Hello, I'm thinking of buying a 2000 Toyota Camry with 141,000 miles. Guy asking $3,750 and second owner claims meticulously maintained with all receipts. KBB says private party value range is $1,660 to $3,307 in excellent condition. What do you think? Buy or no buy? Fair price?
Definitely Buy, I have a 2001 Toyota Camry, Solara, lasted me 20 years and 189k on it and in still great condition, a few minor problems here and there but nothing major so far. I'd definitely buy, as long as you take good care of it, might last you for a lifetime
I can already hear Scotty saying "First what you gotta do is get it checked by an honest mechanic who knows what he's doing." At this price it sure doesn't look like a beated up car trying to sell as quickly as possible. I think it's worth getting it inspected, it might cost 80 bucks but hey, if it's in perfect shape it can last a pretty long time, and if it isn't, you can negociate down the price a little. Either ways it pays off.
Haggle on the price I'd go below 3 grand but also remember to have a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection on it. The price is a bit high KBB values are usually inaccurate when it comes to private party values. You should look at the trade in value and if it is in excellent condition, shoot for the highest price of the trade in value. In this case, I believe it is 2500 according to edmunds. The car itself is great as long as the mechanical condition is good.
Thanks everyone. Yeah, he originally had it on CL for $4,100, then "reduced" it to $3,900, then told me privately he'd sell it for $3,750 "but no lower". He bought the car in 2018 with 86,000 miles, so he racked up a lot of miles in 2½ years, though he says "have all receipts from original owner". I was doing research online, and some folks say "don't buy 2010 Camry cos it has "oil sludging problems". Of course, buying used is always a risk: Scotty recommends the 2011 Camry in his list of "used cars to buy" and he always says "get a manual transmission" when buying Toyota products. This car has a manual, which, along with the crazy price, is probably why he's having a hard time selling it (almost no one drives manuals anymore). Dude says he won't go any lower in price. Don't know if that is good or bad. Since my grandson just sold HIS Camry for only $800, that tells me there are good deals out there, since Camrys aren't rare.
Its a 2000 right? Camry automatics are good usually but some years are weak. I wouldn't pay 4k for one. I'd look at 2006 or so for the price. 2007-2014 should be avoided.
too much for 21 year old car tbh.. whats your area i could find you a better one.
He's in Eugene, Oregon.
Hello again,
Kerem, it has a manual transmission, which made me think it was "safe" compared to other used Camry. Heck, my grandson bought an old Camry for $800 with 90K miles, and it ran great, though the body was rough. Thanks for the advice about not buying 2007 to 2014. I've been told 2000 model year cars sometime have oil sludge problems, which is why I was reticent about this one.
Jebrim, thank you for your kind offer. I live in Eugene, Oregon. My problem is that I'm 66 years old, and I've always gotten screwed buying used cars: I always pay too much, and end up putting $2,000 in repairs into a car, the first year I own it. Basically, I'm looking for a reliable, *QUIET* car cos my wife is 64, going deaf, and our Subaru Impreza is too loud for her (300K miles and going strong, but just waiting for it to die).
I knew the guy was asking too much, from the get-go, but figured I could bargain him down, since no one will pay $4,000 for a 21 year old Camry. And since he only bought it 2 and a half years ago, he probably didn't pay much for it himself. Probably flipping it, or tired of fixing it.
Thanks again for the informed responses. Regards, Zeke
offering $2,500 and have it checked by an honest mechanic
If it passes a mechanical inspection, $3000 would be fair. And those are good cars.
