iam_immigrant

I'm looking to pickup a 6th gen hatch. Looked at a few of them. Now some come certified some dont. For the ones that dont how much should i take off the price when negotiating? I know that it's dependent on the condition of each car but in general is there a "ballpark" price reduction?

IE. 1997 w/190k okay body condition, no visible rust, 5spd for $3900.

Cynikal.Mindset

its hard to say without knowing whats needed for cert. generally I throw 500less at them depending on how much the car is and what I know is gonna be needed, nit pick if you have to...knock off a grand if its red, red cars are almost always cheaper

shlammed

i wouldn't even bother buying one that didn't come certified

siref

What makes you say that? A safety is not a warranty and doesn't gaurantee very much. It ensures a minimum standard but thats it.

A certification is for safety equipment such as breaks, tires suspension and gives you a false sense of security.

imported_viper_2_4

what if it just needs brake pads?...thats like $50 and your set, saved yourself a bunch of cash...what you need to do is know what your looking...

92JDMx

i dont find anything wrong with buyin uncretified cars... in alot of cases u can save yourself some good coin.. but if your not too mechanical inclinded i suggest you take it to a mechanic, not theirs, and see what needs to be done for safety... dont forget all prices are already stated hire because they know people will offer less... so dont feel shy about askin for a lower price...

but in all ends get someone you trust look over it, and check out the frame mainly, frame is not repairable, well it is but not something you want to do for safety issues, other then that everything is fixable..

imported_wajih1

From my personal experience, most people that sell cars without certification know whats wrong with the car and aren't willing to spend that much on it, so they offer you a couple of hundred off when the actual cost is way higher, so like mentioned above make sure you get the car checked by your mechanic before making a deal.

iam_immigrant

Thanks for all the replies.

I just wanted to know a ballpark figure because I wanted to have something of a "budget".

imported_truluder

how about u drive it and go from there... feel how the brake pedal is (high or low), any vibrations, the tires (min spec for a safety 6 or 5/32nds) take it over a few bumps make sure the car is not bouncing all over the place... those are a couple things i bought my car not safetied.. but i drove the car first and knew it needed nothing. my car's last service before the person traded it in was oil change, tire rotation, rear shoes and front brake service. it all depends on the person

shlammed

iam_immigrant

I was thinking of taking the owner w/the car to my mechanic and whatever he says is needed for safety to take it off the price and i'll pay that amount on the spot...less headaches and seems fair to both parties.

imported_BlitzSix

ehh wtf? since when ?

lowprofile

yeah if the only thing between the seller and having it certified is a $50 brake job why doesn't he just do it? either he's really lazy or it's not a $50 job..