So after totaling my 95 yesterday and needing another car ASAP I began hunting for another 5th gen. It's a 1995 EX with the F22B1 and manual trans. It has 160xxx miles on it and the body looks to be in great shape. The dealer is asking $3995 for it, I want to offer $3600, which is blue book value for the car in excellent condition. I would really like to buy the car, assuming everything checks out, and I need to be able to drive it by Monday. What is your advice? Do you think $3600 is too low/high?

 

No way. $3,600 is not too low. I think it is way too high. You should start out offering him $3,000 or less. I would probably start by offering $2,500. Are you paying cash? I guarantee you he didn't even spend $2k on it to put it on the lot (he probably bought it at an auction for $1500 or got it on a trade in virtually for free.) You should run a carfax on it. That will tell you if he bought it at auction or not. If you pay cash you are much more likely to get it cheaper. Is that Blue Book "Private Party" value? Also, never pay what it says for "excellent" condition. KBB even say themselves that only 5% of all used cars fall into the "excellent" category. I just ran a KBB on the 95 EX Manual trans with my zip typed in: http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...QuizConditions=
Good condition private party value is $2,945. I would offer him something in that range. You cannot place that car in the "excellent" category unless it has eitherundergone a full restoration, is totally flawless, or could be considered in "showroom" condition.

Also....PM sir_nasty about it. he can probably give you some excellent advice as he is the resident used auto(and boat)sales expert.

 

x2, please do not pay $3600. Look i know its a Honda, and it will be a great car, but 00AccordLX5speed is right, he probally got that car for next to nothin'. Work your magic

 

Will do, guys! I am desperate for a car though, but I'll run the carfax and see whats up.

 

Just carfaxed it. Was in an accident in July of 2005. I'm probably going to check out the car tonight and report back to you.

 

Alright, found a different 95 EX for sale, mileage unknown (for now), carfax says it was last recorded at 155k, price is unknown. Blue book value for an EX coupe in good condition with my area code is listed @ $3200. The car is at a stealership in wisconsin and ill go take a look at it tonight.

 

Make sure you base it on the "Private Party Value" NOT "Retail." If you pay anything close to retail you are getting ripped off big time. Don't even try to let the stealer tell you otherwise!

 

In this situation where you want a specific car and there isn't a TON of them available going price and a good price for that car is going to be what it's worth to you more than what it's worth in a book.... I sold my 94 accord EX 2 dr loaded with 145k miles for $3000.00....

Interestingly enough I just looked at NADA (what most dealerships use...) and that car is worth about $4000 retail (95 accord ex, 155000 miles..) and 3,000 trade in.... that means they probably have it in their books (dealership cost) for $3300 or so... book wise paying $3500 at a dealership isn't unreasonable based on what I just saw.... I can tell you that they weren't valued at that 6 months ago... Also, if buying from a private party you could probably find one for $3000.00

http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.a...da=-1&nx=1

The value of that car is what you are willing to pay for it and be happy... all these numbers I've thrown out are just my opinion from the outside looking in...

 

Side note: trade-in is the most common value used for private party sales. Also, my figure of them being in that car (cost) of $3300 is probably high....

 

Interesting.... even private party value is up.... (I'm booking 95 accord 2DR EX) $4240 for excellent and $3250 for fair....
I think you'll be hard pressed to get one in good shape from a dealer at anything less than $3300, However, from joe blow down the street I bet you can find one for $2700-$3000 (if you can even find one....)

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=