buying used car need advice ASAP with details?

Question

i found a 1991 toyota camry for $1100, the blue book value is 1700 (fair condition). I think its worth 800 and will only pay that. I test drove it yesterday and was taking it to a mechanic but it was too late and on sunday they are closed. The problems with the car is the steering IF U LET GO OF THE WHEEL IT WILL PULL ITSELF LEFT. another problem the belt thingy on the altinator DONT NO HOW OLD IT IS. audio doesnt work with speakers. has over 164,000 miles and WHAT MAKES THE MILEAGE SO IMPROTANT. recent changes she changed the brakes and checks the oil lots and saw proof of her last oil change. and giving a free new tire with it. and makes a noise when driving. my question is are these problems major and if they become a problem whats an estimate on cost to fix them.....May buy thursday, im a college student and need it for work and school, no major traveling out of the city or state. please answers all questions :D

Answer 1

Mileage:
The mileage is important because the longer the engine is used the more likely it is to break down. The average life of a Japanese engine is 250,000 miles. The average life of an American engine is 130,000 miles. This is if you take care of it.

Steering:
The steering issue sounds like an alignment problem. Its very minor. I have the problem with my car steering to the right. I suppose I smashed into too many pot holes. Alignments are under $100. You're supposed to do it every 12 months but it won't affect anything else in your car.

Driving Noise:
The driving noise could be two things. It could be the engine or transmission. Start the engine if it has difficulty starting that means it's nearing the end of it's life or you need to get it serviced. To test the transmission drive it on the freeway if it has trouble accelerating it's your transmission.

I know you said she changed the brakes but if your brakes squeak that means they're old/worn and need to be change.

Servicing:
The alternator will run you 35-150 bucks. The labor shouldn't cost you more then 150. The belt is roughly 20-50. If you find someone charging you over 350 that means you're getting ripped.

Speakers
As for your speakers a common issues is just cause the cable is loose; takes like 10 mins. Chances are you have friends who could help you take a look at it. If they're busted you could have a new deck and speakers for as little as 100-300 bucks installed.

Answer 2

Take the car to a mechanic, it will be well worth the money.
If the car is a 4-cylinder it should be good for a long time.

It sounds like the car needs an alignment, that's not too big an issue; there are other possibilities tho.

Alternator belts etc are not that big a deal.

Mileage is so important because it's one of the few indicators we have of how much a car has been used.

If she has service records that's a VERY good sign. You should ask if she ever had the TIMING BELT done. That's supposed to be done at about 90-100k miles and can cause major problems if it breaks. Ask to see the service records and/or talk to the mechanic who did the work on the car.

Radio isn't as important as running reliably. You can buy a new radio if that's important to you.

Noise while driving could be just about anything. have your mechanic road test the car.

a '91 Camry with 164k miles is a good car for local driving.

There is one other known problem with these:
The ignition lock tends to wear out, if this happens then the car can be started with a screwdriver. Having your car stolen is a major inconvenience.

Good luck!

Answer 3

it needs front end work (alignment), belts (replace all of them) they are cheap, You can do without a stereo for a little while. It also depends on the noise and what it sounds like, and where it is coming from. Mileage is important, because the higher the mileage, the more stress and wear has been put on the parts of the car. Higher mileage, more chances of something breaking soon. Toyotas are usually good for about 200, 000 miles or so. I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for it, and tell her to keep the tire, you don't want to replace just one anyway, it messes with the steering and suspension.

Answer 4

best advice don't walk away from this car-RUN- it sounds like the owner is pressuring you to buy before your trusted mechanic can have a look at it.
mabey its ok and minor but i doubt it and if the owner is going to throw in a free tire to make the sale he wants it gone real bad..
as far as mileage goes these engines will last if timing belt and other major services were preformed at proper intervals if just oil changes were done this is not enough and car is to be avoided
as the father of a college student i can't afford my child to be driving junk, so you will have to pay a little more than 800 to find anything reliable and that passes a state or private inspection. good luck and don't settle on the first thing you see in your price range and forget book value on these priced cars [ typicaly you either get a ugly car that runs or a pretty face with lots of trouble and very little in between]

Answer 5

GREAT GUESS!! edmunds.com(True Market Value), Puts the value at $810.00, average condition. Have a shop check it over for the problems NOT listed before you buy...65-105 dollars...I'd expect to put out about 200-400 dollars on any used car, before you drive it and budget $300.00 for 6 month check ups. sometimes you won't need anything ,but an oil change, but you won't be stuck if it needs anything else. These make great transportation cars and with that mileage you'll get years of service.Oh, I'd guess if vehicle pulls (not drifts) and makes noise your could have strut plate/bearing going bad a cheap fix. if it drifts left , see if it changes on different roads...if it does no problem they do that...
Strut plate RI $80.00....
alt belt RI $65.00..
new am/fm/cd player w/WMA/MP3 installed Best Buy, wait for a sale $109.00 and up
if the seller won't come down and it checks out OK, give 'em the money.....sounds like they took care of it and it's better than average..remember "carma"

Answer 6

You are buying a Toyota... So I don't think you will face major problems. anyway 164000 miles is nothing...
You are not using the car for really long distances, so it will be enough.
As for the repairs, I would say a maximum of 300$ would set up almost everything. If you do the stereo yourself, maybe the repairs would become less than 200$.
Good luck

Answer 7

DO NOT BUY IT!!! Do not buy it before you have the alignment checked. Cars do not pull to the left unless there is a problem. Cars are made to slowly pull to the right when you let go of the wheel. If it's pulling to the left it could be alignment...or something VERY serious like a bent frame. Do not buy in haste. Do not buy anything until your mechanic thoroughly checks it. Be smart!

Answer 8

well, its a 800 dollar vehicle. that s the problem to begin with. The pulling to the left thing is the tires and alignment.

Tires: 40 each for cheapies = $120.00
Alignment: = $60.00
Alternator Belt: =$20 + LABOR = $100
Radio + install = $100.00
__________________________
Total $380.00 in fixing just to make it safe as far as you know of.

Honestly, your budget is a bit small, but if its all you got, focus on asian, honda, nissan, toyota.

Go buy an auto trader magazine for $1.25, and find something a bit more suited to your needs.

good luck

Answer 9

What others have said b4 me is also right.
This camry must be 2.2,1991.
the pulling could be due to wornout left tyre too.Alignment out,wheel bearings wornout,that could be the noise you telling us.This car can go 200000 to 230000 without overhaul.The present owner seems to be taking proper care of the car.
However,take this car to your known mechanic and get his opinion.
Being a student,can you manage the fuel.
Otherwise you will enjoy owning this car.
wishing u the best to be owner of this car by thursday.

Answer 10

only thing i might be able to help you with is the steering my dad had the same problem the tire linement is probebly of or the axle on that side could be bent or the steering arm make sure you check those before you buy it cause a new axle is aroung $1,000