Hi I'm new here.
So i'm looking for a TL to get. Always wanted a manual one. Man they are hard to find. But i recently found one for 10k of private hands and it has over 135k miles. I drove the car, runs fine. The guy said the timing belt is recent, spark plugs new, fluids new, oil changed regularly. Interior is in good conditon. exterior has couple of dings and scratches (black car), no navi though. Is 10k a good deal or too much for this car? BTW clean title, but carfax has couple of accidents reported, thats about it.

 

what year? is it completely stock i.e. no spoiler, aspec kit, wheels.....

 

To be honest I would look around for more, feels like mileage is a bit too much - i would look around for 15k/yr car, if by any chance it is higher - means most likely a lot of daily driving - regular service not maintained

 

I'm sure there was a lot of daily driving...but doesn't mean it wasn't properly maintained. As we know, if well maintained these cars will last a LONG time! KBB it for the value with that mileage and have an independent mechanic check everything out...with a manual, at least you know the tranny is probably ok.

Good luck!

PS...also, what is your budget. If you HAVE to have a TL...and your budget is 10K...then it's a great deal. If you can spare a little more money...look for the color/transmission and navi you want.

 

Ask the owner for all the maintenance records. If he has them and they check out, I would have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic. If THAT checks out, I don't see why you would not buy it if you are happy with it.

If he does not have the maintenance records, I would probably pass unless you really want it.

 

I have an 04 NBP with a manual transmission and no Navi and could not be happier...
I knew the original owner and knew it was cared for though.

 

The car is priced right around the KBB value with that mileage. The car runs great, at least seems like great to me. The guy said that he regularly changes his oils, and has everything recorded in his journal cuz he does it himself. The car is clean and interior is clean. It doesn't seem like he is careless about his car. Its bone stock car with a front a-spec lip and rear spoiler. There are only few 6spd manuals around other 2 have 2 times less miles but cost 2 times more. I like this color, and a navi would be nice but no the most important. On carfax statement, there was about 25k/yr put in two years, Highway driving? Seems like a nice car, but i'll try to get the price a little down.

 

Carfax has a "couple of accidents reported"?

Does anyone else see that as a red flag?

Accidents are usually only reported to carfax when there is a significant amount of damage. For example, i've had my bumper replaced, rear-driver's side door repainted, etc. and yet you would never know it by looking at my carfax report... it's a clean report. (both my incidents were reported and handled through insurance, just for the record)

Anyways,
Something had to have happened to this car. Ask the owner if he has records of the repairs completed for these accidents. If he plays dumb or is the second owner, I'd walk.

If you have to have it, pay a professional to inspect it.

good luck
please keep us posted

 

Ok i asked him about the accident. He says they were from a previous owner, and no him. On carfax it says that anything over 500 bucks gets reported. So assuming even if the bumper needed replacent, the accident is reported. There is no airbag deployment reported and Clean title. I assume that if the car been wrecked badly it would be salvaged. The most i talked him down was to 9500. He said he wouldn't go lower because he put effort in that car, he put new belt, spark plugs and new fluids. Also the tires have like 90% on them and the brakes are new. Now i'm planning to get an inspection.

 

yea, OP- a "couple accidents reported" i would leave it alone. Be patient, you should come across a better deal, with lower miles perhaps good luck.