03' Corolla CE, minor damage w/11K worth $6500?

[93 Camry LE V6]

Hello. I have found a local 2003 Corolla CE 4dr, with 11K miles for $6500. The car is automatic, has A/C, cassette. No power windows or locks. The car does have the rear bumper cover missing and there is some cosmetic damage to the left front hood, fender, bumper cover and headlight. The car is very driveable as-is, it has a good clean title (not salvage) and was driven over 200 miles to its present location. Other than the mentioned damaged "edges", the car is in new condition. Also, the remainder of the factory warranty remains. I was planning on buying the car and just driving it as-is and not repair it and just use it as a good daily work car. Is this car worth $6500., or would I be better off passing on this one? According to KBB, this is well below trade-in value in fair condition. I thought it was a good deal, but some people are saying it is not worth that needing that work. The seller said the car could be fixed for $2000. Have these newest Corollas proven to be reliable? I have heard the newer Camrys are not as good as the older models. Any information appreciated.

[93 Camry LE V6]

Thanks anyway.

[Voodoo.Priest]

Originally posted by 93 Camry LE V6
Thanks anyway.

does this mean you decided not to get it?

What exactly was the damage? Scratches, dents, smashed in from a collision?

Have you tried doing a follow up quote on reparing the damage to see if the guys was telling the truth?

If it is minor dings and you don't mind that and everything works fine then it seems like a good deal. I would recomend getting a new rear bumper cover, but I think the headlight is the only thing you really need.

[ractive_roLLa]

if its just small exterior stuff that doesnt and didnt effect the structure of the car
like engine is bumped up and the actual mechanics of the car isnt affected
then its wicked
just get a bodykit and ur good to go

i'd love to pick something like that up b/c my family is low on funds
but my dads always paraniod of cars that been through accidents..
hes always saying how its wont be good b/c after an accident everything is bumped up and little things u wont know until furthur in the future (the running condition)

[93 Camry LE V6]

Thanks for the replies. I am still considering the car. I put that, because I thought no one was going to reply before I bought the car, if I buy it. I am a little impatient I guess. About the damage on the car- it is just "around the left front edge", or the exterior parts of the car. With the hood open, there is no damage to anything under the hood. The panel that the hood latch fastens to (whatever it is called) is fine. Even that is not damaged. It is just the actual fender is dented in/wavy, the hood is pulled up a little on the front edge, & bumper cover is busted on left front and pressed out a little on the passenger fender. The grille may be cracked. The headlight/parking lights are not broken, just pushed out of place a little. It looks like the car was going about 15-20 mph when it hit something, with the left front corner. The car was driven 200 miles to where it is now. Seller claims that title is clear (Carfax shows nothing) and the car steers fine. No damage to the suspension/steering. The rear bumper cover is gone, because it was also bumped in the back and the cover was loose. The owner removed it. He said it also made it have a slight exhaust leak at the rear. I guess the muffler was knocked loose. Basically, it is all cosmetic damage. I was not even going to repair it and just drive it. Warranty remains. I am also considering a 1990 Lexus LS400 for $3900, but it has 225K. Thanks again.

[93 Camry LE V6]

Here is a photo of the car:

[93 Camry LE V6]

Forgot to mention- my dad is like that too. He is asking me "why do you want a wrecked car?" It may have problems. It looks to me though this is minor damage that will not effect the dependability or safety of the car at all.

Originally posted by ractive_roLLa
[
but my dads always paraniod of cars that been through accidents..
hes always saying how its wont be good b/c after an accident everything is bumped up and little things u wont know until furthur in the future (the running condition) [/B]

[93 Camry LE V6]

And here is another photo of the back of the car:

[Voodoo.Priest]

Cool, so if the frame is still in tact then there is nothing a few trips to the scrap yard won't fix, who cares if the colours don't match up.

I used to have a primer black fender for a while.

That car seems like it will be a good steal. I wish I had an oportunity like that before I decided to get an old school Corolla. LOL! I'll have spent almost $9,000 on it by the end of this year. :p I wish I had a warranty on my 1986 Corolla GT-S.

[ractive_roLLa]

get an altis grill from supershyguy@yahoo.com
he has corolla parts

[RedruM]

talk the guy down to 6000 and take it

all that damage can be fixed for well under 2000 and in one afternoon if you know how to work on cars


it's a great buy

i say take it

[93 Camry LE V6]

Thanks for the replies. I went a little while ago and looked at the car and drove it. It drives like new, so I am sure that the suspension/steering is fine. It is a little louder than normal, because when it was bumped in the back, it pressed the tailpipe forward and knocked part of the exhaust loose- not too loud, but noticable. Also when I pulled out, I can hear something make a "cling" sound underneath- perhaps the exhaust. Even that headlight still works. It would be usable, but the "ears" on top are broken. The only other thing I seen when looking at the car, that I did not know about is that there is a very small crease on the lower part of the "C" pillar on the passenger side. It looks like a crease that a car hit in the back would have, but I cannot see any "heavy" impact point on the rear of the car. There is a little pressed in spot on the very bottom corner on the right rear quarter panel. I guess that may have caused the crease, but it is something I would not even worry about. The seller even said he can get 25% off of the parts and knows someone that would do the labor for $700-$900 if I wanted them to. I am also considering a 1990 Lexus LS400 in VGC for $3900., but it has 225K. The Corolla has 11K and still has the remaining factory warranty. I will have to soon make a decision. Thanks again.

[terceltuner4wd]

That car would be a steal at $6k, even $6.5k. The light could be zip-tied up and you can get the body panels from Autobody Specialties fairly cheap. I personally would grab that car up. BTW, are we talking American or Canadian money?

[93 Camry LE V6]

Price is/was $6500 American money. I decided to pass on the car, because that "crease" on the r.r. 1/4 panel had me concerned. My uncle who was a car dealer for several years said it may have taken a harder hit on that rear than I thought- which was what I was thinking. He said that also those bumper reinforcements are a little expensive and it would need both. I decided to pass on it. I am considering other cars. I have found a 1997 Toyota Avalon for $5995 I am considering, as well as a 94 4-Runner, 93 Accord and a 86 560SEL. Thanks again for all of the replies.

[RedruM]

good thing you passed cause that crease means heavy hit unless it was hit in a certain angle but judging by the pics you posted it was hit only on the bumper meaning the trunk floor moved forward causing the c pillar to crease and twist the floor slightly
this also means the gap between the rear door and 1/4panel is smaller than it should be