Question:  Please give a estimate on this:

Year: 1997
Make: Toyota
Model: Camry V4
Trim: LE
Mileage: 95000
VIN:
Buying or Selling? Buying
From Private Party or From A Dealership? Private Party

Queen of the Road: Hello and welcome to AutoBragBlog!

For a 1997 Toyota Camry 4C LE with 95,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $3,700 (being in above average condition) to $3,200 (being in average condition) and $2,700 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices.

A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale, so their estimated retail prices could range from $3.3k to $4.5k. Private sellers generally mark up +5%- 10% from wholesale prices.

Follow Up Comment: They are asking around 4000 obo. It’s a 4C and LE. I appreciate your advice.

Queen of the Road: The prices below are wholesale prices. You should aim below wholesale prices since the car has a salvaged title. Also take into consideration the value of the car when you sell it.

For a 1997 Toyota Camry 4C LE with 218,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $3,200 (being in above average condition) to $2,700 (being in average condition) and $2,000 (being in below average condition). If you are buying from a dealer you should expect to pay +12%-14% more than wholesale.  A dealership’s estimated retail prices could range from $2.7k to $4k.

Let us know if you or any of your friends have any questions. Good Luck, my friend.

Question: Looking to buy a 1997 Jaguar VandenPlas
60,000 miles
zip 94111

Queen of the Road: Hello there! For a 1997 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas with 60,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $6,500 (being in above average condition) to $5,100 (being in average condition) and $3,800 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices.

If you are buying from a dealer you should expect to pay +12%-14% more than wholesale.  A dealership’s estimated retail prices could range from $4.4k to $7.4k.

Before purchasing, always be sure to check carfax and do plenty of research on the history of the vehicle. Ask for their maintenance records. You can even bring a mechanic for a brief inspection. If you are buying from a private party, you should expect to pay from 5% to 10% over wholesale market. Let us know if you have any further questions. Keep us posted on how everything goes.

Here’s a few articles to help prep you:

Driving A Bargain

Things To Never Say To A Dealer

Eight Mistakes Car Buyers Make

Question from Hon: I have a seller selling me Toyota Camry 1997- good condition - Salvage Title with 218000 miles, new tires, good Air Conditioning, Clean inside, engine, runs and drives good. What would be a good price for it? please advise.

Queen of the Road: Hi Hon. What is their asking price? We generally try to prevent our users from buying cars with salvaged titles and older than a decade. From our experience, those generally have repair costs that can be as costly as the car’s value.

If you absolutely need the car, we can help you with a fair price. Is the camry a 4C or V6? CE, LE or XLE?

This Is An Update To A Previous Question

Queen of the Road: Reminice, I don’t think it’s a good idea. $3,000 may be overpaying by a few hundred when comparing to the wholesale value, but there’s more to that. Check it out…For a 1997 Honda Accord 4C LX 5SP prices range from $2,500 (being in above average condition) to $2,000 (being in average condition) and $1,500 (being in below average condition). A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale, so their estimated retail prices could range from $2.1k to $3.2k. Have you seen any images of the vehicle? How does it look?

Did you run a Carfax yet? I have a “decade rule“. Since car is older than a decade, I highly recommend you keep looking around for something within a decade and lower mileage. Don’t get me wrong. Honda’s are very dependable cars. I put 230,000 miles on my 2002 Accord and it still ran smoothly with minimal problems, but you still should try to eliminate any problems down the road when purchasing a older car.

I have confidence that you could find something newer with lower mileage for $3k. I paid $3k for my 2002 Accord, but that was after researching for a month and an 20 minutes of negotiating. Have you looked through Craigslist yet? You live in a highly populated area, I’m sure you could find a great deal. When you find a promising car, run it through me and I’ll tell you what you should pay. Goodluck with your search and if you need help, I’d be more than happy to assist you.

If you do decide to purchase this Accord, talk the price down based on the condition of the car. $3k is too high. You could save some cash.

Follow Up Comment:  Thanks. The car was exceptionally clean and free of rust. It was also well maintained and did not feel like it had any problems…quite surprising for an 11 year old car. However, you are right in that it is more than 10 years old. I do live in a highly populated area but Craigslist searching is pretty hard considering there are so many scammers as well as selections that I myself cannot decide on what the best value for a car is. However, what I do know is that I would like to spend around 8,000 for a recent used car with low mileage but that has been tough for me to find. Thanks again for your information though. I will continue to look around.

Question From Reminice:  got one for ya:

1997 Honda Accord LX Coupe
Green with tan interior
Zip Code: 11355
Car’s current location: Jersey City 10038??

Quote from Private Seller:
- AC blows both Hot and Cold air in just a few seconds.
- Custom performance K&B Air filter.
- Great brakes, Great engine. Runs with absolutely no problem.
- Cruise control, Automatic sun roof.
- All services and Oil changes done on time and in well known dependable service garages. Has barely been driven all of last year.
- The car has has no underbody rust as it has spent all its life in Raleigh NC(no snow)
- Don’t use my car anymore and hence an selling it.
- Price is negotiable.
- Clean history and title.

Must go ASAP, I am selling it well below KBB for $3000.
Is this worth it? The car looks clean but I am a bit bothered by the mileage. This person also works in my company so I found it through the posting boards.
This is a manual car. Ah yes! It seems that I have forgot to put down the mileage when I thought I did. Sorry. Anyway, it has 155,000 miles.

Queen of the Road:  Reminice, I don’t think it’s a good idea. $3,000 may be overpaying  by a few hundred when comparing to the wholesale value, but there’s more to that. Check it out…

For a 1997 Honda Accord 4C LX 5SP prices range from $2,500 (being in above average condition) to $2,000 (being in average condition) and $1,500 (being in below average condition). A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale, so their estimated retail prices could range from $2.1k to $3.2k. Have you seen any images of the vehicle? How does it look?

Did you run a Carfax yet? I have a “decade rule“. Since car is older than a decade, I highly recommend you keep looking around for something within a decade and lower mileage. Don’t get me wrong. Honda’s are very dependable cars. I put 230,000 miles on my 2002 Accord and it still ran smoothly with minimal problems, but you still should try to eliminate any problems down the road when purchasing a older car.

I have confidence that you could find something newer with lower mileage for $3k. I paid $3k for my 2002 Accord, but that was after researching for a month and an 20 minutes of negotiating. Have you looked through Craigslist yet? You live in a highly populated area, I’m sure you could find a great deal. When you find a promising car, run it through me and I’ll tell you what you should pay. Goodluck with your search and if you need help, I’d be more than happy to assist you.

If you do decide to purchase this Accord, talk the price down based on the condition of the car. $3k is too high. You could save some cash.

Question: Can u look this up?

Year:1997
Make: Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
Model:AWD V6 Twin turbo Manual
Trim: Infiniti sound
Mileage: 103k
VIN:
Buying
From Private Party 10k
 

Queen of the Road:  Sure thing! For a 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT AWD Coupe VR-4 Turbo with 103,000 miles, prices range from $13,750 (being in above average condition) to $11,400 (being in average condition) and $9,100 (being below average condition). Keep in mind that these numbers above are the wholesale prices. A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale. 

So estimated retail prices would range from $10.4-$15.4. Overall, for $10k, you’ve found yourself a sweet deal, my friend. But don’t jump on it just yet. Be sure to check the Carfax and research the history. Ask for maintenance papers, etc.  Let us know how everything goes!

Question From Josh:   Hi. I’m looking at a 1997 honda civic ex coupe. it has 127,000 miles on it. it is a 5-speed and has some extra’s on it like a black hood, decals, along with new rims (Motegi Racing 17″) there is 2 dents in the trunk not to deep about the size of a fist and one smaller in the back-drivers quarter pannel. it also needs roters and break pads on the front soon. (still working fine for now) it is for sale for $1800 do you think this is a good deal and do you know of anything i should watch out for?
thanks

MuscleCarGuy:   Hi Josh. That price is too good to be true; it is half the price of the average at the wholesale market for the same Civic. The rotors and brake pads are not a big deal, it will not cost much to replace them. The decals and black hood might depreciate the value, because it gives the idea that the last owner liked to race with it. You should take it to a mechanic to see if there are any modifications done on the engine. Some small modifications like intake, exhaust and headers, might make the car failed in smog checks. You should also check if the timing belt was replaced. After taking the car to a mechanic, and if everything looks good, you should buy this car. The price is fantastic!!!!!!

For a 1997 Honda Civic EX Coupe Manual with 127,000 miles, prices range from $4,250 (being in above average condition) to $3,650 (being in average condition) and $2,950 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices. Good luck!!!

Crash Test and Rollover Ratings for the 1997 Honda Civic Coupe.

Question: Can you price out a:

1997 Honda Civic HX coupe
Manual Transmission
No A/C
108,000 miles
Average condition, all stock

Thanks!

MuscleCarGuy:

For a 1997 Honda Civic HX Coupe Manual with 108,000 miles, prices range from $3,700 (being in above average condition) to $3,100 (being in average condition) and $2,500 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices. Thats what you shouls expect to get if you trade in your car.

Crash Test and Rollover Ratings for the 1997 Honda Civic Coupe.