Opinions... 1998 Malibu

[lbjgh]

What's this Chevy worth if I want to sell it? It runs well, it has some minor cosmetic damage/rust, 4 Blizzak snow tires and rims and has 220,000 KM's.

I still has some good life in it.

[T_Totler]

What's this Chevy worth if I want to sell it? It runs well, it has some minor cosmetic damage/rust, 4 Blizzak snow tires and rims and has 220,000 KM's.

I still has some good life in it.
I went into the Canadian Black Book website (linked from from the GM Canada site) and you haven't posted enough info on your car. It gave me a zero $$ value as a result.

Please post all the details of your particular car

[Dr.Dan]

Doesn't matter what you put in... it keeps coming up as Low: $0.00 High: $0.00

[lbjgh]

yep, eight year old Chevy... figured as much. :tch:


Doesn't matter what you put in... it keeps coming up as Low: $0.00 High: $0.00

[Mouse]

I'll let you have my 15-year-old Accord for $5,000. :tooths:

[lbjgh]

hehe, resale unfortunately is overlooked at the time of purchase right MouseMeat. :) That's one reason I have a Honda now and my wife is replacing the Chevy with an Acura.

[Mouse]

Acura. Oooooo.

Actually, I would cry if I sold it for $5,000.

It's still amazing to drive.

[Braddon]

You could prob get 3500 for it

[Mouse]

The Malibu or the Accord??

[lbjgh]

... maybe if I safety'd the car with a clean air test... I've already done the lower intake gasket so the engine will be fine for another 80-100k
You could prob get 3500 for it

[Taz]

LOW MEDIAN HIGH
$2,500.00 $4,800.00 $6,850.00

http://www.trader.ca/Members/ValueFinder/Results.asp?Region=100&Year=1998&Category=1&mknm=698&modelcode=17573&subcategory=&mdnm=MALIBU&CAT=1

[lbjgh]

Thanks Taz... that's good

[Carz n Compz]

I'll let you have my 15-year-old Accord for $5,000. :tooths:

My mom traded in her 1990 Accord EX for $7,000 in 2000. Nice condition with 150K. LBJGH, why didn't you bring the trade into consideration when buying the new Acura? The dealer might have given you something.

[lbjgh]

We thought of that but with the help of Car Cost Canada we got the car at whole sale price (we did buy an extended warranty and some accessories). I'm sure the dealer made money off us just the same.

$2300 + tax = $2645 + $300 GST reduction = $3000 (almost) :)



My mom traded in her 1990 Accord EX for $7,000 in 2000. Nice condition with 150K. LBJGH, why didn't you bring the trade into consideration when buying the new Acura? The dealer might have given you something.

[T_Totler]

We thought of that but with the help of Car Cost Canada we got the car at whole sale price :)
I would seriously doubt that....

Don't kid yourself, there was a profit margin built in along the way. No one sells a car at a true wholesale cost (i.e. landed cost) price unless they are in business to lose money ;)

[lbjgh]

Like I said, we bought some accessories and extended warranty... I like to think I paid for the aforementioned and got the car at cost. :) ... it just makes me feel good.


I would seriously doubt that....

Don't kid yourself, there was a profit margin built in along the way. No one sells a car at a true wholesale cost (i.e. landed cost) price unless they are in business to lose money ;)

[T_Totler]

Like I said, we bought some accessories and extended warranty... I like to think I paid for the aforementioned and got the car at cost. :) ... it just makes me feel good.

That's a wholesale price, not the true dealer's landed cost price. There is a difference.

Having said that, what's important here is that you're happy with your purchase. That's the most important thing :)

[Carz n Compz]

You bought the car (own it)?

I never understood why so many people lease. You pay money and then at the end of NOTHING to show. It's like a rental car.

[lbjgh]

ya, my last lease stressed me out... purchase from now on...

You bought the car (own it)?

I never understood why so many people lease. You pay money and then at the end of NOTHING to show. It's like a rental car.

[T_Totler]

I never understood why so many people lease. You pay money and then at the end of NOTHING to show. It's like a rental car.
For some people (i.e. the self-employed) it is often much better to lease as the monthly payment is an operating expense rather than a depreciating asset on their books (if they owned it). Much more favourable tax treatment.

Also, some companies give generous car allowances to sales reps which more than covers their lease payments.

[Taz]

I would seriously doubt that....

Don't kid yourself, there was a profit margin built in along the way. No one sells a car at a true wholesale cost (i.e. landed cost) price unless they are in business to lose money ;)


It is quite possible that the car was purchased at dealer invoice, when they sell a car at their cost the manufacturer still pays them a set fee for the sale( in 1992 when I worked at a local Jeep dealership) it ranged from $300 to $1000 depending on the vehicle.

[lbjgh]

I put the car up for sale. It would make a decent family car for someone.

http://www.thecomputermechanics.com/ppclassifieds/showproduct.php?product=975

[Carz n Compz]

The body looks alright but the hood needs to be painted. Is the mileage mostly high-way or city?

[lbjgh]

Mileage is mostly highway... averaged about 28,000/year.

Below is my response to an enquiry at RedFlagDeals.com:

1. Do you have the UVIP (used vehicle info. package) No, I think that's $25 right?
2. How many previous owners does the car have? None. We bought the car new.
3. Do you have all the service and maintenance records? Yes
4. Has the car been damaged/flooded/been in accident? No accidents or floods
5. Are there any problems with the car?
Minor surface rust spots, some trim pieces not 100%. Passenger front light mount broken.
6. Why are you selling the car? My wife is getting a new car on July 1 (Acura CSX)
7. When was the last time the muffler, brakes, tires, battery and
timing belt changed approximately (if ever)? Original exhaust. Tires two summers (we have winter tires for winter only). New front rotors and pads today. New rear wheel cylinders today. Battery, within two years (have receipt). This engine does not have a timing belt that needs replacing.
8. Can I take it out to my mechanic for an inspection? Sure, at your cost of course.
9. What is the VIN number of the car? (I'll have to get that info if you are serious)

The body looks alright but the hood needs to be painted. Is the mileage mostly high-way or city?

Yes there are a few surface rust spots but no perforation (Galvanized body panels). I think most people that buy a $2500 car aren't gonna spend the money on body & paint... could be wrong.

[Taz]

Hood could be easily touched up by anyone with a steady hand and some touch up paint or their are places that specialize in minor paint repair probably about $150.

[Carz n Compz]

The Malibu does have a timing chain. I would look into that as going 230,000KM without a change of belt or chain is like walking on eggshells.

[Dr.Dan]

A chain lasts the life of the engine and doesn't need to be changed unless there's a problem.
ONLY timing belts need changing on a regular basis.

[lbjgh]

I imagine the engine will be good for 300k. We changed the oil every 5K and we've already fixed the lower intake gasket.

... I think the car is sold anyway... someone is stopping by tonight.

[T_Totler]

A chain lasts the life of the engine and doesn't need to be changed unless there's a problem.
ONLY timing belts need changing on a regular basis.
Hmmm, the old 1973 Monte Carlo I drove years ago needed a new timing chain after about 150,000 miles :rrg:

[Dr.Dan]

Hmmm, the old 1973 Monte Carlo I drove years ago needed a new timing chain after about 150,000 miles :rrg:
Things have changed a bit over 30 years ;)
They don't use nylon gears anymore for that reason

[Drthorne]

Timing chains do stretch, I had to replace the timing chain and tensioners in my 94 Saturn at 130,000km becuase it could be heard rubbing against the cover plate

[Mouse]

A common tell.

[Carz n Compz]

Saw your ad in the Star for under $3,000 cars. Good idea

[T_Totler]

Saw your ad in the Star for under $3,000 cars. Good idea
Good idea indeed....

I've sold all my old cars and other stuff by placing ads in the Star and everything sold very quickly. They have the largest circulation of any newspaper in Canada and the cost is relatively cheap.

[lbjgh]

Sold this morning $2300. :) After safety we netted $1400. :tch:

Oh well, we fixed all the common problems with those cars so the new owner should get a few good years out of it.