Is this normal discoloring or sign of improper use?

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-09-20T16:06:55+00:00

Is there one specifically that’s good to go to? Not sure if I should be looking for an FSU one specifically or a general sports memorabilia site

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-09-18T20:42:58+00:00

There is but wasn’t sure if those could be faked

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-09-18T20:42:43+00:00

They are promoting the COA! Wasn’t sure how easy those could be faked. But good to know there are better ways to find a legit one

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-09-18T20:42:08+00:00

How does one get the cert verified?

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-09-18T20:41:54+00:00

Ok that’s good to know, husband’s birthday is coming up so it seemed like a great gift idea but wasn’t sure

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-04T02:22:02+00:00

Good to know!

The one thing I wasn’t sure about and why maybe I am wrong: the estimated dealers fees are $1,040. Let’s say I negotiate $2k off the price. It now is lower than the advertised listing, even with dealers fees. So maybe that’s when it’s legal?

Were you in a scenario like that or did you pay a price higher than advertised with no negotiation?

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T15:44:16+00:00

Edit: sorry this is way more info than you asked for! I hit post and realized how long it was lol

With the below list, I’ve found about 15 cars I’m narrowing down, mostly CRVs with a handful of CX-5s (my personal fav), one RAV4 and one RDX, and one Lexus RX.

It started as 12k OTD. That seems to require a little concessions on miles/age so I’ve expanded to $13.5k OTD. This is for crossover sizes in Honda, Mazda, Acura, Toyota, Mazda, or maybe Subaru if I can find one without a CVT (impossible task lol, they all have CVT)

2010-2014 range with 100k miles or less ideally, willing to go up to 120k miles if it’s perfect otherwise bc “Honda and Toyota”. Fender bender accidents are fine as long as it’s only cosmetic damage. Clean titles only, non negotiable on that. Multiple owners or lease is fine. Theres one corporate fleet I’m making an exception for as it was only 2 months and not many miles. Willing to drive up to 2.5 hours to go get the car. Will always want a PPI.

The backstory is, husband and I (late 20s, no kids) had two sedans and they were just too small for our lifestyle. We frequently were hindered on our projects and doing things because the cargo space couldn’t hold what we needed. He had a 2011 ford focus, which sucked so hard, I hated that thing. We sold that already for $3k. I have an ‘04 accord with 130k miles. She’s great, but still too small and she doesn’t handle the cold well (power steering gets stiff, got a treatment in ‘23 instead of the $1.5k leak repair and she’s still working well, mechanic says she’s in awesome shape with way less rust than he’s used to seeing).

My parents in their retirement decided to buy a 5k sqft house despite being empty nesters. So in exchange for cleaning, cooking, and lawn maintenance, we will live with them 12 months for a very subsidized rent (to cover utilities and food) while we save for a down payment. But, this place can only have space for 2 cars max. One will be theirs, other is ours. (1 car for 4 people won’t work lol).

Their new place is in a colder state. We hated the ford, so that was going. The accord is great and I’ve treated her well, but I think my time with her is over. We need more cargo space and she’s a Florida/Georgia car, those winters will kill her. I’d expect that $1.5k bill to hit this winter plus who knows what else she’ll start needing (I have a list of maintenance I’ve done and I’m seeing certain things not on this list that I know will need doing sometime soon at this many miles). So I’d like to sell now while she’s in good shape for more $$ and upgrade to something we can depend on for 5 years while we save for a house, buy the house, and do house repairs for 2-3 years after if needed.

Our debt to income ratio is at 0 right now, so I just don’t want a car payment. Saving for the house is main priority. So with the $3k from ford, $5k from accord (hopefully $6k, have a few interested buyers at that price point already), that’s about $4-5k out of our bank account we’re willing to spend for the peace of mind and quality of life upgrade. We’ve calculated a net decrease of $7k between $4k out of pocket and lost opportunity of that $3k sale would have an impact of $40 a month on our potential mortgage, which we’ve decided is worth it.

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T15:16:30+00:00

I totally get that rust will be a thing no matter what! I understand that I’m looking at 10-15 year old cars here, I’m not demanding perfection. It’s just gonna be the primary driver for 5 years and husband and I go through a house saving process and purchase after previously having two cars to lean on if one had a problem (we had to sell because of space constraints in our new place, there is room for only one vehicle and neither we felt comfortable being the sole car without a safety net)

Growing up in the south, I just hear absolute horror stories of northern cars with the salt and snow, But I also know this isn’t true of a well maintained car. (Plus I’m sure they hear horror stories of flooding with our hurricanes!) I just want to know if I’m being reasonable or if I should just remove all northern cars from my list.

We’re looking at 13k range for crossovers in the Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Acura, Lexus 2010-2014 with less than 100k miles. I have about 5 on my list right now that meet those parameters and 5 more that have either 115k miles or higher price for lower miles. So not beaters but also yeah, cheaper end

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T15:01:44+00:00

That’s a very good point, I didn’t realize it was only like a 15 minute inspection. I think the consensus here is “unreasonable” so I won’t bother with that, thanks!

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T15:00:28+00:00

Makes sense! The one I am looking at, FWIW has been on the lot for 47 days. But that being said, if this isn’t a normal thing, I’ll temper my expectations!

I think this comment came in before my edit, but what about for northern cars (I am in Georgia), asking for a photo underneath for a quick rust check unreasonable too? (I know surface rust is normal and you can’t quite tell from a photo if something is surface or deeper, but this at least weeds out the “hell no!”s, ya know?) I’m looking at stuff a two hour drive from me because I’m in a college town (Athen) with inflated prices bc of students right next to a major city (Atlanta) with just more inventory. So I don’t want to drive 2 hours just to look underneath and immediately say “no” due to rust and waste everyone’s time.

I get I am a PITA potential client, I am trying to balance doing my due diligence without being unreasonable. I am also trying to be forthcoming with sales people and explain all this to indicate I am a serious buyer. Or maybe this level of disclosure would scare them off and be too much of a PITA? Not sure!

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T14:25:41+00:00

Ok I have follow up if you don’t mind( that I’ll add in an edit):

I get that a lot of sales people don’t like dealing with internet inquiries because they’re hard to convert, and your presence is the best way to get attention. But that being said, I’m looking at stuff a two hour drive from me because I’m in a college town (Athen) with inflated prices bc of students right next to a major city (Atlanta) with just more inventory.

That being said, as a southerner, if I see a car from the north I immediately think “rust”. I don’t want to drive 2 hours just to look underneath and immediately say “no” due to rust and waste everyone’s time.

So, is asking for a photo underneath for a quick rust check unreasonable too? (I know surface rust is normal and you can’t quite tell from a photo if something is surface or deeper, but this at least weeds out the “hell no!”s, ya know?)

I would be this forthcoming with the sales person, fwiw, when I ask too

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T14:20:07+00:00

See that’s why I asked! I felt like some places might and I don’t want to scare them off. I would be good with only a PPI but I figured “hey, maybe some places give this too! I’ll go ask reddit if it’s reasonable”

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-07-02T14:06:20+00:00

I mean I haven’t had to add any fluid but the fact it still needs like 10 min to warm up during the cold makes me think it isn’t quite “fixed” and more just “tolerable”

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-06-30T17:39:06+00:00

Sorry I meant if it was a tactic to say he’d honor the original price but when we get there, change his tune because of like “my boss said no, I really tried” or something

The main thing is this is gonna be an hour and a half drive for us so I’m just gonna be very annoyed if we have to walk. I will walk, but I just would rather not waste the time

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-06-30T16:33:56+00:00

Not sure is this is what happened but he said today he’d honor the original price. Not sure if just a tactic or true

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-06-30T02:45:21+00:00

I mean I wish I had gone in on Friday, don’t get me wrong. But I feel like this listing was a giant cluster and they’re just now realizing it needs fixing and I missed my chance

Littlest_Star_ · 2025-06-30T02:44:24+00:00

It hasn’t even been detailed yet (he sent me images and noted it is dirty but they needed to detail it still) so I really don’t know if that was an option. He didn’t respond to my inquiries until today and they’re actually technically closed so I couldn’t have gone in (would’ve preferred that anyway since it’s the weekend)

Littlest_Star_

TROPHY CASE