I was looking at some old cars for sale on different websites and I noticed quite a few ads with (no tire kickers). I would like to know what is the definition of tire kicker? I have gone to look at cars and not purchased them for whatever reason, does that make me a tire kicker? Thanks

 

A tire kicker, is one who has absolutely no means of purchasing a car. All they want to do is look, joy ride, and waste your time.

 

How would the seller know that? Like I said I have gone to look at a lot of cars and did not buy them for various reasons but I do not consider myself a tire kicker. Just did not want to get stuck with something. Would like to add, how many sellers falsely describe their cars?

 

If you are looking and you see a car that looks cool but you don't have any money to actually buy the car and you go look at it and maybe drive it, then your a "tire kicker". But, if you are seriously looking for a car AND have the money to buy it, but don't because its actually a piece of $@&#, that does not make you a "tire kicker". Hope this clarifies it a little more.

 

Not that many people falsely describe their cars on purpose, but a LOT of people describe their cars based on their false impressions, which leads to the same result: listen to what they say, and then go look at it for yourself.

 

That's the idea, the seller does not know if the person is a true buyer, hence, no tire kickers, joy riders, etc...! The intended buyer knows if they are broke, no buying, joyriders though, don't they?

It's like when you see a job adv, No lazy, irresponsible, inexperienced, etc... need apply. They know who they are.

 

Maybe not. I would modify it to say no means or no intention of buying.

When I'm looking, I've already done my research on the vehicles and just need first hand confirmation of vehicle condition before laying out cash. I also am straight up with any sales staff that I'm looking at more than one car. Sometimes this does come in handy in negotiations because no one wants to see a sale walk out the door. Sad part about the open market is there are all kinds out there on both sides that make looking/buying tough. I appreciate honesty in a transaction.

 

Thats true Allan I forgot to add intention to it.

 

A tire kicker is often easy to spot. If a person repsonds to your sale add & the fist thing they ask is where is the car & when can I come see it they are usually a tire kicker.

A serious buyer always has some specific questions pertaining to the car you are selling. I try to weed these people out before revealing the location of the car....I have far better things to do than show cars to people who just want to view your car & not buy it.

 

Where and when did this term even start?

 

Who knows?

On the car lot here, I refer to some as the belonging to the **** and whistle club. They will ask a price, you tell em, and then they whistle shake their head and ask to use the bathroom.

 

Not sure where it came from, but my guess would be at one time it had a valid purpose. Maybe to see if the wheels were tight or if the tires were made of solid rubber or had tubes.

 

....or if you could not look after something as obvious as the tires, how could you look after the rest of the car!?

 

I was told when young that used car buyers did it to see if the tires were solid or inflatable. Didn't make much sense to me, but I did see it done in tv shows.

 

It doesn't by the customary definition, but it does in the eyes of those people whose cars you looked at.

- Eric

 

No Tire Kickers is one thing. But what really gets me is when a seller, puts this in the ad ( Serious enquires only please.) and then doesn't list a price. How can I know if I'm Serious, when they could be asking 50k, for something thats only a 5k car.

 

Or when the ad says "no scammers"

 

Yeah, whenever I'm planning to scam someone, if I see "No Scammers," I just stop right away.

I also don't break into houses with "No Trespassing" signs, and I never speed if the highway has a "No Speeding" sign

- Eric

 

Bottom line unless you're the seller: Who really cares? Good points made by all of you but we all know it's just talk. Serious buyer wiil have cash in fist, and then keys in ignition.

 

When I bought the 7 cars that sit in my garage now, I was serious buyer with cash. But I at least knew the asking price before going to check condition of them.