30th Jul 2004, 09:00

Re the above comment, it was probably a good deal for the seller, because Kelly Blue Book for private seller sale for one in good condition with 76K miles is only $1100.

Live and learn.

30th Jul 2004, 17:54

In response to the above comment: Kelly Blue Book is not the gospel. They usually undercut the real world value the car goes for on the street. It is mainly used as a guide for dealerships on trade in values. Actually, after a few others I've seen for sale on the street locally for much more, plus low mileage, and compounded with the car's outstanding reliability, 1700 is a good price for that car. Especially compared to some of the prices other used cars are going for right now.

3rd Aug 2004, 19:30

Hi, it's me again (the person that recently purchased an 89 Ninety Eight).

After doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that I did in fact, get a good deal. The car I purchased with 76k is fully loaded, extremely clean, and in near showroom condition, minus 2 small spots about the size of a large ant's head that needed some touch up paint (which I did touch up). Plus it had new tires on it, was just tuned up, had all the fluids topped off, and new coil packs, along with a new crankshaft positioning sensor. Everything works on the car very well, also.

I searched on autotrader.com, and ones for private sale that go for what I paid, have WELL over 100k miles on them, and most have also been beat to death.

I also found an 88 Ninety Eight about 20 miles from my house that a guy had on his front lawn. I went there and looked at it. He was asking 2500 OBO for the car, and it had 115k on it. The car was clean, but needed some TLC. My mechanic also told me that the car was a good deal because of their longevity, which I didn't know a whole lot about until I talked to him.

Regarding the comment below my original one, I would agree with the comment below that one stating that Kelly Blue Book is flawed when it comes to private party values. They say the 87 Bonneville I had in good condition with 97k miles on it is worth, for private party sale, $1000. I got $1850 for that car after having it for sale for a week. So, I hardly think the seller got the good deal. And you also told me "live and learn". Well, I'm still living, and I have learned that I got a good deal.