Author Topic: 1997 Pontiac Sunfire 2door coupe SE... opinions needed (Read 4055 times)

Bodin · « **on:** February 09, 2006, 06:52:56 pm »

I am currently looking at buying a more economical vehicle and saw this car close to my house not too long ago.
It is in decent condition, no rust, interior is in decent shape, but it has 250,000kms and I am wondering how low I could offer this guy. I have BCAA and looked at the average price and it came up 3100. I know this guy has it in the buysell for 3800 and says he will go 3500. BCAA also said that the kms are quite high so I was wondering if 2800 would be an unreasonable offer.

thanks in advance

airbalancer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2006, 06:55:08 pm »

with those KMS, maybe a grand

Bodin · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:08:03 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on February 09, 2006, 06:55:08 pm

with those KMS, maybe a grand

seriously? Well thats what I expected anyway because he hasn't gotten anyone to buy it. He says that they are all highway kms but I am don't really trust the guy. A mechanic down the street from him would check it out for me and I know the mechanic pretty well.
So you think he wouldnt get anymore then $1000? I am in BC if that makes any difference

thanks for your opinions

wing · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:10:10 pm »

Did you test drive it? Those cars do not typically fair well with high km on them, anything over 60,000 and they really start to show their age.

It certainly is not worth more than $1000, its life is over.

tman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:18:36 pm »

less than $1k.

Bodin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:25:20 pm »

Yes i did take it for a test drive and it seemed to drive well. Like I said I could get it checked out if needed. I am not extremely experienced but I knew that he was asking too much. I just didn't know how much. I guess I should just pass on this car?

The problem I have right now is I have a 91 Ford F-150 in immaculate condition but it costs too much on gas and I don't want to sell it. It's my baby. Anyways I just want a cheap car to get me through the rest of university. I have 3000 plus taxes and I do my insurance monthly so that doesnt matter.

wing · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:33:52 pm »

Well if you spend $3500 on another car, there is NO way it will be cheaper than just putting gas in your truck!

Bodin · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:51:31 pm »

Quote from: wing on February 09, 2006, 07:33:52 pm

Well if you spend $3500 on another car, there is NO way it will be cheaper than just putting gas in your truck!

I probably spend double what most people spend on gas(for the amount I drive). In a car(2.2L engine) I figure I would spend about 120 a month and in my truck I am spending over 200, sometimes close to 250. I am thinking in the long run if I save about 1500+ a year for 4 years. I guess you're right... I wouldn't save that much. But lets say if I could get this car for around 1000, would it be worth it? And I guess I will be selling my truck eventually. I just hate putting all that money in my gas tank.

thank again

wing · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:54:58 pm »

Well, say you get it for $1000, have to put $250 in repairs every year, have to pay insurance and licensing on it as well.

Unless you drive A LOT, you won't recoupe your costs, it's still going to cost you say $120 a month in gas. So if you only pay $1000 with your numbers it will take you close to 10 months just to break even, that doesn't include if it breaks down or licensing and insurance.

Generally buying a car to save fuel doesn't work. I've thought about this, I run about 12L / 100km on my subaru, I could go out and buy a car that gets me 6-7L/100km but that cost will never be recouped in fuel savings.

Oh and if you drive a lot, I don't this this cavalier will last you another 4 years

locutusx · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2006, 07:59:17 pm »

Quote from: bodin on February 09, 2006, 07:51:31 pm

Quote from: wing on February 09, 2006, 07:33:52 pm
Well if you spend $3500 on another car, there is NO way it will be cheaper than just putting gas in your truck!

I probably spend double what most people spend on gas(for the amount I drive). In a car(2.2L engine) I figure I would spend about 120 a month and in my truck I am spending over 200, sometimes close to 250. I am thinking in the long run if I save about 1500+ a year for 4 years. I guess you're right... I wouldn't save that much. But lets say if I could get this car for around 1000, would it be worth it? And I guess I will be selling my truck eventually. I just hate putting all that money in my gas tank.

thank again

I really don't think a '97 Sunfire with 250k clicks will last you for 4 years, though!

I shouldn't ask what your financial situation is, but is $1000 really all you have to spend on a car?

Also, if you do decide to sell your truck keep in mind that the cash from that sale can also go towards getting a car. If keeping fuel costs low is your #1 concern then about $4500 ($1000 cash + $3500 from truck) should be sufficient to get a Civic or Corolla in decent enough condition to last you for 4 more years... private sale of course.

Bodin · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:05:42 pm »

I guess I don't really drive a lot anymore. I started working part-time instead of full-time and I still goto school full-time. I was travelling around 75-100 kms a day, 5 days a week (plus weekend driving). Now it's a lot less. So maybe you're right and I should just keep my truck. But I still feel that I am spending too much on gas. Do you think it would be wise to save up a bit more and get a car that will last me longer?

locutusx · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:22:16 pm »

Quote from: bodin on February 09, 2006, 08:05:42 pm

I guess I don't really drive a lot anymore. I started working part-time instead of full-time and I still goto school full-time. I was travelling around 75-100 kms a day, 5 days a week (plus weekend driving). Now it's a lot less. So maybe you're right and I should just keep my truck. But I still feel that I am spending too much on gas. Do you think it would be wise to save up a bit more and get a car that will last me longer?

yeah definitely. if you're comfortable with Civics and Corollas and have no problems going after good private sellers then maybe wait until you have around $4000 or so. that's what i would do.

articsteve · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2006, 09:56:45 pm »

Don't get it. Any car with that age and mileage will cost 1k in parts each year. Ask Barrie, I spend about 1K on every used vehicle I have averaged out and I do all labour and get my parts cost plus 10%.

I didn't catch the tranny; auto or standard?

To get a good deal most everything should be replaced, fuel pump, clutch, rad, alt, starter, rad fan; list is endless.

Besides, those cars aren't outstanding for fuel economy.

BC sure sucks for buying used cars from what I read on here. Come to the centre of the Universe for good deals.

Bodin · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2006, 12:46:07 am »

Quote from: articsteve on February 09, 2006, 09:56:45 pm

Don't get it. Any car with that age and mileage will cost 1k in parts each year. Ask Barrie, I spend about 1K on every used vehicle I have averaged out and I do all labour and get my parts cost plus 10%.

I didn't catch the tranny; auto or standard?

To get a good deal most everything should be replaced, fuel pump, clutch, rad, alt, starter, rad fan; list is endless.

Besides, those cars aren't outstanding for fuel economy.

BC sure sucks for buying used cars from what I read on here. Come to the centre of the Universe for good deals.

Thanks for the advice. I talked to the guy today and he wouldn't even budge on the price. I told him he's never going to sell it at that price. Anyways I might as well keep my truck since it has been soo good to me. Thanks for the advice.

AVToller · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2006, 01:54:33 am »

Quote from: articsteve on February 09, 2006, 09:56:45 pm

BC sure sucks for buying used cars from what I read on here. Come to the centre of the Universe for good deals.

Except for the fact that if a car under 15 years old has rust, you know that it is either from out-of-province or it has been in an accident.

Panzer · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2006, 10:32:46 am »

Quote from: bodin on February 10, 2006, 12:46:07 am

Quote from: articsteve on February 09, 2006, 09:56:45 pm
Besides, those cars aren't outstanding for fuel economy.

Thanks for the advice. I talked to the guy today and he wouldn't even budge on the price. I told him he's never going to sell it at that price. Anyways I might as well keep my truck since it has been soo good to me. Thanks for the advice.

articsteve's bang on with that fuel economy thing. Those older 2.2L engines were thirsty big time, considering the size/weight of the car and engine.

Out of curiosity, I checked out the Black Book site to see what dealers would offer for that vehicle, assuming it has auto, A/C, power steering, 250,000 kms and has no rust, dents, etc. The result came up as '$0' which tells me you shouldn't pay more than a grand for that thing.

You should go see him in 2 weeks from now and tell him you're making a final offer of $750, cash and to call you when he finally realizes he's asking an obscene price.

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2006, 03:05:02 pm »

Quote from: AVToller on February 10, 2006, 01:54:33 am

[
Except for the fact that if a car under 15 years old has rust, you know that it is either from out-of-province or it has been in an accident.

Oh yes, I keep forgetting about that thing called road salt.

Zoo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2006, 05:45:31 pm »

I'd consider going to $1200-$1500 if it were in excellent condition with few impending big $ problems. What he is asking for it is ridiculous though. Maybe for a Civic or Corolla of that vintage and milleage; but not a Sunfire.

Bodin · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2006, 09:21:22 am »

Quote

articsteve's bang on with that fuel economy thing. Those older 2.2L engines were thirsty big time, considering the size/weight of the car and engine.

Out of curiosity, I checked out the Black Book site to see what dealers would offer for that vehicle, assuming it has auto, A/C, power steering, 250,000 kms and has no rust, dents, etc. The result came up as '$0' which tells me you shouldn't pay more than a grand for that thing.

You should go see him in 2 weeks from now and tell him you're making a final offer of $750, cash and to call you when he finally realizes he's asking an obscene price.

Quote

Just curious... what site did you use for the black book? I used the link from the BCAA (or AAA) member site.
thanks again

barrie1 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2006, 07:53:28 pm »

With the higher milage I would say $1200. tops as a bid for that car. The 2.2 engine is a good engone but does not give the best of fuel milage of the size of car out there. It does not give the worst either. Parts are plentiful and easy to obtain as well as being at a good price.There is still tons of them on the roads as they do drive fairly well for the price involved. No telling if it will last the 4 years you need it or not. If the truck can still serve you well then I would suggest driving it sparingly and still enjoy its usefulness to you.