The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Toyota Camry - Older than 10 Years Question
SkyGheNe
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I'm going with a friend to take a look at a 1990 toyota camry with 200,300 miles on it. It recently got new tires, a timing belt, and an oil change. Supposedly it has never broken down, and the seller is asking for $400 (but I'm pretty sure I could get him to sell for $350).
He's trying to sell it soon because he bought a new car and didn't trade this car in. We're meeting him at a dealership where his old car is...a few questions:
1) Why might he have chosen not to trade in his car when purchasing the new car? Why is it still at the dealership?
2) I know that cars that are older than 10 years need to be inspected by the DMV when you get registered...how can I make sure that my friend does not buy a car this old, then go to the DMV only to find out it does not pass - can I ask the dealership then and there to check it out completely to guarantee that it passes a registration inspection?
He's trying to sell it soon because he bought a new car and didn't trade this car in. We're meeting him at a dealership where his old car is...a few questions:
1) Why might he have chosen not to trade in his car when purchasing the new car? Why is it still at the dealership?
2) I know that cars that are older than 10 years need to be inspected by the DMV when you get registered...how can I make sure that my friend does not buy a car this old, then go to the DMV only to find out it does not pass - can I ask the dealership then and there to check it out completely to guarantee that it passes a registration inspection?
SkyGheNe on
0
Posts
Satans..... hints.....
The only thing to look out for is 1990 car with 200k miles is towards the end of its life. You will likely be able to squeeze another 50k miles out of it but it will only be more and more of a pain. Of course, if you actually do maintenance on it and keep it running well it might not.
Its a good deal provided it passes inspection and isn't beat to hell mechanically.
it should last a bit
My parents had a 91 Camry that they bought as a beater car about 5 years ago and drove the thing everywhere; thing had over 250k miles on it up in Minnesota. Then my dad was hit by a dump truck on the expressway and spun across 4 lanes into a barrier, which totaled the car (bent the frame). My dad was thankfully OK and, stupidly enough, the car still started and ran.
Yeah, probably this. When we bought my current car, we had them look at my 10 year old car and they offered $500 for trade in. We declined and sold it for $1500 ourselves.
I know in '05 when I bought a new car they only wanted to give me a few hundred bucks for my '91 MR2. I declined and sold it myself for $2k or $3k. Some dealerships won't take older cars like that at all. I'm guessing that if you walk around the dealership's used lot you won't see anything more than 8 or 10 years old.
Yeah, which is understandable. They probably just sell them for scrap. But still, it's almost an insult when you see that number. Thankfully we've never really had a problem selling a car ourselves.
Yeah, the dealership (even when you're buying a new car) doesn't actually give you anything for your trade. Even those deals that advertise "$1000 on a trade, garanteed!" will say they give you $1000, but then just refuse to come down another $1000 on the new car. Dealers never pay well for used cars.
So this might be worth it as long as the previous owner treated it well.
1) Owner probably wouldn't have gotten anything for it at the dealership. Dealership may have just said "no thanks." Just show up a few minutes early and ask the dealership guys why they didn't want it.
2) No idea what state you live in, but in Texas I think most dealerships are certified to do vehicle inspections. So yes they could. But keep in mind, they are going to charge you for it, and if your DMV doesn't accept the dealership's inspections, then you've got to pay for two inspections.
Yeah - I figure if the car runs well it should be a go, which'll be nice for my friend...even if it lasted a few months it'd be worth it.