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Steele_obsidion

Steele_obsidion

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Steele_obsidion
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So basically i am kind of not sure what to do.

Right now i own a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L V8 4WD with only 55,000 miles. The wife and I can't afford to put $80+ bucks a week into the gas tank. It doesn't need any work and runs great. KBB says that its worth about 13,500 in good condition.

Now I am looking to spend between $6,000 and $8,000 for a Volvo S60 or S80. I've test driven a few S60's and I love them they handle great and have a lot of luxury (and they are much better on fuel economy)

Now, I am torn between 2 different cars.

Now its not which one looks better i like them both i know one is an 80 and one is a 60 my question is,

Would you buy from a dealer as opposed to a mom and pop shop?

This one is at Ralf Thayer Automotive in Livonia (michigan for those out of staters) They are a actual dealer

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=315299614&dealer_id=55800266&car_year=2002&systime=&doors=&model=S60&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=50&min_price=&rdm=1330904356221&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2013&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=DETROIT_SW&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&isFlashPlugin=true&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=48197&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=10000&make=VOLVO&seller_type=b&num_records=100&cardist=16&standard=false

There is also the S80 at a mom and pop shop called Road Runner Auto Sales
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=314550348&dealer_id=1394954&car_year=2005&systime=&doors=&position=top&model=S60&search_lang=en&start_year=2000&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=75&min_price=&rdm=1330895954983&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2013&make3=&showZipError=y&make2=VOLVO&certified=&engine=&dma=DETROIT_SW&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&isFlashPlugin=true&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=48197&sort_type=priceASC&model2=S80&max_price=10000&make=VOLVO&seller_type=d&num_records=100&cardist=19&standard=false

So basically what are your opinions? I know im more likely to get more $$ for my trade at the dealer, but have you had good experiences with mom and pop shops? would i be better off going with a dealer?

I know i just rambled away 20 minutes of your time, but thank you for listening!
 
I would buy from the dealer because they can tell you vehicle history and you can't really do that from a mom and pop dealer.
 
Don't buy from either of those dealers. Thayer just tends to be a pain in the arse (not to mention they don't do half the prep work you'd expect from a dealer), and Road Runner is just excessively shady. Last I was there, they had a pair of '07 Mazda6s. One had chrome outer tails, smoked inner (nope, never came like that), the other had one smoked inner tail, chrome outers, one chrome inner. One was also missing one of the grill inserts in the bumper. Both cars supposedly had ~20-25k miles. The one we drove felt like several times that (felt worse than our current one does with 65k) Then, later that day, I saw they had an '06 listed on Auto Trader; had an '05 nose. Point being, they seem to have no problem taking a wrecked car, fixing it poorly, and acting like they never did anything.
 
I ran a V70R out of Dwyer from 06 to 11, had good luck with them.
 
Joey D
I'd call on this one, I'm not sure how hood the dealer is but it's worth a phone call. And it's in Ypsilanti which should be right near you.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...us=75&maxPrice=8000&listingId=307841145&Log=0
Click to expand...

I did call them, he was out of the office saturday he seemed really nice on the phone, and the place is actually in saline (still super close)

I just want to get the most for the truck, while still getting a good used car, i have only bought one used car before and that was our 04 bonneville and we got that at Yark Automotive in Toledo and KC the sales huy is AMAZING not one iota of pressure to buy anything, and he will even top off your tank for coming out! we started there, and got an estimate of 12k for the truck, but they didnt have anything on the lot that interested me.

thanks guys for the advice, its good to know that RR is junk and Thayer is also kinda shady. im going to call ARI tomorrow and go from there.

and any more info would rock!

EDIT: Would it be wise to maybe sell the truck at say bill crispin Chevy (right by my house) THEN go buy the volvo? (if its worth it that is)
 
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