Buying a used car - Why is it...?

[KillJoy]

I have been looking for a 90's Jeep Cherokee for several months now, and have not found one to my liking.

Why is it that folks think their 17 year onl car, with 190K on the clock, that leaks oil, has rusted floor boards on both the Pass and Driver side foot wells, needs tires soon and needs a "Tune Up" is worth $1500???

I wish I could find something worth the asking price somewhere local :rolleyes:

KillJoy

PS - Wanna sell me your's cheap?????

[Bluerauder]

Why is it that folks think their 17 year onl car, with 190K on the clock, that leaks oil, has rusted floor boards on both the Pass and Driver side foot wells, needs tires soon and needs a "Tune Up" is worth $1500???

Kelley Blue Book lists "private party value" on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee Limited Sport Utility 4D in "Fair" condition with 190K at $1,700.00. So this one may not be too far off the mark. Of course, something is only worth what you are willing to pay. Your call.

[KillJoy]

Kelley Blue Book lists "private party value" on a 1990 Jeep Cherokee Limited Sport Utility 4D in "Fair" condition with 190K at $1,700.00. So this one may not be too far off the mark. Of course, something is only worth what you are willing to pay. Your call.


:up:

Yup.....I know KBB's and a few of the others.

However, IMO, I feel that quite a few of them around here are not as "I" would describe Fair.

Oh well...

KillJoy

[Breadfan]

You just gotta hold out for that "gem." BTW if there's a mansion in the background of the pics, it's hints that the people aren't in it for the money (as they have plenty already), they just want the "old eyesore" off the property, some of the best deals can be had there. ;)

Craigslist is a good resource because posting is free, so you'll find cheaper cars that people normally would not pay for a classified ad to post.

Just jump on the good ones fast, in my area the gems on there go Quick.

Oh and if it looks like way too good a deal, it's probably Craiglist spam...darn spammers...

[Eric91Z]

And why is it that so few people seem to take care of their vehicles? I am in the same boat that I am slowly looking for a new daily driver. Everything I have looked at looks like the previous owners (how ever many there are or have been) could case less about the condition of the car outside, inside, and under the hood.

Now, I am definitely more anal than the average car owner, but I expect some level of upkeep and maintenance as well as cleaning on any car I will look at buying. How hard is it to wash and vacuum the car on a regular basis and clean out the garabage you leave in there?

[Marauder386]

An unfortunate example of how we have become a disposable society ? Or just some folks are really not taught to respect what they have ? I dunno...

:cool:

[ckadiddle]

I try to take care of my cars, but I neither wash them myself or do mechanic work on them myself. Mine won't be showroom pieces in ten years, but they won't be POSes either.

[Haggis]

I know of a 1986 Grand national for sale, runs great, body in good condition. T-tops and digital dash, all stock and 90% original. Can be had for a great price.

[KillJoy]

I know of a 1986 Grand national for sale, runs great, body in good condition. T-tops and digital dash, all stock and 90% original. Can be had for a great price.


How does it perform in 3" of snow, over black ice?

;)

KillJoy

[Haggis]

How does it perform in 3" of snow, over black ice?

;)

KillJoy

Don't know...we do not have 3" of snow or black ice on the ground. :drive:

[Leadfoot281]

I have a nice collection of tapes, CD's, can coolers, pens, and window scapers because people don't clean out their cars. Don't look at it as junk but as a treasure hunt!

Buying is the opposite to selling. When selling a car, you try to make the other party believe they really love a car. When buying, try to make them hate their car.

Explain and point out EVERY little thing that's wrong with it. Even if it's obvious. Make certain they know you see all the faults. Be pessimistic! (the tires are half bald!). Make them believe that their car is living on borrowed time. If it's got a big motor, whine about gas milage. Try not to pi$$ them off too much. Mention how much you like the bumper stickers (if they have some). Don't put them down, put down their vehical.

Don't show up in a freshly waxed Marauder! Wear some ratty clothes and, if possible, borrow a friends rusty old '82 Cavalier (if you decide to buy the car, you'll need some one to drive it home). This also makes you look serious about buying the car and increases the odds they'll let it go cheap. Car sellers HATE having a whole parade of "tire kickers" bother them at home.

Cash talks, BS walks!

If they want 25% over Blue book for their car because it has new brakes, ask them how much they would sell the car without the brakes. (I met a guy that thought working brakes actually increased the value of his car!).

As a last resort, low-ball them by at least 50%. What's the worst they can could do? Say no?!

[txmarauder]

You can blame the high prices on pos cars because of new car prices being so high. 1-2k for something that moves under its own power is about the norm these days.
Most people dont care about maintaining their vehicles, they dont want to waste the time. That is why when people like us who keep our vehicle in top notch condition cant get what we deserve for them when we sell them. Most people would rather save a couple hundred or even thousands for a car that is dirty and under maintained because they themselves dont care if it lasts since they will probably sell it in a couple years anyways.
That is why i am selling all my newer vehicles to go back to old school classics. They cost a little more in gas, but the depreciation is done and it will go up in value if not already, easier to work on, cheaper on insurance, easier to get parts for, better candidate for performance since they dont have to pass smog after 24 yrs and actually more dependable since there is less parts to go wrong.

[Hauser717]

If I may make a suggestion.

Drive at least 2 hours out from the city to some small town and buy a local paper. Turn to the classifieds and start circling interesting cars.

My daily driver is a '91 Ford Escort. Not much to look at, but gets 28 miles to the gallon. I bought it from a little old lady who took care of the car and didn't dive it that much the past few years. I bought it for $1200 with no mechanical issues and only 72K miles on it. The car had been kept in a garage so the paint and upholstery is in great condition. A car like this in the city would have had a sticker of $3K for certain even though KBB says $1500.

So the moral of the story is to get away from the city where demand is high. Look out in the country where commutes are short and the expectations are low.

[FastMerc]

Hey what do you think of a modern day transportation special,back in the day it would have been 200 dollars now they are 1,500 oh well:D