2008 Honda Fit with manual transmission and bad air conditioning for $2,000 near Show Low

[Xist]

I printed off this list I got from the CarTalk subreddit (that banned me without explanation): Used-Car Checklist by Popular Mechanics

It is a list of 101 things from whether they have the owner's manual to testing for parasitic drains, pressure-testing the cooling system, doing a compression test, and doing a cylinder leak-down test. I am surprised that using a scan tool is under Engine, Advanced with the disclaimer "Requires a more rigorous inspection; clear with owner first). I went over most of it. The owner does oil changes himself and takes the car to the high school and has the auto mechanics teacher fix it. It doesn't have 200,000 miles, it has 222,000, the same number that my Prelude had when the transmission went out, and the same as my Civic had when the head gasket blew.

I hope that mileage is accurate!

I did not see the title, but he insisted that it is not salvage. I saw a little curb rash, but the wheels have a layer of mud on them. The driver's and back wiper blades need to be replaced. It has rims. Yay! Rims! The tire pressure wasn't even, but he brought out a battery-powered compressor, and I evened it out.

As far as I can tell, all of the panels are the same shade color. The panel gaps are even. All of the trim looks good except it is missing some clips for the bumper and cowl, but I have a bag of them. I put my Harbor Freight light on a bunch of parts and the magnet held. The front and back tires are different brands, but all are name brands with good tread, and seemingly even wear.

I did not see any rust. The seats do not have any damage, just dirt. The spare tire and all of the tools look good. He said the eBay seller sent out a new AC compressor, but it is the same cheap brand. He will have it installed on Monday, but I do not expect it to last any longer than the first one.

There is only one fender liner! Oh no!

I did not jack up the car and climb underneath. I already spent two hours inspecting the car, it was getting dark, we were cold, and his driveway is all muddy. Aside from the missing clips, everything looked good under the hood, but it sure is tiny!

I could not see the date on the battery, but he did not replace it in the year or two that he has owned the car. The oil was dirty and needs to be changed, but I did not see goo, metal particles, milk, or signs of gas.

The CEL turns on and off like it is supposed to. My reader did not show any pending codes. I did not check the steering, brakes, or suspension. I did not try this:

Manual transmission: Put the car in top gear while driving at 30 mph. Floor the throttle. Do the engine revs climb quickly, as if the clutch is slipping?

The paint is also faded. Edit: Dealbreaker! The latch on the wider side of the back seat is broken, so it is currently impossible to fold down.

I did not find anything noteworthy, but I still need to climb underneath.

[Xist]

The owner messaged me that he had the AC compressor replaced, but again, it is the same brand as the one that failed after two days, which seems like a waste of time and money. I told him that I worked two jobs Monday through Wednesday and would be unavailable until Thursday morning.

In that message he said that he is leaving town at 05 on Thursday and is not returning until Sunday.

So, next Thursday, unless he sells it to that friend for $1,600?

[Ecky]

I think it's a good option.

[MetroMPG]

Either way, you might have a fit!

[Xist]

Are you making jokes every month now?

[Xist]

I wrote that the KBB value in good condition is $2,635. It is $2,102 in fair condition. Everything looked pretty good to me, but I did not get under the car, and I still want a mechanic to look at it. I miss things all of the time!

I had planned on having the best mechanic in-town look at it yesterday morning, but either I have been sick all month, or I have allergies, but nobody will tell me. Seriously, I paid a nurse practitioner for a diagnosis. I did not get a diagnosis. I talked to my sister, a nurse practitioner, and as always, she was useless.

Do I need to stay home and rest or am I safe to work and pay my bills?!

Me: Sorry for not getting back to you, but I have been sick all week.
Owner: Sorry to hear that. If you want it it's yours. AC is working like it should now. I'm free after 3pm
I mentioned a mechanic in his area. I called and they said they could inspect it today (but they weren't the best-rated in-town!)
Him: Dude seriously I have no problem with that, bit this is a 2000 dollar car. Lol you dont think your being a little paranoid? I drive this everyday. Were in the same field. It's a good car I wouldn't lie to you.
Me thinketh the lady doth protest too much.
Me: Sadly, $2,000 is a lot for me.
Him: So your gonna pay more for someone to look at it? Lol its on you bud if you really want to go that route fine by me. But im firm at 2k.

At least twice mechanics have strongly encouraged me not to buy cars that I brought them. I do not think that they charged me, either.

Why did he suddenly say that he was firm? He originally mentioned the friend offering $1,600, making me think that I had more room for negotiating than I expected. He discourages a professional inspection and is firm on the price?

I told him that I hoped he found someone before his new compressor died.

[Fat Charlie]

It's not costing him anything to keep it and he doesn't desperately need the money right now. He's not a very motivated seller and doesn't want much hassle. The more time he has to spend on the sale, the less he's willing to come down- especially because the more time you put into this, the more it obviously means to you.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

It's not costing him anything to keep it and he doesn't desperately need the money right now. He's not a very motivated seller and doesn't want much hassle. The more time he has to spend on the sale, the less he's willing to come down- especially because the more time you put into this, the more it obviously means to you.

This.

$2000 is not very much to me anymore either. My time is far more valuable, and I'm likely to quit talking to someone who, in my mind, is trying to make me jump through hoops over a low value item.

[Xist]

Taking the car to a mechanic is making him jump through a bunch of hoops? It seems more like he is worried they will find stuff wrong.

Why wouldn't I take a car to a mechanic? The blue book on my Subaru was $1,650. We took it to his mechanic (who hardly found anything. I had already taken it to the dealership) and I negotiated down.

[Xist]

Why would he initially indicate that he was willing to negotiate? I looked over the car and said that I just wanted a mechanic to look at it. He said "Sure."

What changed?