what do you guys think?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1108509351.html

how much should i pay for it?

 

Looks nice. If you're seriously looking at it, check out edmunds.com and see what they're going for in your area and make your offer accordingly. I know they don't catch everything, but see if the seller is willing to get a Carfax report on it. They're also pitching the maintenance program, read the fine print and see what all it covers. And make sure its transferable. At 4 yr/ 48k miles you'll want to make sure it covers a tranny fluid change and coolant flush (most don't.) Not sure what it being registered until Oct has to do with anything. I don't know if its an emmissions thing or a tag thing. In Florida the tag stays with the driver, not the car. But if its something that has to be done yearly, the car probably entered service in Oct of 07 (same as my 08) so 20k miles isn't all that bad (that's what I've got.)

Cliff notes for those of you who don't want to click the link.
08 NBP/Ebony Navi 5AT
Prepaid maintenance, non dealer 4yr/48k miles
1 owner
$21,995 OBO

 

I think you should read the forum FAQs before posting, and use a more precise post subject than "Help!!!" You reap what you sow, and if all you sow is asking people to give you price reports, you might as well just buy the thing.

 

If you are seriously interested in the car, then talk to the owner and get the VIN so you can do an Auto Check and Carfax on the vehicle. It looks good from the pictures, but you never know for sure until you get it checked out.

And for a 2008 (one year old car), I would sure hope it's in excellent condition like the seller says.

 

Uhm... I'm guessing you're one of those who I would term a "scan and dash" reader? Missing all the relevant facts. The VIN is stated in the Craigslist ad. If it was posted by someone here, I'd suggest you take it off. Not too smart to post VINs no?

 

Who cares. My statement still stands. If he's interested, he'll get it checked out.

 

i checked the vin number and everything, its clean, everything was serviced at steven creek acura. i saw and drove the car, and everything is fine. but since the car car is located in the bay area. should i bargain for 18k?

 

At $4k below asking price the seller may just laugh at you. Or they might give you a counter offer, you never know. Figure out what you can afford and be prepared to pay it. They're already taking a hit on it by selling it so soon, but adding $4k to that hit may be asking a bit much.

A quick check of Edmunds shows that $22k is actually a really good price. You should expect to pay $24.5k private sale up to about $26k at a dealer. And a quick look at auto trader listings verifies that. I know those are starting prices, but if you're starting at $24.5k, $22k isn't a bad place to end up at.

 

Um ... why?
You can get a good price range/estimate by calling a loan officer at your bank. They'll tell you what the "Black book" value on the car is. I find those numbers a bit more conservative than Edmunds and Auto Trader and other consumer sites, but still reliable. I used to tout Consumer Reports price reports, but not any more (got a worthless one).

If the owner's maintenance prepaid plan is transferrable (did you check?) then that has a dollar value if (only if) you can use it. If it's with a particular dealer that's not near you, forget it, it's a zero sum gewgaw. But be prepared for the owner to decline your lowball offer in favor of another buyer who can use it.

Some cars on Craigslist sell awfully fast (my gf's Jetta sold in 5 days), so don't dawdle.

 

My 2006 TSX AT with Navi and 30,000 miles was recently totaled, insurance company valued it at $18,650. $22k doesn't sound bad for a 2008.