My $.02:

1, you've GOT to have someone take a look at the car for you before you head out with cash in hand. In my search I've been quite blessed with some absolutely incredible BC members that have gone over the top for me and looked at potential cars.

2, don't trust the pictures. All cars look good in a photo.

3, don't let mileage be too much of a driver in your decision to buy. I was interested in a car with only 30k on it. Fortunately there was a member (see #1 above) within a few miles that was willing to have a look at it. The car turned out to be a crap-wagon. Lots of issues with it. Point is, there are cars with more mileage that are better than some with low mileage. And my experience indicates that, with car dealers, price is inversely proportional to mileage. That is to say they'll ask, say, $11k for a car with 70k and $18k for a car with 29k on it. Apparently it doesn't matter that on the $18k car the passenger door catches on the front fender when you open it. Mileage is everything to dealers, I guess.

4, if the drivetrain checks out OK and the body is even just decent, less than $9000 is a remarkable price for a 2003. As long as you don't have to fix anything major, you might be able to live with a few minor problems.

5, "value" of a car is highly subjective. In your area these cars seem to be plentiful. Out here in the west, they're not so easy to find so they command a little higher price. If the car is what you want, the condition is acceptable, and the price works for you, then probalby you should buy it. Doesn't matter what the rest of us think.

I could spew forth with much more wisdom, but this will do for now.

Boosty also speaks with wisdom.

and its likely that the car was fixed properly when it does show up on carfax, and is reported that it was in fact fixed by a collision repair shop

...and not by some clown in his garage... :P
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=81536

LOL!

LOL!!!!

Thanks SSEMotorhead for your wisdom. This 03 was not repaired by PDM. lol

I am having Jack and/or Karl (95seand78z2 look at it in the next few days. I would never drive up there unless it had the options advertised and passed Karl/Jack'* inspection.

This '03 is much better priced for me, and for the miles it looks great (in photos). It has every option (not sure about 12-disc changer, that'* ok though), and the interior looks mint. 2003 seats FTW!

So hopefully this one is a winner.

Ok..I see how you guys are.. buy a white car Pete.. then you can crash it like Stan'*. lol

Thanks for the laughs..

I would love a white one. There is one option, clean/accident-free title, but it'* listed at $15,000, so it'* not very likely.

The lowest mile Bonne in my budget has 40,000 miles. It would be based on a downpayment though, which I will not have unless I sell my 94. So I may not NEVER get a lower mileage Bonne. lol

Never say never

If this 2003 doesn't work out, my only other option really is the 2002 that Pat and Aaron are looking at today (I think they are looking at it today). That one will have to be reduced in price though, to fit my budget, and I'm not sure if I can get it done, or if a small dealership will be able to finance me. My credit is good, but I'm still worried about the small dealers vs. the large dealers when it comes to financing.

Any access to a credit union? How about local banks?