Old Car- What would you pay?

[FirstNissan]

Im moving out of state, so im listing my wifes car for sale.
2001 Chevy Prizm, 99K miles, auto, keyless entry, AC, clean carfax, 3 owner car. Gets 35MPG, burns 1qt oil in 3K miles, no funny smoke, tires are 60% or so. Transmission shifts well.

The Bad:
1. Exterior paint is in fair condition, scratches.
2. Check engine light is on- Oxygen sensors needed. Ive got two new ones in hand, too cold to install myself.
3. Suspension is original and creaks over potholes.
4. Windshield has a solid 8 inch crack along the bottom edge. Very drivable, but a problem.

How much should I list for, and should I pay a mechanic to have any of the bad fixed or not.
The O2 sensor issue, was told by a friend that its P0420, so it may be the sensor or the catalytic conv.

Thanks for the help!

 

[4x4chevydude]

I would sell it reduced as is, but it probably isnt worth too much go to KBB.com and take off some money from what they say is fair condition and youll get an approximate value to start negociating...without going on there i can ballpark 2,000 but it sounds like you want a fast sale so take that into consideration as well

 

[The Critic]

See my BMW thread LOL.

How much is the car worth otherwise?

 

[HTSS_TR]

You already have O2 sensors on hand you should pay a mechanic to replace it, most people are scare of check engine light.

Wash and wax the exterior, vacuum the interior ... to make the car look reasonable. I would list it for $2500-2800 and accept any offer above $2000.

 

[95GeoPrizmGuy]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
You already have O2 sensors on hand you should pay a mechanic to replace it, most people are scare of check engine light.


I agree with the above..i JUST bought a 95 prizm with 102,000 for 1000$ and it needed two new motor mounts and a HUGE tune up. I think you'll get more than 2,200, but you should come really close..id list it at 2,650...unless its an LSI than you should get about 400 or 500 more..and if your listing on craigslist...i'd REALLY mention that it has the same reliable motor as the corolla without the corolla price! and you could put this video in the add prizm going 200,000! also clean the engine bay and get an oil change, people like to see clean oil in the car they're thinking about buying, just use autozone brand 5w30...good luck with your sale!

 

[JimPghPA]

I would pay someone to put it up on a rack and change that O2 sensor, and then clear the code. It will not pass inspection with a code, and many people will not want it with a code.

As for the windshield. Most people will think that will cost them $150 or so, and if they want the car they may buy it. I would NEVER buy a car like that. It could mean that the frame is shot and allowing too much flex. If that is the case any new windshield will also crack, and that is why I would stay away from a car like that.

 

[Dakota1820]

Jim pghpa: that is kind of extreme but a valid point a lot of crooked people will screw you anyway they can. Honestly i could buy a car like that where I live for 1500. Some of it depends on where you live prices are higher or lower depending on the place. Honestly if it was mine and i was selling it id ask around 2000 around where I live maybe 2500 maybe I'd have to see the car. The engine light is a big turn away for most. I would just fix it myself before selling it because for both your talking around 100 bucks for parts and no engine light is worth an extra 300 or so probably. The engine light really worries people. I would fix the o2 and list for around 2500 probably but that isbalso based on where you live. Your best bet is to go on Craigslist and see what your kinda car in similar shape is going for and ask 100 or so less than average of you want it to sell quick.

 

[eagle23]

+1 on doing the O2 sensors or what's needed to pass inspection.

Most folks wouldn't touch it unless it was *really* cheap on the price to allow the cushion of potentially something big with a CEL. It would be something like "AC works but just needs a belt". Yeah, right...if so then put the silly belt on it and prove it works right!

It sounds like a decent daily driver with a likely long life bcs of the Corola heritage. As was said, advertise the heritage w/o the price perspective. But, if you have to move it quickly for lack of time, expect to go cheap.

 

[FirstNissan]

Thanks for the help guys! Only reason I havent fixed the O2 sensor issue is that the local mechanic wasnt so sure that those were the only problem, so im afraid that he might start chasing a never ending problem.

I was planning on listing for around 2800, lets see what the response is. I hate and love craigslist, since 50% are legit and 50% are frauds/children wasting your time.

 

[The_Jeff]

Man up and stick those sensors in! I'm a (very) wary buyer when someone says "it just needs o2 sensors." That's one of those hilbilly check engine light urban legends left over from the 1980s. A cynic would say, if it's so easy, why not do it?

Jersey got rid of safety inspection, but you still need emissions, right? May as well let the buyer fix the windshield, but get a quote in writing for negotiating. They'll want to do it on their own time, which could be next week, or never.

I would still ask around $2500. Worst case is someone will whittle you down. If a couple weeks pass and you keep getting consistent lower offers, take one.

The used car market is nuts, don't worry about what's "fair", and remember your competition will also have some problems that may or may not be advertised. Something good on gas and cheap to run WILL SELL FAST.

 

[Klutch9]

I'd say that you should expect to get in the neighborhood of $2,500 for this car. Used car prices are up, so this benefits the seller. BUT... I'd definitely replace those o2 sensors beforehand. As has already been mentioned, people are scared/skeptical of check-engine-lights, no matter what the seller says.

I sold my 1997 Grand Am SE back in January. This thing was as plain-Jane as it gets (still had power locks standard, though). It had crank windows, no keyless entry, steel wheels... we're talking base model here. 175,000 miles. I had just replaced the water pump, timing kit, and ABS sensor. Mechanically, the car was sound (other than a noisy wrist pin) and the A/C worked. The paint was above average for its age, and the interior was very nice other than a few cracks on the dash. I listed the car on Craigslist one day with some pretty pictures, for $1,750. Within an hour I had two people call about it, and someone came an hour later and bought it for $1,600 cash. Not a bad price for a car that old.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan

The Bad:
1. Exterior paint is in fair condition, scratches.
2. Check engine light is on- Oxygen sensors needed. Ive got two new ones in hand, too cold to install myself.
3. Suspension is original and creaks over potholes.
4. Windshield has a solid 8 inch crack along the bottom edge. Very drivable, but a problem.

How much should I list for, and should I pay a mechanic to have any of the bad fixed or not.
The O2 sensor issue, was told by a friend that its P0420, so it may be the sensor or the catalytic conv.

Thanks for the help!


If it is the 1.8L how much oil does it use? Those engines are notorious for being oil burners. If it burns oil the the sensors & cat have to be replaced and you are looking at $750 to get it done. Windshield $150. Shocks/struts $300. detailing $150. I would ask $1200 as is or fix it and ask $2800.