Yet another car replacement thread

Something fishy about that Accord wagon's suspension.
 
Something fishy about that Accord wagon's suspension.

Is it the rear wheels? I noticed that too if so....

When I get home from work I'll round up all the cars I have planned to see Friday so I can narrow the range down more. I'm debating pushing a few appts back into the evening that way I don't need to take off work.

That is only if I can't get a unscheduled day off though.

I need to make a choice before Sunday ideally.
 
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The driver's side front looks lower than the others; might be an issue of parking but it could be collapsed. Need to be sure.
 
Springs on Accords in general seems to be a problem. My old Aerodeck snapped three springs during the time I owned it and there are none to be found in the junkyards. The cars out on ads either have broken springs or they have recently been replaced.
 
Ok so here so far is what i have to look at on friday:

98 Contour: Ok so it's not the best vehicle out there but I talked to the seller and she says it's been quite reliable for her husband. only reason they're getting rid of it is because he bought a new pickup truck and insurance on 3 cars is a bit much.

93 GS300: The seller knows absolutely nothing about the vehicle except that he can drive it. IIRC he was given the car or something like that.

94 Camry V6: Currently not inspected but after I purchase vehicle, seller will get it inspected. He anticipates it needing nothing to pass inspection. I've got confirmation that the inspection cost is included in the purchase price.

Based on his confidence, the fact that the Camry in question is widely regarded as the best generation of Camry and the written (well text message) confirmation that the inspection cost is included, I'm leaning toward pretty much paying for the car outright when i visit after work if everything works out car wise.

In addition to these though, what about this: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4331175089.html - 85 Fleetwood

Should i cut any of these? I think i'll cut the GS first, then the Contour (well...because Contour...cool car in the whole "not very popular Euro car" way (Aka..the Astra effect) but not terribly reliable).
 
94 Camry V6: Currently not inspected but after I purchase vehicle, seller will get it inspected. He anticipates it needing nothing to pass inspection. I've got confirmation that the inspection cost is included in the purchase price.

So what if the $50 inspection is included if the car needs something big and the seller is no longer responsible because you already bought the damn thing.
 
So what if the $50 inspection is included if the car needs something big and the seller is no longer responsible because you already bought the damn thing.

True, I guess I should make it a condition that it passes inspection first.

Edit: he says he went over the whole car so he doesn't for see it failing inspection. Bah, looks like the contour is my best bet at this point.
 
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True, I guess I should make it a condition that it passes inspection first.

Edit: he says he went over the whole car so he doesn't for see it failing inspection. Bah, looks like the contour is my best bet at this point.

Then tell him if it passes inspection you will buy it immediately, otherwise no dice.

That Caddy is the shit drivetrain. Also, just say no to the Failtour, you know damn well what it will do 10 minutes after you buy it.
 
Ok so here so far is what i have to look at on friday:



94 Camry V6: Currently not inspected but after I purchase vehicle, seller will get it inspected. He anticipates it needing nothing to pass inspection. I've got confirmation that the inspection cost is included in the purchase price.

Based on his confidence, the fact that the Camry in question is widely regarded as the best generation of Camry and the written (well text message) confirmation that the inspection cost is included, I'm leaning toward pretty much paying for the car outright when i visit after work if everything works out car wise.

My mom had a '93 LE. It was a very reliable and easy to drive car (I learnt to drive on that car). I'd also agree that it was one of, if not the best generation Camry out there. I don't know about the V6, but the 4 banger was a pretty economic little engine. Damn near bullet proof, until my mother crashed it. If it can pass inspections, then it should serve you pretty well. And it being the coupe, adds a little microscopic smidgen of cool factor (as far as Camrys go anyway :p )
 
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Then tell him if it passes inspection you will buy it immediately, otherwise no dice.

That Caddy is the shit drivetrain. Also, just say no to the Failtour, you know damn well what it will do 10 minutes after you buy it.

I'll send him that tomorrow morning, it's 9 pm here. I was half joking with the caddy and I'll let the seller of the contour down gently.

How about this (JK): http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4331179938.html

My mom had a '93 LE. It was a very reliable and easy to drive car (I learnt to drive on that car). I'd also agree that it was one of, if not the best generation Camry out there. I don't know about the V6, but the 4 banger was a pretty economic little engine. Damn near bullet proof, until my mother crashed it. If it can pass inspections, then it should serve you pretty well. And it being the coupe, adds a little microscopic smidgen of cool factor (as far as Camrys go anyway :p )

Good to know!
 
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The 92-93 V6 Camry had a garbage 3VZ engine, the one that blows headgaskets that they never figured out how to fix. A 94 has the 1MZ engine whose only problem is slightly oversensitive knock sensors.

Hey, here's exactly the sort of thing you're looking to see: http://york.craigslist.org/cto/4332734486.html

And another one: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4332748189.html

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http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4332129396.html

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4293352836.html

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One other thing - on the 90s Camries, check VERY carefully for signs of sludging in the oil. That was the era where that started happening and you don't want to get stuck with the bill to fix it. (You can take steps to make sure it doesn't happen while you own it if it hasn't sludged up yet.)
 
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The 92-93 V6 Camry had a garbage 3VZ engine, the one that blows headgaskets that they never figured out how to fix. A 94 has the 1MZ engine whose only problem is slightly oversensitive knock sensors.

Hey, here's exactly the sort of thing you're looking to see: http://york.craigslist.org/cto/4332734486.html

And another one: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4332748189.html

- - - Updated - - -

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4332129396.html

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/cto/4293352836.html

- - - Updated - - -

One other thing - on the 90s Camries, check VERY carefully for signs of sludging in the oil. That was the era where that started happening and you don't want to get stuck with the bill to fix it. (You can take steps to make sure it doesn't happen while you own it if it hasn't sludged up yet.)


I texted about the accord and the lancaster camry. I'll be checking for sludge in either camry for sure. How's insurance costs on the celica by chance?

edit: Accord's inspection is expired...
 
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You have to distinguish between the 3VZ-E found in the trucks and the 3VZ-FE that was in the Camry and ES300; the truck one was bad and had the problems Spectre mentioned, while the Camry ones are fine and as bulletproof as the 1/2JZ.
 
You have to distinguish between the 3VZ-E found in the trucks and the 3VZ-FE that was in the Camry and ES300; the truck one was bad and had the problems Spectre mentioned, while the Camry ones are fine and as bulletproof as the 1/2JZ.

Gotta disagree on that - the Camry 3VZ-FE was only around for two years and the problems turned out to be the same only much more delayed from what I have heard. Whereas the truck ones went boom at the end of warranty, the Camry ones waited 10 years then went boom.

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I texted about the accord and the lancaster camry. I'll be checking for sludge in either camry for sure. How's insurance costs on the celica by chance?

edit: Accord's inspection is expired...

Celica is usually cheap to insure as it is not that popular among the car crash set.

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If you can get the guy down to 1500 (he wants 1700 OBO, so it might just be a matter of waving cash in his face), this would be good.
http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4332588262.html

I'd second that.
 
Alright so I plan on looking at the Camry. When I contact the 300m seller, should I offer 1500 up front via text or wait until I'm there in person and have looked over the car?

I guess this applies to the Camry seller as well, should I say I'll buy it if it passes inspection once I've looked the car over, etc.
 
Alright so I plan on looking at the Camry. When I contact the 300m seller, should I offer 1500 up front via text or wait until I'm there in person and have looked over the car?

I guess this applies to the Camry seller as well, should I say I'll buy it if it passes inspection once I've looked the car over, etc.
You should never ever say you buy a car before checking it out. Check it out, make an offer if it's good. Make a conditional offer if you you want the seller to do something before you buy. Only in the latter case, if ever, offer a small deposit. But even then, keep in mind that the seller may pocket it if, for example, the car fails inspection.
 
You should never ever say you buy a car before checking it out. Check it out, make an offer if it's good. Make a conditional offer if you you want the seller to do something before you buy. Only in the latter case, if ever, offer a small deposit. But even then, keep in mind that the seller may pocket it if, for example, the car fails inspection.

Yeah i gotta remember that...its hard not to want to jump the gun.

300m sold for 2500 BTW.
 
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