Would you Do it?

[JAC]

If you had only $2,500 to purchase a used reliable car expecting to get at least 55k more miles out of it that its gonna be a DD for about no more than 20 -25 miles a day only.....and you come across this vehicle. Would you pull the trigger? would you offer less than what they asking for?...it looks like very good miles for the year and the price is not bad ..I think! or should keep looking.

It might be purchase this weekend so I need opinions quick
I would greatly appreciate any input...pls and thanks in advance :driving:

1995 toyota avalon xls

 

[JohnsD90]

I would buy a 2.0 99.5-04 jetta or golf 5 speed, they go for around $2k

 

[JAC]

I would buy a 2.0 99.5-04 jetta or golf 5 speed, they go for around $2k

Yeah..I thought about them but I preffer auto..I am also looking at maint costs. If something needs to be fix arent they kind of expensive?

Would you recomend it regardless of high milage?..what about a 99 Passat?...

 

[oakes]

Get the toyota. VW's will break your wallet if you need repairs. My wife had a 2006 Passat turbo that required $25 ea. windshield wipers. CB joint was junk at 70k. Emission problems, wheel wobble, cracked exhaust, etc. The older VW's are a little easier on the wallet but I will never own one again. I just bought a V6 6speed manual trans 2004 Honda Accord Coupe as a commuter. I drive 70mi one way. With my mods I am down to 15.3mpgs (gps determined) in my T4R. The Honda gets 30.

 

[Dous]

Are you kidding me, thats an XLS for Christs sake. A one in a life time deal.

 

[gptoy96]

I'm sure the Toyota is a good bet, stay away from the VW's.

I'd pull a carfax to make sure it wasn't in a big wreck, and check out the basics of any vehicle. If it passes and makes you happy I'd say go for it.

 

[BigRogers]

Are you kidding me, thats an XLS for Christs sake. A one in a life time deal.

I am with Dous, my parents had one and those cars are absolutely great! Wish i could get my hands on one......and all in all 130000 is REAL low miles!

Get the carfax and give it a good once over. if all appears well it probably is. With that low of miles it is probably an older lady and or a stay at home mom....its barely been driven

 

[JAC]

Hey guys...thanks for your inputs....and I have Good News!...

I am going to check out the Avalon tomorrow and the seller is willing to let it go for $1,800. so I 'll be saving 400 bucks from original price and 700 bucks from what I have to spend
:girl:
Lets see how it goes tomorrow. :

The add says is a 95 but when I do a search on the Internet the 95 models have the shifter at the bottom not on the steering wheel.
can someone clarify this pls...It really doesnt matter because I like it anyways but just wanna make sure I know what I am buying.

Also what questions should I ask the seller besides maint history?..should I make him pop up the hood and what should I look for under the hood?...

And I have another question
How long does it take to get a Carfax report and how much $$ ???..

Thanks guys

 

[Mellow77]

Get the toyota. VW's will break your wallet if you need repairs.

Agreed, good cars but maintenance isn't cheap.

I have driven an Avalon (same year) quite a bit and they're really pretty nice cars and very reliable. They're comfortable to drive as well so I don't think you can go wrong...especially with the price being dropped to $1,700. I would have to qualms about handing over the cash for that vehicle (assuming it's in decent shape when you go see it). I wouldn't be surprised if you don't put another 55k+ on it and then sell it for at least what you've got into it.

Good luck!

 

[SCRunner12]

And I have another question
How long does it take to get a Carfax report and how much $$ ???..

Thanks guys

It takes two minutes and all you need is the vin #. The seller should be able to give you that and you just go to carfax.com and input the vin. It normally costs $35 for one or $45 for 5, but pm this guy. He may have a couple more that you can use. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-topic/82023-i-have-4-carfax-vins-i-can-still-run.html

Good luck and for that price I would recommend bringing it in to get checked out before buying. Just to be safe.

 

[JohnsD90]

Get the toyota. VW's will break your wallet if you need repairs. My wife had a 2006 Passat turbo that required $25 ea. windshield wipers. CB joint was junk at 70k. Emission problems, wheel wobble, cracked exhaust, etc. The older VW's are a little easier on the wallet but I will never own one again. I just bought a V6 6speed manual trans 2004 Honda Accord Coupe as a commuter. I drive 70mi one way. With my mods I am down to 15.3mpgs (gps determined) in my T4R. The Honda gets 30.

Weird, Wipers for the jetta were $16 a pair at costco, it really all depends on where you buy parts. I've noticed parts between my 4runner and my dads jetta were almost identical. I also buy from online and search around.

But a good website for parts (for any vehicle, they have great deals) is Auto Parts at AutohausAZ - OEM Auto Parts - Discount Replacement Parts, Resources and Car Care Tips

 

[JohnsD90]

Yeah..I thought about them but I preffer auto..I am also looking at maint costs. If something needs to be fix arent they kind of expensive?

Would you recomend it regardless of high milage?..what about a 99 Passat?...

On my dads jetta one of his CV's just went at 260k miles. and he has went through 3 idler pulleys in the cars lifetime, and every 100k miles we change the wheel bearings, clutch was done at 232k miles, no other real major parts fail, maybe some interior piece will break, but by no means is it a big deal. My sister had the 2.0 liter engine as besides being slow it was reliable, so long as you do proper maintanence you would be more than fine.

 

[JAC]

It takes two minutes and all you need is the vin #. The seller should be able to give you that and you just go to carfax.com and input the vin. It normally costs $35 for one or $45 for 5, but pm this guy. He may have a couple more that you can use. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-topic/82023-i-have-4-carfax-vins-i-can-still-run.html

Good luck and for that price I would recommend bringing it in to get checked out before buying. Just to be safe.

thanks for the info and believe me I am trying to locate a mechanic to take him with me tomorrow. About the Vin?... I asked the seller and he is going to email it to me, he didn't have it on him at the time ..... at least thats what he said. Hope he dont take too long to send it to me ...He did tell me he is the second owner and that the only thing it has is a dent on the lower corner side of the back bumper .......I didn't ask how long he had it though.

And just in case this one don't work...I have been eyeballing this other car

98 Chevy Prizm (toyota Corolla engine) with 151K miles for $2,500 he lowered the price from $2,995 and the guy is giving me a 3 month warranty or 3k miles...watcha think? I have to drive about 1 1/2 hour to go see it. The only thing is no Power Windows

 

[JAC]

The AVALON guy is taking for ever to send me the VIN number I spoke over the phone with him more than an hour ago..so I guess he is not in a hurry to sell it or there is something wrong with the car .....so I keep looking in the mean time.



What about this 99 Camry for $2,800 (I can proly push an extra $300 from my budget if it worth it)...

I spoke with this guy yesterday and he told me the only thing it needs are new Struts sometime soon

I have a Toyota Camry 1999 for sale, car is fully loaded

4 Cylinder and Automatic transmission 100%
Good exterior and tan clean interior(non smoker, no rips or tear)
4 brand new firestone tires
DRL
brakes recently replaced
timing belt recently replaced
CD,AM,FM and Cassette
Heat and A/C works perfect
No accident history
No check light on
No oil leak
has 123,005 right now
Great on gas
has a minor car park dent on front right fender
Car is almost 95% (serviced regularly)
Clean and clear IN title in hand

First to bring cash takes the title and car home right now. check KBB this car sells more than
what im asking. If you need a reliable gas saver car that can go anywhere anytime give me a call now

 

[JohnsD90]

I say the camry looks fine, but $2500 sounds like a more appropiate price, i just dont see why you want an automatic so bad, they tend to be less reliable and cost more, and use more fuel than a manual.

 

[JAC]

Ok so the first Avalon guy never send the VIN number neither the Guy from the 99 Camry so I searched and found 2 other Avalons within the budget or a little above

The first one a 97 they want 2,995 it has 126,901 miles and they have a free carfax report available it had 3 owners and one accident reported

<TABLE id=recordTable1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=evenrow id=record9><TD vAlign=top>06/04/2002 </TD><TD class=mileage></TD><TD vAlign=top>Ohio
Damage Report </TD><TD vAlign=top>Accident reported
It hit another motor vehicle
Very minor damage reported </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




the second one a 96 they want 2,800 for it it has 141,600 miles ..... ran the carfax thank you very much "Hardeep" ..... 1 owner and it has one accident reported

05/07/2008 Pennsylvania
Damage Report
Parts requested to repair damage after
an accident or other incident
Front bumper assembly
Left side fender
Left side front park/turn lamp
Right side park/turn lamp
CARFAX recommends checking these repairs​

during your pre-purchase inspection.


ANY OPINIONS ?

thanks guys

 

[JAC]

Ok after looking everywhere couldn't get a good deal on a Toyota without very high miles or been in an accident . I finally went yesterday and didn't listen to you guys I hope I dont regret it later. But after reading and doing some research About other options besides Toyota...I came up with the Subaru Impreza, Mazda Protege or the VW Golf as my other options. SO this is what I got. I believe it was a good deal.

2002 VW Golf GLS 2.0 AUTO with 105K for $4900 out the door with a clean car fax and no accidents, no rust, it runs smooth, engine under hood extremely clean no noises 6 months warranty all electricals working properly AC/Heat Lights, Sunroof etc etc. Just had $3000 at the moment and the dealer owner let me put it as down and pay off the rest with no interest same as cash in 6 months but if I come up with the rest in less than 3 months He will knock off $300 from the Total.

Is this a good deal or what??..

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Looks clean, cool!

Commuter wise, it's good. Don't waste your 4Runners mod money

 

[JAC]

Looks clean, cool!

Commuter wise, it's good. Don't waste your 4Runners mod money

Hey...No more mods money for the runner at least until next year. SHe got some new Rubbers for Xmas and waiting on the new rims to arrive ...already ordered a few days ago :boink: . Expecting them within 2 weeks. ....Maybe just some new LED tails in a few months....maybe!... But thats it.:biggrin2:

 

[CXS]

'95 XLS, get it! I wish I never sold mine - 220k and drove like new. Best sedan I ever owned.