Potential new car, or waste of time?http://images.craigslist.org/3n63p73ob5Z25T55X6b6

[MASTER YOTA]

I have been looking to find a good deal on a new toyota after mine got totaled. I came across this on craigslist , and the idea sounds good after reading the thread about how did you get your camry, and somebody said he when he bought it, they said motor was blown, but just ended up being a dead battery.

after reading the ad, please tell me should i even waste the $90 on a pre purchase inspection? Its a great price for a 2000 with only 147k on it WHAT are potential reasons it could be "knocking" or thought to be knocking?

I came across this ad for a 2000 toyotaavalon.

"SELLING 2000 TOYOTA AVALON FOR 3000$ CAR RUNS BUT THE ENGINE KNOCKS HAS 147K GOOD LEATHER INT NICE BODY NO DINGS CALL xxx-xxx-xxx"

[HunkaBurninLove]

I'm always a bit cynical when the price is too good to be true. I don't trust my own mechanical abilities (especially if it's a car I'm going to buy....can't remain objective). $90 is a small price to pay for peace-of-mind.

You could also ask to apply the $90 to the purchase price if you end up buying it.

[MASTER YOTA]

bump

[Safari Wagon]

You should make sure you know what the knock is and how much it will cost to fix before buying.... You could be looking at a small issue or a new head / motor....

[MASTER YOTA]

Originally Posted by Safari Wagon

You should make sure you know what the knock is and how much it will cost to fix before buying.... You could be looking at a small issue or a new head / motor....

yeah thats what im trying to say, with them already saying it has a knocking sound, and me not knowing how to build engines, is it worth trusting somebody like pepboys, or regular mechanic to a pre purchase inspection (For $75-90 depending who i let look at it) dont think they will let anybody take valve covers off or anything too in depth. or should i just keep looking. Is there something i can see or check visually myself that will let me know if its a waste of time before shelling out money to have somebody else look at it?

[hill8570]

Look at it assuming that the motor will have to be rebuilt / replaced. $3000 is too much in that scenario. Late 90's / early 00's six-bangers sludged easily -- unless proven otherwise in a teardown, I'd assume this motor is full of sludge and the knock is due to bearing damage.