Would you buy this car?

[englishteacha]

My car is likely dead. It will cost more to repair it than it's worth. A co-worker offered to sell me his '99 Lexus for $3k. It has 105K miles, but he's a fastidious person: the car is in excellent condition and has been serviced regularly. If the manual said to do something at 90K miles, it was done. He's taken excellent care of it (as he has taken care of everything in his life. That's why I'm considering buying the car). He's perfectly content still driving the Lexus, but wants to get a hybrid (and has saved the cash to do so!). This man is very financially savvy. He has no debt at all! Home, cars, son's college, all paid for. He's not rich, but very smart with his money. I wouldn't usually even consider a private sale car, except for knowing who has taken care of this one. Even if we just get 3 years out of it, it's a bargain.

We're getting a second opinion on my car this Wed. It's paid for and we didn't plan on having to replace it just yet, but it could be thousands of dollars in repair for a 1997 Chevy Malibu. It's not worth thousands of dollars, but we don't want to take out a big car loan, either.

Thoughts?

 

[dakcp2001]

What is the KBB and edmunds value on the car you will buy from him?

More importantly, are you going to be resentful or angry with him if something breaks or goes wrong? I think the hardest part of buying a used car is knowing what condition it is in, and since you know him and know he took good care of it, I'd say that is really worth a lot! I think it seems like it might be a good deal. I mean that is half the battle,
worrying about where it has been.

He isn't like asking you on a date or anything is he? Just make sure there are not any expectations. lol.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I'd have a trusted mechanic check it out, but it sounds like a winner. We bought a 1997 Volvo 850 under similar circumstances in 2005. We paid $6000 for it and it had only 88,000 miles on it; a drive around the block for a Volvo. Six years and 182,000 miles later, it's still going strong. DD#2's next-door neighbor offered to buy it for $5000!

Queen Colleen

 

[DisneyZane]

Generally they're quite reliable and usually people you know well don't try to sell you lemons. If it's a good buy according to KBB I'd definitely consider it.

 

[englishteacha]

It books on KBB for $6200, and he's willing to throw in snow tires as well as the new summer tires that are on it (and the snow tires are on rims!). He's a good guy (and no, he's not asking me on a date) He and his wife both are employed by our school district, and they're very kind people. He's the teacher that will see a baseball glove on sale for a bargain, and buy it so he has one to give to a kid who wants to try out for the team but doesn't have a glove. His wife has been known to buy clothes for our needy students when she's been bargain shopping. (a couple years ago, one of our students families had a fire right before the spring dance. They bought her a dress and her ticket, and went and took tons of pictures because her family had lost EVERYTHING.) They're the type of people we all aspire to be.

DH and I have had a very tough year with a lot of challenges thrown our way, and I think he knows what a huge difference a reliable, affordable car would make for us right now. He also knows that we've been debt free, except our home, for a few years now, and doesn't want us to go into debt if we don't have to.

 

[twinboysmom]

Yes, I would.

 

[S. C.]

Yes

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Sounds like a good deal! Hope it works out for you.

 

[walkdmc]

I would. You'll probably get another 100k miles out of it and that's worth 3k, IMO.

 

[arthur06]

 

[walkdmc]

I just traded in a 2004 Honda Odyssey with 145,000 miles on it and some dents and got $4300.

 

[shortbun]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I have a son turning 16 in July; if you don't want it.....pm me, lol! Not really, I'm in Ohio but I hope I can find something like that for his first car.

 

[momof1princess]

OP, normally, i wouldn't recommend buying a car that old. however, considering that it's had excellent upkeep, and the character of the person selling it, i wouldn't hesitate. whatever you do, keep up the maintenance. my car is a 1994, and still running, because DH changes the oil and other fluids (transmission, antifreeze, etc.) regularly.

 

[Bribrittmom]

I think it sounds like a great deal.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

If you don't buy it, I'll take it! LOL Well taken care of Toyotas/Lexus are known to regularly get 300k miles. Sounds like a great deal to me!

 

[mrodgers]

1997 Chevy Malibu

I would buy a 105k mile Lexus in a heartbeat before I even thought of buying a brand new Chevy Malibu....

 

[Swimalie]

My first thought was not to buy a car from a co-worker but if a mechanic says its okay and based on his character, I'd say go for it.

 

[seashoreCM]

Does it work perfectly in every respect?

Never take the seller's word that the car needs this or that or a tuneup as an excuse for something's not being perfect. The seller should have done the this or that or the tuneup first.

Example: A power window is sluggish. You might find it stuck open shortly after you buy the car.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Lexus's are great cars. I dont see why you couldnt get another 100k from it, easily.

 

[girli565]

You could easily get 200-300k miles on a lexus/toyota, if the mechanic says it's good I'd buy it!