[RossoRidgeline]

Whatever you do, do not pay for it before having it inspected. Friend found a 2023 MachE that was just a little over market price with low miles. Clean CarFax. Made the deal contingent on inspection but somehow the dealer wheedled a check for the whole amount before inspection because of course it would pass. The dealer had already passed it through their “stringent” inspection (meaning they checked their print cartridge to make sure their printer boldly printed BS).

Mechanically it ran fine. General inspection revealed extensive collision repair. Body shop revealed extensive shoddy collision repair. Dealer now backpedaling saying their inspection did not reveal that. Wants my friend to prove that there is frame damage and then they will talk some sort of settlement. Car weasels still exist!

 

[RossoRidgeline]

There is a paint thickness device that mechanics and serious auction buyers use. Take a few readings around the car and see if there are thin spots covering up repairs.

I had my early driving years cruising around on Washington beaches. VW bus was decent with higher clearance than most cars in its day. But you followed the rules. Always drive on the more solid drained areas above the high water marks of the waves. Touching ocean was a no no. Also another spot to get stuck was the initial access to the beach where the dry sandy berms had been churned up by drivers. Several wads of cash were exchanged with tow truck drivers every day keeping the access point open. Also seen the situation where real panic ensues where a car is stuck waves lapping at wheels and tow truck busy pulling cars out of berm so they can try to rescue surf car.

Made the “I upgraded to AWD, I can easily drive off the beach!” once. Original Subaru Impreza less clearance than VW and heavy for its size. Took a shovel and 4-5 people pushing to get it past the dry churned up berm back to pavement. Current Ridgeline will go no further than grains of sand in asphalt parking area. Then watch tow trucks make extra money.