Hey folks-
Well, I been going back and forth with myself and this car but I have decided to not go for it...
I saw this ad on Craigslist for a 2003 Toyota Corolla S, with 97xxx miles on it, manual and what not. Here is the direct link on the ad here: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/219356109.html
He told me the reason for selling it is because he is going to get an RSX Type S.
Anyways, I was so intersted in it and took it for a test drive this weekend. Sure enough, it was a manual, but I am coming from an automatic world so I didn't know how "good" the clutch was despite the ad. Also, to note, it was a Auto to Manual swap from a "reputable" local dealer, so I wasn't too sure how good of a job that was..
Make a long story short, was going ot put a deposit down tomorrow after I checked it out one more time. Chris and I exchanged IMs and he promised to get it smogged before i put the deposit down. Fast forward to today, and he called me up on the phone.
Chris: "I have some good news for you and bad news for me. The car wouldn't pass smog because it the Check Engine Light is on, but its only one because of the ECU saying that it's a auto, when it is a manual, so I'm knocking down the price to $7k for the car."
Me: "Well, I can't feel good about buying a car from you for $7k without knowing that the car will pass smog. I mean, its pretty easy to buy an ECU and get it smogged before I give you the money. Can you do that?"
Chris: "Well, I'm just sick and tired of this car and I want to get it over with. My dad is going to visit and I want this car gone."
Me: "Okay, then why don't you get a quote for an ECU and maybe we can go form there."
Chris: "I'll call you back"
20 mins later, he calls me again
Chris: "Hey, my friends say that the ECU will cost about $200, but all the shops are closed since its past 6pm. How about I'll make it $6.5k? I'm at my friends shop, and the OBDII sensor says that it's a "Shift Solenoid Connection" and that the manual ECU will fix the check engine light."
Me: "I really can't just do it without knowing that that is the real problem. I'll have to really think about it and give you a call later tonight"
It's about 2 hours since that conversation with Chris, and the more I think about it, the more I feel this is a shady deal.
What do you think after reading this?
Is my guilt feeling right? That there is too much "what if" things that could go wrong and why isn't Chris going out of his way to get the ECU manual if he really wants to sell it
Or
Its a crazy deal for the price, so I'm going to get a good deal. He's just desperate in selling it to get the RSX?
What would you do in my situation? Would you go for it, or wait or get something else?
Thanks for reading,
W
Well, I been going back and forth with myself and this car but I have decided to not go for it...
I saw this ad on Craigslist for a 2003 Toyota Corolla S, with 97xxx miles on it, manual and what not. Here is the direct link on the ad here: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/219356109.html
He told me the reason for selling it is because he is going to get an RSX Type S.
Anyways, I was so intersted in it and took it for a test drive this weekend. Sure enough, it was a manual, but I am coming from an automatic world so I didn't know how "good" the clutch was despite the ad. Also, to note, it was a Auto to Manual swap from a "reputable" local dealer, so I wasn't too sure how good of a job that was..
Make a long story short, was going ot put a deposit down tomorrow after I checked it out one more time. Chris and I exchanged IMs and he promised to get it smogged before i put the deposit down. Fast forward to today, and he called me up on the phone.
Chris: "I have some good news for you and bad news for me. The car wouldn't pass smog because it the Check Engine Light is on, but its only one because of the ECU saying that it's a auto, when it is a manual, so I'm knocking down the price to $7k for the car."
Me: "Well, I can't feel good about buying a car from you for $7k without knowing that the car will pass smog. I mean, its pretty easy to buy an ECU and get it smogged before I give you the money. Can you do that?"
Chris: "Well, I'm just sick and tired of this car and I want to get it over with. My dad is going to visit and I want this car gone."
Me: "Okay, then why don't you get a quote for an ECU and maybe we can go form there."
Chris: "I'll call you back"
20 mins later, he calls me again
Chris: "Hey, my friends say that the ECU will cost about $200, but all the shops are closed since its past 6pm. How about I'll make it $6.5k? I'm at my friends shop, and the OBDII sensor says that it's a "Shift Solenoid Connection" and that the manual ECU will fix the check engine light."
Me: "I really can't just do it without knowing that that is the real problem. I'll have to really think about it and give you a call later tonight"
It's about 2 hours since that conversation with Chris, and the more I think about it, the more I feel this is a shady deal.
What do you think after reading this?
Is my guilt feeling right? That there is too much "what if" things that could go wrong and why isn't Chris going out of his way to get the ECU manual if he really wants to sell it
Or
Its a crazy deal for the price, so I'm going to get a good deal. He's just desperate in selling it to get the RSX?
What would you do in my situation? Would you go for it, or wait or get something else?
Thanks for reading,
W
