As of July 2, 2007, I obtained my first car. It was at a used-car dealer called Prime Auto, in New Westminister of Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The asking price was $3999. The salesperson told us he would sell for $3500 almost immediately. We probably could’ve gotten a few hundred more off, but we didn’t negotiate early enough…we walked off the lot with the intent of calling back if we wanted it (we didn’t seriously consider buying it until we walked off). He wrote $3400 on the contract though – probably as a discount for the labour required for installing the stereo (he couldn’t find the faceplate for the old one). The car came with a 3 month warranty – a Lubrico Powertrain Value Plan Protection. I have no idea how much it cost – it’s not listed on the contract nor their website. If there was something major wrong with the car I don’t think he would have offered a warranty. It was in good shape except for a replaced headlight. The car had been in an accident and he gave us the car’s ICBC claim history. The body was in good condition except for a few dings, it was shiny so it must have been waxed.
http://www.standardshift.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9596
First car, bought on July 2, 2007. Passed first driving test in April, needed job before parents would get me a car. Got job, relied on family car to get to work, it was problematic because usually they needed the car as well. So I started off looking at 240SX’s, it didn’t go too well since my dad thought they were too expensive. He was looking at Integra’s. He suggested MX-3 to me as an alternative, I was immediately put off by FWD but liked the V6. Looked at one but was way overpriced.
Went to Vancouver over the long weekend, looked at quite a few MX-3’s, most were run down or overpriced. Almost gave up looking, was just browsing used car lots for anything good in the end. Went to this car lot, and the salesman directed us to a fifth gen Civic hatch, of course I hated it. It was way overpriced. While he was showing it off, a car caught the corner of my eye, and I recognized it to be an MX-3. So I went over and took a look. Price on the windshield was $3999 and it was in very nice condition. Checked it out, test drove it, was very nice but slightly underpowered, no V6.
Next day we were going to go back so I had to decide quickly. It was either this or an $8000 Integra, slightly modified, in better condition than the MX-3, with Altezza tails. I didn’t like the Integra, I thought it was overpriced. And I would rather have a car in good condition and cheap over anything else, so I went for the MX-3. When I got it I had in mind that it was a temporary car on my way to getting a 240SX (and now, as I discovered, an MR2). But it’s definitely grown on me.
Benefits off the lot
-New Naxa NX-602 stereo (approx. $80) not installed
-Printout of ICBC claim history (approx. $20 value)
-3 month Lubrico Powertrain warranty
-Relatively new tires, had plenty of tread left
Benefits discovered later
-New front brake pads (actually had to replace later)
-New battery with 9 month warranty
-All fluids topped off
Problems off the lot
-Squeaking rear hatch latch, common problem with MX-3 (corrected with grease)
-Rust behind rear license plate opening
-Needed to install radio (installed)
-Right-front speaker doesn’t work
-Oil leak
Problems discovered later (close enough to purchase date that it can be attributed to previous owner)
-Need to replace rear struts because dirt got in because of missing rear strut boots
-Needed to replace front braking system, mechanic didn’t install properly (replaced)
-Rear defroster doesn’t work
