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Think I should buy this car?

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fleabag

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http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1473328739.html


It looks nice and I called the guy and by the description of it, I might want to buy it. He says that he'll give me the VIN later in the day today. So, what do you guys think? Would you buy this car? Doesn't this look like a good value? I just have to wonder now what the history of the car is, like if there were any accidents, multiple owners, flood damage, or something..
 
Also, you could look at something like this : http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1470832849.html

Looks pretty good, if you don't need a backseat for anything. If you take care of it, you could drive it for a couple of years and probably sell it for about what you paid, if not more. It seems that good running Miatas have hit the floor in price, and won't go any lower. They will begin to rise probably in 5 years or so, they really do attract die-hard lifelong fans.
 
PhoKingGuy said:
rofl 3k for a 1996 civic with that many miles? Yeesh, maybe 1k if its in good condition
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Who are you to decide what a car is worth? 130K miles isn't that much compared to what you'll commonly find on craigslist. It's pretty hard to get a car under $1K that is in good condition unless it has electrical problems. I live in the SF bay area and cars aren't cheap, to get a working car for $1000, you'd have to get an '85 civic..
 
haha dude the guy was helping you and there you go, argue it. 1996 civic for 3k? that just sounds stupid, esp with the miles on it. I live in the bay area too and there are a ton of cars on craigslist, it brings down the price...try shopping midwest, where cars aren't as in abundance, prices a little higher. I bought an 03 focus for 4500...had 65k miles on it.
Civic is over priced for that year
 
cr2250 said:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1473842186.html
i think this fits you nicely, reflects your personality
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That actually sounds like a great deal if the ad is truthful. Those things were really reliable and efficient, if a little underengineered safety-wise. My mother and older brother got in a wreck in one of those that they were very lucky to survive. But that's most cars of that era anyway, other than maybe volvo 240s and such. They got T-boned by a Ford Bronco II, killing the driver because the dash and steering wheel crushed him on impact, the thing folded up so easily. The Sentra got smashed pretty hard, directly on the passenger door, and my brother ended up getting knocked into the rear left passenger seat, even though his seatbelt was on. The DPS estimated the speed of impact to be ~50mph.

For the OP, seriously with that budget, you can find something with lower mileage, and probably newer/nicer as well. Hondas are good yes, but it's better to find something that is a proven reliable car that isn't inflated in price. A 1996 vehicle was likely sold in 1995, next year that's going to be 15 years ago. $3k *will* find you something decent around ~100k miles and '98/'99/'00 or so, if you're patient and a little more flexible on brand. Another tactic you can use to do something even better is to wait for a car with some minor exterior damage that someone is selling cheaply. Of course you don't want something that has anything beyond superficial damage, but you may be able to find something very low mileage and in outstanding mechanical condition for cheap, then fix up the dents later, perhaps get all new paint. On the other side are things like the Miata I listed, which have pretty much become collector cars and so long as you take care of it, won't depreciate any more.

Some decent options in your CL right now :

''99 Cabrio, 90k miles, $2900 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1472989484.html
'97 Saab Turbo, 123k miles, $2800 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1472686644.html
'97 626, 56k miles, $2400 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1472558959.html
'02 Focus, 76k miles, $3200 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1471160986.html
'85 MR2, 96k miles, $2300 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1470307952.html
'90 300ZX, 168k miles, $2100 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1467447303.html
 
fleabag said:
Who are you to decide what a car is worth? 130K miles isn't that much compared to what you'll commonly find on craigslist. It's pretty hard to get a car under $1K that is in good condition unless it has electrical problems. I live in the SF bay area and cars aren't cheap, to get a working car for $1000, you'd have to get an '85 civic..
Click to expand...

I like in south OC, you're talking to the wrong person if you want to say cars are expensive.

3k for a 15+ year old car with 130k miles on it will probably need another 1k of wear items replaced anyway. Its stupid
 
fleabag said:
Who are you to decide what a car is worth? 130K miles isn't that much compared to what you'll commonly find on craigslist. It's pretty hard to get a car under $1K that is in good condition unless it has electrical problems. I live in the SF bay area and cars aren't cheap, to get a working car for $1000, you'd have to get an '85 civic..
Click to expand...

I think you're right that it looks like a decent car but $3k is a bit high unless the car is in absolutely great shape. I would go in there offering lower and see if he takes it.
 
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