LogFAQs > #941953421

You would need to get access to the full maintenance history as well as accident reports before you even consider it. If the seller can't provide that, walk away immediately. He is asking a fortune for a vehicle with 275k miles, even if you could reasonably expect to double that. The timing belt interval is 120k on these, so it should have already been changed twice. Make sure the oil has been changed at a proper interval as well. If you see it in person, examine the undercarriage thoroughly with the brightest light you can get your hands on, looking for any signs of worn seals (fluid or moisture present) and deep rust on the frame. Since this is in California there's going to be a ton of rust under there, you need to scrape at it with a knife and if you expose bare metal there's likely nothing to be concerned about. You also need to drive it and stop it at a bunch of different speeds to get a feel for how it runs and to listen for any strange noise. If he's not willing to let you drive it for 50+ miles, walk away. Ask him if you can take it to a mechanic to have them check it out, this might cost you some money, but if you're buying a used car that's part of the process, if he doesn't let you, walk away.

If you make an offer, start no higher than $4200. He's charging a bunch extra for the expensive tires and for the extra work he's done that doesn't effect the function of the vehicle, some of which is unfinished.

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