[VaSteve]

Originally posted by kaisen

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.

I don't think I'm being picky, but I do value your opinion. The seller advertised it in the local PCA magazine saying that all this work (including brakes and tires) has been done in the past 30K miles, so that was a major selling point for me. When things don't pan out as they were advertised (or he expected them to be) I think there's room for negotiation. I got the shop estimate and the DIY estimate so I would have a range.

I got a PPI so I'm serious about it and have felt him out about price softeness. Last guy I talked to said if I wanted a PPI, fine. But if there was any thing that needed to be done he wasn't negotiating price he just wouldn't sell it to me.

Previous car buying experience was limted to beating up dealers on price or lowballing motivated sellers from 5 hours away (911). This is new territory for me.

Thanks for the advice.

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

I think many sellers don't know what they have or what it's worth. This is an original owner that has taken the car all over the country with him on miltary moves. There is probably some nostalgia about it as well. I talked to another guy that is selling an 89 944. He bought it for $5000, put in $3000 immediately 8 years ago. Has been trying to unload it for about 2 years but is failing because of his inflated price. At least the seller of the car I PPI'ed is in the ball park.

That said, be reasonable and most of all respectful, don't lowball and you'll probably get a good price. You're talking about a cheap car here. I know I wouldn't tolerate being insulted over a cheap car.

I agree and that's why I'm asking.