Help Valuing A Car

[Macintoshuser]

2002 Toyota Celica GT-S with action package, 155,000 miles, 2 owners even though the seller who is a mechanic & keeps it in his lot says it's actually 1 owner because he doesn't drive it & the tile was just transferred on 3/4 witch I confirmed through the carfax report, says all scheduled maintenance has been done to it & has no problems.

Body work has been done on it so no dings or dents, it needs paint, rim paint has cracked, and it's been in three rear collision accidents. Interior is immaculate except for a little wear and tear on the bolsters of the seats. Sunroof doesn't leak but doesn't work.

Wants to sell it for $5000. What do you think?

[Teranfirbt]

I would run away from anything that has been in multiple rear end collisions unless you're getting it for a song.

[Macintoshuser]

Why?

[ozzie]

Why?

Because the chassis may not be straight. You can end up with issues as simple as the trunk leaking or as bad as wearing out tires every few thousand miles, and the car handling like garbage. Even if the chassis is straight, if it's been on a frame machine the metal has been fatigued and is more likely to bend/break in the future.

[Macintoshuser]

That being said, let's say you take out on the highway and handles well. How much would you pay?

[ozzie]

I'd have it checked over by another shop before even considering it, preferably a reputable collision center. I also wouldn't buy it because the wrong wheels are being driven, but I'm biased.

[Teranfirbt]

For an 02 GTS that has been in multiple collisions and needs paint? I'd pay $1500 so that I could swap the engine and transmission into my MR2

[Macintoshuser]

I'd have it checked over by another shop before even considering it, preferably a reputable collision center. I also wouldn't buy it because the wrong wheels are being driven, but I'm biased.

CN you give me a number though? Do you think the seller is full of shit?

[Macintoshuser]

For an 02 GTS that has been in multiple collisions and needs paint? I'd pay $1500 so that I could swap the engine and transmission into my MR2

Thanks

[ozzie]

CN you give me a number though? Do you think the seller is full of shit?

No, and I don't know. In my area, there are 3 on craigslist and 1 on facebook, all under $3k. But that's my area, yours may be completely different. I also didn't check on mileage or condition of those cars, but rust is a major issue up here. You find out if the seller is full of shit when you take it to another shop and have it checked out.

[Macintoshuser]

No, and I don't know. In my area, there are 3 on craigslist and 1 on facebook, all under $3k. But that's my area, yours may be completely different. I also didn't check on mileage or condition of those cars, but rust is a major issue up here. You find out if the seller is full of shit when you take it to another shop and have it checked out.

"No, and I don't know." Jeez, sorry I asked.

[ozzie]

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