Dealer Buyer Beware: 2013 LC in North Carolina

Location

United States

Town and Country Toyota in Charlotte has a ridiculously overpriced 2013 sitting on their lot, but the price ($53,XXX) isn't the reason for the warning.

Like many on here, I constantly scan what's on the market. This particular LC sat on a Land Rover lot in Miami, FL before being auctioned.

Per its Carfax, shortly after going to auction but before it was delivered to the dealer in NC, it experienced a "mechanical failure" that required the LC to be towed. I distinctly remember this Carfax.

I was poking and prodding the LC market today and notice this event is now missing from this vehicle's history report. I'm one of the first to preach that a Carfax is far from gospel so this event might have been in error or the dealer disputed it, thus it was removed. Long story, short, if you're interested in this vehicle I would highly recommend significant due diligence even if it comes to you CPO'd.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=475474270

 

[mdrei]

Town and Country Toyota in Charlotte has a ridiculously overpriced 2013 sitting on their lot, but the price ($53,XXX) isn't the reason for the warning.

Like many on here, I constantly scan what's on the market. This particular LC sat on a Land Rover lot in Miami, FL before being auctioned.

Per its Carfax, shortly after going to auction but before it was delivered to the dealer in NC, it experienced a "mechanical failure" that required the LC to be towed. I distinctly remember this Carfax.

I was poking and prodding the LC market today and notice this event is now missing from this vehicle's history report. I'm one of the first to preach that a Carfax is far from gospel so this event might have been in error or the dealer disputed it, thus it was removed. Long story, short, if you're interested in this vehicle I would highly recommend significant due diligence even if it comes to you CPO'd.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=475474270

Appreciate the heads-up!

 

[GDcrusier]

Good looking out

 

[jtv107]

What would you look for as a 'mechanical failure'? There's a large number of potential issues. Its confusing with the very low mileage.

 

[JohnJB]

What would you look for as a 'mechanical failure'? There's a large number of potential issues. Its confusing with the very low mileage.

I wish I had screenshot the prior Carfax; I thought maybe I did so I just went through several months of texts and couldn't find it.

Knowing it had been sitting on a dealer lot for a month or two, my initial thought would just be a dead battery. But the whole needing to be towed thing seems very bizarre as you know every auction lot has a jumper box. Also, strange how it was labeled mechanical failure, but maybe that's why it was removed? Only speculation unfortunately.

I'd start simply by asking. The dealer might be able to completely make sense of it. Obviously the CPO helps ease some of the worry, but it's still a crack price at its current listed price.

 

[roadstr6]

I went by to pick up some parts and I checked this one out. It's in the showroom. I can confirm that it does not show any evidence of cam tower leaks. It has lived in a hot, sunny climate which is evidenced by some light discoloration on the headlight plastics. No obvious issues that I could find. The price is high but KBB says it's right in the middle of the range for the year and low miles. Still, out of reach for this blue collar guy.

 

[jtv107]

I found out that the car was towed due to overheating issue. The water pump and a few other parts were replaced. Very interesting/ concerning that the record of this repair does not show up on car fax.

 

[studawg]

Nothing ridiculous about that price, thats retail value. It sold for $49000 plus at least $500 in buyers fees in early March at Manheim Palm Beach.

 

[mcgaskins]

Nothing ridiculous about that price, thats retail value. It sold for $49000 plus at least $500 in buyers fees in early March at Manheim Palm Beach.

Sounds like the dealer who bought at auction overpaid.

 

[JohnJB]

Bringing this back up for anyone deal shopping. They moved it off the Toyota lot, removed the CPO, and stuck it on a Cadillac lot.
$49,682, it was about $300 higher just a couple days ago.

It's got a somewhat interesting history but hey, might be worth rolling the dice with some further haggling. Find it hard to believe someone hasn't thrown a reasonable enough offer to move it.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

It’s no longer listed. Did anyone on here buy it?

 

[JohnJB]

I was wondering that myself. Disappeared last week-ish after a price reduction to $48,932.

Its CarFax link is still working, which generally goes inactive shortly after removal from dealer's CMS, so who knows.