How to get the best deal on an off-lease vehicle?

[Rehan]

I'm in the market for a used Toyota Sienna minivan. I'm not in a rush to buy it, and could wait several months if I can get a better deal (or if it now is generally not a good time to buy a vehicle).

In the Auto Trader listings, there are a few used car dealers that are selling several of them that are probably just off lease... I took a brief look and saw one dealer who had ten 2000 Siennas, and another had six; there must be others, too.

Is there any way to get a better deal on one of these off-lease minivans than through the used car dealers? The nice thing about the dealers is that most of them offer 6-month of 3-year warranties...but I'm guessing that's worth $1000, at most.

[Jumbotron]

from our experience, most dealers send their lease returns to auction - which is where most used dealers get them from. with finance/interest rates as low as they are - people are opting to buy new cars with warranties, rather than buy used----- my advice? hit the auto auction and cut out the middle-man

[Rehan]

Thanks, Jumbotron. Where do I find info for auto auctions -- just in the local newspaper, or are there other places also?

[lunaticcc]

From what I understand, these type of auctions are usually closed to the public.

[DragonZealot]

ADESA runs auctions in big city centres weekly those are highest volume but only open to dealers.

For public auctions just check the auto section of your local newspaper. It varies between cities.

[a3000]

Rehan, have you looked into any rental car companies?

[ronny1980]

Rehan, have you looked into any rental car companies?

rental cars are usually abused like crazy...i would stay away

[Rehan]

rental cars are usually abused like crazy...i would stay away
Yeah, I'm not interested in rentals.
(And besides, most rental companies have domestic minivans, which I'm also not interested in. I'm looking for a 2000+ Sienna or maybe 2002+ MPV.)

For auction of off-lease vehicles, I came across http://www.carbid.ca/ ...but that's also available only to dealers.

[gh05t]

ADESA runs auctions in big city centres weekly those are highest volume but only open to dealers.

For public auctions just check the auto section of your local newspaper. It varies between cities.

Yeah ADESA has a big compound in Brampton at Queen Street/Hwy7 and Goreway drive.Lots of good cars of all brands. Lots of Beamers.

Too bad only dealers can buy at the auctions. If you know someone who is a dealer you would not be looking here right? But if you did know one they can certainly get you a great car at a great wholesale price at the auction.

My brother had an acquaintance who was not a dealer himself but had a friend who was one and would often buy him cars which he would sell from home. For himself he usually only bought Beamers as the wholesale prices were so great. He had a 7series and an X5 currently, both bought at riduculously low bargain prices at the auction.

Check repodepo.ca. as they have a lot of the newer vehicles with high mileage but still there are a few great ones with decent enough mileage worth bidding on.

[Jumbotron]

From what I understand, these type of auctions are usually closed to the public.

Yeah, possibly... sorry about that - I have a ton of friends in the car biz, so I take those privelages for granted - I think the closed auctions are usually for insurance "write-off" cars. I do know though, that there are few auto auctions that are open to the public here in GVRD - I was at one in the Summer picking up a Truck and quickly read the signs with the terms and conditions regarding bidding etc and it looked like it was geared to your average joe - not just dealers.

When I returned my PT Cruiser, the buy-out was 2k more than what the car would sell at auction - so if you have a friend in the biz that can hook ya hook up - take advantage. if you don't have a friend in the biz - make one...

[Asun]

When I returned my PT Cruiser, the buy-out was 2k more than what the car would sell at auction - so if you have a friend in the biz that can hook ya hook up - take advantage. if you don't have a friend in the biz - make one...

Would you like a new friend, Jumbo? :D

[Jumbotron]

Would you like a new friend, Jumbo? :D

I think I annoy my friends in the various parts departments, front counter jobs and repair shops as it is (without making those "i have a friend looking for..." calls) Connections are good and handy as hell when it comes time to spending money.

[Jaytee]

rental cars are usually abused like crazy...i would stay away

I would agree. I always drive the crap out of any rental I get. I would never buy a rental.

I rented a Hyundai Accent before. Hammering the gas on the Accent would like be normal acceleration on any other car. Highway merging was scary if there wasnt a big on ramp. Short on ramp and Im merging at like 60km/h with the pedal to the floor.

[careener]

Don't buy the MPV. They have a really bad rep. Stick with a Sienna or Odyssey. There are some dealerships that specialize in offlease minivans. Why don't you start with trader.ca and figure out what a reasonable asking price is?

[Rehan]

Don't buy the MPV. They have a really bad rep. Stick with a Sienna or Odyssey.
The consumer reviews that I've read show the MPV to be better than the Odyssey.

Mazda MPV:
2000 - 8.3 out of 10
2001 - 8.0 out of 10
2002 - 9.1 out of 10
2003 - 9.0 out of 10
2004 - 9.1 out of 10
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/mazda/mpv/100341047/ratings.html

Honda Odyssey:
2000 - 7.9 out of 10
2001 - 7.7 out of 10
2002 - 8.7 out of 10
2003 - 8.9 out of 10
2004 - 9.1 out of 10
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/honda/odyssey/100347230/ratings.html


I'm budgeting for around $15000, which would be either a 2002-2003 MPV or a 2000-2001 Odyssey (based on the listings at Trader.ca). The ratings of 9.1 and 9.0 out of 10 for the 2002-2003 MPV are much better than 7.9 and 7.7 out of 10 for the 2000-2001 Odyssey.

Also, my kids are very small right now, so I don't need the big size that the Odyssey offers; the size of the MPV is more suitable right now. Maybe when we purchase the next van 5+ years down the road, we can focus on something larger.


Originally, I was looking mainly at the Toyota Sienna. But I've grown to like the MPV through the stuff I've read over the last couple of days. And I already own a Mazda ('00 Protege), with which I've been reasonably happy for the last 5 years, so I do have some faith in Mazda.

[careener]

The consumer reviews that I've read show the MPV to be better than the Odyssey.

Mazda MPV:
2000 - 8.3 out of 10
2001 - 8.0 out of 10
2002 - 9.1 out of 10
2003 - 9.0 out of 10
2004 - 9.1 out of 10
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/mazda/mpv/100341047/ratings.html

Honda Odyssey:
2000 - 7.9 out of 10
2001 - 7.7 out of 10
2002 - 8.7 out of 10
2003 - 8.9 out of 10
2004 - 9.1 out of 10
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/honda/odyssey/100347230/ratings.html


I'm budgeting for around $15000, which would be either a 2002-2003 MPV or a 2000-2001 Odyssey (based on the listings at Trader.ca). The ratings of 9.1 and 9.0 out of 10 for the 2002-2003 MPV are much better than 7.9 and 7.7 out of 10 for the 2000-2001 Odyssey.

Also, my kids are very small right now, so I don't need the big size that the Odyssey offers; the size of the MPV is more suitable right now. Maybe when we purchase the next van 5+ years down the road, we can focus on something larger.


Originally, I was looking mainly at the Toyota Sienna. But I've grown to like the MPV through the stuff I've read over the last couple of days. And I already own a Mazda ('00 Protege), with which I've been reasonably happy for the last 5 years, so I do have some faith in Mazda.

Try reading some real life stories about the MPV
http://www.carsurvey.org/othermodel_Mazda_MPV.html
and go to nhtsa.com and do a search through the consumer complaints section. The MPV has a Ford Transmission and engine.

If you still want an MPV, www.autodome.ca has a ton of them.

I also own a Protege. It's mostly Mazda and is built in Japan. The MPV is not.

[careener]

Here's the URL for the consumer complaints

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

[Rehan]

Try reading some real life stories about the MPV
http://www.carsurvey.org/othermodel_Mazda_MPV.html
and go to nhtsa.com and do a search through the consumer complaints section. The MPV has a Ford Transmission and engine.
"real life stories" as opposed to what? The links that I had in my previous post were reviews from owners...just as useful as the stuff at CarSurvey.org.

But if you want another point of reference for MPV vs Ody, on CarSyrvey.org:
2000 Odyssey - 6 positive reviews out of 20
2001 Odyssey - 5 positive reviews out of 8

2002 MPV - 1 positive review out of 1
2003 MPV - 3 positive reviews out of 3

From what I've read, the MPV was built in Japan as of 2003 (I haven't fully verified).


Thanks for the pointer to Autodome. It was already on my To Do list for tomorrow, as I'm planning to be around Hurontario & Dundas for something else anyway. :)

[careener]

sorry..was incorrect about build location. MPV is built in Japan but 2.5l engine is Ford from the Contour, a terrible engine.
"Trivia: The MPV's 2.5-liter V-6 (based on the DOHC Duratec powerplant used in Ford's Contour) gets two boat rides across the Pacific before an MPV turns a wheel in America. After being built in Ford's Cleveland, Ohio, plant, it's shipped to Japan to be installed in an MPV".

The 3.0 l (2002 on ) is straight out of the Taurus.

Those Edmunds reviews you have show JD Powers as giving the MPV 2/5 for mechanical quality. That's what I was referring to with the real life stories. I personally give alot more weight in a purchasing decision on a vehicle to mechanical quality over creature comforts or even design.


I have a lot of used car-related links on my blog (http://www.onthehoist.com) in case you're interested.

[careener]

Here's the APA report on the MPV.

http://www.apa.ca/documents/MPV_report.pdf..mostly talks about suspension.

MPV also rates high on Lemon Law list in some States.
http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com/car_lemon_law_info.html

Anyhow good luck in your search.

[Jumbotron]

Now this is turning into the battle of the mini-vans?

Buck for buck, I'd go with Toyota, Honda and then the MPV - the new Quest is very cool, but too new to be considered - especially if you are looking for used.

I don't think you can beat Toyota for re-sale - from first hand experience of having at least 4 friends with Sienna's, they are all happy with their purchases. My Sister-in-law has an MPV and has had nothing but problems with it.

There are just so many MPVs on the market - either way, a mini-van depreciates like crazy compared to passenger vehicles.

I was going down this path two years ago and was looking at the new Sienna, but decided to go with a Volvo wagon - solid, safe and fun to drive.

[Neb]

Wel. you can buy off lease vehicles at the dealer! We bought an MPV last year.. 2003 model, used by Mazda exec, with 6000km on it. Original Retail for the MPV was 32k before tax (had a few options added on), We paid 27k - 4000 Mazda rebate they had on. Worked out to 22k for a 1 year old vehicle. You just have to bargain and see what deals you can work out with them. Most dealership will allow more discounts because theyw ant to get rid of these slightly used or after lease vehicles.

So far teh MPV has been great, yes it has a Duratec engine, but our last van a ford Aerostar lasted 12 yrs, and still running strong.

[Rehan]

Wel. you can buy off lease vehicles at the dealer! We bought an MPV last year.. 2003 model, used by Mazda exec, with 6000km on it. Original Retail for the MPV was 32k before tax (had a few options added on), We paid 27k - 4000 Mazda rebate they had on. Worked out to 22k for a 1 year old vehicle. You just have to bargain and see what deals you can work out with them. Most dealership will allow more discounts because theyw ant to get rid of these slightly used or after lease vehicles.
That sounds more like a "never sold", "new" vehicle rather than an off-lease one... I've never heard of a manufacturer's rebate on a used car.

Dufferin Mazda in Toronto has a similar MPV available:
http://www.trader.ca/dufferinmazda/default.asp?cat=2&subcat=202&make=-1&model=-1&sortby=3&sortorder=2&pagedd=1&pagedd=1&CP=0&vlot=79200&adid=3974965&trader=&BRAND=&category=2

But if it was such a great deal, wouldn't it be sold already?

[Neb]

I am not sure why, yes its' "new" vehicle. And if you can get that kinda car then why not? We bought it last year June 2004. So the 2003 model was really priced to go, they had 3. The 4000 dollar rebate was a promotin they had back then, I bought it at Scarboro Mazda. Not sure if they still have that manufacutrer promotion.

Good luck though.

That sounds more like a "never sold", "new" vehicle rather than an off-lease one... I've never heard of a manufacturer's rebate on a used car.

Dufferin Mazda in Toronto has a similar MPV available:
http://www.trader.ca/dufferinmazda/default.asp?cat=2&subcat=202&make=-1&model=-1&sortby=3&sortorder=2&pagedd=1&pagedd=1&CP=0&vlot=79200&adid=3974965&trader=&BRAND=&category=2

But if it was such a great deal, wouldn't it be sold already?

[cil254]

That sounds more like a "never sold", "new" vehicle rather than an off-lease one... I've never heard of a manufacturer's rebate on a used car.

Dufferin Mazda in Toronto has a similar MPV available:
http://www.trader.ca/dufferinmazda/default.asp?cat=2&subcat=202&make=-1&model=-1&sortby=3&sortorder=2&pagedd=1&pagedd=1&CP=0&vlot=79200&adid=3974965&trader=&BRAND=&category=2

But if it was such a great deal, wouldn't it be sold already?

Mileage N/A = a sign of unusual high mileage