What to look for on a used '99 Solara/ how's the deal sound?

[Dancing Peacock]

Hello. Sorry for the bad form, I normally will lurk for a while before posting, but I'm thinking about buying a 99 Solara and I'm looking for advice. The forum looks pretty nice, and I hope to get a Solara soon and stick around

What problems should I look for on this car? I can ask my mechanic to look at these things specifically in addition to an inspection. I've seen the loose front seats, and the skipping CD players, is there anything beyond the 60K maintenance that I should worry about popping up?

Edmunds TMV = 10.9K, Their selling price 11k. If I like it, is 10.3 a fair offer if it's not perfect ie with a dent or two, or worn tires, or brakes, etc?

I would also add that this is the ideal configuration I wanted: silver color, SE v6 with 5 speed, moonroof and ABS. Leather would have been nice, but it's not a deal breaker. The mileage is the only sticking point with me. I haven't run a carfax yet, but the owner told me it was clean titled (not salvaged)

Does that price sound Ok for a car with 52k on it already?

specs:
Southern California (Los Angeles)
1999 Solara SE V6
silver exterior dark gray/black cloth
ABS
5 Speed Manual
Moonroof
no spoiler
I didn't ask if it was the premium sound system
52K miles


Thanks for any advice in advance.

[Missay]

i think 11k actually sounds pretty good for that. so it's an SEv6 stick w/ cloth&no spoiler...and 52k? i'd pay it. i don't know what other people think.

let me put it this way..i bought a 99sle v6-leather&spoiler...and 38k...and i paid 17k. so 11k seems very reasonable. (but i'd still try to talk it down...or agree to pay it if he replaces the tires first..etc etc.)

[Yanks0114]

I'd try and negotiate a little better price but its a decent deal.

Be sure to mention the fact that the 60k mile tune will cost you like $300-500 plus the brakes are probally shot so thats another $200. So when you add it all up plus there are body imperfections you should be able to negotiate a good deal

[Dancing Peacock]

I'd try and negotiate a little better price but its a decent deal.

Be sure to mention the fact that the 60k mile tune will cost you like $300-500 plus the brakes are probally shot so thats another $200. So when you add it all up plus there are body imperfections you should be able to negotiate a good deal

so what do you think, negotiate from 10.3 or from 11? 9.7k unreasonable as a low starting point if I need brakes or tires in addition to getting the 60k tuneup?

[Yanks0114]

9700 sounds good. Basically after tax, registration and all the maintence you could need it'll cost you $11000 which is a great deal

[Dancing Peacock]

9700 sounds good. Basically after tax, registration and all the maintence you could need it'll cost you $11000 which is a great deal

I live in Calif. so I think tax and reg are somewhere near 1200 bucks, I think.

I'm gonna give a call again tomorrow to ask about the sound system, if she is the only owner, maint records and when I can go see it

Thanks for the help, yanks0114 & Missay. I'll update when I get a chance.

[Optimus]

Around 10K or less is the fair price for that car.
If it is the ideal configuration, as you say, then maybe a couple hundred more won't spoil it.

Tires will set you back $400 or more. 60K tuneup another $300.
Make sure to think about those future expenses.

Kelly blue book and nada are great for price reports
http://www.kbb.com
http://www.nada.com


good luck

[Missay]

dancing peacock, if you get the chance read this thread
http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopic.php?t=1847&highlight=16+650

it includes a lotta solara guys who wrote wrote down what kind of solara they bought and what price they paid. it might give you a good comparison of the different prices.

[ZXLNT]

Sounds like a good deal to me. I paid 12,500 for my 99 SLE with 44K on it..

[pecora55]

I paid 17000 TTL included, 99 SLE 32K, had everything

[AzN_DrAgoN48]

I paid 16k for my 01 se v6

[Cyanide41]

Hey peacock,
I am selling a 2000 silver solara V-6, 5spd. Send me an e-mail. slvrstreamsolara@aol.com.

[Shopping]

This car is killing me. I can't decide what to do. Found a sweet 99 SLE Loaded to the max for 11,900. Only thing stopping me is 70k miles. Any opinions on that? I'm driving a 1990 acura with 160k on it, but i'm sick of feeling like i stole someone's grandmothers car. HAHA

[Yanks0114]

This car is killing me. I can't decide what to do. Found a sweet 99 SLE Loaded to the max for 11,900. Only thing stopping me is 70k miles. Any opinions on that? I'm driving a 1990 acura with 160k on it, but i'm sick of feeling like i stole someone's grandmothers car. HAHA

High miles really aren't an issue on toyotas because they last well over 150k miles as long as they are maintained, but make sure timing belt has been done and spark plugs.

[Dancing Peacock]

Anybody register a used car in California recently what are the tax and liscense fees going to run me? ~1000 if I spend 10k on the car?

I checked DMV for their use tax and it confused me and didn't give me a straight answer.

I haven't heard back from the bank. I should hear tomorrow or Thursday by the latest. The girl hasn't sold her car yet. It doesn't have a CD player, so I can "factor" that into the price as well. Edmunds TMV is 10.8k, their asking price is 11.5k, not 11 like I said before.

It doesn't have premium sound, but it does have a power drivers seat.