I was glad to find this forum when looking for information on these great vehicles - I have been considering one for a long time, and the family keeps getting bigger in height/weight - quantity is stable!
A friend at work has offered me the opportunity to buy her 2010 Odyssey EX-L. She is the second owner, having purchased it in 2014 with 40,000 miles on it. It now has 201,000 miles.
I had the chance to look at it closely today. It was parked for four hours and I saw no leaks under it. There is a dent in the right fender, but I remember her telling us at lunch a year ago about it happening in the driveway. This is Pennsylvania, so I looked closely for rust at the wheel wells and under the doors, but did not find any. Both side doors work smoothly - she said her mechanic serviced them recently. The moon roof and rear gate work smoothly, the DVD player works, back up camera works, the AC blows cold, I did not check the heated seats, the leather driver seat is well worn and cracked where ones slides in and out (but the rest of the seats seem good), and it needs a good detailing inside, which she said she would get before the sale. Tires x 4 are new this year.
We took it for a nice long test drive, even tested it in reverse. It shifted smoothly, but I could not get the mileage out of my mind. It tracked straight and no shuddering with braking. No check engine light or other warnings came on. I forgot to test the wipers!
She has had the previous services ("150,000 mile service") and maintenance performed by a local mechanic - a Dodge dealership near her home. She has chosen not to do the 200,000 mile service since she is selling it. That is something I would want to have done pretty quickly if I purchase it - can someone point me to where I can find a list of what is performed at that service and thoughts on what it might cost?
Of course she is selling it as is with no warranty. But I have known her for two years and feel she is honest and forthright. In this situation, I feel that is an advantage, if only a small one, over meeting a stranger over Craigslist selling something similar.
I live in Maryland and that's where it will registered. Maryland seems to have a pretty rigorous inspection process, and of course it will be subject to emissions testing. She resides in a PA county that does not require emissions testing, so it has not been tested in years. I asked her today if she could take it for testing, and then I could compare the results to what Maryland requires. Later today I received a text from her that her mechanic states it will pass as long as no check engine light is on - can anyone comment on the veracity of this statement? She said her mechanic advised her to sell it truly "as is" with no additional testing or diagnostics.
I am concerned that even if there are no emissions issues, Maryland will come back to me with a list of all kinds of bushings and mounts and such things that will need to be replaced before it passes.
As for the price.... she said the Kelly Blue Book site gave her an "instant cash offer" of $2780. She felt that was too high for the condition and mileage (did I mention she was a nice person?). After the test drive today, I said I needed to do a little more research, but would probably offer something between $2000-$2500 - she was good with that.
I would appreciate hearing thoughts as to whether I have been presented with a good opportunity here, or if I may be headed towards a big mistake. Thanks!!
A friend at work has offered me the opportunity to buy her 2010 Odyssey EX-L. She is the second owner, having purchased it in 2014 with 40,000 miles on it. It now has 201,000 miles.
I had the chance to look at it closely today. It was parked for four hours and I saw no leaks under it. There is a dent in the right fender, but I remember her telling us at lunch a year ago about it happening in the driveway. This is Pennsylvania, so I looked closely for rust at the wheel wells and under the doors, but did not find any. Both side doors work smoothly - she said her mechanic serviced them recently. The moon roof and rear gate work smoothly, the DVD player works, back up camera works, the AC blows cold, I did not check the heated seats, the leather driver seat is well worn and cracked where ones slides in and out (but the rest of the seats seem good), and it needs a good detailing inside, which she said she would get before the sale. Tires x 4 are new this year.
We took it for a nice long test drive, even tested it in reverse. It shifted smoothly, but I could not get the mileage out of my mind. It tracked straight and no shuddering with braking. No check engine light or other warnings came on. I forgot to test the wipers!
She has had the previous services ("150,000 mile service") and maintenance performed by a local mechanic - a Dodge dealership near her home. She has chosen not to do the 200,000 mile service since she is selling it. That is something I would want to have done pretty quickly if I purchase it - can someone point me to where I can find a list of what is performed at that service and thoughts on what it might cost?
Of course she is selling it as is with no warranty. But I have known her for two years and feel she is honest and forthright. In this situation, I feel that is an advantage, if only a small one, over meeting a stranger over Craigslist selling something similar.
I live in Maryland and that's where it will registered. Maryland seems to have a pretty rigorous inspection process, and of course it will be subject to emissions testing. She resides in a PA county that does not require emissions testing, so it has not been tested in years. I asked her today if she could take it for testing, and then I could compare the results to what Maryland requires. Later today I received a text from her that her mechanic states it will pass as long as no check engine light is on - can anyone comment on the veracity of this statement? She said her mechanic advised her to sell it truly "as is" with no additional testing or diagnostics.
I am concerned that even if there are no emissions issues, Maryland will come back to me with a list of all kinds of bushings and mounts and such things that will need to be replaced before it passes.
As for the price.... she said the Kelly Blue Book site gave her an "instant cash offer" of $2780. She felt that was too high for the condition and mileage (did I mention she was a nice person?). After the test drive today, I said I needed to do a little more research, but would probably offer something between $2000-$2500 - she was good with that.
I would appreciate hearing thoughts as to whether I have been presented with a good opportunity here, or if I may be headed towards a big mistake. Thanks!!