Should I get this '96 Avlaon XLS?

[raphifix]

There is someone here in Atlanta selling a 1996 Avalon XLS. The body has 200,000 miles on it, but the engine and transmission only have 130,000 on them. I haven't seen it in person yet, but from the pictures, it looks very well maintained. The leather looks immaculate and the body looks to be in overall great condition. I plan on bringing a mechanic with me to ensure that the car is mechanically sound. The guy's asking $2970. Is this a good deal, assuming everything is as advertised?

[raphifix]

Can some please give me some advice?

[96AvalonOwner]

I have a 96 as well and it runs great sans some maintenance which every car needs. Buying this car, I would ask for all service records. I would check the following:
1. brake rotors and pads
2. Timing belt when last replaced.
3. Valve cover gasket and spark plug gasket when last replaced
4. when were the fluids last replaced - coolant, transmission, power steering, brake, engine oil. For the brake has it been flushed. When you drive the car does the pedal feel "spongy" If it does probably needs a brake flush.
5. AC working / not working.
6. Look underneath each wheel to see the suspension boots. Also check the ride and see if it is bouncing for a long time when it goes over a bump or it stabilizes pretty quickly.
7. Check the CV boots (front wheel) if there are any cracks in them. If so it can be expensive to replace.
8. Do you feel any lurch when you press the gas pedal? Check this when you test drive the car. May require MAF sensor cleaning which is 10 mins.
9. Check the air filter as well.

There could be many other things to check. But I would start with the above.

[CassisPearl]

Originally Posted by raphifix

Can some please give me some advice?

To be honest, I'd really want a plausible explanation for why the engine and transmission were swapped out after only 70K mi. There's something not quite right about that. You really need to find out what happened and why.

And as for maintenance records, those don''t always tell you much. A compression check does.

[raphifix]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely be doing all you suggested. As for the price, is it below average, average, or above average for the year and model?

[cexsiman]

on the other side of the engine/tranny swap, it could have been done at any mileage with an engine with less miles, maybe it was done at 150k on the body and the engine only had 80k on it at the time, in which case maybe it wouldnt be horrible? i'm just saying its something to think about