Pls help me figure out if this is a fair car price

[FireWithin]

This is only the second car that we have purchased. I am trying to figure out two things: 1. Is this a fair price for this particular car? 2. Can we find a car of equal mechanical quality (willing to have less frills and more cosmetic issues) at a lesser price?

2004 Odyssey LX
102,000 miles
interior and exterior in good shape
*except the windshield needs replacement at $300
typical Odyssey frills - (tv - don't really want, automatic sliding doors)
They reduced the price to $7500, from $8800

A trusted mechanic looked at it and pointed out the following
It needs typical maintenance (tires, brakes, timing belt) at a cost of $2000.

So this will increase the cost of the car to $9800. We were not planning on paying this much for a minivan, but we can swing it. Is this an appropriate cost for one?

This is a Craig's List purchase. We were hoping by doing it this way we could cut out the costs of the middle man.

[mum4boys]

Have you checked kelly blue book to see if it is a fair price?
Have you done a title check on this vehicle.

I think the price your mechanic quoted you for the work being done is way to high.

[FireWithin]

good questions. I think part of the problem is trying to figure out where the car rates - is it good or fair?
good 7,425
fair 6,650
the car looks great, but the tires are shot.

(although I swear the last time we looked two weeks ago the numbers were higher).

thanks for the mechanic comment. I saw the breakdown and it seemed appropriate. I wonder if I call around to other mechanics if they could quote specifically what it would cost. The costs are certainly higher than the costs for my little corolla. I was surprised by how much more a minivan repair costs. I also wonder if it is because I live in a high cost of living area.

tires (michelin at $139) - maybe could find equal quality cheaper) total $679
brakes (rotors, pads, etc) $680
timing belt and all the maintenance surround it $600-$700


We need to do a title check.

[Red Pajama]

My trick for getting good deals on vehicles is edmunds.com . Much like kelly blue book, but I think you get better pricing information. They have pricing information based upon how you are buying-- dealer, private party, or trade in value. You can also use the "find my car" feature and find vehicles that meet your criteria within a specific radius of your location.

Ok, I just went to edmunds myself. I guessed information I didn't know, and used my location (midwest).

If you were trying to trade in this vehicle, you'd get about 5,600. Private party sale suggested 6,700. Dealer retail suggested 7,800. I considered condition "average" since you said you know it needs work. You might get very different information with your own location and other specific information.

[FireWithin]

great info thanks

It looks like edmunds is giving me similar pricing for dealer costs. There are no private sales published. Dealer costs would probably have hidden costs also? right. How much would I be expected to pay over the quoted dealer cost?

[Red Pajama]

There are hidden costs at the dealer, but I always use the edmunds info to negotiate down from the dealer's price.

[lovebug]

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/hon...tion=vdpresult
i would pass and find one that needs less work if nothin else!

[mum4boys]

I do believe you can get your tires a lot cheaper for the same brand. It should cost you for everything about $100 a tire. Check out Costco if you have one. Even if you have go buy a membership you are going to save money.

Your brakes are way to high. We just had our brakes done, front and back and rotors and pads were replaced. We got it done at Walt's which is a regional company. We used their March's coupon and paid with tax $183.00. We shopped around and found two other shops in our town with similar prices.

The timing belt is just about right. I would not figure to pay more then $500.00.

Is this asking price for the van? I would not pay asking price especially since it needs, tires, windshield, brakes and a timing belt. I would say that is only fair.

[MyTwoAs]

According to KBB.com - the miles are high, expected mileage is 72k or so. Here is the description of a Fair Quality Vehicle, which I think fits the description you've given us:

Some mechanical or cosmetic defects and needs servicing but is still in reasonable running condition.
Clean title history, the paint, body and/or interior need work performed by a professional.
Tires may need to be replaced.
There may be some repairable rust damage.

Values differ by region but in Arizona, the private party value of the vehicle is $6,850. I do feel that the vehicle is over priced and you can very likely find a vehicle with lower mileage and fewer out-of-pocket costs. How long have you been looking?

[A&A]

Also get a carfax on it:

http://www.carfax.com/

[crunchy_mommy]

I'm not sure, the others seem to have more insight, but I would not pay that much & I also would not buy a vehicle with over 100K miles on it... 75K would seem more appropriate & I usually shoot for less than 50K. Good luck in your car search, I hate car shopping lol!!!

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by Mammo2Sammo

This is only the second car that we have purchased. I am trying to figure out two things: 1. Is this a fair price for this particular car? 2. Can we find a car of equal mechanical quality (willing to have less frills and more cosmetic issues) at a lesser price?

2004 Odyssey LX
102,000 miles
interior and exterior in good shape
*except the windshield needs replacement at $300
typical Odyssey frills - (tv - don't really want, automatic sliding doors)
They reduced the price to $7500, from $8800

A trusted mechanic looked at it and pointed out the following
It needs typical maintenance (tires, brakes, timing belt) at a cost of $2000.

So this will increase the cost of the car to $9800. We were not planning on paying this much for a minivan, but we can swing it. Is this an appropriate cost for one?

This is a Craig's List purchase. We were hoping by doing it this way we could cut out the costs of the middle man.

You are close to 10k for a 6 yr old vehicle??
This 6yr old vehicle has 102k miles on it.

Honestly I would pass and look for something low mileage, around here minivans are 'a dime a dozen'.

[Dar]

Originally Posted by lovebug

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/hon...tion=vdpresult

Edmunds.com says its a good deal. i did it form MN because i dont know where you live. i did blue for color and Avg for body because of the windshild... if you want to take a look at the site yourself and put in the right info... its a great help! GOOD LUCK, but looks like a good deal to me...

Huh. I put in my zip and rough for the condition (the one below average... any car that needs 2K in work is not average in my book) and got $4245 for a private party sale. The condition knocked off a couple K, and the mileage knocks off more.

So I'd definitely pass it by....

[nataliachick7]

the amount of miles on that for the price is ridiculous. i just got a brand new car for $9,000 with zero miles on it.

[FireWithin]

thanks so much. I knew I could come to you mamas for new ideas.

mum4boys - thanks for the ideas about repair costs. I will keep that for all future stuff

I am leaning towards not. The deal is not great, and we are not in a huge rush.

The info I got here will help us make better decisions when looking at other cars.

thanks again.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by Dar

Huh. I put in my zip and rough for the condition (the one below average... any car that needs 2K in work is not average in my book) and got $4245 for a private party sale. The condition knocked off a couple K, and the mileage knocks off more.

So I'd definitely pass it by....

yes i agree! i thought it was only the window when i posted... i am going to go edit my OP.

what i will say is it is a honda... they can out live most cars! also diff areas call for diff pricing. trucks are more spendy in the mid-west and in the Mtn states. this might be the care for the OP

[lmonter]

Mileage seems high to me for the year, but we bought a 2001 Honda Odyssey with 102K-ish miles for $7300 this fall - on craigslist as well. After that we dumped about $1300-$1500 into it for all new tires, new rotors, brakes, timing belt and 100K maintenance (through a groovy independent mechanic, *not* the dealership), and something else. Hubby did the brakes, rotors, oil, etc.

But, there's been a definite shortage of good, used minivans in a 60 mile radius of me, and I live in the inland northwest. There's always 8-13yo Caravans with dents/issues around for $2K, but my family isn't up up for that kind of "adventure" (that's what VW camper vans are for!). Heck, a friend of mine was looking for a decent, non-salvage-titled minivan for $4K, and it took her 4-5 months to find one.