I know - always the new guy asking tons of questions...Sorry about that but I've learned over the years that forums like these are extremely valuable.
A bit about me - I'm born and raised and now stuck in NJ. Love all different cars. My ultimate is a mustang GT...but that's not in the plans right now...
I am in the market for a new to me used car for our (i know it sounds pretentious but it's really not - a ton cheaper for daycare with multiple kids) au pair to use to drive our kids around and herself to school. Found some real crap out there. Then started focusing in on toyota corollas. Most were either crapped out and expensive or ultra expensive rides with 150k miles on them. Then one day I found a matrix. I was ok with it. Was going to look at it and dude called me and said it was sold. So I go on a matrix hunt. Found one in a shady used car lot. It was beat. But the fine salesperson said they just got this pontiac vibe in stock and it is the same exact car. My ears kind of perked up and I took a look at it. Sure enough - same thing. The price on this one was out of line and it was a little rough, but I figured let me now take aim for a Vibe.
Which is where this leads me now. I found one on another shady used car lot - a 2004 base. Not much too it, power windows, sunroof. That's about it. It has 88k miles on it, 2 owners, no service records and one accident. Asking $6800. So I do my research and this is no where close to where KBB or edmunds says it would be (I always get screwed trading in cars when they say these sources are always high...). But I go take a look anyway. The thing is nice. No leaks, starts right up, no weird noises. S-belt needs replaced in a few thousand miles and 2 tires are in order for the back. Drives good. I'm thinking to myself, this is not crap...Finally. I ask the guy what's the lowest they'll go for a cash deal this week. He comes down to $5800. I'm still thinking this is high, so I bring a mechanic friend to take a look at. He's trying to find stuff wrong with it. Really struggling. Comes up with a few minor things...So I ask they guy again what's the lowest. He's stuck at $5800.
Think this is a fair price for the mileage and a car in good condition? I refuse to pay dealer retail from a shady lot. And this has been sitting there for a long time (I think the location and the price has a lot to do with it). KBB value of very good from private party is $4600. A fair purchase price from a dealer on KBB is $5800. I offered him $5000 today to take it off his lot. I honestly think $5800 is too high for an 11 year old car that has been sitting on his lot for almost 200 days.
Any thoughts are appreciated.