I'm going to look at a 1999 Pewter/Gray Coupe on Monday. It's got 45,000 miles, HUD, Sport Seats, 6 Speed, stock wagon wheels, looks like no mods whatsoever. Painted roof, from the pictures the car looks to be very clean, it's a one owner car. If everything checks out and the car is in excellent shape as it presents in pictures do you think 19 is too low of an offer, just right or not low enough? The car is on ebay right now with a reserve of 21.5k. It currently sits under 17k on the bid. I have full faith that this car will not sell on ebay for 21.5...probably not even for 20 from what I've been seeing but I'd like to get the opinions of some of you guys.
The farther under 20k I can get it the more money I have left to do some preliminary mods if this turns out to be the car I want (I'm looking at another one as well currently).

Thanks.

 

I'm thinking $20k. You'll have to see the car in person to see how really clean it is before you lay down the $$$. Sometimes it's better to pay a little more for the "clean" car. Just my 2 cents.

 

It sounds like a nice car. The mileage and options sound good. The only thing left is condition. And I think your number is plenty.Good luck.

 

 

So even if it's immaculate 19k is plenty? Should I offer 18.5k? I wouldn't want to offend anyone should this be the car I decide to go with. Would it be beneficial to wait till his ebay auction is over or am I gambling doing that? (Say the high bid is 20k...then he could always offer it to the high bidder as opposed to taking my lower offer?)

Thanks for the help. I just want to settle on a fair price for me and the owner if this is the car I decide to go with.

 

morning bump

 

 

Question, if it's the car you want. Is a grand difference enough to walk away?
I don't think it would be for me. Are you going to own the car for a long time or only hold on to it for a year or so? If it's a short time, then a grand or two may be a big deal, but if you are going to own it for a good long while, it isn't anything in the big picture.

When you look at it and it calls your name, then I would buy it and not worry if it was $18k or $19k or even $20 if it was the right car.


Good luck, I know it's a lot of dough!
Vinnie

 

That's a good point. My only real beef with it is the wagon wheels. I absolutely hate the look of them and I would probably have to spend $700 - $1000 to replace a set of wheels (keeping the stock runflats). That means $700 - $1000 I won't have to buy a new exhaust, intake and shifter


I guess the bottom line is that I don't HAVE to have a car right away so I'm in a good position there...I can wait on the right deal. I will be keeping the car for a long time most likely so I want to get something that I really like. This combo is basically a color/tranny/miles combination that I'm looking for...just not the wheels

 

I guess the bottom line is that I don't HAVE to have a car right away so I'm in a good position there...I can wait on the right deal. I will be keeping the car for a long time most likely so I want to get something that I really like. This combo is basically a color/tranny/miles combination that I'm looking for...just not the wheels [/QUOTE]

If this helps.....I was very specific in what I wanted in a C5 as well. I wanted:

6 speed (not negotiable)
Convertible
Silver or Blue (not negotiable)
black interior
Around 50K miles (absolutely no more than 65K)
Maintenance records
NO mods at all (not negotiable)
MINT car. Mine does not even have one door ding or an interior scratch

The only thing my car needs is a repair on the power portion of the drivers sport seat. Moves front to back but nothing else. (I am afraid to ask how much it may be) However, the settings are stuck in a position that are perfect for me.

Anyway, I found the exact car near to my home, super clean carfax, 1998 Sebring Silver vert with black interior.

I paid $21.5 for it (10 days ago) and didn't really care if it was a good buy or not. (I think I did OK) I absolutely love this car.

My final point. If it is the car you are looking for, just buy it (after looking at it in person) . You can save money for mods over the next 6 months and enjoy driving the stock car in the meantime.

 

19K to close the deal

 

Offer 18.5k and then go up to 19k or just tell him 19k is my top dollar and walk if he won't come down??

Probably depends on the seller's mentality, need/desire to sell the car, disposition I suppose?

 

bump for more input....c'mon folks...I know a lot of you have been through the negotiation process for your vette...help me out here

 

Wheels should be the least of your concerns if it meets the rest of your requirements. Color, tranny, body style etc. are much harder to change.
19k is in the ballpark.

 

Well, wheels are part of my requirements. Let's face it...wheels are a big part of the appeal of a car..otherwise there wouldn't be so many aftermarket wheel companies. I know what you are saying but I'm not going to own a car with Wagon Wheels so if I can't buy a car without them I have to figure that into the money I'm outlaying.

 

I bought mine last summer for less than $20...something but it is a convertible & had 29k on it. I probably paid a bit much for it but it was what I had been looking for for about 5 years. so...........

Point being, If this is the car you want, not going to get rid of it, drive it for 5+ years, a grand is not too much to fool with. Offer 19 & if he counters at 20, split the difference.

 

This is true but i personally wouldnt let wheels keep me from buying a car that otherwise i like. Like people have pointed out wheels are alot easier to change than other things and who knows whatever wheels you choose now in a few yearrs you may want something new so... You should think about it and maybe add it into your cost but dont let it be the sole reason to walk away... just my .02

 

You absolutely need to put your hands on a car before you agree to a LEGAL CONTRACT to buy car. Too much opportunity for sheisters. Hidden damage, prev wreck, mickey mouse work, etc. If you have not already done it, get someone from forum to look at and drive that car.

I hate to see people get burnt.

Not everyone is as honest as you and me.

Ed

 

How long until the auction ends? Wait until it is almost over and then see where it stands. If under the $19K you mentioned, then offer that and see if he accepts. If over $19K, then you have to make a decision on what you are willing to spend.

 

Oh don't worry....I'll be looking at it Monday morning so I'll give it a good once over. It's a single owner car so it shouldn't be too hard to find out the history of it either.


I think the auction ends on Tuesday or Wednesday and it's funny you say that because I was thinking precisely the same thing. Now as long as the car doesn't get bid up too high I should be able to make my case that I'm making a fair offer. From past ebay auctions I've watched I'm betting the car doesn't get bid up past 17,500. If that's the case I think 19k looks pretty good. Now if it actually does get pushed up over 19 it's going to be hard for me to make a good case for him taking an offer around 19 unless I can sell him on ease of transaction since I'm local.

The more I've thought about it, if the car represents in person as good as it does in pictures I do want it and I'd be willing to give him 20k for it so I think I'll start at 19k and see what happens.