New here - Looking at a 1997 XLS Avalon on Saturday - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

1973Cougar · 01-26-2012, 11:06 PM

The car is owned by the original owner - It is garaged and had all of the maintenance done to it. The car was never in an accident and is in really good condition. It has 107k and the timing belt was changed at 65k.

The seller is asking $4000 and said he is only a little negotiable. Is this a good price or is it too high for a 15 year old Toyota.

Thanks

daw22 · 01-27-2012, 07:28 AM

I don't know what the Blue Book value for the car is, but a car like you describe with that few miles is likely to go for a very long time with very little trouble. I don't think you'd be sorry to have it.

tah · 01-27-2012, 07:45 AM

At that price the car had better be FLAWLESS! He's asking Dealer pricing without the cost of operating a business.

He's over book value even for a car rated as Excellent, of which only 5% of used cars are........

www.kbb.com

1973Cougar · 01-27-2012, 08:18 AM

I looked on KBB and he priced it under - But KBB is always high

tah · 01-27-2012, 08:36 AM

You're right, it's priced right.

For some reason my desktop won't accept the mileage and defaults to 155k.

The mobile site works better. If you like the car, hand him $3500 cash and go from there. This is important.....hand him the money BEFORE you tell him how much it is!

It's hard to hand it back. This works for me 90% of the time. Not a crazy low amount, it has to be somewhat reasonable.

I'd have $3500 cash in one pocket so I can pull it out in plain sight and give it to him, he might think that's ALL my money. Other cash is in other pocket.

1973Cougar · 01-27-2012, 09:27 AM

Interesting - Never tried that - but he already told me that he knows its below book value and he isnt very negotiable.

First thing that goes is the fm/cassette radio

Does the XLS usually have leather? Do they have heated seats?

tah · 01-27-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1973Cougar

Interesting - Never tried that - but he already told me that he knows its below book value and he isnt very negotiable.

First thing that goes is the fm/cassette radio

Does the XLS usually have leather? Do they have heated seats?

NOBODY likes to part with cash, even if it's only been in their hands a few seconds.

Also say something like: "Here's what I have. If you can't accept it I'll understand. This way you're done, no more phone calls, no-shows, nut jobs, psychos, idiots....etc"

When I say this has worked for me 90% of the time I was being very conservative. I can't remember it ever NOT working!

Remember to have the $3500 in one pocket and let him SEE you pull it out. This way he "might" assume it's all you could get together. Then he might say "my bottom line was $3700". Don't say ANYTHING until he starts to hand you the money back, then don't take it! Ask him if you could come "come up with" another $100 would that work for him? Then you get the best deal.

This is VERY important. Don't lie to the guy. Don't say "here's ALL I have" instead of "here's what I have".

Nobody likes being lied to. Some will overlook it because of the money, others will let you walk and sell it to the next person even cheaper just out of principle!

Good luck!

1973Cougar · 01-28-2012, 05:52 PM

I didnt buy the car - It was a rat

***zythr*** · 01-28-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1973Cougar

I didnt buy the car - It was a rat

What was wrong with it?

1973Cougar · 01-28-2012, 07:12 PM

It had rust and body damage on the passenger side and then when I walked around to the other side I noticed the front fender was repainted with a really dull paint - probably spray paint and it was a different shade. On that note I said the car wasnt worth near what he was asking and told him I would pass..

***zythr*** · 01-28-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1973Cougar

It had rust and body damage on the passenger side and then when I walked around to the other side I noticed the front fender was repainted with a really dull paint - probably spray paint and it was a different shade. On that note I said the car wasnt worth near what he was asking and told him I would pass..

Good for you