Finally found my GT1, about to pull the trigger - Any tips on buying non-certified used 2019 GT1?

[guitarguy]

Been looking for a few months, very hard to find the specs I want but I finally found one. Panthera metal, RWD, 4369 miles in SW Florida (jsut a few miles from me). Asking $34,300, not certified. Dealer is Gettel Toyota, pretty good reviews for the most part. Has a clean carfax w/ 1 owner, allegedly traded it in for a new Supra. Not on the NHSTA recall list, so I'm thinking the engine fire/HECU issue doesn't apply. It was in service at the first dealer on 5/29/19... IIRC the engine fire issues were mostly from July 2019 or 2018, I can't remember which. I've read several posts here over the months (thank you for all that excellent info!), and I know about the paint issues, rattles and sunroof leak issues. Anything else I should be checking?

I'll be test driving it in about 2 or 3 hours. I hope to have my local mechanic do a preinspection at his shop on his lift, but I haven't bought a used vehicle in several years so I don't know how dealers react to that these days... probably will not allow it to be inspected off their lot...?
Many thanks!
Tom

 

[Luminary]

If they will not allow it to be inspected off their lot I would walk away. You cannot find one that is certified Pre-owned from a Kia dealer?

 

[colnago1331]

If they will not allow it to be inspected off their lot I would walk away. You cannot find one that is certified Pre-owned from a Kia dealer?

Agreed. Any dealer worth its salt will let a serious buyer take the car to their mechanic for an inspection, or they will at least take the car themselves to a buyer's mechanic for inspection. And one should run away from any buyer who won't make this concession.

 

[Stingin' Away]

but I haven't bought a used vehicle in several years so I don't know how dealers react to that these days... probably will not allow it to be inspected off their lot...?
Many thanks!
Tom

See if you can get a KIA dealer to inspect it or ask for an overnight test drive. Like the other individuals are stating, if you think they are being shady, walk away.

You'll be better off with a new one or a certified GT1 from a KIA dealer if you can travel a bit.

 

[guitarguy]

Thanks for the replies, I agree. Just got back from the test drive. Nice car, no pressure dealership. They said they had another customer test driving it about an hour after I finished, and said if that person doesn't buy it tomorrow morning I'm welcome to take it to my mechanic. That was fair, I get it. And I walked, which is almost always the best strategy. But I do agree that getting it certified from a Kia dealer would be a better route. Boy, I've never seen such a tight used car market as it has been during this pandemic!

 

[MerlintheMad]

sunroof leak issues

Howdy. I haven't heard of any Stinger sunroof "leaking". Rattles and other extraneous noises are the complaints with sunroofs that have issues.

 

[guitarguy]

So the dealer called that night and said the other person interested in the car never showed. Just goes to show, always be ready to walk. Went back, for a thorough look, it has none of the common issues... and paint is great, and only one microscopic stone chip. Brought it to my mechanic, checked out perfectly, so I bought it. Love this car!

Next steps, getting PPF and maybe ceramic, and a rear spoiler.

Again, thanks for the replies!
Tom

 

[RedCal]

Congrats! post up some pics!

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

gratz!!

 

[Luminary]

So the dealer called that night and said the other person interested in the car never showed. Just goes to show, always be ready to walk. Went back, for a thorough look, it has none of the common issues... and paint is great, and only one microscopic stone chip. Brought it to my mechanic, checked out perfectly, so I bought it. Love this car!

Next steps, getting PPF and maybe ceramic, and a rear spoiler.

Again, thanks for the replies!
Tom

That is great to hear!! Congrats! Yup, post up some pics!!

 

[Deviate]

Nice. where in SW Florida?

 

[guitarguy]

Got it at Gettel Toyota in Punta Gorda. For a dealer, they were actually pretty good, no BS, no two or three hour attempts to wear me down. Then again I told them up front they have 15 minutes to work out a price or I'm out the door. and I made sure to work out the price with them before I brought it to my mechanic... Once they know it checks out they know they have you.

My only disappointment is not with the car... there aren't very many twisty, fun roads around here! Going to have to do some Google searching...

 

[Deviate]

Wow I'm impressed I couldn't get them to leave me the hell alone. As for twisty roads in this area I can't help you. You could road trip to the Georgia mountains. When I lived in Atlanta it was always fun up there.

 

[guitarguy]

finally got around to posting pics. Also found that the previous owner added Ingen intakes. Love this car!

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

finally got around to posting pics. Also found that the previous owner added Ingen intakes. Love this car!

Looking very sharp!!!!

Congrats and awesome pics!