A/C cost and advice on purchasing

[artnet]

I am looking at purchasing an Echo and have a few to go see tonight. All are 2000 4-door sedans, but most do not have A/C.

The questions I have are:

1. What is the installaion cost of air conditioning in a used car?
2. What kind of bargaining can I do for the car price given no A/C?
3. What kind of bargaining can I do for the car price given various mileages?

My options are:

• $6,995: black, auto, ? stereo, 96, 000 km, ? warranty
• $6,995: black, auto, A/C, ? stereo, ? km, ? warranty
• $6,950: white, auto, am/fm + cd, ? km, ? warranty
• $6,599: silver, auto, am/fm, 178, 000 km, 1 year warranty
• $5,995: green, auto, am/fm, 140, 000 km, 6 month powertrain warranty

Also, and pardon my ignorance, what other costs are involved with the purchase besides the obvious pst and gst in the province of Ontario? This is my first car purchase, and I appreciate any good advice I can get.

Thanks in advance,

Arty

[amykathleen]

hi arty

to put in a/c would be $1500ish.

i recently bought an echo from a private person and paid $9400 for an '03 with auto, a/c, b package, with 35000km. his asking price was $13000, but he was in a rush to sell it, so i was able to get a good deal. plus it has quite a bit of original warranty left.

if you buy from a dealer you'll have to pay pst and gst, but from a private person you'll only have to pay pst or gst (not sure what one).

my favourite book was 'lemonade used car guide'. LOTS of helpful tips about what to look for in a used car and what not.

also, we agreed on $10000, but i had it inspected prior to purchase and it needed a brake job. so we cut $600 off the price. i ended up getting the brake job for free as a 'good will' repair from the dealer. so getting an independent inspection is a good idea.

keep in mind anything over 60000km MIGHT need some work done, lilke timing belts and what not. unless you can do these repairs yourself, it might be better for you to get a newer echo with less mileage on it.

~Amy

[3cyltrbo]

Originally Posted by amykathleen

hi arty

to put in a/c would be $1500ish.

That’s about right (I’d recommend having the dealer do it – not some backyard garage)

Originally Posted by amykathleen

i ended up getting the brake job for free as a 'good will' repair from the dealer.

Uh you must be pretty damn hot, cause us guys don’t get “good will” repairs from dealers

Originally Posted by amykathleen

keep in mind anything over 60000km MIGHT need some work done, lilke timing belts and what not. unless you can do these repairs yourself, it might be better for you to get a newer echo with less mileage on it.

1- I’m 99.9% certain that every 1NZ-FE ever put in a North American Echo has had a timing chain (not a belt) , chains don’t need to be replaced or adjusted (within most cars lifetimes)

2- You’re right, most cars with 60k will need a brake service and tires

3- Personally I wouldn’t worry about the engine too much, most Japanese engines are just getting broken in my 60k

[amykathleen]

timing chain, eh? that's interesting.

one thing i forgot to mention: make sure the VIN starts with a "J". this means it's built in japan, so probably better than something built in north america.

~Amy

[3cyltrbo]

Originally Posted by amykathleen

timing chain, eh? that's interesting.

one thing i forgot to mention: make sure the VIN starts with a "J". this means it's built in japan, so probably better than something built in north america.

~Amy

I think every Echo ever sold in north america came from Japan

-Echos = Japan
-Rollas = Ontario
-Camrys = US
-Trucks(most) = US
-Vans (newer) = US
-Prius = Japan ( I think)
-MR Spyder = Japan