I am planning in buying this http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1057035632.html

I am already talking to the guy and scheduled in seeing it. How much do you guys think I should pay for it? and do I have any responsibilities as far as for reporting the sale to dmv? fees? do we have to make a private contract since he is a private seller? what do I need to watch out for? any tips please? thanks.

 

I am a tech at a toyota dealer here in PA and i do alot of quality checks on traded vehicles. This sounds about right on the money for annual mileage for an 04 Matrix. Im not to sure how things work out there in Cali for dmv, fees or anything like that. Here in PA usually you go to the notary and or vehicle registration place and they hold the title of the car till he can prove that you have paid it off. If you paying for it in full then I recommend getting a bank counter check or a cashiers check (essentially the same thing) but just make sure your not shopping around and just jumping at the first sign of what you think could be a good daily

 

when I inspect the vehicle. what do I look for? i don't care about paint or exterior stuff but I want the engine and transmission to be good.

 

check around the oil fill cap the valve cover gasket, check the oil level, assuming the vehicle will not be on a lift. Take a small flashlight look at the bell housing where the transmission meets the block and look and feel for any signs of oil. 3rd is this vehicle a manual transmission? If it is then make sure there is no more than a half inch of pedal play in the clutch. Take it for a test drive run it through all the gears, including reverse. If there is a delayed engagement in the clutch or there is excessive play in the pedal before engagement its going to need a clutch in the near future. Make sure the belts, hoses, and vac lines are not cracked or dry rotted. Crank on that A/C make sure it blows super cold. Ask for Maintenance records, if he doesnt have them subtract some money you will be willing to offer to him. Look at the tires in PA if you have 4/32nds or less you fail PA State Inpsection and require new tires. Also the matrix is notorious for having master cylinder problems. Make sure those brakes are stiff, if they are spongy then the master cylinder either needs bleed or replaced. Most of all Check, Check, Check and Check for fluids, cracked hoses, belts, vac lines, leaks and so forth. I hope this helps somewhat. Its harder to explain than to physically do this lol.

 

Just get your/dad's/uncle's mechanic and have him check it out. Unless you know alot about what to look for, you are going to miss a ton of things a mechanic could easily spot. It would be well worth it, $8+ grand is not exactly pocket change. You could grab an old Accord or Civic for cheaper and just as reliable.

 

The car needs to come with a smog certificate and the title.
A bill of sale (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg135.pdf) is the "private contract" you are referring to.
The amount of tax you pay the DMV should be dependent on the amount paid for the car as listed in the bill of sale.

 

^^^^ very much agreed if you don't know what to look for or the processes you have to go through to purchase this vehicle then let someone who has the experience do it for you. And you could prob grab that older accord or civic for even cheaper than 8 grand. Like you stated you need a daily not a car to mod

 

always carfax to check the title and make sure its not salvage

 

^ i see u posting all over civiceater...maybe trying to raise ur post count...just a friendly heads up.....off-topic posts dont count...
/threadjack...carry on now