would you still do a pre-purchase inspection on a 2012 sonic (warranty still active)?

[semidevil]

I'm looking to purchase a sonic Monday. As I"m out of town, I'm calling and looking for trusted mechanics to do a pre-purchase inspection, so I can go in, and get it done all in one day. I have 3 vehicle choices, and all 3 are 2012 sonic, hatchback, with under 35,000 miles (I confirmed with chevy that all 3 of them are still under bumper to bumper, and power train warranty).

For inspections, I'm looking at what is near my area, but also I'm looking at those mobile inspections where they come to the seller location.

Since the vehicle is still under warranty, would you still do a pre-purchase inspection? The reason I ask is because one of the places I called to get a quote actually told me to not do it, because it's a waste of money and the vehicle should still be good, with the warranty and all. I've never had someone deny business, so I thought I'd ask you guys for an opinion.

Should I still worry about an inspection?

link of all vehicles (in order of preference)
2012 Chevrolet Sonic 2LS, $10,988 - Cars.com
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ, $11,950 - Cars.com
2012 Chevrolet Sonic 2LS, $11,469 - Cars.com

 

[Eric Smit]

I would always do an inspection.

 

[Swordsmith]

I would always do an inspection on any used car.

I would use the guy that told you not to do it, because he's honest enough to turn down your money for something he thinks is unneccessary. Except that he's an idiot, because he should know full well that there could be something wrong that you will have to deal with after the purchase, and that a warranty isn't as good as a car that isn't broke in the first place. Say something -is- wrong, and you have to take it in. Last time I took something to a Chevy dealership, I needed to make the appointment a MONTH in advance, they held the car for a WEEK, and then they said that the grinding noise in the transmission was NORMAL FOR AN ECONOBOX and did nothing. Great, I didn't pay for that... but I would rather have had a non grinding transmission in the first place.

Troubles with Sonics are fairly rare, but there have been cases of people with problems, some of them rising to the level of Lemon, and in many of those cases, there was little satisfaction to be had from the dealership (just as many cases, more, really, they got very good service.) Do you want to go through all the hassle of suing to get something covered or a refund?

Also, what if there's something wrong, but it would take another 10K miles to show up... long enough that your 36K bumper to bumper runs out? If your pre-inspection had caught it before you bought, you could have bought a different car, or just insisted they fix it before selling it to you.

 

[Wooksquatch]

I bought a used 13 with 21299 on it. I had the pleasure if driving it for a week before I bought it. I gave them a list of things I wanted fixed if I was to purchase the car. The car shook lightly over 60 mph, bam free alignment and tire rotation. It needed some paint work, warrantied before I signed. It needed tinted windows, yep I said it they payed for those too. Get everything fixed before you take delivery on the vehicle especially from a dealership. They likely know of any issues with each of the cars they have they are going to try to sell them without fixing them and hope they don't have to do the warranty work or it runs out.

 

[rdss]

Please read the first post in the link below, it will inform you that the new member section is not for technical questions. Please get your ten posts to gain full access then post your thread in the appropriate section.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/new-member-forum/13941-read-before-you-do-anything-else.html