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I always have to laugh when I read how people negotiate. Who cares what they're asking? The car is worth what it is worth. Why would it matter how long they've been trying to sell the car, or how many offers the seller has had? If it's a really nice car, but $2000 over market value, do you just pay what they're asking? No, of course not. Pay market value, period. If it is NOT nice, but takes $2000 in repairs to get it into nice shape, do you offer them $2000 less than market value? Maybe, but usually an average car isn't going to bring all that much less than a nice car.
As you're finding, it doesn't take long to rack up $1000's at a shop. Be picky enough and I'm sure you could find $5000 in repairs to make the car perfect. Used cars aren't perfect.
I would think you are being really picky about the tires and brakes. The rotors may just need to be cleaned up. Might happen through agressive driving, may need to be turned on a brake lathe. Cheap either way. The tires, if they're only a couple years old, are safe for their intended use on the street, and should be fine with a few heat cycles. What if they were literally brand newPep Boys? Would you ask for a discount because they wouldn't work on the track? Is he selling it as a track car? The timing belt is legit, but he's not going to knock off $700 from a fair asking price just because it hasn't been done for a while. If it is way over service interval, maybe.
All I'm saying is that every car has its value. As a buyer or seller, it is your job to know the real transaction value of what you have. If other cars like yours are really bringing $4000, why ask or pay $5000? Would you negotiate if they were asking $3800 for the $4000 car just because no one has come to look at it yet? When I sell my cars I set a realistic price based on real market transaction prices and I do not negotiate. I disclose everything I know, and tell them it is what it is, and the price is the price. The buyers have been happy and it's fair all around.
Just my $.02
E
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