Question...prior to weekend purchase of a Camry

[quietsurf]

Hello,
I have a few of questions I hope some of you way more knowledgeable than I am, in cars (and Camry's to be more specific) may be able to answer! I am set to purchase a 1996 Camry this weekend (30 Jan 09).


The car:

1) Was taken for a quick test drive. I can't afford a mechanic in the area (don't know the area anyways).

2) Was listed at $3400. Owner will accept $3100

3) Car sounds good, performs well on freeway.

4) Car has 122,000 miles on it. Interior appears to be clean and well kept.

5) I have checked the car out on Carmax. Has had around 6 previous owners. No accidents reported. Clean title. Burglar alarm, stereo.

6) Seller seems to have (has receipts) had regular oil changes and maintenance.


The concerns and questions

1) Car has a series of small dents (a dozen or so small round dents in a row), minor rust spots, and a cracked (cracks that are lifting) paint job. Probably original paint...car is in the desert.

2) The car showed oil leak(s). Two small drips of oil within five minutes of turning on the car, during the second inspection. The leaks appeared to be mid to rear of the engine. Appeared to be black motor oil.

3) Owner is leaving town in a week or so. Was on temporary assignment here and is being replaced.


Questions

1) Can anyone tell me possible causes of the oil leak may be as well as potential expenses associated with the possible scenarios? Any means of verifying potential causes prior to purchase?

2) Is this a a reasonable price?

3) Is cash recommended as payment?

4) Other things to watch out for? I cannot afford further repairs on the vehicle. I have just graduated, have yet to find a job.


Thanks so very much!
Sincerely,

Ms. Knows Nothingaboutcars

P.S.

My husband is of loathe to push the oil leak issue as I discovered the oil leak after we agreed on a price. Would it be considered as less than honorable to question the oil leak, negotiate further or even back out on the deal now based on this new information? I have no one else to ask these questions. ANY input would be appreciated.

[Jimnist]

Originally Posted by quietsurf

Hello,
I have a few of questions I hope some of you way more knowledgeable than I am, in cars (and Camry's to be more specific) may be able to answer! I am set to purchase a 1996 Camry this weekend (30 Jan 09).


The car:

1) Was taken for a quick test drive. I can't afford a mechanic in the area (don't know the area anyways).

2) Was listed at $3400. Owner will accept $3100

3) Car sounds good, performs well on freeway.

4) Car has 122,000 miles on it. Interior appears to be clean and well kept.

5) I have checked the car out on Carmax. Has had around 6 previous owners. No accidents reported. Clean title. Burglar alarm, stereo.

6) Seller seems to have (has receipts) had regular oil changes and maintenance.


The concerns and questions

1) Car has a series of small dents (a dozen or so small round dents in a row), minor rust spots, and a cracked (cracks that are lifting) paint job. Probably original paint...car is in the desert.

Does it looks like it could be from hail damage or something? Vandals? Or do you think it's from them hitting something?

2) The car showed oil leak(s). Two small drips of oil within five minutes of turning on the car, during the second inspection. The leaks appeared to be mid to rear of the engine. Appeared to be black motor oil.

How rear? Near the firewall? It could simply be the oil sump leaking a bit. Or could even be from the tappet cover and leaking all the way down the block.

3) Owner is leaving town in a week or so. Was on temporary assignment here and is being replaced.


Questions

1) Can anyone tell me possible causes of the oil leak may be as well as potential expenses associated with the possible scenarios? Any means of verifying potential causes prior to purchase?

As above.

2) Is this a a reasonable price?

Anything you're willing to pay is a reasonable price. I wouldn't have a clue. Are there 2nd hand databases you can search for to get a rough idea?

3) Is cash recommended as payment?

4) Other things to watch out for? I cannot afford further repairs on the vehicle. I have just graduated, have yet to find a job.

Nothing else i can think of other than usual 2nd hand stuff.


Thanks so very much!
Sincerely,

Ms. Knows Nothingaboutcars

P.S.

My husband is of loathe to push the oil leak issue as I discovered the oil leak after we agreed on a price. Would it be considered as less than honorable to question the oil leak, negotiate further or even back out on the deal now based on this new information? I have no one else to ask these questions. ANY input would be appreciated.

[eyeball96]

1) Was taken for a quick test drive. I can't afford a mechanic in the area (don't know the area anyways).

Pre purchase inspections aren't expensive...I paid $35. The Yellow pages are your friend. Shop around, make a few phone calls.

5) I have checked the car out on Carmax. Has had around 6 previous owners. No accidents reported. Clean title. Burglar alarm, stereo.

Cracking, lifting paint can happen after repairs...no matter what carfax says. (esp if an insurance claim wasn't made) Go over it with a magnet, and see if it sticks.

2) The car showed oil leak(s). Two small drips of oil within five minutes of turning on the car, during the second inspection. The leaks appeared to be mid to rear of the engine. Appeared to be black motor oil.

Another reason for the inspection by a mechanic...could be the steering rack..and they ain't cheap!

2) Is this a a reasonable price?

http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.a...a=-1&mi=122000

^^Here's a link to NADA...I figured it was a LE 4cyl...you can add more details and your zip to find its worth.

negotiate further or even back out on the deal now based on this new information? I have no one else to ask these questions. ANY input would be appreciated.

Don't piss off the husband!! Shop around. They sold a load of 96's, you may find another in better shape.


I'll move your post to the Gen 3/4 section for additional advise.

[davemac2]

I agree that it is best to get the car up on a rack for a quick inspection at least. They can spot the location of an oil leak a little easier that way possibly and check that the steering rack is not leaking which is an expensive fix. Actually any oil leak fix is usually expensive because of the labor, so beware. As well they can check the CV boots and ball joints and brakes, any coolant leaks such as a weeping water pump. If the brakes are due for replacement or have leaks, you can negotiate the price down with that. It's worth the $60-$100 you would pay IMHO.

Other things to check:

1. condition and level of the oil and trans fluid.

2. appearance of the engine coolant. See if it is still the toyota red coolant and not milky or brown.

3. Take it for an extended highway drive for at least 1hr at 65+ to make sure it doesn't overheat. Do this mid-day.

4. tire wear left? any uneven wear on the fron or rear tires?


Go appraise the car on edmunds.com. No one else can do it accurately except you since you have a list of its options and know the area you are in. If this is a 4cyl LE with this mileage and condition, then it is worth ~$2K in a private party sale, maybe a little more. I'd say it is overpriced.

dave mc

[valnar]

The car is overpriced, and you'll probably have to get work done on the oil leak. It could easily cost $1000+ to fix.

[quietsurf]

Jimnist,eyeball96,davemac2, valnar,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies. Based on your collective responses, I was concerned enough to increase my efforts to find a mechanic in the area. I live 150 miles away and was not familiar with any mechanics. I did indeed find one and was able to contact him at home the Friday evening. Based upon his input with all of yours, I decided the car was not such a screaming deal, I passed.

My Honda went down around 6 weeks ago. I visit my mother who lives 150 miles away, in order to assist her with grocery shopping and medical visits. The small town I live in does not have the used car base that Phoenix does, where my mother lives. It is costing me a lot of money to rent reliable vehicles to visit her. Hence, I was desperate enough to consider this purchase. I do not want a car payment at this time, so a good used vehicle seems to be the answer.

I am now able to borrow vehicle which buys me time to look around more carefully. I intend to peruse the thread on purchasing a high mileage Camry.

Thank you SO much!

S

[Mike6412]

I bought my 96 Camry with lots of miles for $975. It had a oil leak as you described and found that it was only loose oil pan bolts. Keep looking you will find a good deal at the least expected time. Mine was off of Craigslist.