No doubt! After losing our old reliable mechanic to retiring, it took us a couple years to find another. Finally found a good shop and we’re latching on to them for the long haul now. The other important factor is that this new shop also can talk to my wife respectfully. That’s harder to find than you might think and it’s very important. She can take cars in and not be talked down too. I’m sure Wizard is very good at this as well.
You can only be honest if you take the monumental financial risk of owning your own shop, or if you're incredibly lucky and find a shop owner like him to work for. If you're honest, good freakin luck working for a chain.
What's funny is that I look for gaps on "new" cars and it's hilarious how some manufacturers just don't get it... Detailed cars for years, so you just start noticing everything, especially around headlights/joints/seems/paint variation
At any other time, this would have been a 10K car, or less. At that price, some minor damage is acceptable. Now its probably worth 20K or more but the condition isnt any better! Its also a 2015 and the first year for that generation, best to stay away as usual.
Once they were offered a "GOOD DEAL" they should have been suspicious instead of trying to save a few dollars. A $100.00 for a pre purchase inspection could have saved a lot time and money.
Seriously, after buying a 4Runner that blew its head gasket like 5k miles later and was probably already failing when I bought it, I will never buy another vehicle without a PPI. And if the seller discourages it or doesn't allow it I'm walking.
@@kuebby Head gaskets are a tricky one as even a fairly extensive PPI can fail to pick up issues if they haven't happened yet, or if the head gasket leak isn't obvious. At least being a Toyota it's worth spending money on to get it fixed properly - this Nissan was garbage even before the accident as it has the notorious Jatco CVT in it.
I had a 17 Murano when I hit someone that ran a red light. Her car was totaled and mine had frame damage but the Collision shop wouldn't even measure the frame until they realized things weren't lining up. Even with good insurance some of these collision repair places can't be bothered to do their job right and I got rid of that POS
Usually best to avoid dealer body shops and those flashy chain store body shops with rental desks inside. Old school body shops are more likely to give a damn, but also have to avoid the grimy ones who half-ass everything.
@@VirtuaDesign That's a problem with concours level restorations. They have to make them fit poorly to be truly authentic! 30+ years ago fit and finish wasnt a thing for most manufacturers! Lexus finally whipped everyone's ass into shape.
@@bigpjohnson yeah, the dawn of modern car quality is undoubtedly due to Lexus. Lexus went after the quality that used to belong to Mercedes and then upped the game some. Tesla on the other hand seems to have gone after Ferrari: the model S has the performance of a modern Ferrari with the fit and finish of a classic one! 😂
I paid about $150 to have a traveling inspection business check out two of my possible purchases. They found frame damage to the first one from a wreck but said the second one was good to go. I bought the second and bet I'm a lot better off. Good money spent.
My wife and I moved from Phoenix, AZ to Park City. She grew up in BelAire and moved to Phoenix just before her Senior year at Heights because her Dad was transferred to Phoenix back in 1986. I am retired (disabled, right leg amputated above the knee) at age 61. She is 51 and still working. We had a wonderful mechanic in Phoenix. We first found him when my wife's car overheated in front of his shop, Pushed her car in, filled radiator offered her cold water (it was 110). No charge. My daughter is still in Phoenix and still uses him. We have a 2015 Equinox ( and yes, I hear you saying, "Oh no!" So far it has done us well after we bought used in 2018. I just happened upon your site last night. I've watched a lot of posts. We just had the oil changed. I will probably give your shop a visit for next maintenance or should something come up. And, I intend to get a vehicle for me soon and may just install a left foot accelerator, around the first of the year.
Even if you didn't notice the cracked light or whatever, how did you not do a basic check that all the lights, like the fog lights are not working? Unless you bought it sight unseen. I mean good thing it was just a slight bonk
You're correct. This is why you bring someone, ANYONE, with you that won't fall in love with the car and give you practical advice AND you get a mechanic to inspect it.
The customer must not have been a car person and probably didn’t know what they were looking at. Probably didn’t even road test it which you should always do new or used.
Some people just don't check, especially if you buy during the day and you don't notice the lights aren't working right. I was guilty of this myself when I bought my 2017 Camry in March of this year. I did a walk around of the car, but not while it was running and I didn't notice that both front turn signal bulbs weren't working properly. They lit up like normal but some how the housing where the bulb screws into on both signals were not mounted in the hole they were supposed to be and were just dangling lose in the assembly. I noticed it later that day when it got dark and I couldn't see the signals flashing on the ground like I could on my previous car. Thankfully the dealer took care of it when I brought it to their attention the next day.
No prepurchase inspection = No sale. If it’s a certified pre-owned car backed by the manufacturer’s warranty, that’s another story, but for something off a regular used car lot, an inspection is a must.
Damage aside. Never, never ever buy a Nissan. I used to sell them, and i've never seen so many nearly new cars come back to the dealership on a flatbed.
@@billycausgrove9657 I just said exactly that. 😂. But thank you for reaffirming. They really are quite terrible vehicles. It's been a bit since I've sold these, but I've noticed even the new ones are already bleeding rust from behind chrome piece on the trunk that holds the rear licence plate lights.
Bought an Acura MDX from a local family owned dealership that resells lease returns and other used cars.....fully loaded Touring model...about a year into ownership, the windshield frame started to bubble with rust. I took it back to the dealer and they said....when they were prepping it they replaced the windshield.....repair is on us...new windshield and rust repair...plus a loaner.. not cost to us...and they earned a repeat customer.
Ok... Where is this mysterious "Big Book of Underrated Things" that people keep implying exists? Is it the same thing as "The Big Book of Overrated things" or are those two different things?
I traded in my 2005 Camry with 140k miles that had a broken clock spring from after my mechanic replaced the rack and pinon and refused to fix/pay a dealer a to fix, needed two new front tires, had a leaking valve cover gasket and I noticed when I was cleaning out the trunk that it had a leak. I got $1,400 for it and they had it on their lot the following week for $5,600. I suspect they probably only fixed the clock spring because it was causing the airbag light to be on and probably just rotated the tires to get rid of the vibration and sent it.
Most definitely. Dealers are even over-paying for crappy auction cars just to have something with 4 wheels on their lots. I'm about to buy a brand new car. 1-2 year old cars are literally the same price and sometimes higher! Going 4-5 years and no warranty is maybe 5K less, its insane.
6 years ago I had bought my 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and the dealer didn't disclose that there was a front impact on the passenger side. The big tell was the front quarter panel was not OEM and was metal from Taiwan. It's the only panel currently rusting because it's thinner cheap metal. I appreciate these videos. Thanks Wizard!
People need to understand that once you put your signature on the dotted line of a purchasing contract for a vehicle by law.THAT CAR IS NOW YOURS... Along with all of the potential problems that that car may have remember that the car lot is not responsible for those problems after you sign the contract.That's why you do a pre-inspection on that vehicle BEFORE you purchase it.!!
Everyone saying pay for a ppI, but 95% of the population has no one they know of who does this in any given city. I think the conclusion that folks are too cheap, or too lazy to get an inspection is misguided. It has more to do with the lack of good honest folks doing this. Honest mechanics and PPI's ready to do inspections are like hen's teeth.
The public service effort is much appreciated and depressing. Add to it the thousands of flood cars after the floods hit the south and east some months ago and the general shortage of cars and wow. But it also made me shake my head when people won't do the easy due diligence when purchasing something of value.....thanks again sir
Got off lightly, I have inspected cars with air bags missing, seat belt pre tensioners deployed & Airbag, ABS & EML lights taped over with electrical tape by disassembling the cluster to cover them. Front frame rails crushed but then filled with JB Weld & bent track rod ends, I could go on.
5:35 There's a screw hole on the headlight housing that hides behind the fender that secures the headlight between the fender, and I bet that mount on the headlight is broken off which is why the fender is loose like that in addition to the headlight which definitely has OTHER broken mount tabs as well
That car slid off the road and into the Hedge by the looks of things. After Nissan was bought by Renault in the very late 90's those cars have never been the same. And Jatco transmissions are nothing to write home about.
"Jatco transmissions are nothing to write home about." Tell that to every 1/4 million mile 350z running a jatco auto on dealer fluid 20 years later thats still shifting after years of abuse. Jatco literally stand for "japanese transmission company". Toyota, Madzda, Honda, and mitsubishi all used the same cvt jatco that nissan had issues with. Nissans problem? They attatched a near 300 horsepower engine to this cvt, something toyota and madza wont dare do. You look at these jatco cvts that failed in nissans, they do very well in sub 200-150 horsepower cars, because that was the engineered hp limit. Jatco makes some of the strongest transmissions in the world, RWD planetary infiniti and Nissan automatics last far longer than toyota/lexus and honda/acura transmissions. Z and G cars get driven much harder than lexus and acuras as well, making the jatco transmission even more impressive, super sturdy.
@@MINTBERRYCRRUNCH i am a gm guy but i bought a 2018 rogue an i see nothing wrong about it or the trans ,,like all cars i dont let any get past 50.000 on the oil in the trans,,,i know its very important on any cvt...
I call bs almost no transmission will last 250k with never having the Trans fluid changed it just dosent happen! Even the best atf fluids are not ment for 250k
ivycycles - Oh Dear! How do you work that out. Nissan was going BUST because of their reliability and build problems until Renault stepped in and saved them. Renault and Nissan design and engineer their own vehicles with Nissan using some of Renaults engines etc - especially the excellent Dci diesel engine and Renault continue to come out with excellent reliable vehicles while Nissan continue to struggle and still make huge losses. Dacia owned by Renault makes big profits as well. Renault comes out as the best of the European makes for reliability while all of the German makes come out as POOR. Dacia comes out as excellent for reliability as well - then again they are just Renaults under the skin anyway. We have used Renault Kangoo and Clio vans for a very long time and they have been excellent reliable vans so much so I bought a 2008 Renault Kangoo 1.5 Dci Expression car version and last of the original Kangoos that has been totally reliable as well.
In California you have thirty days to return your vehicle. No such sale as "As Is" even if the sticker says so. I recently purchased a used car. Prior to purchase I investigated the VIN and contacted the original owner. This is a must people and don't rely upon a CarFax report.
Thank you Wizard. I bought a (gasp) 2015 Jeep cherokee/2.4L and it runs fine (from Carmax). It was in an accident and the Carfax did disclose it and the price was adjusted. I am not mechanical but I appreciate your enthusiasm for showing ordinary people how complicated some of these cars can be.
I have a family member who bought a Discovery Sport yesterday after seeing the videos of Mrs Wizards car. They made sure to get the EcoBoost engine too. Thanks for showing it to us.
One of the biggest problem is negligence of people, not knowing basics when it comes to buy used products. Unfortunately, the scammers will continue to exist in our lives. Just be careful and don't rush when buying something.
I think of a channel called Dank Pods, he does Videos on old Tech, like IPods and things. And when he opens one up. And sees it's been messed with he says "Someone's been in here!"
"Somebody's been here before. " Nope never heard that before. When I was a mechanic for a small engine shop we referred to that kind of presence as "Monkey Tracks".
As someone who has been in the auto industry, both in manufacturing for 3 years and transportation logistics of vehicles in the past year, there are ALOT of wrecked vehicles going on the market right now due to the shortage of vehicles. LOOK AT EVERYTHING before purchasing a vehicle!
Some more good, honest, straight forward content from the Wizard. I wish there were more mechanics like CW out there that put ethics before profit. That's why his shop stays busy. Keep doing what you do 😎👍
@CarWizzard: This type of video is so relevant and educational. I have purchased several pre-owned vehicles in my lifetime. Fortunately for me, I’ve always had someone with me who knew more than I did; specifically how to determine if the vehicle was ever in a collision, routinely serviced, etc.. Thank you and wishing you continued success!
One good mechanic is one thing. One hell of a mechanic is a plus. CAR WIZARD is like *dad.* He is ALWAYS looking up to take care and protect his children(customers). *An honest guy,* always giving a good word to help you go through the best/safest/clearest way. THANK YOU FOR BEING LIKE THAT. It gives you a billion points on credibility, besides the ZILLION you already have got.
I bought a 2004 vw passat in 07 after my 2nd deployment. Driving it I could hear wind blowing across the doors. Thought the door seals were bad. Fast forward a few years I hit someone outside Richmond Va going home to Pittsburgh. The shop called, asked if I got hit by a semi truck. All the bolt holes had been walloed out. Significant damage. Timing belt broke a few months later and I never fixed the car. Gave it to some kid in college.
With the lack of supply, that’s like asking for a homeowners inspection pre-closing - and yes, inspections are now routinely waived to get housing deals done, because other buyers are willing to forego it, many of them all-cash investors.
@@EMichaelBall this, I was out a car for 3 months trying to get a half decent deal on something. Vehicles would sell in hours, sometimes minutes. Even when I got first dips and offered asking price they'd have someone in there email offering more but would just say they'd keep my offer in mind. Very annoying to go look at a car, offer asking price, and get turned down. Finally got one by responding within minutes of the ad being posting and offering above asking to do the deal right then and there. Pre purchase inspection lol good luck with that
Weeeezard, the push-pin clips Nissan used to hold the front end together would biodegrade after a few years. I lost both side engine shields on my 06 Murano that way. Flew off at 70 mph at night in heavy traffic. I got new ones and used a variety of GM and older Nissan clips to hold them on, and also reclipped the entire front end!
Driver's side chipped headlight. Did the buyers purchase the car in the dark or were their eyes closed. Datsun of 70s, Nissan of 80s - 99 were great. Now stay away. Far away.
Hey there Mr. Car Wizard, for not so long I have discovered your channel and I learn additional techniques and information motor wise every time. I personally compliment your inputs to all car people, allow me if you will, I regard you more like "Guard Rails" on curve bridges to both fast and slow cars out there. The gentleness and softness approach of your lectures are very soothing in minds of confused and worried auto repair customers and incredibly easy to follow and to justify. Keep up the great job and God bless.
Scams are everywhere now. I work at a major Canadian university, where phishing and randsomware is something that comes up on a weekly basis. With the surging prices of cars, I imagine that just invites all the more people into the scam market to try and make a quick buck. :(
@@skytheguy0438 modern nissans arnt as bad as people make them out to be, they arnt tolerant to lack of maintenance which most people put off or just dont do.
I was about to buy a car in CarMax, RAV4 2019. The price was almost $5,000 dollars less than a new 2021 with 56,000 miles on it. I was already in the office about to start the process of signing until the salesman told me: I want you to be aware the record of this car shows an accident. Nothing that damaged the frame or structure of the car. I thanked the salesman that information and walked away. I’d rather spend my money on a new car with factory warranty.
Scams has been around since the beginning of time. It only looks like there are more now because the digital age makes it easier than ever to scam people without getting your ass kicked. Crying about scammers is a lost cause. Focus on educating honest people and drill it into their heads that they should to expect to be scammed by some scumbag so they better have their eyes wide open when dealing with others.
I guarantee over 90% of the scams targeting Americans stop the moment Google/Facebook stop letting any Chinese/Indian/Russian make unlimited fake profiles to directly interact with American citizens. Time to treat digital interaction like physical, we would never let anyone freely interact with our children without rigorous background checks in person yet we let anyone on the planet target any child or person on our own social media. It’s infuriating
@@kirkcunningham6146 Really ! Letting us know about scams is hardly big news. He is mainly creating content, which is fine, but if people are not aware that scams exist, then I do not know what else we can do !
I have an 07 Honda Pilot that was in a pretty similar front end wreck. Original owner sold it to me for $1500, I spent a couple grand more on parts to fix it. It wasn't worth taking to a body shop to pay out the ass so I just fixed it the best I could at home (definitely did a better job than this guy lol). If I were to ever sell it I'd disclose all of that, and provide pictures. I have a feeling that didn't happen with this Murano. Sucks for who bought it.
With the way the car market is, there's probably a dealer out there trying to sell a broken 3 wheeled car with the excuse that you get better fuel economy since only 3 out of the 4 wheels are touching the ground and creating friction. New? Used? Just stay away. Try to keep what you got going for another year, it's not worth getting into a pile of crap that's been patched up or rushed out the assembly line. Or, if you need a car like right now and you're going to pay the extra 💰💰💰 at least do a PRE-purchase inspection. Not POST-purchase.
Hi, Wizard, I have not read all the comments below but the issue with the scratches on the Headlights might be a job to clear the oxidation that All headlights get when they are plastic with time. Someone though, did a very poor job cleaning them. It looks like that what it is. My thoughts Thanks.
The front vent is a standard Nissan flaw. The actuators constantly fail. The vents on the Altamas fail completely, one of those things that should be a recall but isn't. How do I know these things? I worked at a Nissan dealership for a year and a half.
If that’s the total extent of the issues then the Wizard is being very picky compared to a lot of the nightmares I’ve seen on the road. What’s there is what I’d expect a home mechanic do to get a vehicle that they’re going to sell back in presentable shape after a minor parking incident like finding a Bollard or a kerb stone. Unless they paid a premium price for the vehicle their lucky if that’s the extent of the problem.
In the 80s and 90s there was a big problem with "cut and shuts". Two different cars welded together. Because of that the insurance companies now insist that cars with major structural damage are crushed.
@@MrDuncl Cur n Shuts were never that much of a problem especially if done correctly. The big problem is rebirthing. A wreck would be bought for the vin only and a stolen vehicle would receive that vin . That's what is being looked for in the mandatory inspection when a salvage vehicle is put back on the road, it could be a total death trap but as long as they don't find evidence that it's a stolen death trap they'll pass it.
@@anomamos9095 Cut and Shuts were a problem if the safety was compromised. As for Rebirthing some idiots tried that with a Ford that was written off by Neil Kinnock when he was leader of the opposition in Parliament, and consequently had been in all the newspapers ! The fact that most registration plates in the U.K. stay with the car for life made it completely obvious that a complete wreck hadn't suddenly been restored to showroom condition.
People in the U.S and in the other countries are not paid enough. Besides looking for a good deal. Car scams went through the roof when car prices went through the roof. Very sad.
And I used to be the trade-in inspector at a Honda dealership. So any vehicle a customer wanted to trade in had to go through me first. I'd take it for a rather hard road test, taking note of any noises, anything shaking, etc) then put it in the air and always the first thing I'd look for is bite marks on the rails and see if it had been on a frame machine. If bite marks were present, most times I would stop right there and I'd tell the salesman that it had been on a frame machine (of course it was accident free according to the customer) and he would refuse the trade-in immediately! And this was in 1999. I found so many ways how people could cover up precious accident damage and thankfully not a single one got past me because I had a phenomenal tech who taught me everything I needed to know about spotting precious damage and repairs.
I have a 06 Murano with 314K miles. My family bought it new and I bought it from them, we've maintained it from day one and it still runs great. Its got some body damage here and there but it only broke down once. Bad alternator at 290Kish haha.
No biggy, as long as you got a good deal. I picked up my 97 Celica GT convertible in October. Has an R Title from front end accident in 2004. Runs like a dream, repairs to front end not perfect but unless you did an exam like the Wizard is doing here you would never know it was in an accident. Did a few things to it after I bought it, passed state inspection last month with zero issues. Best thing is I only paid $1200 for it.
Now you see why your insurance wants to "total" your car after a minor front end collision. All that plastic breaks. Numerous expensive parts. Most of the time the radiator is damaged along with air conditioner parts.
Carwizard you are awesome!!!!! I wish more people were as compassionate as you my last mechanic fucked up 2 of mine and a van that I bought off him passed the inspection then 2 weeks later the timing belt came off, then another 2 weeks later the brakes went out so that was another $250 for a $2000 plymouth hes a 2 bit hustler its pathetic people are like that today!!!!!
This is becoming more prevalent unfortunately due to the semi conductor shortage. A vast majority of vehicles at dealerships in my area even have rebuilt titles. A lot of them are going to auctions to get when they can just to have something on their lots to sell. Wait to buy if you can.
We had a scammer trying to buy our 2005 F-430 we had since new, That con artist was claiming he wanna buy it but car will need to be shipped to India before payment through pay pal We just replied go scam somewhere else. As expected pos never replied and car got sold to real buyer in October for asking price
My Murano had worse damage at that age. Value was too low and it would have been totalled, so threw on another bumper and its still going 8 years later! This Murano should be a 10K car but with fucking Covid its 20K+.
I bought a 2 year old Honda Civic, had a car fax, everything looked good and a year later I got a letter from the state saying the title was revoked due to a salvage status. The dealer I got it from made it right, paid it off and upgraded to a much nicer and more valuable suv. Turns out someone had transferred titles into 3 different states before mine
Always always always have an experienced mechanic you trust, that is not part of the deal, fully examine a car before you buy. There are a lot of telltale signs a vehicle has been in a wreck and then covered up. It is possible to fix crash damage properly, but it's pretty rare. This actually ended up being not as bad as I was expecting. I was expecting you to find structural damage. This is repairable, although the customer will have to spend a lot more money than they were expecting.
Being in the collision industry i see it every day. Written off used cars go back on the lot very quick with low mileage. The gaps on both fenders to the doors are way off. It was never put on the rack and and straightened to spec. Someone did a quick fix and sent it out. Be careful with ex rental vehicles, they are notorious for doing shoddy work. Sad that most hard working people dont see it, When they have a down payment and financing at huge % at the local quick sale dealerships well its the way it is.
You should never ever buy a vehicle that was in a huge accident or had a rebuilt title in the past. Most individuals never learn or never cared about their safety. Also, do not buy any Nissan Murano or any Nissan with the CVT transmission.
gee i have a rouge with one...love it...oh my boy just got a 2019 rogue ...put 2,000 miles on it last week ..awd an 34 mpg ,,,yes he will have the cvt serviced at 50 grand my sis inlaw has a nissan altima 180,00 on it //still drives like new..but i did have her service the cvt..an you have to use the right oil...
Every time someone says "CarMax" prices are too high - that person needs to see a video like this. There's not 100% guarantee that you won't get a car like this from CarMax but at least you have a period of time to return that car back and either get your money back or another car. ALL used car prices are extremely high these days and something that would have been "dumped" at the auction are seeing more time in the shop to get them ready for unsuspecting buyers. If you can manage to get a MSRP deal on a new car that maybe the way to go. I'm hearing several stories of people buying at MSRP and getting offers of over MSRP to sell.
Did these folks not do any sort of visual inspection before buying? The busted headlight, the scratches, a freaking wood screw holding the bumper, all of that ought to be pretty obvious to anyone not named Ray Charles.
I would almost imagine the dealership was just like the customer. Probably bought it and checked the vin for accident reports. My guess is the vin doesn’t show the vehicle had any accidents. I’m guessing it didn’t get reported. Maybe even whoever owned the vehicle “repaired it”. It doesn’t seem the dealership even opened the hood. With those hood struts not holding. That one of the cheapest and easiest fixes on any car. (Most of the time).
Typical parking lot damage. Someone backed into the corner of the car. Since there is no structure at the extreme corners, it is very easy to break all the plastic tabs. Makes for about $2000 in damages even though it doesn't look like it. My wife's Hyundai Accent got rear-ended in the driver's corner: broke the tail light, bumper cover, and put a dent under in the 1/4 (beam didn't go to the end).
at 1:11 you can already see the door is damaged, the shutline is wrong at the top , the trim isnt touching the door at the top/front and the line from the wing doesnt contimue down the door at the same height......
Also, any Nissan Murano is on the not to buy list, ever, because it has the CVT transmission. The Car Wizard did a video on the six used vehicles with these engines and/or transmissions that you should not be allowed to purchase for whatever reason, last week. Other vehicles to run away, as quick as possible are the 2005 to 2010 Pontiac G6 (any body style) with the 2.4 L Ecotec four-cylinder engine or the 3.6 L V6 engine, 2008 to 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer with the CVT transmission, 2012 to 2019 BMW 3-Series F30 with the 2 L turbocharged N20 four-cylinder gasoline engine and the 1999 to 2002 Mercury Cougar. Thank you very much and have a great day.
CVTs have improved greatly especially if you use other brands. There is a lot of hate for Nissan CVTs and unfortunately most people will have the notion that all CVTs are the same when compared to other brands like Honda and others before actually test driving them. I had the same notion and looking to the current times as I write this, the CVTs does one thing good which is better gas mileage and also it’s smooth when driving. Most car enthusiasts don’t like CVT and I can understand where they coming from as with CVTs you don’t feel the shifts. Also another problem that I noticed with people is people try to floor the CVTs from the stop and that won’t help either. Anyways everyone has an opinion when it comes to CVT
Decent? Are you blind?! This looks like a 1sr grader with zero knowledge did this patch job. This is not a repair, this is a sleezy scumbag taking advantage of the uneducated....
Mr wizard is a real asset for consumers and their Vehicles here. He's very straightforward very honest sounds like he's got a lot of integrity , he's very smart knowledgeable and he knows his stuff !!!; and many of these stories are cautionary tales about bad dishonest people out there who are scammers who are giving the car business a very bad name. And he exposes these people and their dirty deeds.
I traded my 2015 Murano Platinum last August for a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The rate at which was fast losing value is something unimaginable. I am glad I had a good deal on the Highlander
It means the hood has been opened too many times. Or if you live in cold area and have to open the hood when it's minus degrees the seals on the struts may go bad and leak, then they're gone.
I agree with you wizard. I've got a 2004 Nissan Sentra that I'm putting back together. It was wrecked that I've been working on since May. Why so long to make sure every piece of the car is back on there where it goes
Try MY situation. Got a 2015 hyundai accent sedan with the 1.6 gdi automatic gl model. Did oil changes and it still wound up with the engine rattling. Bottom end went. Dealership said "Oh you don't know anything about cars. It's the top end that needs to be fixed. Drive it to us and we will fix it for a cost." Had NUMEROUS problems with the car only to be told by the Finance Company that I need to pay for the car REGARDLESS if I can drive it or not. I know a bottom end rattle from a top end rattle.
Repaired my car in front of my house. bought second hand original colormatch painted bumper and front wing and a new headlight. It sorted out pretty OEM! Like a big puzzle
He's being a little particular on a used car. If the cosmetic issues and a bad fog light are the worst of it, I wouldn't say the buyer got burned. Most of the cosmetic issues the Wizard showed would have been clearly visible at point of sale. A smart buyer would have either negotiated or accepted the issues when they bought it. If the buyer paid book or less, I'd say it's fair. If you want a perfect car, buy brand new. Even then, it's a crap shoot.
This reminds me of my Horror Story 2012 Sentra Special Edition Carmax sold me in 2013. It had parts on it from a scrap yard and cost me thousands of dollars. Carmax would not fix it! Do not buy used from Carmax! There cars barley pass state inspection. Moldy cabin filters Used Junkyard Parts Bad suspention Bad Brakes CVT Failure
My 2000 Echo is the first car I have owned where the body uses plastic bumpers like this 2015. It had been hit in minor ways front and back, so many tabs are broken and the rear plastic is sprung. I fix my own cars generally so I have fixed these problems with the equivalent of the bailing wire used to fix Model Ts. So I drill new holes and keep putting in odd screws until the panels is securely in place. But the best thing I’ve discovered is Zip-ties. The modern billing wire. I know the authorities would not approve, so because my care is white I make sure to use white zip ties.😂
Customer didn't have this "Hunch" Prior to buying the car?? So if it was bought sight unseen, shame on them. This type of work? Is becoming the norm these days. America running on pride, courtesy and respect? Just is a very rare thing these days. Very Sad to see.
Never buy a used car from a non-branded used car dealer unless you absolutely must. They buy cars at auction from branded dealers. The reason why the cars are at auction and not being sold by the branded dealer is either because the miles are much higher than they should be for the year or the vehicle requires so many repairs that to do them correctly would make the vehicle unprofitable. When the unbranded dealer gets the car, they don't fix it, they "make it sellable". This is a car that was "made sellable".
This happened to me at a BMW dealership that I bought a used yaris from. I even found a sanding block they left in the bottom of the bumper. Fortunately, this was just undisclosed fixed damage and no mechanical issues exist. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth though.
When you have just bought a used car like this and find extensive hidden damage, the first place you should turn is your car title. Was the little box checked that the vehicle was wrecked with damages exceeding 25% of the car's value? If that disclosure wasn't made and the vehicle's damages exceed that threshold you may have a claim against the seller for lack of proper disclosure or fraudulent title transfer.
When I plan to buy my first, used vehicle, I will always be careful every single time. I will plan to buy any older or any newer vehicle with moderate mileage (median odometer reading), whether if the vehicle is reliable or not. Most likely, you want to look for something that is safe and fuel-efficient. I will plan to buy either a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander 4WD mid-size SUV with the 3 L V6 engine and the six-speed automatic transmission or a 2001 Ford Windstar SEL minivan with the 3.8 L V6 engine and the four-speed automatic transmission.
When I last sold a car privately (an mx-5 ) this woman rang me from outside the UK, she said she'd give me full price but someone else would pick it up and the money would be in a 'special' account. I told her that I do things the old fashioned way, you bring cash or put the funds in my account right there and then. Never heard from her again.
This car damages were clearly assessed by someone competent like an assurance body shop looking at the blue paint marker marks on all the broken pieces. I would check Copart or IAA past listings with the VIN on that one
Maybe CWiz could do a video on the procedure for an inspection. Not from the garage but from the moment you spot the car you want. People are preaching pre car inspection and I can't imagine how it works in real life. Stranger going to let you take off with their car? Pay a tech to leave work to look at the car? Any real life experience with this. There's a lot of junk out there now as I have been looking. Carfax is the best light reading. Cars with first recorded oil change at 60k.
We really need more honest mechanics like Wizard. He's the gold standard! He's just in the business to get the job done right.
And that's exactly what keeps him in business.
Why Gold? Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium are worth lots more than Gold. He is the Rhodium standard!!!
Of course he’s going to point out all the things wrong with it. That’s how he makes money. Make that money!!
No doubt! After losing our old reliable mechanic to retiring, it took us a couple years to find another. Finally found a good shop and we’re latching on to them for the long haul now. The other important factor is that this new shop also can talk to my wife respectfully. That’s harder to find than you might think and it’s very important. She can take cars in and not be talked down too. I’m sure Wizard is very good at this as well.
You can only be honest if you take the monumental financial risk of owning your own shop, or if you're incredibly lucky and find a shop owner like him to work for. If you're honest, good freakin luck working for a chain.
These kind of car flips are going to be extremely common now that car values are through the roof.
Yup going through OfferUp and Facebook market place and some people asking too much for clapped out cars
Just go look at a used car lot at a new car dealer…the quality of car is absolute trash.
What's funny is that I look for gaps on "new" cars and it's hilarious how some manufacturers just don't get it... Detailed cars for years, so you just start noticing everything, especially around headlights/joints/seems/paint variation
At any other time, this would have been a 10K car, or less. At that price, some minor damage is acceptable. Now its probably worth 20K or more but the condition isnt any better! Its also a 2015 and the first year for that generation, best to stay away as usual.
I agree
Once they were offered a "GOOD DEAL" they should have been suspicious instead of trying to save a few dollars.
A $100.00 for a pre purchase inspection could have saved a lot time and money.
Auto pre purchase inspections rank just under contraception as the best and cheapest money you could ever spend.
@@jon309 Something like this does not even require a pre-purchase inspection. Just need to take a careful look at the car.
Seriously, after buying a 4Runner that blew its head gasket like 5k miles later and was probably already failing when I bought it, I will never buy another vehicle without a PPI. And if the seller discourages it or doesn't allow it I'm walking.
LOL, it's a Nissan Murano, it was already trash when it left the factory.
@@kuebby Head gaskets are a tricky one as even a fairly extensive PPI can fail to pick up issues if they haven't happened yet, or if the head gasket leak isn't obvious. At least being a Toyota it's worth spending money on to get it fixed properly - this Nissan was garbage even before the accident as it has the notorious Jatco CVT in it.
I had a 17 Murano when I hit someone that ran a red light. Her car was totaled and mine had frame damage but the Collision shop wouldn't even measure the frame until they realized things weren't lining up. Even with good insurance some of these collision repair places can't be bothered to do their job right and I got rid of that POS
Should have reported them to the insurance company.
Usually best to avoid dealer body shops and those flashy chain store body shops with rental desks inside. Old school body shops are more likely to give a damn, but also have to avoid the grimy ones who half-ass everything.
Ah yes, the old "post-purchase inspection" that comes with a pair of glasses, because hindsight is 20/20.
Car owner: Panel gaps just seems so odd and irregular, like its been in a accident...
Every Tesla owner on Earth: That's completely normal dude.
Tesla owners have the exact opposite experience: "These gaps are too precise and consistent, I think this car was in a wreck." 😅
Rich's Rebuilds flooded Tesla has entered the chat.
@@VirtuaDesign That's a problem with concours level restorations. They have to make them fit poorly to be truly authentic! 30+ years ago fit and finish wasnt a thing for most manufacturers! Lexus finally whipped everyone's ass into shape.
@@bigpjohnson yeah, the dawn of modern car quality is undoubtedly due to Lexus. Lexus went after the quality that used to belong to Mercedes and then upped the game some. Tesla on the other hand seems to have gone after Ferrari: the model S has the performance of a modern Ferrari with the fit and finish of a classic one! 😂
@@VirtuaDesign And now we wait for a pissed off tractor builder to tell Elon to fuck off, lmao.
I paid about $150 to have a traveling inspection business check out two of my possible purchases. They found frame damage to the first one from a wreck but said the second one was good to go. I bought the second and bet I'm a lot better off. Good money spent.
My wife and I moved from Phoenix, AZ to Park City. She grew up in BelAire and moved to Phoenix just before her Senior year at Heights because her Dad was transferred to Phoenix back in 1986. I am retired (disabled, right leg amputated above the knee) at age 61. She is 51 and still working. We had a wonderful mechanic in Phoenix. We first found him when my wife's car overheated in front of his shop, Pushed her car in, filled radiator offered her cold water (it was 110). No charge. My daughter is still in Phoenix and still uses him. We have a 2015 Equinox ( and yes, I hear you saying, "Oh no!" So far it has done us well after we bought used in 2018. I just happened upon your site last night. I've watched a lot of posts. We just had the oil changed. I will probably give your shop a visit for next maintenance or should something come up. And, I intend to get a vehicle for me soon and may just install a left foot accelerator, around the first of the year.
Even if you didn't notice the cracked light or whatever, how did you not do a basic check that all the lights, like the fog lights are not working? Unless you bought it sight unseen. I mean good thing it was just a slight bonk
You're correct. This is why you bring someone, ANYONE, with you that won't fall in love with the car and give you practical advice AND you get a mechanic to inspect it.
The customer must not have been a car person and probably didn’t know what they were looking at. Probably didn’t even road test it which you should always do new or used.
And the missing coolant cap?
Some people just don't check, especially if you buy during the day and you don't notice the lights aren't working right. I was guilty of this myself when I bought my 2017 Camry in March of this year. I did a walk around of the car, but not while it was running and I didn't notice that both front turn signal bulbs weren't working properly. They lit up like normal but some how the housing where the bulb screws into on both signals were not mounted in the hole they were supposed to be and were just dangling lose in the assembly. I noticed it later that day when it got dark and I couldn't see the signals flashing on the ground like I could on my previous car. Thankfully the dealer took care of it when I brought it to their attention the next day.
Didn’t check the horn, signals or anything basic being stupid is expensive sometimes
No prepurchase inspection = No sale. If it’s a certified pre-owned car backed by the manufacturer’s warranty, that’s another story, but for something off a regular used car lot, an inspection is a must.
Damage aside. Never, never ever buy a Nissan. I used to sell them, and i've never seen so many nearly new cars come back to the dealership on a flatbed.
Don't buy them period.
@@billycausgrove9657 I just said exactly that. 😂. But thank you for reaffirming. They really are quite terrible vehicles. It's been a bit since I've sold these, but I've noticed even the new ones are already bleeding rust from behind chrome piece on the trunk that holds the rear licence plate lights.
Really? I have a nissan rogue 2015. It is gutless but never has any issues in the last 7 years.
You got lucky
My 08 Infiniti runs fine though
Bought an Acura MDX from a local family owned dealership that resells lease returns and other used cars.....fully loaded Touring model...about a year into ownership, the windshield frame started to bubble with rust. I took it back to the dealer and they said....when they were prepping it they replaced the windshield.....repair is on us...new windshield and rust repair...plus a loaner.. not cost to us...and they earned a repeat customer.
Your honesty is more of what the world needs.
Pre-purchase inspection is so under rated, and would have saved big money
Very much in the category of "Spend a little money so you don't end up spending a lot of money"!
It's not underrated. In fact it's rated quite highly. It is, however, underutilized.
Ok... Where is this mysterious "Big Book of Underrated Things" that people keep implying exists? Is it the same thing as "The Big Book of Overrated things" or are those two different things?
@@herrunsinn774 Exactly!!!
The way the car market is today I suspect a lot of stuff is getting patched up and sold.
Bingo!
Oh definitely
I traded in my 2005 Camry with 140k miles that had a broken clock spring from after my mechanic replaced the rack and pinon and refused to fix/pay a dealer a to fix, needed two new front tires, had a leaking valve cover gasket and I noticed when I was cleaning out the trunk that it had a leak. I got $1,400 for it and they had it on their lot the following week for $5,600. I suspect they probably only fixed the clock spring because it was causing the airbag light to be on and probably just rotated the tires to get rid of the vibration and sent it.
@@TheCobruhAlienat0r damn
Most definitely. Dealers are even over-paying for crappy auction cars just to have something with 4 wheels on their lots.
I'm about to buy a brand new car. 1-2 year old cars are literally the same price and sometimes higher! Going 4-5 years and no warranty is maybe 5K less, its insane.
Anything, including vehicles, that are priced lower than anything similar, will not save you money, in the end.
6 years ago I had bought my 2010 Ford Taurus SHO and the dealer didn't disclose that there was a front impact on the passenger side. The big tell was the front quarter panel was not OEM and was metal from Taiwan. It's the only panel currently rusting because it's thinner cheap metal. I appreciate these videos. Thanks Wizard!
Damnit people pay the money for a pre purchase inspection!! Car Wizard doing his best Billy Mays impression
Billy Mays never said ‘But wait, there’s more’. Find a clip of him saying it. Was never said anymore. Mandela Effect.
@@nyccollin please go away with this crap. Get a sense of humor
People need to understand that once you put your signature on the dotted line of a purchasing contract for a vehicle by law.THAT CAR IS NOW YOURS... Along with all of the potential problems that that car may have remember that the car lot is not responsible for those problems after you sign the contract.That's why you do a pre-inspection on that vehicle BEFORE you purchase it.!!
@@rodferguson3515 most states have laws against dealers if they don't disclose the prior wreck.
Everyone saying pay for a ppI, but 95% of the population has no one they know of who does this in any given city. I think the conclusion that folks are too cheap, or too lazy to get an inspection is misguided. It has more to do with the lack of good honest folks doing this. Honest mechanics and PPI's ready to do inspections are like hen's teeth.
The public service effort is much appreciated and depressing. Add to it the thousands of flood cars after the floods hit the south and east some months ago and the general shortage of cars and wow. But it also made me shake my head when people won't do the easy due diligence when purchasing something of value.....thanks again sir
Got off lightly, I have inspected cars with air bags missing, seat belt pre tensioners deployed & Airbag, ABS & EML lights taped over with electrical tape by disassembling the cluster to cover them. Front frame rails crushed but then filled with JB Weld & bent track rod ends, I could go on.
5:35 There's a screw hole on the headlight housing that hides behind the fender that secures the headlight between the fender, and I bet that mount on the headlight is broken off which is why the fender is loose like that in addition to the headlight which definitely has OTHER broken mount tabs as well
That car slid off the road and into the Hedge by the looks of things. After Nissan was bought by Renault in the very late 90's those cars have never been the same. And Jatco transmissions are nothing to write home about.
"Jatco transmissions are nothing to write home about."
Tell that to every 1/4 million mile 350z running a jatco auto on dealer fluid 20 years later thats still shifting after years of abuse. Jatco literally stand for "japanese transmission company". Toyota, Madzda, Honda, and mitsubishi all used the same cvt jatco that nissan had issues with. Nissans problem? They attatched a near 300 horsepower engine to this cvt, something toyota and madza wont dare do. You look at these jatco cvts that failed in nissans, they do very well in sub 200-150 horsepower cars, because that was the engineered hp limit. Jatco makes some of the strongest transmissions in the world, RWD planetary infiniti and Nissan automatics last far longer than toyota/lexus and honda/acura transmissions. Z and G cars get driven much harder than lexus and acuras as well, making the jatco transmission even more impressive, super sturdy.
@@MINTBERRYCRRUNCH i am a gm guy but i bought a 2018 rogue an i see nothing wrong about it or the trans ,,like all cars i dont let any get past 50.000 on the oil in the trans,,,i know its very important on any cvt...
I call bs almost no transmission will last 250k with never having the Trans fluid changed it just dosent happen! Even the best atf fluids are not ment for 250k
And Honda and Toyota Trans are good? Tell that to the 300 plus customers I have had to replace theirs Trans at bearly over 100k.
ivycycles - Oh Dear! How do you work that out. Nissan was going BUST because of their reliability and build problems until Renault stepped in and saved them. Renault and Nissan design and engineer their own vehicles with Nissan using some of Renaults engines etc - especially the excellent Dci diesel engine and Renault continue to come out with excellent reliable vehicles while Nissan continue to struggle and still make huge losses. Dacia owned by Renault makes big profits as well. Renault comes out as the best of the European makes for reliability while all of the German makes come out as POOR. Dacia comes out as excellent for reliability as well - then again they are just Renaults under the skin anyway. We have used Renault Kangoo and Clio vans for a very long time and they have been excellent reliable vans so much so I bought a 2008 Renault Kangoo 1.5 Dci Expression car version and last of the original Kangoos that has been totally reliable as well.
In California you have thirty days to return your vehicle. No such sale as "As Is" even if the sticker says so. I recently purchased a used car. Prior to purchase I investigated the VIN and contacted the original owner. This is a must people and don't rely upon a CarFax report.
Thank you Wizard. I bought a (gasp) 2015 Jeep cherokee/2.4L and it runs fine (from Carmax). It was in an accident and the Carfax did disclose it and the price was adjusted. I am not mechanical but I appreciate your enthusiasm for showing ordinary people how complicated some of these cars can be.
The Wizard: "Disgusting shoddy repairs"
Hoovie: "Here's the best car I ever bought"
I have a family member who bought a Discovery Sport yesterday after seeing the videos of Mrs Wizards car. They made sure to get the EcoBoost engine too. Thanks for showing it to us.
One of the biggest problem is negligence of people, not knowing basics when it comes to buy used products. Unfortunately, the scammers will continue to exist in our lives. Just be careful and don't rush when buying something.
Agreed
I bought a new Nissan pickup a few years ago. I’ll never make that mistake again. It was total garbage.
Like I said in the Dodge Magnum video, as Collision UA-camr Vehcor likes to say: “Somebody’s been here before!”
and that somebody was the curb lol
I think of a channel called Dank Pods, he does Videos on old Tech, like IPods and things. And when he opens one up. And sees it's been messed with he says "Someone's been in here!"
"Somebody's been here before. "
Nope never heard that before. When I was a mechanic for a small engine shop we referred to that kind of presence as "Monkey Tracks".
Vehcor is great!
@@HeavyTanker-vx4oq a fellow DankPods viewer! Always glad to see one!
As someone who has been in the auto industry, both in manufacturing for 3 years and transportation logistics of vehicles in the past year, there are ALOT of wrecked vehicles going on the market right now due to the shortage of vehicles. LOOK AT EVERYTHING before purchasing a vehicle!
Some more good, honest, straight forward content from the Wizard. I wish there were more mechanics like CW out there that put ethics before profit. That's why his shop stays busy. Keep doing what you do 😎👍
wiz pointing out how blind some people are to obvious salvage vehicles.
@CarWizzard: This type of video is so relevant and educational. I have purchased several pre-owned vehicles in my lifetime. Fortunately for me, I’ve always had someone with me who knew more than I did; specifically how to determine if the vehicle was ever in a collision, routinely serviced, etc.. Thank you and wishing you continued success!
One good mechanic is one thing.
One hell of a mechanic is a plus.
CAR WIZARD is like *dad.* He is ALWAYS looking up to take care and protect his children(customers). *An honest guy,* always giving a good word to help you go through the best/safest/clearest way.
THANK YOU FOR BEING LIKE THAT. It gives you a billion points on credibility, besides the ZILLION you already have got.
I bought a 2004 vw passat in 07 after my 2nd deployment. Driving it I could hear wind blowing across the doors. Thought the door seals were bad. Fast forward a few years I hit someone outside Richmond Va going home to Pittsburgh. The shop called, asked if I got hit by a semi truck. All the bolt holes had been walloed out. Significant damage. Timing belt broke a few months later and I never fixed the car. Gave it to some kid in college.
always take a used car to a Mechanic before buying it and if the seller tells you "no" then move on and forget the car.
With the lack of supply, that’s like asking for a homeowners inspection pre-closing - and yes, inspections are now routinely waived to get housing deals done, because other buyers are willing to forego it, many of them all-cash investors.
@@EMichaelBall this, I was out a car for 3 months trying to get a half decent deal on something. Vehicles would sell in hours, sometimes minutes. Even when I got first dips and offered asking price they'd have someone in there email offering more but would just say they'd keep my offer in mind. Very annoying to go look at a car, offer asking price, and get turned down. Finally got one by responding within minutes of the ad being posting and offering above asking to do the deal right then and there. Pre purchase inspection lol good luck with that
Weeeezard, the push-pin clips Nissan used to hold the front end together would biodegrade after a few years. I lost both side engine shields on my 06 Murano that way. Flew off at 70 mph at night in heavy traffic. I got new ones and used a variety of GM and older Nissan clips to hold them on, and also reclipped the entire front end!
Driver's side chipped headlight. Did the buyers purchase the car in the dark or were their eyes closed.
Datsun of 70s, Nissan of 80s - 99 were great.
Now stay away. Far away.
Sad what has become of a once great car company....
Hey there Mr. Car Wizard, for not so long I have discovered your channel and I learn additional techniques and information motor wise every time. I personally compliment your inputs to all car people, allow me if you will, I regard you more like "Guard Rails" on curve bridges to both fast and slow cars out there. The gentleness and softness approach of your lectures are very soothing in minds of confused and worried auto repair customers and incredibly easy to follow and to justify. Keep up the great job and God bless.
I was waiting for Tyler (Hoovie) to pop out of the hood and go "Weeezard!"
Scams are everywhere now. I work at a major Canadian university, where phishing and randsomware is something that comes up on a weekly basis. With the surging prices of cars, I imagine that just invites all the more people into the scam market to try and make a quick buck. :(
yes, scams in every part of life especially in relationships & marriage & family & friendas
@@MrSamadolfo Yeah, that's another bad one. :/
Muranos come with hidden damage from factory. That CVT is a timebomb
My Muranos have been great to me. I own a 2012 and a 2016.
@@AUA-camChannelwithNoName I'm thrilled for you, but I've fixed more than you've owned.
@@JossRickard Muranos or just Nissans in general? Muranos are usually the most reliable of all Nissan vehicles.
@@AUA-camChannelwithNoName Muranos specifically that are traded in because of CVT problems
This is the first thing I thought of I saw this video
Soon as they decided to look at a Murano they were screwed
How's it hangin?
As soon as they looked at a modern Nissan they were screwed.
@@skytheguy0438 modern nissans arnt as bad as people make them out to be, they arnt tolerant to lack of maintenance which most people put off or just dont do.
I thought Jeffery Epstein was dead???
@@DirtyDanRacimg that's the problem tho only about 25 percent of people maintain their vehicles properly. So that means buying one used is a no go
The "wood screws from home depot" repair job is something I frequently see as the second shop to do body work on a car.
I was about to buy a car in CarMax, RAV4 2019. The price was almost $5,000 dollars less than a new 2021 with 56,000 miles on it. I was already in the office about to start the process of signing until the salesman told me: I want you to be aware the record of this car shows an accident. Nothing that damaged the frame or structure of the car. I thanked the salesman that information and walked away. I’d rather spend my money on a new car with factory warranty.
Scams has been around since the beginning of time. It only looks like there are more now because the digital age makes it easier than ever to scam people without getting your ass kicked. Crying about scammers is a lost cause. Focus on educating honest people and drill it into their heads that they should to expect to be scammed by some scumbag so they better have their eyes wide open when dealing with others.
I guarantee over 90% of the scams targeting Americans stop the moment Google/Facebook stop letting any Chinese/Indian/Russian make unlimited fake profiles to directly interact with American citizens. Time to treat digital interaction like physical, we would never let anyone freely interact with our children without rigorous background checks in person yet we let anyone on the planet target any child or person on our own social media. It’s infuriating
He wasn't crying, he was getting the message out.
Easier in the digital age, and very low personal risk.
@@DonZenOfficial Hey, I am asian.
@@kirkcunningham6146 Really ! Letting us know about scams is hardly big news. He is mainly creating content, which is fine, but if people are not aware that scams exist, then I do not know what else we can do !
I have an 07 Honda Pilot that was in a pretty similar front end wreck. Original owner sold it to me for $1500, I spent a couple grand more on parts to fix it. It wasn't worth taking to a body shop to pay out the ass so I just fixed it the best I could at home (definitely did a better job than this guy lol). If I were to ever sell it I'd disclose all of that, and provide pictures. I have a feeling that didn't happen with this Murano. Sucks for who bought it.
I was surprised that you didn’t find any bailing wire in this repair.
Or chewing gum.
....or Duct Tape & chewing gum
With the way the car market is, there's probably a dealer out there trying to sell a broken 3 wheeled car with the excuse that you get better fuel economy since only 3 out of the 4 wheels are touching the ground and creating friction.
New? Used? Just stay away. Try to keep what you got going for another year, it's not worth getting into a pile of crap that's been patched up or rushed out the assembly line. Or, if you need a car like right now and you're going to pay the extra 💰💰💰 at least do a PRE-purchase inspection. Not POST-purchase.
or zip ties
Hi, Wizard, I have not read all the comments below but the issue with the scratches on the Headlights might be a job to clear the oxidation that All headlights get when they are plastic with time. Someone though, did a very poor job cleaning them. It looks like that what it is. My thoughts Thanks.
Big mistake was buying a post 2003 Nissan. Gotta love those CVT transmissions
had an '05 infiniti. first and last Nissan product
My brother had a Murano. 07? I cant remember. Cvt went out at 50k
My wife’s last car was a 2011 maxima trans blew up at 90k
I'll stick with my millennial anti-theft device transmission
@@tashawegmueller1866 Two weeks ago I asked local Toyota if they have manual Yaris - zero chance.
The front vent is a standard Nissan flaw.
The actuators constantly fail. The vents on the Altamas fail completely, one of those things that should be a recall but isn't. How do I know these things? I worked at a Nissan dealership for a year and a half.
If that’s the total extent of the issues then the Wizard is being very picky compared to a lot of the nightmares I’ve seen on the road. What’s there is what I’d expect a home mechanic do to get a vehicle that they’re going to sell back in presentable shape after a minor parking incident like finding a Bollard or a kerb stone. Unless they paid a premium price for the vehicle their lucky if that’s the extent of the problem.
In the 80s and 90s there was a big problem with "cut and shuts". Two different cars welded together. Because of that the insurance companies now insist that cars with major structural damage are crushed.
@@MrDuncl Cur n Shuts were never that much of a problem especially if done correctly. The big problem is rebirthing. A wreck would be bought for the vin only and a stolen vehicle would receive that vin .
That's what is being looked for in the mandatory inspection when a salvage vehicle is put back on the road, it could be a total death trap but as long as they don't find evidence that it's a stolen death trap they'll pass it.
@@anomamos9095 Cut and Shuts were a problem if the safety was compromised. As for Rebirthing some idiots tried that with a Ford that was written off by Neil Kinnock when he was leader of the opposition in Parliament, and consequently had been in all the newspapers ! The fact that most registration plates in the U.K. stay with the car for life made it completely obvious that a complete wreck hadn't suddenly been restored to showroom condition.
People in the U.S and in the other countries are not paid enough. Besides looking for a good deal. Car scams went through the roof when car prices went through the roof. Very sad.
My 2015 has the same funky lines on the headlights. And it's never been in an accident. I think it is how they deteriorate.
Its called crazing. Usually happens when solvents are used to clean headlights. Ask me how I know NOT to use carb cleaner to clean headlights!
And I used to be the trade-in inspector at a Honda dealership. So any vehicle a customer wanted to trade in had to go through me first. I'd take it for a rather hard road test, taking note of any noises, anything shaking, etc) then put it in the air and always the first thing I'd look for is bite marks on the rails and see if it had been on a frame machine. If bite marks were present, most times I would stop right there and I'd tell the salesman that it had been on a frame machine (of course it was accident free according to the customer) and he would refuse the trade-in immediately!
And this was in 1999. I found so many ways how people could cover up precious accident damage and thankfully not a single one got past me because I had a phenomenal tech who taught me everything I needed to know about spotting precious damage and repairs.
Love our 11 Murano, my mother loves her 19 Murano. We maintain them and they have been stellar! I know they aren't meant to tow much.
As the Wizard said, just change the CVT fluid often and you'll be fine, trans wise atleast.
I have a 06 Murano with 314K miles. My family bought it new and I bought it from them, we've maintained it from day one and it still runs great. Its got some body damage here and there but it only broke down once. Bad alternator at 290Kish haha.
Got a rogue love it , Murano is next purchase
No biggy, as long as you got a good deal. I picked up my 97 Celica GT convertible in October. Has an R Title from front end accident in 2004. Runs like a dream, repairs to front end not perfect but unless you did an exam like the Wizard is doing here you would never know it was in an accident. Did a few things to it after I bought it, passed state inspection last month with zero issues. Best thing is I only paid $1200 for it.
Now you see why your insurance wants to "total" your car after a minor front end collision. All that plastic breaks. Numerous expensive parts. Most of the time the radiator is damaged along with air conditioner parts.
Carwizard you are awesome!!!!! I wish more people were as compassionate as you my last mechanic fucked up 2 of mine and a van that I bought off him passed the inspection then 2 weeks later the timing belt came off, then another 2 weeks later the brakes went out so that was another $250 for a $2000 plymouth hes a 2 bit hustler its pathetic people are like that today!!!!!
This is becoming more prevalent unfortunately due to the semi conductor shortage. A vast majority of vehicles at dealerships in my area even have rebuilt titles. A lot of them are going to auctions to get when they can just to have something on their lots to sell. Wait to buy if you can.
We had a scammer trying to buy our 2005 F-430 we had since new,
That con artist was claiming he wanna buy it but car will need to be shipped to India before payment through pay pal
We just replied go scam somewhere else. As expected pos never replied and car got sold to real buyer in October for asking price
Honestly, that isn't too bad. So far at least. This is a why you gotta poke and prod and actually check the thing out.
yep. nothing a couple of zipties can't fix. same for the seller ;-)
My Murano had worse damage at that age. Value was too low and it would have been totalled, so threw on another bumper and its still going 8 years later! This Murano should be a 10K car but with fucking Covid its 20K+.
I bought a 2 year old Honda Civic, had a car fax, everything looked good and a year later I got a letter from the state saying the title was revoked due to a salvage status. The dealer I got it from made it right, paid it off and upgraded to a much nicer and more valuable suv. Turns out someone had transferred titles into 3 different states before mine
You'll begin to see more and more of this due to new cars not being available. Used, crashed cars are an auto lots favorite money maker!
Always always always have an experienced mechanic you trust, that is not part of the deal, fully examine a car before you buy. There are a lot of telltale signs a vehicle has been in a wreck and then covered up. It is possible to fix crash damage properly, but it's pretty rare. This actually ended up being not as bad as I was expecting. I was expecting you to find structural damage. This is repairable, although the customer will have to spend a lot more money than they were expecting.
Nissan? - Yuck!
Nissan with CVT? - Double Yuck!!
Nissan with CVT with accident damage? - Ultimate max'ed-out Yuck!!!
Lol
Being in the collision industry i see it every day. Written off used cars go back on the lot very quick with low mileage. The gaps on both fenders to the doors are way off. It was never put on the rack and and straightened to spec. Someone did a quick fix and sent it out. Be careful with ex rental vehicles, they are notorious for doing shoddy work. Sad that most hard working people dont see it, When they have a down payment and financing at huge % at the local quick sale dealerships well its the way it is.
You should never ever buy a vehicle that was in a huge accident or had a rebuilt title in the past. Most individuals never learn or never cared about their safety. Also, do not buy any Nissan Murano or any Nissan with the CVT transmission.
ANYTHING with a CVT.
@@16v15 Agreed
@@16v15 What about the new corollas? Have they had any issues yet?
We had a 2015 murano last about 280k miles before we traded it in, I think it's just how you treat them that matters
gee i have a rouge with one...love it...oh my boy just got a 2019 rogue ...put 2,000 miles on it last week ..awd an 34 mpg ,,,yes he will have the cvt serviced at 50 grand my sis inlaw has a nissan altima 180,00 on it //still drives like new..but i did have her service the cvt..an you have to use the right oil...
Every time someone says "CarMax" prices are too high - that person needs to see a video like this. There's not 100% guarantee that you won't get a car like this from CarMax but at least you have a period of time to return that car back and either get your money back or another car. ALL used car prices are extremely high these days and something that would have been "dumped" at the auction are seeing more time in the shop to get them ready for unsuspecting buyers. If you can manage to get a MSRP deal on a new car that maybe the way to go. I'm hearing several stories of people buying at MSRP and getting offers of over MSRP to sell.
Did these folks not do any sort of visual inspection before buying? The busted headlight, the scratches, a freaking wood screw holding the bumper, all of that ought to be pretty obvious to anyone not named Ray Charles.
I would almost imagine the dealership was just like the customer. Probably bought it and checked the vin for accident reports. My guess is the vin doesn’t show the vehicle had any accidents. I’m guessing it didn’t get reported. Maybe even whoever owned the vehicle “repaired it”. It doesn’t seem the dealership even opened the hood. With those hood struts not holding. That one of the cheapest and easiest fixes on any car. (Most of the time).
Bought it from the owner after dark and didn't drive it first would be my guess.
Typical parking lot damage. Someone backed into the corner of the car. Since there is no structure at the extreme corners, it is very easy to break all the plastic tabs. Makes for about $2000 in damages even though it doesn't look like it. My wife's Hyundai Accent got rear-ended in the driver's corner: broke the tail light, bumper cover, and put a dent under in the 1/4 (beam didn't go to the end).
I worry about the CVT, it’s not a good transmission.
Bought a 2005 Ford Freestyle with cvt trans brand new. Sorry I did ,my went at 48,000 miles.
at 1:11 you can already see the door is damaged, the shutline is wrong at the top , the trim isnt touching the door at the top/front and the line from the wing doesnt contimue down the door at the same height......
Their first mistake was looking at a Nissan Murano
I personally would rather have that than a Toyota or Honda equivalent.
Could’ve been worse, could’ve been a convertible Murano.
@@Natethegreat200c well that's just not smart.
My brother bought one new cvt went out at 50k. I think it was an 07 08?
At least he’s not in a Japanese jail for helping to smuggle the last Nissan President out of Japan!
Also, any Nissan Murano is on the not to buy list, ever, because it has the CVT transmission. The Car Wizard did a video on the six used vehicles with these engines and/or transmissions that you should not be allowed to purchase for whatever reason, last week. Other vehicles to run away, as quick as possible are the 2005 to 2010 Pontiac G6 (any body style) with the 2.4 L Ecotec four-cylinder engine or the 3.6 L V6 engine, 2008 to 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer with the CVT transmission, 2012 to 2019 BMW 3-Series F30 with the 2 L turbocharged N20 four-cylinder gasoline engine and the 1999 to 2002 Mercury Cougar. Thank you very much and have a great day.
CVTs have improved greatly especially if you use other brands. There is a lot of hate for Nissan CVTs and unfortunately most people will have the notion that all CVTs are the same when compared to other brands like Honda and others before actually test driving them. I had the same notion and looking to the current times as I write this, the CVTs does one thing good which is better gas mileage and also it’s smooth when driving. Most car enthusiasts don’t like CVT and I can understand where they coming from as with CVTs you don’t feel the shifts. Also another problem that I noticed with people is people try to floor the CVTs from the stop and that won’t help either. Anyways everyone has an opinion when it comes to CVT
I think it was a fairly recent wreck repair. The Kansas rust hasn't set it yet. I would hate to see this thing after the winter.
Decent? Are you blind?! This looks like a 1sr grader with zero knowledge did this patch job. This is not a repair, this is a sleezy scumbag taking advantage of the uneducated....
@@jmabs5096 I said recent, not decent. In that the poor thing hasn't rusted out out yet.
Mr wizard is a real asset for consumers and their Vehicles here. He's very straightforward very honest sounds like he's got a lot of integrity , he's very smart knowledgeable and he knows his stuff !!!; and many of these stories are cautionary tales about bad dishonest people out there who are scammers who are giving the car business a very bad name. And he exposes these people and their dirty deeds.
How dare you Wizard, I used the finest liquorice to join the front wings to the car.
-Joke not my work
I traded my 2015 Murano Platinum last August for a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The rate at which was fast losing value is something unimaginable. I am glad I had a good deal on the Highlander
It's a 15' and the hood struts already aren't holding!?!? My 2010 Acura's still holding strong
It means the hood has been opened too many times. Or if you live in cold area and have to open the hood when it's minus degrees the seals on the struts may go bad and leak, then they're gone.
@@ville85 hahaha. It probably has been opened too many times since it’s a Nissan 💀
@@ville85 Im up in northern Ontario, Canada my 02 Sequoia has original hood struts, still working. It gets -40C regularly here too.
@@jordanmercier3616 Well bad quality struts (Nissan quality?) and one -20c morning and you get hit with the hood 😅
My 1994 Firebird's original hood and hatch struts still hold fine.
I agree with you wizard. I've got a 2004 Nissan Sentra that I'm putting back together. It was wrecked that I've been working on since May. Why so long to make sure every piece of the car is back on there where it goes
Always best to do a vin check before buying. Unless it was a hit and run. Which seems to be a very common thing these days...
Try MY situation. Got a 2015 hyundai accent sedan with the 1.6 gdi automatic gl model. Did oil changes and it still wound up with the engine rattling. Bottom end went. Dealership said "Oh you don't know anything about cars. It's the top end that needs to be fixed. Drive it to us and we will fix it for a cost." Had NUMEROUS problems with the car only to be told by the Finance Company that I need to pay for the car REGARDLESS if I can drive it or not. I know a bottom end rattle from a top end rattle.
You should’ve bought a Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 or Honda Civic 🤷🏽♂️.
@@tails300 We wanted a minivan. Not a car.
Repaired my car in front of my house. bought second hand original colormatch painted bumper and front wing and a new headlight. It sorted out pretty OEM! Like a big puzzle
He's being a little particular on a used car. If the cosmetic issues and a bad fog light are the worst of it, I wouldn't say the buyer got burned. Most of the cosmetic issues the Wizard showed would have been clearly visible at point of sale. A smart buyer would have either negotiated or accepted the issues when they bought it. If the buyer paid book or less, I'd say it's fair. If you want a perfect car, buy brand new. Even then, it's a crap shoot.
Do not. Just buy a used, reliable vehicle that is in good condition.
This reminds me of my Horror Story 2012 Sentra Special Edition Carmax sold me in 2013. It had parts on it from a scrap yard and cost me thousands of dollars. Carmax would not fix it! Do not buy used from Carmax! There cars barley pass state inspection.
Moldy cabin filters
Used Junkyard Parts
Bad suspention
Bad Brakes
CVT Failure
My 2000 Echo is the first car I have owned where the body uses plastic bumpers like this 2015. It had been hit in minor ways front and back, so many tabs are broken and the rear plastic is sprung. I fix my own cars generally so I have fixed these problems with the equivalent of the bailing wire used to fix Model Ts. So I drill new holes and keep putting in odd screws until the panels is securely in place. But the best thing I’ve discovered is Zip-ties. The modern billing wire. I know the authorities would not approve, so because my care is white I make sure to use white zip ties.😂
Customer didn't have this "Hunch" Prior to buying the car?? So if it was bought sight unseen, shame on them. This type of work? Is becoming the norm these days. America running on pride, courtesy and respect? Just is a very rare thing these days. Very Sad to see.
used car market is off the charts CRAZY
Never buy a used car from a non-branded used car dealer unless you absolutely must. They buy cars at auction from branded dealers. The reason why the cars are at auction and not being sold by the branded dealer is either because the miles are much higher than they should be for the year or the vehicle requires so many repairs that to do them correctly would make the vehicle unprofitable. When the unbranded dealer gets the car, they don't fix it, they "make it sellable". This is a car that was "made sellable".
This happened to me at a BMW dealership that I bought a used yaris from. I even found a sanding block they left in the bottom of the bumper. Fortunately, this was just undisclosed fixed damage and no mechanical issues exist. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth though.
When you have just bought a used car like this and find extensive hidden damage, the first place you should turn is your car title. Was the little box checked that the vehicle was wrecked with damages exceeding 25% of the car's value? If that disclosure wasn't made and the vehicle's damages exceed that threshold you may have a claim against the seller for lack of proper disclosure or fraudulent title transfer.
Not all states have that? My California title doesn't have that box, the only thing would be if its a salvage title.
When I plan to buy my first, used vehicle, I will always be careful every single time. I will plan to buy any older or any newer vehicle with moderate mileage (median odometer reading), whether if the vehicle is reliable or not. Most likely, you want to look for something that is safe and fuel-efficient. I will plan to buy either a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander 4WD mid-size SUV with the 3 L V6 engine and the six-speed automatic transmission or a 2001 Ford Windstar SEL minivan with the 3.8 L V6 engine and the four-speed automatic transmission.
I would not buy a used vehicle right now. There is ALOT of crud floating around in the used market right now since they can charge top dollar for it.
When I last sold a car privately (an mx-5 ) this woman rang me from outside the UK, she said she'd give me full price but someone else would pick it up and the money would be in a 'special' account. I told her that I do things the old fashioned way, you bring cash or put the funds in my account right there and then. Never heard from her again.
These days thats probably how the car left the Nissan factory.
🤣 🤣 🤣
Well done for raising awareness about these scams. These things go on in all countries.
Love the new camera setup, very clear and colorful!
We really need more people like you, thank you very much!!!
This car damages were clearly assessed by someone competent like an assurance body shop looking at the blue paint marker marks on all the broken pieces. I would check Copart or IAA past listings with the VIN on that one
I agree. Forklift marks under the car can be another sign too.
Maybe CWiz could do a video on the procedure for an inspection. Not from the garage but from the moment you spot the car you want. People are preaching pre car inspection and I can't imagine how it works in real life. Stranger going to let you take off with their car? Pay a tech to leave work to look at the car? Any real life experience with this. There's a lot of junk out there now as I have been looking. Carfax is the best light reading. Cars with first recorded oil change at 60k.