Would you not buy this car (2012 Camry XLE) because of body damage?

[anonymouse1]

Hi-

I'm thinking of buying this car:  https://www.hoffmantoyota.com/used/Toyot...5bb8c5.htm

This is a temporary "get me through the divorce" car-we're a one-car household, and that has to change.

But from the pictures, I can't tell whether it's scraped to hell, or if those are just bad reflections.

If it's in decent shape, it's a great price, but i don't want to shlep the 250 miles to get to the dealer to find out it's a bag of bones.

It's being sold by a Toyota dealership, which cuts in favor of buying it. But those pictures....

Thanks!

[Acer]

I think it's those leaves on the pavement reflecting as brown spots. I don't see any dents. And to have what appear to be random scrapes all over the car would be really weird. I'd go have a look at it.

[Gareth]

I agree. It's probably just leaves and other reflections. I think it would be weird for a dealer to sell a car covered in scrapes (they'd more likely send it to auction).

[Michael]

I'd call the sales desk and ask if it's damaged. If the salesperson says it's not, ask for a couple of pictures that show both sides without the reflections on them.

[Don]

I agree that it's probably just reflections of the leaves, especially since they're not there in that third picture of the same side of the car. But there's no harm in giving them a call and maybe asking if they'd take a quick walkaround video and mention that you're ready to buy.

Good luck.

[chopper]

It's a decent, $10k divorce car from a visual inspection.

Try to talk them into some kind, any kind of power-train warranty without more cost. 130k miles on a 4 cylinder ...



Hi-

I'm thinking of buying this car:  https://www.hoffmantoyota.com/used/Toyot...5bb8c5.htm

This is a temporary "get me through the divorce" car-we're a one-car household, and that has to change.

But from the pictures, I can't tell whether it's scraped to hell, or if those are just bad reflections.

If it's in decent shape, it's a great price, but i don't want to shlep the 250 miles to get to the dealer to find out it's a bag of bones.

It's being sold by a Toyota dealership, which cuts in favor of buying it. But those pictures....

Thanks!

[rgG-New]

That’s 100% leaves reflecting on the pics.

[cbelt3]

TBH the idea of traveling a long distance to buy a car scares me. I prefer to inspect them personally. I’ve found bad repair welds, egregious engine damage, and other hidden defects that way.

[davester]

I would not buy a car with that many miles on it without scheduling an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic specializing in Toyotas. You really have no idea if there is repaired underlying collision damage beneath that shiny paint. Do you have a Carfax on it? That might give you some indication of any accidents it's been in (though not necessarily). Also, if the price is so excellent on a highly desirable model like a Toyota Camry hybrid XLE, I'd be asking why they aren't asking for a higher price. Car dealers are generally not doing charitable giving.

[GGD]

I agree, reflections, leaves.

But looking through all of the photos, at photo #29 it turns into a white car (not that there's anything wrong with that).