What is a fair price for this mkI?

[shumacher]

I drove a MKI MR2 today. It's hard to price these cars when they get below the NADA description of a "Low Retail" car. Salesperson suspects it's an 85. Mileage is at 141k. The paint is faded red with spotty rattlecan touch-up. The front decklid and engine cover are white and seem to be factory painted parts from another car. The 5 speed transmission shifts into gears 1, 3, 5, and reverse. 2nd is hard to get to, and while 4th is easier, and stays in on decelleration, any acceleration pops the lever out of gear. In the test drive, quickly moving the steering wheel left and right with low amplitude shows the car rolls a bit, making me think the damping is a little off. Brakes seemed firm, but I need to try some more cars, there was no discernable boost, and pedal effort was high. Jump start was required.

Asking price on the car was $2000. I placed an offer of $600, but was brutally rebuffed. It was suggested that successful offers would be above $1500. I think I'd need to be able to use all the gears to go over $1000. What do you think is fair?

[Tercel GTS]

I'd have to agree there, keep looking and you'll eventually find a nice car for that price range

[luckydog]

I just bought a mk1. 93K miles with an automatic. I only paid $1900. You can do better.