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Buying a used car - advice

 
 
llf2444
 
Reply Tue 11 May, 2004 01:44 pm
I have about $2000 to buy a used car. I'm very hesitant with some of the great prices I've encountered. Can anyone tell me if the following description is true/honest? Is it worth it? Thanks!

1994 Nissan Altima GXE, in overall good condition with a strong engine and transmission, clean interior, two almost new tires (and the other two still have plenty of life also), a few dings normal for a car of this age, but still looks like a nice car.

$600 or make an offer

It needs a few things to be driveable, or would be great for a parts car:
* New Windshield and rear passenger's side window (they were shot out by hooligans when I had it sitting out for sale Sad the windshield is still ok, but has visible marks, and the rear window is broken, covered with plastic, and the vehicle is in a garage )
* Right front CV boot is torn, axle will need to be replaced

Also worth noting, the vehicle has the following personality traits:
* Touchy ignition switch--works, but takes some getting used to
* Windshield wiper switch arm broke off and has been replaced with a screw. It works! It has character.
* The heat/AC blower does not have in-between settings, it is either on or off. I've been told this is easy to fix with a resistor pack. Heat is nice and warm, AC is nice and cold, and the temperature adjustment and vent settings work fine.
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jespah
 
  1  
Reply Tue 11 May, 2004 03:02 pm
I can't say much for sure, but you will have to do a lot of work to get this car ready to pass inspection, so you'll need to factor those repairs into the overall price of the vehicle.
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L R R Hood
 
  1  
Reply Tue 11 May, 2004 03:06 pm
www.consumerreports.com
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fishin
 
  1  
Reply Tue 11 May, 2004 07:12 pm
There is no way anyone is going to be able to tell you if the description is "true" or "honest" without actually checking out the car themselves.

Just looking at the list of things it needs you are already over the $2000 marker by the time all the repairs are made unless you can do them yourself and find all the parts in a junk yard.

They did list several things that are wrong with it and selling it for almost nothing so I'd be tempted to say they are at least telling you what they know. What they may NOT know is that the engine is ready to blow and the transmission will fall out in another 200 miles. That's the risk of buying a used car.
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PDiddie
 
  1  
Reply Wed 12 May, 2004 03:45 am
That's an incredibly embellished description of a sled.

A beater. A jalopy.

Who prepared that description? The owner?

With those literative talents he ought to be driving a nicer car...

fishin' is on it. How much is an axle for a '94 Altima? Just pick up the phone and call any Nissan service department and ask them. I'm thinking more than a thousand bucks, which makes $600 for the rest of the car sound like less of a bargain.

Stay away from this car, but do make a point of searching out this person's other writings, in the classified ads or elsewhere.
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