posted 12-21-2003 12:56 AM                  

ALSO most important of all Has any one used or dealt or heard of a friend that has used autobytel.com? It is in Sr22 West Findlay Ohio.

AND best of all if there is any one near there that wants to do a cruise to the Rock N Roll hall of fame with a Newbie that just got his first Prowler!!! WOOO HOOOO

http://classifieds.autos.yahoo.com/class/detail.html?cid=805d28f95902f44161cbc67dfdacd41a&&fullnodeid=750001631&ct_p=y&ct_l=lat*342174**long*-1189899&vtype=autos&csz=93012&distance =1977.00

Thanks!!!
Firegabe

posted 12-21-2003 05:58 AM                  

I am not trying to re-ignite a flame war on this thread about price, but at this time of year you can get a good deal, especially if the dealer does not want to carry it over into 2004 inventory and pay any taxes on it. Good luck.

I used Auto-By-Tel to buy a new Honda Odyssey van a few years ago and it works as no more than a referral service for dealers. All communication is by the dealer once ABT forwards your inquiry to them. I actually saved about $1500 using them because at the time no dealer would budge below full MSRP. Going this route (for some reason?) led to a better deal. On this Prowler in Findlay, Ohio, simple horse trading common sense is probably what you are going to need. Also, I see you are in CA. I'm not sure how much they will negotiate over the phone, because nothing beats cold hard cash with a serious face to face offer. But maybe I'm "old school" on that.

posted 12-21-2003 06:55 AM                  

quote:

---

Originally posted by firegabe:
ALSO most important of all Has any one used or dealt or heard of a friend that has used autobytel.com? It is in Sr22 West Findlay Ohio.

---

Autobytel.com is an online entity. The Findlay OH location you mention is probably just a random dealer. From the Autobytel website:

"Autobytel.com is credited with inventing online car buying in 1995 and offers comprehensive consumer resources for vehicle research, purchasing, ownership, safety and maintenance, as well as unmatched dealer training, support and technology. Whether buying, owning or selling a vehicle, Autobytel.com offers a comprehensive and positive consumer experience."

btw, their Corporate Address (which, hopefully, you will never have to deal with) is:

Autobytel Inc.
18872 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92612
949.225.4500

Note the disclaimer on their listings:

" All vehicle information and prices established by offering dealer and not Autobytel.com. The offering dealer is solely responsible for the accuracy of all information presented above. Base price(s) are for U.S. vehicle configurations and are shown in U.S. dollars. Prices exclude tax, title, registration, license fees, emission fees, compliance fees, dealer documentary fees and options (if any) added by dealer at customer’s request. Prices valid through date of expiration stated above."

None of this is negative or positive, just suggest you know who you are dealing with.

-GRROWL

posted 12-21-2003 07:40 AM                    

In other words, if a car has been in a wreck but, NOT REPORTED to an insurance company, CarFax will show nothing.
I have looked at any number of used Farrari's that have been wrecked to some degree and CarFax showed nothing in each case.

If person A has a car with 2,000 miles on the OD and sells it to person B who disconnects the OD and puts 15,000 miles on it then sells it to person C with 3,000 miles on the OD, CarFax will see nothing wrong.

The point is, if you are serious about a car, spend $150 to have a mechanic go over it completely. They can tell you things about the car and especially the engine that a CarFax would never.

posted 12-21-2003 08:07 AM                  

I'm sorry I know I have and will step on a lot of toes with what I said, Those are my feelings

posted 12-21-2003 08:20 AM                  

With regard to insurance, you'll have to consider whether this will be a "pleasure" vehicle or a daily driver.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that buying this car used is really no different than buying a "normal" car used. You need to inspect it thoroughly to validate the information given about the car.

There are a lot of Prowler owners in OH and perhaps one might be willing to go check the car out for you.

Good luck!

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CJ - The One and Only
1999 Black - PPROWLR 2002 Deep Candy Red - CJPROWLN