995 145,024 mi. 1994 Mazda Miata MX-5
Hubler Mazda South Greenwood, IN

Would any of you pay half of this for either of these 2 cars? Indy and Columbus aren't hard core rust areas but these cars were daily drivers so you know they have seen several winters.

Tom4416 is correct about Mazda delaerships being in the ionospere but they have people comming to look at $22,000 Miatas so a $6000 Miata may look cheap.

Back to one of my original questions, are *some* of these prices so high they may not even generate interest? Would the average Joe (not a Miata.net geek like me) who was half-way interested in a Miata call either one of these dealers or would they be scared off?

Chet95

10th April 2007, 21:47

For those that don't know Miatas, the mileages will likely scare them off. "Normal" cars are pretty much used up at 140K if they even make it that far, so that's all they know to compare to.

The $4K examples seem about right with the pricing I see around here.

toddnappi

11th April 2007, 19:22

Every online car site is high. Everyone thinks what they have is worth the same amount as when they bought it.

Bottom line though - very few cars sell at those prices. Here's the secret - secure financing before hand, and go with CASH... works nearly every time to get 25-40% off asking prices.

hijack

11th April 2007, 19:41

Back to one of my original questions, are *some* of these prices so high they may not even generate interest? Would the average Joe (not a Miata.net geek like me) who was half-way interested in a Miata call either one of these dealers or would they be scared off?

This is my issue. I won't spend the time to go look if I feel that the price will need to come down 2-3 thousand at an asking price of 6-8K.

This ad (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220807927&dealer_id=69398&car_year=1991&model=MIATA&make2=&mod_bookmark_id=7757096&start_year=1989&keywordsfyc=&engine=&certified=&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=100&make=MAZDA&color=&min_price=&incremental=within_day&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=&sort_type=priceASC&address=44149&advanced=y&end_year=1997&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=18) listed today from a local dealer is a good example. 91, low miles, but $8K and no photo. Why should I waste my time. How successful has anyone been in offering way below asking price?

Rich Wilkman

11th April 2007, 20:34

Yes, but you're applying your local "what I'd pay" price to markets that are hundreds of miles from you. That's like living in Fresno and thinking you can get San Francisco prices for your house (or, in this case, renting in San Francisco and thinking you should be able to pay Fresno prices for a 2000 sq. ft. home).

I wouldn't waste a Sunday looking at a Miata if I didn't have the money in my pocket and someone to drive the other car home. If the car sounded interesting and had been on the market I'd pick up the phone and talk to the owner (email is a waste of time for this). I'd say I'd noticed their car and that it was still for sale and ask if the price was negotiable. They say "no" and we part ways. No judgement; no claim that they're on crack.

-Rich

I beg to differ. This is a very routine buying radius for me and makes comparisons very possible. This is only 3-1/2 to 4 hours each way. What better way to burn up a Sunday then take a drive to check out a Miata?

Greg 713

11th April 2007, 20:50

Yes, but you're applying your local "what I'd pay" price to markets that are hundreds of miles from you. That's like living in Fresno and thinking you can get San Francisco prices for your house (or, in this case, renting in San Francisco and thinking you should be able to pay Fresno prices for a 2000 sq. ft. home).

-Rich
Well I am bright enough to know the difference between immovable real estate and a car I can drive home. I am 90 miles from Chicago, a 3200 square foot home in my township sells for 190-210, that same house in the Chicago burbs is at least 3 times that.

However a 2001 Camry sells for about the same here as Chicago or Appleton, Wi or Dayton, OH or Bloomington, IN or Lansing, MI.

Auto-rv.com, a site I visit regularly, publishes dealer and private ads from Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana....kind of like my search.

SteveNA

11th April 2007, 20:54

LWW

12th April 2007, 06:50

These are simply smart sellers trying to cash in on the spring hypermarket for very (March- May usually) which will fall soon thereafter. It's not their fault that someone chooses to buy into the teeth of a bull market.

LWW

Greg 713

12th April 2007, 07:41

These are simply smart sellers trying to cash in on the spring hypermarket for very (March- May usually) which will fall soon thereafter. It's not their fault that someone chooses to buy into the teeth of a bull market.

LWWI agree they are trying to cash in! It is a free market economy and nobody is forcing me to buy. LWW, I am glad you chimed in as I think you could shed more light on my question. If a dealership needs to sell a Miata for $7000 to cover trade in, lot space, repairs and profit (a good thing which I feel is a cost of doing business) what should the asking price be to give enough bargaining cushion YET not scare off a possible buyer? How would that differ from a 2004 Malibu? When is an asking price too high? I am guessing this is an art more than a science?
Thanks,
Greg

Gene-M

12th April 2007, 10:32

I'm a strong adherent to the philosophy that there's "no harm in asking," or as a very dear friend of mine (with English as his second language) used to say, "I can't know what you want if you don't ask me for it." :D

As LWW points out, several of these sellers are trying to cash in on spring fever, so who can blame them? Granted, some of those prices come from the land of sweet dreams, but eventually it's the market that will determine just what they get. It's hardly worth our getting upset about. ;)

MrMiatagi

12th April 2007, 11:33

Rich Wilkman

12th April 2007, 11:55

Okay, then let me adjust the analogy for you. If you want to buy groceries in Beverly Hills you won't pay Cleveland prices for your cheese. The location of the car and its market effect its price; not the location of the buyer.

You aren't searching on a highly available, low desire vehicle like a Camry. There's probably 10:1 ratio of those around relative to an old Miata which makes it very easy for it to sell the same in that radius.

Heck, extend your radius to California where there are even more Miatas and you'll probably still be in your wish-list price range even after spending $700 to ship it back.

I do notice you're not sharing what *you* think you should get for your undisclosed budget. How much are you looking to spend? Maybe a member in your area can help you adjust your expectations based on real life sales data.

-Rich

Well I am bright enough to know the difference between immovable real estate and a car I can drive home. I am 90 miles from Chicago, a 3200 square foot home in my township sells for 190-210, that same house in the Chicago burbs is at least 3 times that.

However a 2001 Camry sells for about the same here as Chicago or Appleton, Wi or Dayton, OH or Bloomington, IN or Lansing, MI.

Auto-rv.com, a site I visit regularly, publishes dealer and private ads from Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana....kind of like my search.

cobra grover

12th April 2007, 13:54

Some of those you listed are crackpipe high but If you're looking for that little old lady who doesn't do her research before she sells you may be in the market for a while.
There were several in your list that sound like pretty decent deals but you have to go look at each one. Usually what sounds like a great deal can be a real disappointment when you actually see the car in person.
I went through the same search for a NA last fall and there will be a lot of garbage to sort through until you find the right car. When you see it you will know it.
I think it is worth paying a little more if you find a good one.

Good luck,
Mitch

whoosh

12th April 2007, 14:48

MX5/XJ6

12th April 2007, 17:40

...C'mon tell me this didn't make you laugh:

$4,995 140,040 mi. 1991 Mazda Miata MX-5
Graham Ford Columbus, OH

...

...Indy and Columbus aren't hard core rust areas but these cars were daily drivers so you know they have seen several winters.

I don't KNOW that - I could easily put 8k miles a year on a Miata and never have it see salt.
StL used to get plenty of snow, but recent winters have been pretty mild - this past winter I bet there weren't 10 days total that driving in salt was even a worry (of course none of my Miatas ventured out).
You also can't simply list price and miles and "know" something is overpriced - there are way too many variables as far as condition (body, interior, top, mechanical...), color, maintenance, equipment/mods, etc. For example, I own an early Miata with 140k miles that I wouldn't sell for $4995 on your luckiest day.

Greg 713

12th April 2007, 19:52

....For example, I own an early Miata with 140k miles that I wouldn't sell for $4995 ....but I would imagine your early Miata is nicer than this 91 (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_30_%7CB-5000%7CH-%7CD-_278_%7CN-N%7CR-250%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CY-_1991_%7CX-popular%7CZ-49106&aff=national&paId=217145910&recnum=0&leadExists=true). A person on this forum who has an NA with 130K or 140K or even 150K is a FAR cry from the guy at the corner used car lot who has a 92 NA with 143,970 miles, blemishes obvious in even a small digital photo and ZERO history.

Once again I gotta call BS on some of you :-) I have seen you cry OUTRAGEOUS when a newbie asks about a car he or she has seen at a local dealer and they are cars just like the ones in my list. Search some of your own posts if you don't believe me (not picking on you MX5/XJ6, just happens I am on my rant when I resonded to your post :-)

It is a free market. If the dealer gets it, good for them. I hope he or she treats somebody to a nice dinner or has a round of golf on the proceeds of the sale. Nobody has a gun to the buyers head and there are a million pricing guides or sites to let a buyer know what is a good deal or when the dealer is asking too much. If they choose not to inform themselves, their choice. If they want it and pay for it I am not blaming the dealer.

I still contend some of the asking prices are too high. They may laugh at me all the way to the bank. Maybe I should change my point of view and when I sell the 90 I bought to flip ask for $600 more than I thought. Maybe somebody will make fun of me and I will laugh all the way to the bank! :-)

RichDS

12th April 2007, 21:42

After looking at similar (actually much higher and more outrageous) prices for Miatas around here, I went to look at one today. It was a '96 base model (no a/c) that had been "marked down" from 6999 to 5888 and it was listed at 4995 on the internet. I just went to look because I wanted to drive one---I knew the thing was beat--dents on every side. First thing the dealer said to me was "A/C runs cold." The car had an exhaust leak and started smelling like anti-freeze during the test drive. Dealerbot kept telling me how great it runs. What a "great car it is for summer." I was polite, at the end of the drive I told him "I think i'm gonna keep looking and I'll let you know." Then he pulls me into his office to "give me a card." I overhear the discussion with his manager about offer sheets and this and that making some kind of deal, so I walked out. I would appraise the value of the car in the $200-500 range. A new Dodge dealer should NOT have a car like that on their lot.

Anyway... I don't get what the deal is with the absurd prices. 5 years ago I sold a '90 with a perfect body and interior, A/C and new top for about $3200. I suppose by now that car is still worth $2000. I figure when I'm trying to sell a car, I want to sell it that day. I know I over-price them at times by a couple hundred, but everything I'm seeing is over by several thousand. I guess it's time to be patient. Maybe I should just wait till June or July.

SteveNA

13th April 2007, 21:10

bellwilliam

18th April 2007, 02:15

if the price is good, it would of been bought within a day, ad taken down.

This is why you only see outrageous high price. because they are what's left on the market !!

toddnappi

18th April 2007, 07:27

Good point. There seem to be a lot of "hawks" watching used Miatas these days...

if the price is good, it would of been bought within a day, ad taken down.

This is why you only see outrageous high price. because they are what's left on the market !!

Greg 713

18th April 2007, 07:58

if the price is good, it would of been bought within a day, ad taken down.

This is why you only see outrageous high price. because they are what's left on the market !!That is an EXCELLENT point. I had never thought of that.

I am one of the hawks watching even though bargains are few this time of the year. However the one person did just buy a low mile M that had been sitting in a garage for little more than pocket change. Lucky bum!

RichDS

19th April 2007, 13:50

66Stang

20th April 2007, 18:50

When I was looking for a Miata a few months ago in central Ohio you never saw a running car for under $5000, no matter what year no matter what mileage. I probably looked at 1/2 doz or more cars. Most of them not well taken care of, ratty interiors, scratches, dents, cars that you did not get a warm fuzzy feeling for. Used hard put away wet. Gotten down to 2nd or 3rd or 4th owners who really cared little about them. I finally found a 90, not my favorite year, 99K, too many miles, white, not my favorite color for $5500 on a Honda dealers lot. You know what? That was the cleanest of the bunch! A one owner trade on an new Civic with service records from a local dealer, with the original window sticker. I was able to talk to the original owner who didn't drive it during the winter. Spotless interior and top, unscuffed wheels, nice paint, mostly original and drove nicely although needing rubber soon. I offered them $3500 and ended up owning it for under $4K out the door with tax, title etc. This was purchased in January after a snow storm. Yeah maybe because of the age it was worth less in actuality, but compared to the rest it was cleanest of the bunch and I was willing to spend a few bucks more to get one that didn't need a full paint job to look decent. Prices just don't seem to go much under 5k around here unless it is a total beater.

I actually looked at your car and am kicking myself for not buying it...but I really want a 1.8 car in a color other than white.

Hagee Auto sales on Indianola sells Clean used NA's here for 5-7K on a regular basis.

There is a lot of junk on the market in Central Ohio, I would agree.

Chris

Steve W

20th April 2007, 23:07

If you want crackpipe high...you should check out our local Mazda dealership...proudly displayed in their showroom is a '93...C package....103K miles...decent repaint (mine is much better), some clunky 17" rims, and stock engine..stock suspension.....some boorish interior mod's etc.....asking "Only $15,995"....that is not a misprint. Folks wonder why it's been there for over 2 years......ugh.

No affiliation...but here is the proof...

http://www.robertsmazda.com/index.cfm?action=InventorySearch&subaction=SearchDetailUsed&InventoryID=10989874

That's out by Asheville. I rest my case as to whether or not they were smoking anything...

SB_92_MX5

2nd May 2007, 19:00

If you want more crack pipe insanity from the same dealer...check out this ad

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/car/318038432.html