Where to look? or Is our '97 Maxima is really worth $10K?

[DavidBAz]

Unbelievable.
Truly.
Does everyone, dealer or private owner,
really believe that their used vehicle is
worth what they're asking?
Going by Edmunds appraisals- EVERYTHING
is way overpriced. Particularly Tacomas in
Arizona. Don't even see older V6 4WD Double Cabs
for sale.
Kind of like Glock 26's, which leads me to think
people are holding on to them!
I understand the impact of this (from The Gun Counter)

Be aware that "Cash (wasted) For Clunkers" decimated the US population of just these sorts of trucks and they are now, if in OK condition, demanding a premium price.

You can thank "Cash For Clunkers" for murdering thousands and thousands of these sorts of trucks. The survivors are priced high because you can't get an inexpensive 4x4 type truck like this anymore in the middle price ranges- they all got killed in 2008. Another thing to thank Obamma for.

That particular truck is owned by someone who is dreaming, CL is full of those.

But how much of a premium is too much? And do Edmunds
(and KBB, Intellichoice, etc.) take this into consideration?
Suggestions?
Continue to look at Craigslist?
Auto Trader type magazines?
Thank you.

[ericb]

Tacomas in AZ are "overpriced' because there is a huge demand, no corrosion, they work well out here, and they are reliable. So in reality the demand for them creates the price point. You can get them cheaper from rust belt states. You get what you pay for I suppose.

[Grey Man]

Not only did C4C kill the used car markets but less and less people are buying new vehicles or leasing them, thus over the years, the people that trade in their lightly used vehicle for the latest and greatest and the people that used to let their leases run out and get a new lease have stopped returning those cars to the dealers.

Cliff notes

Less supply of used vehicles = higher demand and higher prices. . . .

Thanks alot Obama.

[ericb]

C4C killed me in business........... it also destroyed a huge used parts availability in the market. The .Gov knew what he was doing. $10 k for a 97 Maxima is ludicris. And when it breaks down......... where are you going to find the used trans, engine or other parts??? Remanufactured parts, when available are going to be pricey as well...when they can be found.

Move on, there is nothing to see in a 97 maxima IMHO!!!

What got me was all the people who traded in perfectly good running paid off vehicles to go further into debt over depreciating assets when they should have been investing in real estate and precious metals....

[DiamondD]

C4C was a joke. I can't believe this clown got elected!

[DavidBAz]

Please continue this lesson!
We have a 1997 Maxima and a 1997 Altima-
(I was joking about the $10K, it was because of the absurd prices I've seen on Craigslist!)
I'm taking the Maxima in to Tri City Transmissions (Tempe,AZ) because our current auto
repair shop (National Auto Repair, Phoenix) said the check engine light showed a transmission
problem. It would need a rebuild and they would have to send it out - total $2050 for the job.
We're using them because our previous mechanics (Pitstop Performance, Phoenix) couldn't
completely read the check engine light issues. We had been happy with Pitstop. And National,
who are within walking distance.
National had just replaced a left front ball bearing on the Max and done some work on the Altima. I believe we've been treated fairly by them.
Now, I don't know Tri City at all, however, I'm willing to drop off the car to have them check it
over. They get good reviews (as does National) and there will be no diagnostic charge.
The thing is, I've been driving the Maxima for several months with the light on, Pitstop had
thought it was an O2 sensor, and it seems to drive like it always does.