1995 with 36k price check

[Dooley]

I'm new to the forum and have a question. I'm looking to possibly buy a 1995 4 door DX with only 36.5K on the clock from the original owner. It's got auto, A/C, power windows and locks. The color is Teal Mist Metallic. Without showing cash yet, he's pretty firm at $4500.00. It's been garaged and maintained. Now I realize it's very hard to find older Corollas with low mileage and higher mileage cars are going for good money. Where I live, NADA dealer retail is about $4200 and KBB excellent private party is about $3400. Any thoughts on this?

[1jzdreamer]

I think hes not far off. Id try to get him to 4200 with cash in hand, but even at 4500, if its been mantained, it should last a while. But the car is still 13 years old, and rubber bushing and seals harden and can cause issues even on a low mileage vehicle. If I was looking, I wouldn't have an issue with 4.5k for it.

[TLToyota]

Good Price to me. I would buy it in a heart beat if everything checked out.

Just remember.. it may have low miles but it is still old. All the parts have been on the road for 14 years.

[Dooley]

Thanks for the help so far. I am aware of "age issues." I do own a 1993 Cougar with the last of the HO 302s. I got it 3 years ago with only 26k. Knock on wood, no real problems. I did replace ball joints and sway bar links and the front bushings are a little dry, but tight. I hit them with silicone spray once a year and all is well. Under the hood, at 50K, it's as tight as a drum.

[kevmac]

absolutely do not discard age

that seems like a rare find! if it checks out, it sounds like it will get 100k miles more. The plastic/ rubber oxidizes including: gaskets, mounts, paint. The fluid gets old. The shock seals start to fail. The tires crack. You won't go skate free! You better check this 14 year old + out extremely well. I would not spend over $3800 based on what has been said.

[cipher93]

Originally Posted by kevmac

absolutely do not discard age

that seems like a rare find! if it checks out, it sounds like it will get 100k miles more. The plastic/ rubber oxidizes including: gaskets, mounts, paint. The fluid gets old. The shock seals start to fail. The tires crack. You won't go skate free! You better check this 14 year old + out extremely well. I would not spend over $3800 based on what has been said.

Agreed. We had a 93 Buick Century that was my grandfathers. Only had 56k but we put a lot of money into it between shocks, the alternator, recharging the AC system and replacing hoses on that, replacing coolant hoses, and tires. Sometimes you can get a good deal, but be careful. Also make sure it's been driven a fair amount the past couple years as issues tend crop up if it's been sitting forever.

[F4 Woozzo]

Unless the seller has already done these things, at the very least you will need to replace the hoses, belts, all fluids (coolant, brake, trans, oil, steering), and tires. All of these things do not age gracefully. A couple of years ago I had tire that looked brand new on a '69 Corvette just split wide open on the road due to age. If you do it yourself, except for mounting the tires, it should be fairly cheap. Maybe someone else can shoot you an estimate for shop rates on this.

If you need to do these things, negotiate with the seller to account for those expenses. If the seller has recent receipts for that work, then the price might be more reasonable. I still wouldn't think more than $4000 max.

Here's the tire:

[dJcHiKo]

that tire is doooooone,
yea i agree if he has recent work done and has all the approved papers of this work along with receipts that price seems pretty fair.
if he doesnt.. try to get him under 4000, make sure u mention all the faults it could have.