{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"How to (and not to) shop for and buy vehicles online","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/how-to-and-not-to-shop-for-and-buy-vehicles-online","audioUrl":"https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021673/episodes/18914508-how-to-and-not-to-shop-for-and-buy-vehicles-online.mp3","description":"Send us Fan MailEmail Lennie at lennielawson2020@gmail.com"},"annotations":[{"startTime":94.7,"endTime":103.4,"type":"concept","title":"Google ratings","url":"/glossary/google-ratings","quote":"Maybe they give a dealer a bad Google rating or something like that, but how often do you look at Google ratings? You may say, well, I always look at Google ratings.","canonicalId":"concept:google-ratings","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The host mentions using Google ratings as a proxy for seller reputation. While ratings can help flag consistently bad experiences, they’re not a complete substitute for vehicle history checks and an inspection."}},{"startTime":129.2,"endTime":136.3,"type":"concept","title":"dealership probably really is","url":"/glossary/dealership-probably-really-is","quote":"Because when you read those, that's who the dealership probably really is. That probably describes a lot of the transactions, not all of them.","canonicalId":"concept:dealership-probably-really-is","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is about using review patterns as a proxy for real-world dealership behavior. The host notes it may not describe every transaction, but it often reflects the dealership’s typical customer experience.","simplifiedExplanation":"The idea is that reviews can give you a realistic picture of how a dealership usually treats people. It won’t be perfect for every case, but it’s a useful clue."}},{"startTime":162.7,"endTime":169.7,"type":"concept","title":"get the shaft at a business","url":"/glossary/get-the-shaft-at-a-business","quote":"if you really get the shaft at a business, the best thing to do is call the people who own the business and tell them first, give them a chance to make it right.","canonicalId":"concept:get-the-shaft-at-a-business","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Getting the shaft” is slang for being treated unfairly or taken advantage of. In a buying context, it often means feeling misled on pricing, paperwork, or the terms of the deal.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means getting treated unfairly. In car buying, it could be feeling like the deal wasn’t honest or you didn’t get what you were promised."}},{"startTime":166.7,"endTime":174.7,"type":"concept","title":"make it right","url":"/glossary/make-it-right","quote":"call the people who own the business and tell them first, give them a chance to make it right. And if they don't make it right, and if they're jerks as well, then OK, blast them, use both guns.","canonicalId":"concept:make-it-right","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The host’s advice is to give the business a chance to resolve the issue before escalating. For car buyers, this can mean requesting corrections to pricing, paperwork errors, or promised repairs.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying try to get the problem fixed directly first. If the dealership made a mistake, ask them to correct it before you take bigger steps."}},{"startTime":209.2,"endTime":213.2,"type":"concept","title":"tax and all","url":"/glossary/tax-and-all","quote":"I'm not spending more than $40,000 tax and all. Well, I knew that if he wants a new Ford Bronco...","canonicalId":"concept:tax-and-all","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Tax and all” refers to the total amount due beyond the vehicle’s sticker/listing price, including taxes and other fees. Buyers who only budget the advertised price can get surprised when the out-the-door total exceeds their limit.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Tax and all” means the final price after taxes and extra charges. If you only look at the listed price, the real total can be higher than you expected."}},{"startTime":213.2,"endTime":222.6,"type":"car","title":"Ford Bronco","url":"/cars/ford/bronco","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/2022_Ford_Bronco_2.jpg","quote":"Well, I knew that if he wants a new Ford Bronco, the way he wanted it equipped, I'm sorry, a used Ford Bronco, the way he wanted it equipped, that was not going to happen.","canonicalId":"car:ford:bronco","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Ford Bronco is Ford’s modern off-road SUV line. When someone says they want a Bronco “equipped” a certain way, they’re usually talking about specific trims and option packages that can strongly affect price and availability.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Ford Bronco is a Ford SUV built for off-road driving. If you want it “equipped” a certain way (options/trim), that can make it harder to find and more expensive.","imageAttribution":"Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":241.5,"endTime":244.6,"type":"concept","title":"out of the same ballpark","url":"/glossary/out-of-the-same-ballpark","quote":"And we're just not even in the same ballpark. Well, now he's changed his tune.","canonicalId":"concept:out-of-the-same-ballpark","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Not even in the same ballpark” is a common way to say the buyer’s budget and the market price for the exact configuration don’t overlap. This often happens when the desired trim/options are rare, or when the buyer’s target price is unrealistic for the current used/new market."}},{"startTime":281.8,"endTime":285.3,"type":"concept","title":"shopping online","url":"/glossary/shopping-online","quote":"And that's what I'm doing. So where was I shopping? I was shopping online.","canonicalId":"concept:shopping-online","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Shopping online usually means searching listings across dealer sites and marketplaces to match a budget and desired options. It’s often faster than local-only searching, but it can also create mismatches if you don’t account for real-world availability, dealer pricing, and the total cost of buying.","simplifiedExplanation":"Shopping online means looking at car listings on websites. It can be convenient, but you still have to deal with what’s actually available and what the final price ends up being."}},{"startTime":296.9,"endTime":301.6,"type":"concept","title":"buy that car online","url":"/glossary/buy-that-car-online","quote":"No, when people come to me and I don't have what they want, I go online.\nI found a particular Bronco for this guy that might work on car gurus.\n\nNow, how do I buy that car?","canonicalId":"concept:buy-that-car-online","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Buying a vehicle online changes the process from “see it on the lot” to “verify it remotely,” which increases the importance of documentation (like warranty history) and careful listing details. The speaker contrasts going online when the dealer doesn’t have the exact vehicle with the usual in-store shopping flow.","simplifiedExplanation":"Buying online means you may not see the car in person first. So you have to rely more on information from the listing and records before you commit."}},{"startTime":360.0,"endTime":367.76,"type":"concept","title":"pictures of a vehicle online","url":"/glossary/pictures-of-a-vehicle-online","quote":"But as I was looking at the pictures, I just noticed, you know,\nif you're going to take pictures of a vehicle online,\nyou think you would clean the vehicle up a little bit.","canonicalId":"concept:pictures-of-a-vehicle-online","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Online photos strongly influence buyer perception, and poor presentation can hide issues or make a good car look worse. The speaker’s point is that sellers should clean the vehicle and present it clearly, because buyers are using photos as a key part of their decision-making."}},{"startTime":372.1,"endTime":376.0,"type":"term","title":"seat wear","url":"/glossary/seat-wear","quote":"I was looking at the seat wear. It's got 30,000 miles on it. I said, you know, that's that's a lot of seat wear for 30,000 miles.","canonicalId":"term:seat-wear","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Seat wear is a visible indicator of how much a vehicle has been used, and it can sometimes reveal inconsistencies with claimed mileage. When shopping online, checking interior condition (like seat bolsters and surfaces) can help you judge whether the car was actually driven and maintained.","simplifiedExplanation":"Seat wear is how worn the seats look. If the seats look very worn compared to the mileage, it can be a sign the car was used more than the listing suggests."}},{"startTime":386.8,"endTime":388.2,"type":"term","title":"Carfax","url":"/glossary/carfax","quote":"I'm going to pull a car fax. I'm going to pull an auto check.","canonicalId":"term:carfax","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Carfax is a vehicle history report service that compiles data from sources like insurance claims, title events, and reported accidents. Buyers use it to spot potential red flags such as accidents or damage history before purchasing.","simplifiedExplanation":"Carfax is a report that tells you what a car’s history looks like. It can show things like accidents, title problems, and sometimes how many owners it’s had."}},{"startTime":398.2,"endTime":401.2,"type":"concept","title":"two owner vehicle","url":"/glossary/two-owner-vehicle","quote":"I mean, I don't mind buying a two owner vehicle, but I don't want to buy some three, four, five owner vehicle.","canonicalId":"concept:two-owner-vehicle","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “two owner vehicle” is generally seen as a reasonable ownership history for many used cars, suggesting the car wasn’t constantly changing hands. It can be a practical threshold for buyers who want some history without the higher risk signals of frequent ownership.","simplifiedExplanation":"A two-owner car usually means it hasn’t been passed around too much. That can be reassuring when you’re trying to judge whether the car was cared for."}},{"startTime":407.0,"endTime":412.9,"type":"concept","title":"salty roads","url":"/glossary/salty-roads","quote":"And if it's come from Michigan or Pennsylvania, no offense to people in Michigan or Pennsylvania, but I don't want that one either, because it's been on a lot of salty roads.","canonicalId":"concept:salty-roads","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Salty roads” refers to winter road salt used to prevent ice, which can accelerate corrosion on underbodies, brake components, and wheel wells. Vehicles from salt-belt states often require extra inspection for rust and related wear.","simplifiedExplanation":"In winter, some places use salt on the roads. That salt can cause rust on the car over time, especially underneath and around the wheels."}},{"startTime":422.2,"endTime":425.7,"type":"concept","title":"huge selection beyond your local market","url":"/glossary/huge-selection-beyond-your-local-market","quote":"Let's get back to buying online. One advantage is huge selection beyond your local market.","canonicalId":"concept:huge-selection-beyond-your-local-market","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Buying online expands your search radius, increasing the chance of finding the exact trim, mileage, and price point you want. The tradeoff is you may need to rely more on reports, photos, and inspections since you can’t physically check the car right away.","simplifiedExplanation":"Searching beyond your local area gives you more choices. The downside is you can’t inspect the car in person as easily, so you have to be more careful with history reports and checks."}},{"startTime":453.0,"endTime":460.5,"type":"concept","title":"misrepresented vehicles","url":"/glossary/misrepresented-vehicles","quote":"[453.0s]  However, what are the risks?\n[456.7s]  Misrepresented vehicles, hidden fees.\n[460.5s]  I always tell folks, find the disclaimer.","canonicalId":"concept:misrepresented-vehicles","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Misrepresented vehicles” means the listing details don’t match the actual car (condition, mileage, options, accident history, or equipment). Online shoppers should verify with photos, documentation, and ideally a pre-purchase inspection.","simplifiedExplanation":"Misrepresented vehicles are cars that aren’t exactly as described online. The safest move is to confirm details before you travel or pay a deposit."}},{"startTime":456.7,"endTime":460.5,"type":"concept","title":"hidden fees","url":"/glossary/hidden-fees","quote":"However, what are the risks?\n[456.7s]  Misrepresented vehicles, hidden fees.\n[460.5s]  I always tell folks, find the disclaimer.","canonicalId":"concept:hidden-fees","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Hidden fees” are extra costs that aren’t obvious in the initial online price. They can include dealer add-ons, documentation charges, or other line items that show up later in the deal.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hidden fees are extra charges that you don’t notice at first. They can make the final price much higher than what you saw online."}},{"startTime":574.7,"endTime":598.9,"type":"concept","title":"monthly payment","url":"/glossary/monthly-payment","quote":"You don't shop and buy based on the monthly payment, but you gotta prepare yourself. You have to talk to your banker... where you can calculate monthly payments.","canonicalId":"concept:monthly-payment","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The monthly payment is the amount you pay each month to finance a vehicle. It’s driven by the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term, so two cars with the same price can have very different payments.","simplifiedExplanation":"A monthly payment is what you pay every month to pay off the car loan. The interest rate and how long you finance it can change that payment a lot."}},{"startTime":602.5,"endTime":610.0,"type":"concept","title":"insurance","url":"/glossary/insurance","quote":"And then you have to look at your other costs. Call your insurance company. Find out what's gonna cost if you buy a Ford Bronco.","canonicalId":"concept:insurance","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Auto insurance cost is a major part of true vehicle ownership and can vary widely by model, driver profile, and location. Calling your insurance company before buying helps you avoid surprises in your monthly budget.","simplifiedExplanation":"Insurance is what you pay to protect the car and cover accidents. Different cars can cost more or less to insure, so it’s smart to check the price first."}},{"startTime":613.4,"endTime":626.2,"type":"concept","title":"fuel economy","url":"/glossary/fuel-economy","quote":"Think about fuel economy. If you're driving a... Nissan Centra now, and you're thinking about a Ford Bronco, you're gonna be spending a lot more on gas. Will that fit into your budget?","canonicalId":"concept:fuel-economy","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Fuel economy is how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel, usually expressed as miles per gallon (MPG) or liters per 100 km. It directly impacts your ongoing costs, so it should be part of your online shopping budget—not just the purchase price.","simplifiedExplanation":"Fuel economy is how far the car can go on a tank of gas. If you get worse fuel economy, you’ll pay more at the pump over time."}},{"startTime":685.1,"endTime":687.2,"type":"company","title":"Cargurus","url":"/glossary/car-gurus","quote":"You can shop, go to Cargurus, for example, and let's say you pull up a 2025 Ford Bronco and it says, you find one that says Good Deal","canonicalId":"company:car-gurus","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CarGurus is an online marketplace and pricing site that aggregates listings and assigns deal ratings (like “Good Deal”). Deal ratings don’t automatically include taxes and fees, so you still need to calculate your out-the-door budget.","simplifiedExplanation":"CarGurus is a website where you can search for cars and see pricing info. Even if it says “Good Deal,” you still have to add things like tax to know the real cost."}},{"startTime":696.7,"endTime":700.9,"type":"concept","title":"sales tax","url":"/glossary/sales-tax","quote":"it says, you find one that says Good Deal and it's $52,000. Well, if you add sales tax to that in your state, then you're gonna be over your budget.","canonicalId":"concept:sales-tax","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Sales tax is a state/local charge calculated as a percentage of the vehicle’s purchase price. Online listings often show the vehicle price before tax, so adding sales tax can push you over your budget.","simplifiedExplanation":"Sales tax is the extra percentage you pay to the government when you buy the car. The sticker price online might not include it, so your real total can be higher."}},{"startTime":718.6,"endTime":722.1,"type":"concept","title":"MSRP","url":"/glossary/msrp","quote":"[718.6s]  You have to recognize on a new vehicle\n[720.5s]  that that's gonna be MSRP.","canonicalId":"concept:msrp","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is the price the automaker lists for a new vehicle. It’s a reference point—dealers may sell above or below MSRP depending on demand, incentives, and local market conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"MSRP is the “sticker price” the carmaker starts with. Your dealer might charge more or less than that, so you use it as a baseline."}},{"startTime":722.1,"endTime":726.3,"type":"company","title":"Auto Trader","url":"/glossary/auto-trader","quote":"[722.1s]  And then you can go to some of the sites like Auto Trader\n[726.3s]  or Cargurus or someplace like that","canonicalId":"company:auto-trader","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Auto Trader is an online marketplace where you can see listings and pricing for vehicles. In this context, it’s used to compare what dealers are actually selling cars for versus the MSRP.","simplifiedExplanation":"Auto Trader is a website with car listings. It helps you see real prices people are paying, not just the manufacturer’s suggested price."}},{"startTime":799.2,"endTime":805.5,"type":"company","title":"BDC","url":"/glossary/bdc","quote":"And if you do it online, you're working with something called the BDC, the Business Development Center.","canonicalId":"company:bdc","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.93,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"BDC stands for Business Development Center. It’s the dealership team that contacts leads and gathers information online or by phone, but they typically don’t have authority to finalize pricing or approve trade-in numbers.","simplifiedExplanation":"BDC is the dealership’s “lead” team. They talk to you first and collect details, but they usually can’t set the final numbers like the price or trade-in value."}},{"startTime":858.1,"endTime":861.08,"type":"concept","title":"online pricing","url":"/glossary/online-pricing","quote":"Let me put it this way. People are easily fooled by online pricing","canonicalId":"concept:online-pricing","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Online pricing can be misleading because it may be based on assumptions, limited availability, or dealer-specific incentives that aren’t clearly explained. The key risk is that the “price you see” may not match the final out-the-door deal after trade-in and deal-structure details are finalized.","simplifiedExplanation":"Online prices can be tricky. What you see on a website might not be the real final price once everything is worked out."}},{"startTime":869.5,"endTime":874.6,"type":"concept","title":"payments as low as $2.99 a month","url":"/glossary/payments-as-low-as-2-99-a-month","quote":"Or you see something on TV, [869.5s]  payments as low as $2.99 a month. [871.7s]  I mean, people just fall for that stuff left and right.","canonicalId":"concept:payments-as-low-as-2-99-a-month","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Payments as low as” ads are often structured around special financing, long terms, large down payments, or other conditions that aren’t reflected in the headline. This is why the podcast emphasizes reading the terms and verifying the actual written offer.","simplifiedExplanation":"Those ads can make the monthly payment sound tiny, but the real deal usually depends on conditions. The only safe way to know is to get the full offer in writing."}},{"startTime":887.9,"endTime":892.9,"type":"concept","title":"buyer's order","url":"/glossary/buyer-s-order","quote":"So your only defense is really to be in the dealership [891.3s]  and have them print you a buyer's order. [892.9s]  If you're shopping online and you want a final commitment,","canonicalId":"concept:buyer-s-order","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A buyer’s order is the dealership document that lists the exact deal terms—vehicle, price, trade details, taxes/fees, and any add-ons. Getting it printed (or provided in writing) is a key step because it creates a concrete record of what you’re agreeing to.","simplifiedExplanation":"A buyer’s order is the paperwork that spells out the exact deal you’re getting. If anything changes later, you can point back to what was written down."}},{"startTime":924.8,"endTime":931.84,"type":"concept","title":"PDF","url":"/glossary/pdf","quote":"And then he signs it, he either faxes it to you [928.6s]  or, you know, does a PDF and sends it to you that way.","canonicalId":"concept:pdf","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A PDF is a digital document format that can be sent electronically to provide the same kind of written terms as a printed buyer’s order. For online vehicle purchases, requesting the signed PDF helps you keep a clear record of the agreed deal.","simplifiedExplanation":"A PDF is just a digital version of the paperwork. Getting the signed PDF means you have proof of the deal terms in writing."}},{"startTime":1000.3,"endTime":1004.9,"type":"term","title":"nicks and dings and scratches","url":"/glossary/nicks-and-dings-and-scratches","quote":"and then when you look it up close, there's all kinds of nicks and dings and scratches, and the tires, you know, one of the left rear tires worn out.","canonicalId":"term:nicks-and-dings-and-scratches","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Nicks and dings and scratches” are common cosmetic defects that can indicate minor impacts or poor care. While they don’t always affect drivability, they can matter for resale value and may hint at bodywork history.","simplifiedExplanation":"These are small dents and surface marks on the car. They usually don’t stop the car from running, but they can affect the car’s value."}},{"startTime":1007.0,"endTime":1009.1,"type":"term","title":"left rear tire worn out","url":"/glossary/left-rear-tire-worn-out","quote":"and the tires, you know, one of the left rear tires worn out. And, you know, you've already left a deposit, and what if it's non-refundable?","canonicalId":"term:left-rear-tire-worn-out","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.78,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “left rear tire worn out” points to uneven tire wear, which often comes from alignment, suspension, or driving/road-force issues. It’s a useful red flag when evaluating a car’s condition from photos or limited inspection.","simplifiedExplanation":"If the left rear tire is worn out, it means that tire has been getting more wear than it should. That can be a sign the car needs an alignment or suspension work."}},{"startTime":1018.4,"endTime":1025.6,"type":"concept","title":"another document signed by the manager","url":"/glossary/another-document-signed-by-the-manager","quote":"the only way to make sure it's refundable is to get another document signed by the manager saying that this is a fully refundable deposit, if you decide that you do not want the vehicle.","canonicalId":"concept:another-document-signed-by-the-manager","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.84,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The speaker recommends protecting yourself by requiring a written addendum or document that clearly states the deposit’s refund terms. This reduces the chance of “verbal promises” being denied later.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re saying don’t rely on what someone says—get it written down. A manager-signed document makes it harder for the dealership to refuse a refund."}},{"startTime":1080.8,"endTime":1087.5,"type":"term","title":"financing approved","url":"/glossary/financing-approved","quote":"Now, I won't, I mean, I'll keep a car in stock for maybe 24 hours, maybe 36 if I feel really good, and we've already got financing approved and all that, and these people are coming from eastern North Carolina...","canonicalId":"term:financing-approved","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Financing approved” means the buyer’s loan has been pre-approved or confirmed, reducing uncertainty for both the buyer and the dealership. It can make it easier to get a vehicle held because the buyer is more likely to complete the purchase quickly.","simplifiedExplanation":"Financing approved means the bank or lender has already said they’ll likely approve your loan. That makes the dealership more confident you’ll actually buy the car."}},{"startTime":1169.5,"endTime":1174.0,"type":"term","title":"total repaint","url":"/glossary/total-repaint","quote":"I could see that what that dealership had told me was a lie because I could see the paint. They said it was original paint, and I could see it from 30 feet away that that car had was a total repaint.","canonicalId":"term:total-repaint","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “total repaint” means the car was refinished across the body rather than touched up in small areas. This can be legitimate (e.g., restoration) but is often a red flag if the seller claims the paint is original.","simplifiedExplanation":"A total repaint means the whole car’s paint was redone. If the seller said the paint was original, that mismatch is a big warning sign."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"My Car Guru...Lennie Lawson","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/how-to-and-not-to-shop-for-and-buy-vehicles-online/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}