$6500 for '95 Integra LS - good price?

[straysheepie]

Hi everyone,

Looking for more advice as usual

I just started looking on forums and things for cars and posted WTB ads.  A seller got in touch with me about his 1995 Integra LS 2-door, 145k, alarm, power everything, CD, some mods.  It's a rebuilt (driver side, $2300 in 1997), no engine damage, passenger side mirror is cracked.  In the ad, the seller says he purchased it for $10k last year and did $4k worth of mods (which I don't care about) and was asking $9500obo.

After exchanging some messages the price is down to ~$6500 and I'm wondering if this sounds okay?  He wants to close the deal this weekend but I know the fastest I can do it is sometime next week IF I do buy it because it needs to be inspected, and I need to check insurance, liens and carfax.

A few things I'm concerned about:
- why does he want to sell it so soon? (I'm waiting for him to get back to me with the reason)
- should I be worried it's a rebuilt?
- how much does it cost to fix the passenger mirror?
- wondering if this is a good price? It's better than listed buy and sell prices but I can always haggle lower than the listed price right?  Or should I just haggle lower with this seller?

Any other questions/things I should look into if I seriously consider it?  I also asked him for the VIN so I can run ICBC claim checks.

Thanks so much in advance for your help, I really do appreciate it

[Shnak]

Seems really high to me, especially with an accident. But then again, 145K isn't that high for a ~10 year old car.

I think you could do a lot better than that car for 6500$...

[safristi]

I too am concerned..Stray Sheep..bleat..bleat..run..run..run..as fast as yer little strayhoffies allow...they are trying to shear you fer a crashed vehicle(maybe NOT!!??) but why get dipped and live to regret it???

[ovr50]

I would keep looking, especially as the dealer is pushing you. Too high - walk on.

[Mdxtasy]

If it was written off...that's a warning bell.  The second one is he wants to sell it this weekend.  A seller who know's he/she has a good car to sell will take their time and allow the buyer to get inspections, think about it etc.  

[jeeper]

Mdx thoughts make sense!!
maybe u should pass on this car?

[barrie1]

To drop a 1/3 of the price in a few days is pretty drastic so whats wrong with this car? I think you should keep looking also.

[straysheepie]

*baa baa* *pitter patter* ;)

Thanks for the opinions everyone, I was leaning towards leaving it too since it's a rebuilt and I hate being rushed - it would definitely be a shame to get a lemon after all the research!  The seller just got back from school in Calgary and wants to pay his parents off - and he also wants to buy a 5-speed instead of an auto.  I think he also realized he was asking too much lol

I'm supposed to be studying at the library now but I'll go check the Lemon-Aid and pricing books to see what how the quality and prices of 94-95 Integras are.  

How much do you think is a reasonable price for one with, say, 150k and LS model?

[safristi]

Baa!! if I didn't know better I'd think they left your N*TS on at lambing time...

[straysheepie]

Hmm a couple of questions, what exactly does being written off/rebuilt mean?  I know it makes the car worth less when selling but I'm not sure what that means in terms of what happened to the car?

Just saw an ad for another '95 Integra for around the same price range but it had $10k in damages in the past... ouch!  Apparently it hasn't been written off but still?!?

[Mdxtasy]

Written off means the vehicle was involved in a major damage accident and the insurance company decided it is not worth it to fix the vehicle.  Might include frame/structure damage, water damage, significant engine damage etc.  It's very difficult to repair a write off back to great condition.

[Brigitte]

Rebuilt = RUN AWAY!

Brigitte

[straysheepie]

That does sound pretty bad :|

I know if I pay for the ICBC report it will show that a car's been rebuilt... but what if someone decided to pay for the repairs and not claim it as written off with ICBC?  Then the report won't show anything and if the seller lies then I won't know it's been rebuilt?!

Will a BCAA inspection reveal that a vehicle's been rebuilt?

[barrie1]

Before you buy any Car at all you are Going to take it to a reputable Mechanic to inspect. This is a person of your choosing who will examine the car for you and advice you truthfully as to the condition of it. That person will know for sure if this car has been damaged at all.

[Mdxtasy]

My recommendation is to use that money and get into a good car in good condition.  It might mean no mid 90s Integra...but a mid 90's Civic is feasible for your budget.  The 93-95 Civic hatchback's could be had in Si form and should be in your price range.  Try to also find one that's not been modified with any aftermarket performance parts.