Flipping a car for profit is nothing new. I am no stranger of communicating with sketchy individuals, looking to maximize their profit. Just when I thought I've seen and heard every trick from a seller's arsenal, I was surprised. It's one of those times when being knowledgeable about cars pays dividends.
Not too long ago, I went to look at a car I was interested in buying. It was a 2019 Mazda 6 sedan with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G turbocharged engine. The Japanese model is a car I very much like, both in terms of styling, comfort, and driving dynamics. When I heard that Mazda hasn't given up on making a rear-wheel-drive sedan, I was excited for the brand's future.
Anyway, a 2019 Mazda 6 had a starting MSRP of $24,720 while the cheapest trim with the 2.5-liter turbo-four engine would set you back $30,420. While prices on the used market are not as far apart, at least on the US market, I think it is important to know what to look for, to make sure you are getting no less than the car you want.
What really happened?
I went to look at the car at the seller's house. The Mazda 6 was listed as a 2.5-liter turbo. Immediately, the person selling the car told me that there had been a small accident on the front-right side of the car, which was easily fixed. However, he proceeded to tell me there was an error in the documentation, when the car was first registered, according to which it had the normally aspirated 2.5-liter engine.
This is where things got interesting.
Visually, the two Mazda 6 variants are identical, so I had to inspect the engine bay to find out the truth. The turbocharger in these Mazda models is located near the firewall, but even if you can't visually see it, there should be piping going to it, as well as an intercooler at the front. Needless to say, none of that was present in the engine bay, which confirmed my suspicion that this car had a normally aspirated engine.
I still test-drove the car and to no surprise, it lacked the mid-range punch and top-end power of the 2.5-liter turbo-four unit. Having tested a Mazda CX-5 with the same normally aspirated engine, I immediately felt the similarities in acceleration. Moreover, the two Mazda models share the same underpinnings. Of course, I didn't buy the car and walked away.
Things that help to know when looking to buy a used car from a private buyer
A good amount of research is always a plus when it comes to cross-shopping or buying used vehicles. In this case, the Mazda 6 has two versions of the same engine, and if you don't have sufficient car knowledge or haven't tested enough cars to know how a certain model should drive or feel, you may be in for a surprise like this one.
1. Know what to look for under the hood
In transversely mounted engines (like in the Mazda 6), the turbocharger is either at the front or at the rear section of the engine bay, depending on how the powertrain is positioned. Honda typically has the engine put in the opposite way, meaning the turbocharger would be in the front of the engine bay. In most modern turbocharged engines, I see the opposite.
2. Having test-driven multiple vehicles helps
The normally aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine is down some 58 horsepower and a whopping 120 pound-feet from the 2.5-liter turbo variant. Such difference in output cannot be hidden, unless you are coming from a much less-powerful vehicle and the normally aspirated engine's 192 horsepower feel like a spaceship to you, compared to your previous vehicle. In my case, I have driven a car with the same engine before, and I knew what to expect in terms of acceleration.
3. Bring someone knowledgeable when looking at a vehicle
Having someone more knowledgeable than you always help when looking to buy a car. This is especially important if you are looking to buy a used vehicle from a private seller. Someone with knowledge about cars and engines would know what to look for and ask the right questions in situations like these, so if you have a friend or you can pay someone to look the car for you, it can save you an unpleasant surprise at a later point.
Final thoughts
I will not go into the basics of everything you need to look for when buying a used vehicle. I am sure most people, by now, have experience and/or are familiar with the general steps you need to take when shopping for used cars. I wanted to describe this unique (to me) situation, as it was something I have not experienced before, in my years of looking at hundreds (maybe thousands) of vehicles, both new and used.
If you have a similar situation when purchasing any vehicle, I'd like to hear about it in the comment section below. Knowing about the creativity of car flippers can help car buyers avoid unpleasant experiences and save them money in the long run.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Mazda 6 press, Mazda Skyactiv engine
