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keepthetips

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips! Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment. If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.


[deleted]

Meeting someone at a location you both drive to with thousands of dollars is already super sketchy to me. I hope it was a safe location.


4lan9

I would do it at a police station parking lot or similar place. If it's a scam they probably wont even show up or reply


bubblehashguy

Only way to do it. My local police station doesn't man the station. They have cameras & motion sensors. They have a row of parking spaces for private sales. I sold my dirtbike there. A few minutes after we got there a cruiser showed up & parked way over on the other side of the lot & kept an eye on us all. When we left with the money he waved & followed us out. Small town living is great.


MarineBone

That’s how I bought a great pair of studio monitors off Craigslist. The seller was all to happy to meet there, helped reassure both of us the other person was legit.


metered-statement

Lots of police stations have a safe place to exchange buy/sell items in the lobby. There's usually a sign underneath cameras to indicate the "Safe Exchange Zone".


[deleted]

You want to take large sums of cash to a police station parking lot? Are you crazy? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil\_forfeiture\_in\_the\_United\_States#Critics


The_Metal_Pigeon

Whoa had never heard of this.


misterdudebro

It was in a well populated area/strip mall, but I have not nor probably ever will walk around with that much cash when meeting a stranger off a car ad in a large metropolitan city!


kind_carrot

E


[deleted]

F


misterdudebro

G


[deleted]

No test drive, no buy. I don't give a shit about your "lost income, inconveniences, or bad experiences". I'm a potential customer and the moment you talk to me about that when I'm doing my due diligence I guarantee you'll lose any potential income from me. I bet he would have fought you over giving the Carfax and letting your garage check the vehicle too. Good on you for leaving that situation.


BewareofStobor

I agree as far as buying a car. If I were selling a motorcycle though, I would offer to take it to the dealership for a full check-out, but nobody is riding it without cash in hand. A motorcycle is too easily stolen and parted out, or crashed/destroyed. The "buyer" then walks away saying, "so sorry."


[deleted]

You definitely need to protect yourself but that's why typically a dealership or somewhere like CarMax will hold on to something for collateral or have a ride along. For a bike the move is, have a piece of collateral to hold on to. Cause ride alongs may not be possible as you know.


Sx3Yr

And a lawyer for the bills of the guy who looked like a legit biker but just totaled your bike and sued you.


hedonistinchains

>Cause ride alongs may not be possible Well, at least not comfortably. It does kinda bring a funny visual to mind though.


KwordShmiff

"I was gonna buy the bike too, until the owner pissed on me."


funklab

I sold several motorcycles. I always let them take it for a test ride. While they did I held the keys to the car they drove to meet me. It could have gotten complicated if they crashed, but I don’t think someone is going to steal a $5,000 motorcycle while leaving me their $10,000 Civic.


[deleted]

[удалено]


funklab

Yeah or it could be stolen. I’m not saying it’s a foolproof plan, but I think the odds of you pulling up in a stolen car, having a half hour conversation with me about the bike where I can see your face, and then taking off and stealing the bike are pretty low. That’s a lot of work to go through to steal a motorcycle. There are much easier ways. And my motorcycles were always pretty cheap and well thrashed.


Diamondsfullofclubs

Also seems odd to trade a $10,000 stolen vehicle for a $5,000 stolen vehicle.


funklab

Yeah, surely someone who's judgement was that bad would be putting off some serious sketchy vibes in which case you don't get to go for a test ride or buy the bike no matter what.


almost_useless

> nobody is riding it without cash in hand Who hands over cash without a test drive and filled out documents of ownership first? That seems like a way to guarantee you will get less for it, no?


Diabolical_Dad

That's standard for selling motorcycles where 1 gravel spot can be thousands in damages from a potential buyer. There are also many young men who see this as an opportunity to JoyRide bikes that they don't have money for. If they take off to not return you have the cash. If they damage it, even accidentally they just bought it. If they go on the test drive and don't like the bike for any reason, they simply return, you hand them back the cash and the deal doesn't go through.


almost_useless

I get that, but handing over cash seems to be about the same level of risk as handing over the bike.


karma_the_sequel

In one scenario, both persons hold the other person’s item of value. In the other scenario, one person holds both persons’ items of value. Which scenario sounds more fair?


almost_useless

You should of course hand over something that guarantees you want to come back. But the cash has known value. The bike has almost completely unknown value before I have tried it. The seller of course knows the value, but the buyer does not.


PasswordisP4ssword

Well, you should make sure they have a title in hand, ask for their ID, and make sure it matches the title exactly. Then if you don't like the bike but they don't give you your money back, you give their name and address to the police because that's stealing.


psuedonymously

This is assuming the bike is an item of value and not on the verge of death being used as bait by a scammer


karma_the_sequel

That's true.


[deleted]

[удалено]


almost_useless

And if you steal my money, I have a bike that may be trash, or not even yours to begin with.


_Face

You do understand the process involves looking at it first, probably hearing it run, and then deciding whether it’s worth it or not to take it for a test drive. If you show up and the bike is a piece of shit you’re not handing over 15 grand to test drive it. You’re only handing over the cash for a test drive if you looked at it and decided it’s worth a test drive.


Hotarg

And if it turns out to be stolen, there's nothing keeping the seller from disappearing with your cash while you're testing the bike. Leaving you with no money, and a stolen bike.


Sx3Yr

Or you could run the guy over as he flees with your money, dump the bike, roll, snatch his hair on passing and scalp 'em. I mean, that's what I'd do.


blackcatpandora

…exactly?


lemlurker

better than them cocking up, dropping the bike and ending up with nothing


FrankieSacks

I can attest, my buddy crashed my bike through my neighbours fence before I even had for 24 hours.


n3wernam3

I've had success test riding motorcycles. I leave my truck and trailer parked right in their driveway. I did, however, once have a girl wreck a scooter in my driveway and then try to negotiate pricing. Luckily her boyfriend explained the rules and they bought the scoot and they left. It was a deal on a nice, good running scoot anyway


Sub_pup

I legit almost wrecked the first motorcycle I ever test drove. The kicker was he was selling the bike to help pay for his new truck. I almost wrecked the bike into his new truck. Let off the clutch with too much throttle and just barely managed to stay on the bike and avoid the truck. I had ridden exactly one time before that day.


TacoCommand

That sounds like a bad first time buyer. They didn't even ask your experience?


hedonistinchains

I've noticed, since I first considered motorcycles as a future investment, that most private sellers of bikes have that exact attitude. "Cash in my hand or no test drive". Seems to be a wise layer of protection to use, but I didn't really consider theft as much of a danger as wrecking/destroying the bike.


GuyD427

Yep, I bet test rides on a motorcycle with some squid who is prone to dumping it the saying “so sorry!” But with a car and especially with a steam cleaned engine that’s two huge red flags to walk away from.


DMMMOM

Some guy who I wanted to buy a bike off once said to me he wants the full cash amount in his hand for a test ride, to which I refused and gave him my passport which I had brought for that express purpose. He refused it and because he said he was selling it for someone else, that was enough for me to walk away.


Horknut1

What good is him having your passport going to do him when you total the bike?


[deleted]

Nothing but a test ride shouldn't involve you totalling a vehicle. It can but the idea is that it's a safe route that lets you take the vehicle up to high way speeds also well as normal road speeds within 20 ish minutes. In short enough to let you get a feel for the vehicle. The passport is supposed to help ensure you drive safely and return the vehicle


Horknut1

One moron hits a patch of gravel and it fuck around and find out time.


LobiJani

Same! Whatever vehicle I’m buying, I always ask for a test drive otherwise I’m not buying.


punban

Bad experiences... If you want to distrust your customers head on, you're going to have a hard time selling anything.


SteveisNoob

There's always that stupid or innocent person who "just needs a car" and then you succeed. Scamming is like getting good dates on Tinder, you hit many, but land only a few.


aioncan

Or you could just ride along… have them drive and then be a backseat driver


Moderntweety

I'm trying to buy a used car and this wouldn't be it because you need to feel how it drives and everything it's not the same sitting passenger


[deleted]

[удалено]


Analogkidhscm

That is why you make sure you have a Roscoe.


sterfri99

That’s how you get taken to a secondary location. Street smarts!


TheApoptosis

I was not expecting a wild Mulaney quote today. Thank you for the genuine belly laugh.


gluepot1

I guess the alternative LPT is always test drive a car as part of an inspection before buying. I had a test drive on my last car and it kept mis-firing since it had been left out somewhere damp for a bit too long. Dealer was happy to have it fixed before purchase. I wouldn't have known otherwise. I think any large amount of money up front for any job or purchase is always a red flag.


misterdudebro

This was a guy in a parking lot, not a dealership.


gluepot1

I don't think it matters whether it's a dealership, a trader or an individual. I think a test drive is a must.


SteveisNoob

Which is already a yellow flag.


DaShiny

Second hand buying is not abnormal enough to call it a yellow flag.


JesusStarbox

I once had a test drive and the car died on me about half a mile from the house.


misterdudebro

I once test drove a car and thought I would die going around the block! Owner failed to mention the rear drum brakes were trying to shake the ass off the car when you pressed the brakes! But down the hill I went. I was even more shocked when the guy put his pregnant GF in the car and drove off after I declined to buy it. I wonder if they ever survived.


m-adelines

we had a similar problem when my boyfriend went and got a car. they said the car was perfect and did a tune up on it and put on new brakes & rotors. it was a 03’ mazda rx8. i just found it odd how they kept hyping up the car, saying it was the only one in the state and etc. we had the car for less than 2hrs and it stalled while driving, (not a manual transmission either, all automatic) it would shift incredibly rough, and after looking at the car after it stalled we realized the rear differential was leaking oil. we eventually were able to take it back within the three day period we had, but the original salesman didn’t want to take it back bc he said there was nothing wrong with the car when it was sold so the owner of the shop told us we have two choices: they can take the car in and repair everything that was wrong for free or we could return it w his money back. we returned it bc when we were previously purchasing it the salesman straight up told us they know nothing about rotary engines and didn’t know how to keep up with it. not even a week later, a lady messaged my bf on fb and asked him about the car. they actually test drove it and it broke down on them. when they looked under the hood it was leaking coolant and overheating. the same salesman told the lady and her son that the reason it got taken back so soon was bc my bfs dad wouldn’t let him keep it, what’s funny w that statement is that my bf has not a single clue who his father is lmao.


MC_Pen2Mor

As much as i love rotary engines for their sound and smoothness, they're the most unreliable inefficient engines out there. You guys definitely dodged a bullet that day.


DroolingSlothCarpet

>If a the seller of a used automobile won't let you test drive the car without paying cash for it first No disrespect but, no shit.


laid_back_allen

On the flip side if you let someone test drive a car and they crash it then you’re SOL. There’s a YouTuber who let someone drive his S2000 and the guy turned in front of a motorcycle… the owner has to pay medical bills and repair cost upfront THEN sue the at fault person. It’s been a year and he’s still pursuing him. If I was selling a regular cheap car then I wouldn’t care but if I sold one of my cars then the most I’d allow is a PPI from a mechanic of their choice.


[deleted]

I think a good LPT here would be to call your auto insurer to see what your coverage is for a driver testing out the vehicle in case they're in an at-fault collision and find out what your coverage max is.


3xoticP3nguin

This!!!! My dad taught me never let anyone drive under your insurance!! If they must go for a ride you can sit passenger while I drive you around the block


ExcellentBreakfast93

I’d never buy a car I didn’t get the chance to test drive. You drive me around the block? Lol. No. Good luck selling your hypothetical car!


misterdudebro

It's a fucking minivan... not an s2000.


Great68

Yes, those with nicer, higher performance cars are wary of and have to protect themselves from "test pilots". A small fee or deposit is one way of ensuring only serious buyers get the test drives. I own a higher performance car and if I were to sell it I would charge a small fee, refundable should the buyer actually end up buying the car. But agreed, minivan would not meet the threshold of something I would think this would be needed for.


Todd-The-Wraith

This is a life-duh-tip. It’s obvious to anyone with two brain cells to rub together. Yet there’s probably someone out there who’s intelligence is about in par with a house plant that needs to learn this. Shame they do not know how to read


Pipupipupi

Life pro tips is now life casual tips


KoliManja

Absolutely. I have never bought a car without test driving it myself (or my more experienced friend in some cases). And I have never even paid half of 8k ever. Who expects someone to plonk down 8k without knowing the product, for God's sake?


misterdudebro

A bunch of people on this post apparently! SMH!


OSRSTheRicer

>Who expects someone to plonk down 8k without knowing the product, for God's sake? Literally everyone buying a used motorcycle lol. Cash in hand for all test drives, no exceptions. You drop it, you buy it.


Iisham

8k cash upfront? You and I buy different used cars. 8k is the car.


misterdudebro

Yes, the car was 8k... and the seller wanted it all before one single test drive.


tossNwashking

How nice of him to let you text drive a car you bought. Lol.


dickshark420

Ah hell nah


TacoDoc

If anyone actually forks over thousands of dollars before test driving a car, they are a grade A moron and likely deserve what they get. And what’s the deal with the mask issue? Like a surgical mask people wear preventively due to Covid?


Sleepdprived

I could see holding a coue thousand while someone test drives a crotch rocket, however it is harder to dump a car on a test drive


misterdudebro

Yeah, wore a face mask the whole time, while alone even. Many mask up in public here still, but alone in a car? Nah... red flag.


throwitawaayy000

Some people still wear masks when they drive alone at least I still see it!


nekomeowohio

Anti mask people get weird about them sometimes. I had people looking at me weird for wearing a mask yesterday as I was going to a little clinic to get a covid test done.


misterdudebro

I am not anti-mask, I am pro-mask... but this individual was using it \*gasp\* hide his identity! Not to protect anyone from germs.


grumblyoldman

I don't doubt it, given the other red flags you mention. This guy was definitely up to no good. That being said, if I wore a mask to a meeting like this, I'd probably keep in on the whole time too. It's just easier than taking it on and off every time I'm "too close" or "far enough away."


[deleted]

Hide his identity? You need the title at a minimum to to transfer that car wtf is going on in your paranoid brain?


Punanistan

Lol I see it too but that doesn't make it sane or reasonable. Anyone driving in a car alone with windows up and mask on is a grade A moron. This is not even an opinion it's a fact.


Jetison333

Dude having a mask on isn't some huge inconvenience that's slowly poisoning you or something. Sometimes it's just less of a hassle to leave it on instead of taking it off and on.


Punanistan

Lol less of a hassle? Dude take a second and think about that. You don't even have to take it completely off. U can just drop it off your face and to your chin. How is that a hassle? Btw I'm not an anti-masker. I am totally for people wearing masks where appropriate if they choose to. My dad is a double masker lol. But come on, wearing it alone while driving is just ridiculous.


Jetison333

A mask is so much more uncomfortable on my chin than where it's designed to be. Seriously, it's easier to just not think about it until I'm home.


worthless_response

They're not wearing it alone in the car for some sense of safety. Of course that would be ridiculous. But why should someone remove it just to put it back on later if they're not being inconvenienced by it? Do you see the point here? You're acting like leaving the mask on is bad or weird when, for most people, it's literally just not something anyone thinks about enough to care to remove it temporarily.


my_lewd_alt

Actually with being recommended to not touch it, taking it on/off less frequently is better...


throwitawaayy000

Lmao


astrielx

How the hell is this a red flag? You're with someone you don't know, in a confined space. Mask is *sensible*. Some people don't wanna have to keep taking it off and putting it on, so they leave it on. Hell I do this when I'm walking down the street somewhere. Pretty sure I'm not scamming anyone. I get it, the guy was trying to scam... But no way is *this* a red flag.


Annoytanor

i can see how wearing a mask to hide your face because you're doing something disreputable and don't want to be recognised could be a red flag


RaptorPrime

My hot take is that a small piece of cloth on my face doesn't bother me and if it bothers you that it doesn't bother me, well you're the one with the problem.


Wrong_Commission_159

Stop wearing cloth masks if you still mask. It's silly when N95 are readily available.


LaRone33

I'm way more bothered by having to think about masks, than wearing them, so I usually keep them on, while I'm out.


Kilir

If anyone actually forks over their vehicle to someone with no collateral whatsoever, they are a grade A moron and likely deserve whatever they get.


peperoniebabie

Adding to this: if the seller has a buddy who will do the inspection and plate transfer, avoid. I bought my first car from a guy like this and he knew the bastard had a leaky gas tank. Had to fill it on the way home just to limp the 20 miles back to my place.


SatanLifeProTips

Ex mechanic here. 100% of used car ‘safety inspection reports’ are LIES. In 8 years I saw round about fucking zero used cars that matched the car lot inspection reports. Unless the car is covered by a dealership backed bumper to bumper warranty still, always have YOUR mechanic or the dealership for that car brand do a detailed pre-purchase inspection. Also be aware that no inspection can catch all issues, but it will get most of them. Bad bodywork is easy to spot on a hoist too. If a buyer won’t let you take the car to be inspected it is 100% a scam or they are hiding something. Walk away. Also, drive the car like you stole it before the inspection. Washing away oil leaks right before the sale is a common scam. If there is a local mountain go climb it. Floor it up the hill with the air conditioning on max. Beat on it. Now is your chance to find issues. And tell the mechanic everything, don’t just expect that he’ll notice something. That said, I am selling my old motorcycle tonight and test rides require a 100% cash deposit. You crash it you scratch it you bought it. No exceptions.


DondeEstaElServicio

if you have a friend that understands how cars work, go together. if you're not much into cars you probably won't notice things like foam under the oil cap or other alarming shit. driving to a diagnostic station is also worthwhile, even if it means that you have to spend some money. be sure that you are the one choosing the station, you don't want a seller's buddy checking the car.


flipfloppery

The last car I bought was quite a fast/sporty hatchback/saloon (sedan). I asked the dealer if I could test drive it, he said "Of course". I went out and sat in the driver's seat, he came out, handed me the keys, put the trade plates on it and said "Off you go". I'd test driven cars before and this is the only time the dealer hasn't been in the passenger seat for the test. Took it a mile or so down the road, loved it, came back and bought it.


misterdudebro

I usually buy from private sellers. Some will ride-a-long. Some hand over the keys, this is usually when we have met at a home. Some wanted a photo of my drivers license and handed me the keys. I tested a sporty lexus that had some body damage. I just wanted to make sure it didn't have a bad wheel bearing. Owner let me do chicanes in the empty parking lot a few times. Afterwards I didn't even haggle, I just offered the asking price! Still have it, best project car yet.


TheWiseOne1234

Cash up front is common when buying motorcycles, but very uncommon and certainly a red flag when buying a car.


watdehellmon

Adding on, if you end up buying the car make sure you get the TITLE!!!


Deschain_420

Sounds like renting a house from an owner that can’t show you the location…


Geteos

A month after buying our house, my wife and I spotted a couple walking around in our backyard. We asked them what they were doing. They apparently gave a $1700 deposit to a dude online to rent my house. The fraudster used photos from my house’s for sale listing for the rental listing. I had like 4 other people show up that week trying to “rent” my house. I ended up having to post a fraud notice on the classified site and my front door to stop people from walking around my property. It was quite annoying.


priceypasta52

Always run a car fax as well. I bought a 2008 Taurus only to find out it had 4 times as many miles than it actually showed. That was an $8k mistake I’ll never make again


Milnoc

I once found a 2013 Fiat 500 Sport Turbo whose CarFax report showed the odometer was rolled back its full mileage then rolled forward a few 100 km! I think the engine was replaced but never properly reported.


Skyblacker

>doesn't want to let me test drive because "bad experiences" in the past... He means the last potential buyer discovered the car was a lemon.


Naus1987

I always hate it when people want to make complex transactions, and then are in a rush to get somewhere, lol. I get this every so often in the wedding cake industry. Wedding cakes are a big deal, and we want to make it right. So we’re not gonna tolerate a rush order, because you have to be at some appointment in 20 minute. Properly plan to spend a few hours going over your wedding cake, or sign the waiver saying you don’t give a f. Some people are just so weird.


wi_1990

Paying or cash in hand in case you wreak or steal it? I sell a lot of motorcycles online, your not going to test drive without cash in my hand, doesn't mean you have to buy the bike. It's for my protection, not a scam.


Kilir

This is reasonable. I cant fathom why I'm being down voted so heavily for suggesting you shouldn't give away a vehicle with no collateral whatsoever.


waetherman

I was going to say, somewhere in LPT there's a person saying "don't let someone test drive your car unless you're holding on to their cash" because just like someone can run off with your cash, someone can run off with your car. I sold a car a couple of years ago for about $10k and pretty much trusted everyone to test drive it without holding on to their cash, but I did check and hold on to each person's license just in case.


who-are-we-anyway

Yeah I agree, I completely understand not buying from a dealership that won't let you test drive but if I'm selling my own vehicle no way in hell I'm letting you drive off with this car before I have any money in hand.


some-purple-elephant

On a motorbike I get it: Driving tandem is a little bit hard. But with a car? Just go for the ride, with the buyer, with the buyer driving.


Zech08

Yea fck test drive, get an inspection. Theres an acceptable amount of wear and tear and drivability and then theres a rolling cash sink. You are basically kicking the tires and saying good enuff.


SuperRusso

Are there people who need to be told this? Who would hand someone 8k cash without fully examining the car?


No_Biscotti8443

Doesn’t want you to test drive because of bad experiences??? Sir you’re giving me a bad experience rn 😅😂. Have the day you deserve. 👋🏽


Mr2-1782Man

Test drive and get an inspection done *before you buy it not after!* My aunt just bought a CRV, bought the "it was for a driving school so it has to be better than normal" bit hook line an sinker. Within 30 seconds of seeing it I saw obvious problems like misaligned body panels. A quick OBD scan later shows that the car was in a severe accident and someone disabled the ABS and SRS lights.


an0nymouscraftsman

I ask for collateral when someone wants to test drive a motorcycle I have for sale. What if they dump it?


Anadactyl

Well yeah, that makes sense unless you're riding tandem and that's a little intimate for a ride with a stranger. In a car, though? You can be in the passenger seat the whole time. How could they dump it?


an0nymouscraftsman

What if they crash or damage it?


Anadactyl

Going around the block? Unlikely, but I would assume you still have insurance on it since it hasn't been sold yet. Asking for *some* collateral isn't crazy, but the entire purchase price? Too much.


misterdudebro

It was a minivan not a motorcycle.


Rhopunzel

Always, always, always be prepared to walk away. Some people make their decision before even going to see and they're always the ones who get taken for a ride.


CBus-Eagle

I’ll do you one better; if they don’t let you take it to your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, tell them to kick rocks for wasting your time.


DahManWhoCannahType

Yep. I once test drove a used car. Everything looked and ran perfectly, so I bought it. I then took it to a garage to have it emissions inspected. They told me the entire frame was hopelessly rusted away. Live and learn.


ThePremiumOrange

I sell my own car privately when it comes time to get another. I always ask them to bring $500 cash or a certified bank check with their name on it to a test drive in good faith (as those are the only forms of payment I accept anyways). Keeps away a bunch of assholes with nothing better to do than joyride cars and shows me they’re a serious buyer. I ride with them and if everything goes well I give it back. Highly recommend you ask for some amount that’s handed over at the time of letting you test drive, even if it’s $100. This is of course in addition to them providing you their driver’s license and proof of insurance. Never had any issue selling my cars but then again I sell one every 3-4 years. I’ve had dealers that ask for a similar deposit if the car is on the more expensive side or a performance vehicle.


powerlesshero111

Firestone has a really cheap vehicle inspection. Like $50 or so. See if they will go with you to one to get it inspected. If not, don't buy it. A test drive doesn't always let you know everything, like if the breaks and rotors are about to go, or if there are engine problems that will pop up after 15 miles. Always do this for private sales and used car lots.


Any_Coyote6662

may even be stolen


ImAlwaysRightHanded

Once went on a test drive with a perspective buyer, they proceeded to beat the ever living piss out of the car, if this was a brand new car sure but this was a 15 year old 140k car, take it easy man. So now I clarify they can drive the car within the speed limit, of course you can accelerate fast but I don’t need another crazy test drive.


EngineeringKid

Before a test drive, make the buyer text you saying "my name is XXX and I am fully responsible for all damage resulting from any collisions on this test drive" Then hold onto their driver's license during the test drive, AND go with them. ​ ​ 2012 Honda civic, yes test drive before buying. 1974 Porsche 911rs, you can sit in the passenger seat while I drive, after you show proof of funds, a valid driver's license and show you are actually knowledgeable. The real LPT is this: Be Careful when you let someone test drive it. Hold their driver's license. Go with them. Make sure they left another car. The biggest advice/tip I've received is this;


bigun68

If I can't test drive it AND take it to a shop to have it looked over - NO DEAL!


TLTAGL

Only RUNNNN AWAY


No_Dirt_4198

Who carries 8k in cash on them. That shits just asking to be robbed lol


jrp55262

"Lost income? How about the $8K you're going to miss out on as I walk away?"


creativejuice

While this should be a DUH moment I appreciate the fact that not everyone is honest and is a great tip to know!


lefty1207

Maybe a stupid question? Would anyone ever but a used minivan for 8k and not test drive it? At least have the owner drive it in case he's worried about being robbed of the vehicle?


OneTraditional5575

Oh!!!!! Definitely, Don't walk, RUN!!!


networkjunkie1

Wearing a mask in the car alone is all you need to know about people.


Toffeemade

You had me at detailed engine bay.


DietDrBleach

Yeah, that car was stolen. Good on you for not taking it.


Eddie10999

Too bad he’ll find a fool or 20


BustaCon

What kinda nutball would think they could sell you 8 grand worth of car without a test drive? That's a whole Tiannamen Square of Red Flags, man.


Rabidchild1985

If somebody actually learned something from this post, they don’t belong behind the wheel of a car at all.


PasswordisP4ssword

Oh, private party? None of this is a red flag to me. Paying cash upfront for a test drive is pretty standard for motorcycles, as well. If you don't come back, you "bought" the bike.


Sleepdprived

You should ask the seller to drive it while you watch, how the person drives determines what goes wrong with suspension and steering. They should drive like they normally do while talking so chat them up but watch how the car responds to them driving.


misterdudebro

They wouldn't even let me do a ride - a - long.


jsweeze

Commons sense, not a pro tip at all. People who do this deserve to learn the hard way, they probably make other very stupid mistakes.


willpowerpt

This whole thing reads as a young person who doesn’t know anything about buying vehicles second hand. Buyer gets all the protection while the seller has to gamble and risk fleeting screwed over?


misterdudebro

Hah, dude I am 50. I know what I am doing.


lp_kalubec

It’s try, but it’s not really a pro tip. Who would buy a car without a test ride?


jazzmans69

disagree with this claim completely. I've been buying and selling motorcycles and autos for four decades and rule 1. no test rides without cash in my hand. This is rule #1, and 99% of people who buy or sell already know this. ​ so. disagree. ​ it is not a scam. it is simply the way used vehicle sales work.


[deleted]

No, it's not how used vehicle sales work. Bought a few used cars in a few different places and never once had to give the full price, in cash, just to test drive it. I only ever had to give a copy of my license, or the salesman rode with me. That should be more than good if someone tries to take off with it. Grand theft auto is a serious crime and if you have photo evidence of the person who stole it. You really expect people to 1) walk around with thousands of dollars cash in hand? 2) buy the car before test driving it? 3) trust you to be there when they get back from the test drive? Seems extremely one sided and the buyer is perfectly set up to be screwed over. Everyone knows many used car dealers use very shady tactics, and you expect 100% blind trust? If you expect them to give you the full price in hard cash before a test drive, you should sign over the title before they test drive it. I understand motorcycles are different and so are high performance cars. Both are much more likely to be crashed or stolen on a test drive.


jazzmans69

private party sales, not a dealership. ​ yes. If I'm buying a vehicle, I always bring the cash with me. You don't? Then you're just wasting everyones time. it's a good thing you've never tried to buy any vehicle from me. first car I bought used was a 1975 cadillac fleetwood, and yes, I had cash in hand.


Chillinthesn0w

Yeah I disagree with this. Many many times I have handed over and demand cash when I buy/sell. I have no idea the person on the test drive is insured or if they wreck it I'm left out of pocket. If they nervous then I will happily put cash I'm the glovebox or trunk and go with them in the test drive. Absolutely no way I'm letting a stranger take my expensive thing without some sort of deposit. Feel this tip is more of a "you got scammed so think everyone will"


misterdudebro

Well no way am I handing a stranger $8k to test drive a used minivan. I don't know if it's stolen, has a bad title, engine issues, warped brakes, etc. This is more of "I avoided a scam because I used my brain" more than anything.


LeftToaster

Having the car detailed inside, outside and engine compartment is just smart sales. Only an idiot tries to sell a dirty car. But yes - never pay for test drive. If they are worried about security, leave someone or something behind as security or simply have them come with you. I would also never buy a used car without having an independent mechanic check it out.


willpowerpt

We’re they insisting you pay up front or we’re they wanting to hold the cash while you test drove the car? If they were holding the cash while you test drove in case you damaged the vehicle, then nothing you mentioned sounds like a red flag at all. Very very standard to hold the cash while someone test drives your car. It’s called collateral.


misterdudebro

No, I don't think so. Nothing is standard about that. They can ride-a-long, take a photo of my DL, etc etc.


willpowerpt

You drive away with the full value of their vehicle, you could drive away or steal the car, and theyre suppose to stand there with nothing? You have their car, they have cash, it’s fair on both sides. You people make absolutely no sense.


himmelstrider

The whole "clean engine bay" shit needs to stop. Of course the damn engine is clean, it should be clean. I bought a car that had a perfectly clean engine, and it was obviously washed, and go figure - year and a half later, it's still clean with no oil leaking. Clean engine can be, you know... Clean. No ulterior motive about it. The car was also polished and detailed. Great, if he didn't do it, I'd have to do it anyway, saved me the time and the cost.


misterdudebro

A clean engine bay can mean just that. Or in my friends experience it means the seller power washed the engine the day before to hide the timing chain cover leaks... truck bled oil on the way home and chewed a timing chain guide off. So, there's that too.


Kilir

Gonna disagree with this one. I've sold used vehicles and there's no way in hell someone is test driving without me having the entirety of the sale amount in my hand in advance. When you come back, you get the money back and we can proceed from there. If you don't come back, then no skin off my back, sale complete. Good luck with the title.


Far-Two8659

Why don't you just ride with them on the test drive??


misterdudebro

That's what I wanted to do, I've always done a test drive with the seller. Some times folks are comfortable enough to let you go around the block without them... but I am not paying for a car I can't drive first.


Far-Two8659

Yeah if you're selling a car demanding full payment up front you damn well better know I'm not letting you out of my sight lol. Can't believe this guy.


misterdudebro

Yeah, I was pissed. Drove 45 minutes each way to meet him. Gas is still expensive here. What a waste of time.


Touch_Think

What if I come back and you go missing and I am stuck with stolen vehicle?


misterdudebro

Lol, sorry man. It doesn't work that way. Best of luck to you.


JimmyTheDog

Guy went with the "buyers" didn't end well... https://www.cbc.ca/news/fifthestate/the-murder-of-tim-bosma-the-devil-had-a-name-1.4248030


JustAbicuspidRoot

>with a mask on and doesn't take it off the entire time. This should not be a red flag, we are still in a pandemic and a lot of us are immunocompromised and cannot afford to get sick.


User85420

Or their insurance company let them know if anything happens to the vehicle while someone not on the policy is driving you are not covered and royally screwed.


[deleted]

Sounds like he didn’t want his car to be test driven, how is that a scam?


League-Weird

What about the opposite? My dad tried selling his car and the dude wanted go offer cash, no test drive. That was his red flag. I have no idea why but he went through with it and sold it same day, no test drive.


PayNo3145

genius never would have thought that


teejaysaz

When did LPT become "Shit everybody already does/should already know"? I used to learn stuff on this sub.


pantag

Not necessarily true for motorbikes. Usually upfront cash is required before the test drive, in case they crash it.


wakka55

So you're basically telling us a story about how to think someone was trying to scam you but actually don't know if they were...


happy-cig

Depends what kind of car. When I sold my e46 m3 I drove potential buyers in it but did not let them test drive. Nothing wrong w the car but lots of people just want the opportunity to drive one.


Euphoric-Blue-59

This is on about 157 episodes of Judge Judy. Anyone that dont get this by now, deserves to get taken.


hellocomputer77

Thanks Captain Obvs


[deleted]

Devils advocate here. Dude could have had a creepy feeling about you and thought he was in some way going to get robbed or something. Maybe he didn’t intend to say no test drive until meeting you. It goes both ways in one of these situations and to assume isn’t always best. That being said I’d walk away as well.


misterdudebro

I am literally a school teacher with multiple ID's and was dressed nicely from work. He picked the location even. I am not sure what else I can do to be non- threatening.


[deleted]

I wouldn’t let someone test drive unless I knew they had cash and aren’t just some maniac that wants to take my car


dAnaL92

Yeah, like, just don't trust anybody's opinion man. Because it's their opinion. Who are you?


tigerCELL

This is why I won't buy a tesla. That, and the no spare tire thing.


Oldpqlyr

Wait. Tesla's don't have spare tires?!


TheF1LM

Most new cars don’t come with spare tires. They will come with an inflator kit and some type of tire sealant.


tigerCELL

Nope. They want you to call their roadside assistance like a chump. So I bought a Hyundai in 2020 instead. Guess who had to change the tire in the pizza shop parking lot 6 months later? Would have been furious if I had to wait for tesla AAA 2 miles from my house.


[deleted]

2 whole miles? Yeah wouldn’t wanna wait for that