Automotive Forums

Well I am thinking of buying a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Coupe. It has 158k miles. It has leather seats, but the drivers seat is torn and the passengers is really worn. The carpets are really worn also, so basically it needs a new interior, which can wait to be refurbished. It will need a new back bumper, headlights (I've been told that they are now $300 each), a new cd player because it does not work at all, new motors for the seats,windows, and moonroof. The paint is fading and there is some rust, the worst spot is the trunk which I'm not sure I can save, It has sat for two years and during the two years it has only been driven 4k miles, the power locks do not always work, and from some old receipts it seems like some mechanical work may need to be done, power steering fluid and some other things. The seals on the drivers side door are gone and will need to be replaced also, but it has not leaked into the car yet, that is the biggest problem other than the rust spot on the trunk. The owner said that a new transmission was put in two years ago (before it was sitting). I've done some research and by all my research he is overpriced. He's selling it for his sister and he said she'd take $2000 but we could offer him something and he would consider it. I think that $1000 is a reasonable offer for all that may need to be done to the car. If he's willing to work with us we will take it to a mechanic before considering buying it. Also it rides pretty smooth but the front end is a little bumpy like it may have been hit or had been in an accident before. Can you tell me if my offer is reasonable or what I should offer and how much it might cost me for fixing some of the problems. Thank you.  

Not sure if you still monitoring this post....

This vehicle is in need of MANY costly repairs. Are you mechanically-inclined? Can you fix all these "nickel and dime" items. If not, I would decline the purchase. If you are paying a mechanic to complete these repairs you will have several thousand in this car and will probably not be happy with it.

You should offer what YOU think it is worth... In my view $1K is too much. Sorry, this guy is not a realist if he thinks it has any more value than that.

My final comment : Caveat Emptor  "Buyer beware"