Im looking at buying a 2001 SSEi, totally loaded up, a real black beauty. Problem is, it has over 103K showing on the clock. Body wise/interior wise its average/above average, and the dealer is asking $9600.

I'll be moving up from a pretty basic 1996 SE (i'll be putting my GXP rims onto the SSEi if I do buy it.)


Please give me any and all opinions!!!! Soon!

Few things to check on those..DIC make sure all funtions work, stereo make sure the backlighting is good, pop the spare tire cover off, check for moisture, check around the doors for possible leaks..nose around under the hood...look on the hood for paint bubbles
103K? Still young..that engine will go forever if maintain it

eek, idk, if it was being sold by a private party, you could inquire about where it was driven (highway/city). Get it checked out by your mechanic...

103k isnt bad at all, My 2000 SE just hit 110k yesterday, and still runs terrific!
The price seems not too bad either, but i think i would like to see closer to $8500-9000usd

IMO, 100K miles on a modern car is just the break-in period, lol. Like mentioned above, the condition of the car under inspection will speak to whether the miles were "good" or "bad", meaning how was the car cared for and treated.

Don't hesitate to slide under the car for a close look at evrything there too. Even if recently cleaned, oil/fluid leaks can show up at the underside of the engine compartment.

Then, when/if you decide all is good, negotiate the price as much as possible.

I looked up the KBB and NADA values (I never really trust those much) and the Edmunds TMV and all of them where right around $11,500....but I'd like to talk the dealer down to at least $9,000.

I'm just worried about previous maintenance....hard to tell from a dealer.

We posted at the same time. Look at my post above. Do your research, but trust your own eyes and personal inspection. Get them to let you take it home overnight if possible.

Anything else too look at/for in particular?

Take it on a GOOD test drive. Don't be afraid to "get into it". Test EVREYTHING....windows, sunroof, A/C and Heat.

When you get back, pop the hood and look, listen, smell for anything unusual.

I wouldn't worry about the mileage. If the car seems to run well, and the transmission seems to shift strong, all the fluids look good, etc..., then there should be nothing to worry about. Our '00 SSEi has 175k on it and still runs very very strong. The only major failure the car has ever had was the tranny went out at around 170k, but keep in mind our SSEi is not stock and has been driven very hard since day one. But having basically no other issues with the car at all means paying $1600 for a new tranny is no big deal.