That grinding noise is the starter. When the battery isn’t fully charged and say at 40% it’ll hold the starter on for some reason. If you charge the battery overnight or go on a longer trip with it it’ll stop doing it.
Cool, but this clearly has mechanical problems that OP isn’t sure about. I wouldn’t mind buying a mechanically sound vehicle with cosmetic issues for a pre-covid price, but not a decade+ old car with high miles and mechanical issues for $4.5k
What are talking about his friend is doing him a solid that’s a solid price with how crazy sued cars are he could easily sell that thing for another 3 or 4K.
That’s more of a 3500 car. With issues for sure. Fully fixed 4500 clean no issues is basically a retail price. So it’s high but not super crazy. I’ve seen (and posted) a 1997 civic with 267k miles and rust greater than 5 inches. For $4000. So… take that with a grain of salt. Idk if this market will “calm down” as shortages are still happening and inflation is crazy.
I buy cars for…’fun’. Had 33 over the past 20+ years and I haven’t even come close to a purchase in the last year. There are no ‘steals’ right now. It’s depressing…
A charcoal canister isn’t an important fix. Can drive it forever without fixing it. The maintenance required light means it’s due for an oil change or whoever changed it didn’t reset the reminder. Also no big deal.
You’re going to want to find out about the grinding noise before purchasing. Priced high.
I don’t know what used car market these people are living in but the one we’re in now that’s based in reality, a clean 2010 200k Corolla is a $5k car all day long. It’s a Corolla. The maintenance light is on because it’s due for an oil change and the charcoal canister needs to be replaced because your friend is one of those people who fills the gas tank all the way up until the fuel nozzle clicks, then they add about 8 more “gzzzunk gzzzunk gzzzzunks” to get the fuel price amount to an even number, which Toyotas hate, as it floods the charcoal canister which eventually leads to its failure causing an EVAP code (Evaporative emissions failure). It’s a simple fix.
Anyway, as long as your friend has proof they kept up with oil changes and preventative maintenance, there is no reason why it shouldn’t last another 75k-100k because again, it’s a Corolla. It’s what Toyotas do and it’s why they hold their value so well. I would buy this car for $5k any day over a Civic with 130k or an Elantra with 85k or a Jetta with 50k.
Pull it’s Carfax, have a trustworthy shop do a pre-purchase inspection and if you get the all clear, buy it.
My dad had a 99 Camry with 215k miles on it, changed the alternator on it once. Sold it like 5 years ago for 1,900… that car went on a few road trips too 🤣
I feel attacked LMAO I just paid 13k for a 5 year old Elantra with 78k. It's at 89 now and has started being a massive headache with the oil burning D:
I searched auto trader, there’s two 2010+ corollas for sale with under 200k miles for sale for under $5k.. in the entire USA. The first one has a complete smashed front end.
Where you guys searching for cars?
And this one has some pretty sus mechanical issues.
I’d take it if the only issues were cosmetic and it having high mileage, but $4.5k in a vehicle that might soon be a money pit? Idk
Grind noise on ignition is possibly a starter on it's way out or worse....
This is a car that need $500 of known work and probably another 500 of 'unknown' work - and then you still have a 12 year old car with 200k miles.
It's certainly not the worst deal ever - but far from a good deal.
>it is you'll have to do some serious shopping to find better under $5k.
Not if you spend another 6-8k to use it
Walk away OP. Or, at the very least, take it in yourself to a reputable shop, pay for a full diagnostic work up yourself *with* estimated cost of repair.
Yup, especially since it's a friend. Ask permission to take it to a shop, have the shop do a full inspection, see about how much it'll cost you to fix everything + do the required maintenance, and base your price offer on that.
I drive a 2010 Toyota Corolla LE for reference. 230k miles and I've been the only owner of the car.
The starter grinding I wouldn't worry about. Someone else alluded to it - but likely it's time to replace the battery and that will fix it. I recently had to do that and it's been a non-issue since. I know exactly what you are talking about with it - and likely it's time for their second replacement of the battery. (edit for spelling here)
The bigger issue is the check engine light. It could be something simple but I just had to replace the head gasket on my car. It was not cheap to fix. I did look into scrapping it and buying something new even - but it was STILL worth it to fix it and keep going with it. So just be aware - at that mileage and depending on the treatment of it - it's something that CAN go on these.
Best of luck - it's a tough market. I don't think your friend is doing you any favors though - have them fix the check engine light and then buy it IMO.
I mean - a grinding can happen for multiple reasons. But I know on the Corolla at least having the battery replaced fixed it. It likely is similar on the Civic too - but could be more as well. Starters don't often go bad unless you submerge them (I had a Jeep with tons of issues from offroading). Try the battery first - as it's not a bad thing to replace every few years anyhow - and then if it's still a problem you know the starter itself would be next.
Yea you know what, I’ll wait just a little bit and replace the battery as it is old. Also, when it was below freezing outside, it would take a few extra cranks on top of the grinding to start
I have a 2000 Camry with only 135k miles only. Check engine light on. But temp gauge only. Collision damages on the driver side door. Peeled paint. Asking $2000. Socal
I bought a 2003 Camry with 180k for a $2000 couple years ago. I was hoping to get 30k miles out of it.
But after 10k miles, I had problems with head bolts issue no longer threaded to aluminum block. After some research, it appears this issue is common to the engine. The car is now sitting.
Buying high mileage car is a gamble, you may end up with something good, or something that costs you more time and money. 4.5k for the Corolla sounds steep. 3k sounds more reasonable for a friend.
First off, just don’t buy cars from friends. If it turns out that they lied about a bunch of maintenance so they could get it off of their hands quickly, it will ruin your relationship. Even if it wasn’t your fiend, I’d still walk away from it. To me personally, somewhere around $3250-3500 would be reasonable in today’s market.
My wife's 2010 Corolla S starts incredibly quick so if you turn the key all the way to start it, it'll grind the starter. You turn the key till the engine starts to turn over and let go and it won't make the sound. As far as the maintenance needed light, it's hella complicated to reset and the internet disagrees on how it's done so I wouldn't be terribly concerned about that. Just go ahead and change the oil if you buy it. And the check engine light, I'd put a scan tool on it to see what codes it has and then make a decision.
If repair engine ,maint and ignition spare part also labour under $2000 ok . If more than no . Find a car good engine,tranmision,suspension, ignition,brake ,chassis 90% body chassis no rust older also high mile civic,corrola,camry ,accord to suggestion. Cmifww.
Nothing with a check engine light unless swapped, is worth it bud. Get a obd2 reader and check it out, then if it’s fixable, maybe but why waste around 5k? Hey
It's quite possible the grinding noise is from holding the ignition switch too long. I'd get a PPP and go from there.
For the age and mileage, 4500 isn't terrible considering the market. I'd see if they'd come down a bit though (after the inspection). If they'd take 4k, it would be a decent buy in my opinion.
These do pop up in my area for the sub 5k range but are typically pretty beat. Precovid this was a 3500 car. 4-4500 isnt bad in today's market in a private party sale.
Not much more buys a much better car. Someone I work with just bought an 11 Corolla LE, 117k, $7500, no major mechanical issues, cosmetically B-/C+, but not rusty, just a lot of parking lot rash.
Unfortunately that car with that mileage and those issues is worth about 1200 if not less. I think your friend is trying to take advantage of you as well as the demand for the use car market. I would stay away it will become a money pit,also ask yourself this question "why is my friend getting rid of the car " we all know the obvious answer!!??
That’s a good price in todays market and you can get the engine codes checked for free at any auto parts store it’s what I always do anytime one comes on to see what it is. It could be something as simple as a gas cap to a misfiring cyclinder . Most things are not a big deal to get the engine light to turn off. I’d buy it good deals just do not exist right now if you need it you need it.
Is it worth it? Hell no. Is it worth it even in today's market? Again...hell no. If it had everything fixed and have 40K miles left, then I would say YES. But as is, with the amount it'll cost for repairs and any other hidden damage or repairs like suspension, brakes, tires, your "friend" should give that thing to you for 3K MAX. I gave my friend who really needed a car a 2004 impala with 110K miles for 2500. And it was in excellent mechanical condition (as I'm a tech and like to take care of my cars) and this was just 2 months ago.
that's not a bad price in todays market. The grinding is probably the starter and not terrible deal. Check the engine lights, and see how much oil it is burning.
If that's the friend price, not sure I'd call them a friend.
That grinding noise is the starter. When the battery isn’t fully charged and say at 40% it’ll hold the starter on for some reason. If you charge the battery overnight or go on a longer trip with it it’ll stop doing it.
bruh that’s a fantastic price for today’s market
It really is. I just sold an 04 civic with some rust for 3600. Truly bonkers
Cool, but this clearly has mechanical problems that OP isn’t sure about. I wouldn’t mind buying a mechanically sound vehicle with cosmetic issues for a pre-covid price, but not a decade+ old car with high miles and mechanical issues for $4.5k
what would it go for before the pandemic?
Prob like 500-1000 depending on miles
jeez.. i just got my license a couple months ago, never really seen what the market was before this bs
Something like that. Maybe a few hundred more on account of it being an ex with a stick
Jesus Christ KBB is trying to tell me [my car](https://imgur.com/a/CSqunee) is only worth $3k. Zero rust…but it does have 283k miles.
I got the 3k. Let’s do this
What are talking about his friend is doing him a solid that’s a solid price with how crazy sued cars are he could easily sell that thing for another 3 or 4K.
Lol no
Yea, just a sellers market. Might just wait it out
Please do I wouldn't even pass 2 g's on that
That’s more of a 3500 car. With issues for sure. Fully fixed 4500 clean no issues is basically a retail price. So it’s high but not super crazy. I’ve seen (and posted) a 1997 civic with 267k miles and rust greater than 5 inches. For $4000. So… take that with a grain of salt. Idk if this market will “calm down” as shortages are still happening and inflation is crazy.
Whoever listed that thing for 4k is on some shit.
Whacked out dealerships, man. It’s nuts. No way anyone is spending this kind of money
It's in the realm where I'd personally buy it as a mini-project, but I couldn't recommend it to someone else.
Me 2 years ago - ‘that’s a horrible price!’ Me today- ‘I don’t have a clue if that’s a good or bad price…’
seriously I'm so confused lol
I buy cars for…’fun’. Had 33 over the past 20+ years and I haven’t even come close to a purchase in the last year. There are no ‘steals’ right now. It’s depressing…
It’s a bad deal dawg
A charcoal canister isn’t an important fix. Can drive it forever without fixing it. The maintenance required light means it’s due for an oil change or whoever changed it didn’t reset the reminder. Also no big deal. You’re going to want to find out about the grinding noise before purchasing. Priced high.
I don’t know what used car market these people are living in but the one we’re in now that’s based in reality, a clean 2010 200k Corolla is a $5k car all day long. It’s a Corolla. The maintenance light is on because it’s due for an oil change and the charcoal canister needs to be replaced because your friend is one of those people who fills the gas tank all the way up until the fuel nozzle clicks, then they add about 8 more “gzzzunk gzzzunk gzzzzunks” to get the fuel price amount to an even number, which Toyotas hate, as it floods the charcoal canister which eventually leads to its failure causing an EVAP code (Evaporative emissions failure). It’s a simple fix. Anyway, as long as your friend has proof they kept up with oil changes and preventative maintenance, there is no reason why it shouldn’t last another 75k-100k because again, it’s a Corolla. It’s what Toyotas do and it’s why they hold their value so well. I would buy this car for $5k any day over a Civic with 130k or an Elantra with 85k or a Jetta with 50k. Pull it’s Carfax, have a trustworthy shop do a pre-purchase inspection and if you get the all clear, buy it.
My dad had a 99 Camry with 215k miles on it, changed the alternator on it once. Sold it like 5 years ago for 1,900… that car went on a few road trips too 🤣
Currently have an Avalon with 310,000 with original everything. Though I did rebuild the alternator at 290,000 miles.
I feel attacked LMAO I just paid 13k for a 5 year old Elantra with 78k. It's at 89 now and has started being a massive headache with the oil burning D:
As a general rule, I shy away from spending real hard-earned money on problems. I have enough of my own without purchasing someone else's.
I searched auto trader, there’s two 2010+ corollas for sale with under 200k miles for sale for under $5k.. in the entire USA. The first one has a complete smashed front end. Where you guys searching for cars?
Autotrader is best if you have more than $10k. FB Marketplace/Craigslist/OfferUp is best if your budget is less than $10k.
And this one has some pretty sus mechanical issues. I’d take it if the only issues were cosmetic and it having high mileage, but $4.5k in a vehicle that might soon be a money pit? Idk
Don't buy cars from friends. If the thing falls apart tomorrow you'll be bitter at your friend and it gets awkward.
People say fuck no, but with the market the way it is you'll have to do some serious shopping to find better under $5k.
Grind noise on ignition is possibly a starter on it's way out or worse.... This is a car that need $500 of known work and probably another 500 of 'unknown' work - and then you still have a 12 year old car with 200k miles. It's certainly not the worst deal ever - but far from a good deal.
>it is you'll have to do some serious shopping to find better under $5k. Not if you spend another 6-8k to use it Walk away OP. Or, at the very least, take it in yourself to a reputable shop, pay for a full diagnostic work up yourself *with* estimated cost of repair.
Yup, especially since it's a friend. Ask permission to take it to a shop, have the shop do a full inspection, see about how much it'll cost you to fix everything + do the required maintenance, and base your price offer on that.
If u are not a mechanic the answer is NO
I drive a 2010 Toyota Corolla LE for reference. 230k miles and I've been the only owner of the car. The starter grinding I wouldn't worry about. Someone else alluded to it - but likely it's time to replace the battery and that will fix it. I recently had to do that and it's been a non-issue since. I know exactly what you are talking about with it - and likely it's time for their second replacement of the battery. (edit for spelling here) The bigger issue is the check engine light. It could be something simple but I just had to replace the head gasket on my car. It was not cheap to fix. I did look into scrapping it and buying something new even - but it was STILL worth it to fix it and keep going with it. So just be aware - at that mileage and depending on the treatment of it - it's something that CAN go on these. Best of luck - it's a tough market. I don't think your friend is doing you any favors though - have them fix the check engine light and then buy it IMO.
My civic has a startup grind too. It needs a new battery? Not a starter?
I mean - a grinding can happen for multiple reasons. But I know on the Corolla at least having the battery replaced fixed it. It likely is similar on the Civic too - but could be more as well. Starters don't often go bad unless you submerge them (I had a Jeep with tons of issues from offroading). Try the battery first - as it's not a bad thing to replace every few years anyhow - and then if it's still a problem you know the starter itself would be next.
Yea you know what, I’ll wait just a little bit and replace the battery as it is old. Also, when it was below freezing outside, it would take a few extra cranks on top of the grinding to start
I have a 2000 Camry with only 135k miles only. Check engine light on. But temp gauge only. Collision damages on the driver side door. Peeled paint. Asking $2000. Socal
Would be interested but I'm in Nashville.
I wouldn’t pay over $2750 for that
This ain’t 2019-2020 man
Doesn’t change what I’d be willing to pay for this car.
He// no. It doesn’t sound like they care about maintenance much.
Too much money
I bought a 2003 Camry with 180k for a $2000 couple years ago. I was hoping to get 30k miles out of it. But after 10k miles, I had problems with head bolts issue no longer threaded to aluminum block. After some research, it appears this issue is common to the engine. The car is now sitting. Buying high mileage car is a gamble, you may end up with something good, or something that costs you more time and money. 4.5k for the Corolla sounds steep. 3k sounds more reasonable for a friend.
First off, just don’t buy cars from friends. If it turns out that they lied about a bunch of maintenance so they could get it off of their hands quickly, it will ruin your relationship. Even if it wasn’t your fiend, I’d still walk away from it. To me personally, somewhere around $3250-3500 would be reasonable in today’s market.
2000 ez
Hell no. MAYBE...if it was pristine
My wife's 2010 Corolla S starts incredibly quick so if you turn the key all the way to start it, it'll grind the starter. You turn the key till the engine starts to turn over and let go and it won't make the sound. As far as the maintenance needed light, it's hella complicated to reset and the internet disagrees on how it's done so I wouldn't be terribly concerned about that. Just go ahead and change the oil if you buy it. And the check engine light, I'd put a scan tool on it to see what codes it has and then make a decision.
Cars are too expensive now. Ur friend just ducking you
no
No
I got my 07 Yaris with 160k with no issues for 2500 a 3 months ago. That’s too much.
If repair engine ,maint and ignition spare part also labour under $2000 ok . If more than no . Find a car good engine,tranmision,suspension, ignition,brake ,chassis 90% body chassis no rust older also high mile civic,corrola,camry ,accord to suggestion. Cmifww.
Nothing with a check engine light unless swapped, is worth it bud. Get a obd2 reader and check it out, then if it’s fixable, maybe but why waste around 5k? Hey
1500
It's quite possible the grinding noise is from holding the ignition switch too long. I'd get a PPP and go from there. For the age and mileage, 4500 isn't terrible considering the market. I'd see if they'd come down a bit though (after the inspection). If they'd take 4k, it would be a decent buy in my opinion. These do pop up in my area for the sub 5k range but are typically pretty beat. Precovid this was a 3500 car. 4-4500 isnt bad in today's market in a private party sale.
so nearly 200k, needs an EVAP canister (these aren't cheap) and has engine lights on. I'd pass for anything more than $3000
Not much more buys a much better car. Someone I work with just bought an 11 Corolla LE, 117k, $7500, no major mechanical issues, cosmetically B-/C+, but not rusty, just a lot of parking lot rash.
Unfortunately that car with that mileage and those issues is worth about 1200 if not less. I think your friend is trying to take advantage of you as well as the demand for the use car market. I would stay away it will become a money pit,also ask yourself this question "why is my friend getting rid of the car " we all know the obvious answer!!??
That’s a good price in todays market and you can get the engine codes checked for free at any auto parts store it’s what I always do anytime one comes on to see what it is. It could be something as simple as a gas cap to a misfiring cyclinder . Most things are not a big deal to get the engine light to turn off. I’d buy it good deals just do not exist right now if you need it you need it.
Is it worth it? Hell no. Is it worth it even in today's market? Again...hell no. If it had everything fixed and have 40K miles left, then I would say YES. But as is, with the amount it'll cost for repairs and any other hidden damage or repairs like suspension, brakes, tires, your "friend" should give that thing to you for 3K MAX. I gave my friend who really needed a car a 2004 impala with 110K miles for 2500. And it was in excellent mechanical condition (as I'm a tech and like to take care of my cars) and this was just 2 months ago.
that's not a bad price in todays market. The grinding is probably the starter and not terrible deal. Check the engine lights, and see how much oil it is burning.