Topic: Thoughts on a Nissan 200SX

[flame_on]

Hi again.
Another car I'm looking at is a Nissan 200SX, Power windows, locks, mirrors, remote Start Auto trans. 1995 and $5950.  Only 111,000 k's.  Any thoughts on this car and would it be a killer for insurance in Alberta? Thanks for your time.

[Mdxtasy]

Hey Flame....if you purchased this car....the insurance is based on your driving record and what coverage you want.  If you wanted PLPD and you had a clean record with a good insurance history...it'd be pretty cheap to insure.  What's your max price you are looking to spend?

[flame_on]

Hey Mdxtasy.  Well long story. But, I was born here then moved to UK age 11 where I drove from 18.  So only have had Canadian Lisence for one year and no insurance (I'm 30).  I don't mind not having comprehensive though.  My girlfriend perhaps will get the insurance who is 25 but has also not had insurance, though has had a canadian lisence for 7 years.  Sorry for the essay!

[Mdxtasy]

Having a record of continious coverage will determine what your rate will be.  Just a warning that it will cost you a bit to insure any vehicle you purchase because you are considered a new driver.  Your girlfriend will also have to expect a higher rate but females will have a lower rate than males here in Canada.  If you are looking at PLPD, it won't matter what car you drive....because the insurance will not cover your vehicle.

[flame_on]

So I went and test drove the 200sx se.  It's 95, 111,000 k's and they want 5750 as is.  They want a bill of sale in order to get the mech inspection and then it's up to us to fix it if we take it.  I.E we buy it and return it if not satisfied with the mech inspec.  Is this dodgy?

[Keith_moon]

Yes...if the owner was taking good care of his car he wouldn't have to throw the cost of repair onto you. Does a car dealer make you pay for any repairs to be safetied? No..So why would a private sale be the same.

[ovr50]

Flame - I wouldn't do that - if the owner knows the car is OK, he will have no problem w the inspections BEFORE the sale. If you give him a Bill of Sale, the deal's done and if he's dishonest, he'll just refuse to take it back if car doesn't pass inspection. You would no recourse if Bill of Sale done (and monies paid). Walk away!!

[Roadrunner]

Flame
Ovr is right.
This party is selling you the car 'AS IS'. This means NOT certified safe for the road. It is entirely up to you to get the car certified for the road should you buy it. If that entails some repairs first, you pay. The same applies if you buy an 'AS IS' vehicle from a dealer.You ain't gettin' THEM to fix it for nothin' either. You better have a trailer or a tow truck handy to take it off the lot too.

I've sold my old cars AS IS when I didn't trade them in but with NO 'ifs', 'ands' or 'buts' attached. The only thing I did was show the prospective buyer the maintenance records I always keep with each vehicle and also told them what was wrong or NOT working at that time. (such as A/C not working, brakes worn out, etc).
 
I'm not a very good BSer so I couldn't stand there telling one bald-faced lie after another to sell the damn car.

I've NEVER ever heard of anyone taking a vehicle BACK when sold AS IS.

IF I were to sell a vehicle (privately) that was in good shape but perhaps needed a tune-up or maybe a muffler to pass a safety inspection, and a prospective buyer said he/she would buy it if it were certified. I'd have to say, fine, but the repair costs will be added to the price quoted to sell AS IS.

Only once in three 'as is' transactions did the prospective buyer ask me to lower the price (because I have to fix this, fix that). I lowered the price only $100 as I price things at the lowest price I can afford, NOT at a dealer's 'AS IS' price.  

Maybe you guys have money to throw away, but I sure as hell don't.
I, for one, cannot afford to put a price on a vehicle to be sold AS IS and then turn around and bring it up to the safety standards and sell it at the 'AS IS' price. That's plain stupid.  
That's just MY 2 cents.

[flame_on]

Thanks guys, you're added to the "walk away" side of the coin and that's going to be what we'll do.  And no, we don't have money to throw away!

[johngenx]

There is a point where you don't have a PPI done.  A $1000 car is a $1000 car, and a PPI is a waste of money.  After about $3000, I have it done.  Heck, even with a late model car, I do.  Why?

Well, with a newer car you can't tell if someone crashed it into the rev limiter every shift, but your mechanic can look for crash repair, and could possibly steer you away from some serious trouble.  Even a two or three year old car could be a headache that could be avoided by a PPI.

At $6000, I would have one done, and expect it to be a condition of sale.  If the car does not pass to my expectation, I can walk.  However...

EVERY used car, even a four year old one has things that will need repairing.  Maybe some tires or brakes, a windscreen or some bulbs.  Whatever.  Don't walk on a car 'cause it has some minor problems.  Negotiate to allow for some repairs.  Ya see, the previous owner "banked" the liability of those repairs by foregoing them.  Now he/she has to pay.

There are no shortage of good used cars on the market.  IF the deal is making you hinkey, RUN away.  That SX sounds like BIG trouble...