Price to Pay for a Used Camry in Adelaide

lovafo on 19/11/2023 - 08:30
Last edited 19/11/2023 - 12:22 by 1 other user

Hi all, I've been helping a relative in buying a used Camry/Corolla with budget at $7k

Initially they just wanted something reliable and cheap to maintain so we were looking at all Japanese and some Korean cars but now have narrowed down to Camry and Corolla. The others seem to not be as reliable when they get to 150,000 plus KMs. Also we are in Adelaide so the supply isn't that great pushing prices out of budget for newer cars. We have found one 2006 Camry Ateva with the newer shape, full service history with stacks of receipts, well kept in garage. It's done 220,000kms with one month rego left.

I'm aware of the potential oil burning issue but hopefully the mechanic will find any issue with that during inspection and given it was maintained and serviced very well I hope that won't be an issue. Even if it is the relative won't be driving it much so they can just buy oil on sale and top the oil up whenever needed

We have negotiated the price down from $7k to $6,100 before mechanic inspection. If there are more issues we can negotiate further.

I'm just after advice on whether that price is a fair/good deal for a car in that condition especially in a small market like Adelaide after Covid. Similar cars have been listed and sold for at least $6500 -$7500 privately

Thanks

Poll Options

  • 12
    Good price
  • 12
    Still expensive
Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • kerfuffle on 19/11/2023 - 08:44
    +3

    All I can say is: don't forget insurance.

  • Euphemistic on 19/11/2023 - 09:20
    +3

    End of the day, none of us can see the car to get any visual clues if it’s good or not.

    As for price, that’s up to you. Used car prices are interesting to say the least. You have obviously done some research on what is the going rate so you’ve got a better read on price than a lot of keyboard warriors.

    How long do you plan to keep it? Should make easily 300,000km if it has a good history and you keep it maintained.

    Is it gold in colour? If not, you’ve got the wrong colour go find another Camry in the gold.

  • Gunnar on 19/11/2023 - 09:24
    +1

    There’s so much more to a cars value than its age, distance travelled and service history. Pics of the interior and exterior would help. Any history of accidents?

    • MS Paint on 19/11/2023 - 09:35
      +12

      We don't need pics of the interior. I can guarantee it's beige and the net pockets behind the front seats have been stretched to the absolute shizenhousen.

      The big question is….

      Is their a lip balm in the centre console compartment?

      • Gunnar on 19/11/2023 - 09:37
        +3

        Good point. OP is the Camry owned by a husband who cannot promise to not visit a brothel, especially when his wife is in hospital?

      • JIMB0 on 19/11/2023 - 09:51

        Check the globe box for horny goat weed.

        https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/39901/naturopathica-…

        • MS Paint on 19/11/2023 - 10:15
          +3

          Well at least we know the real reason why all Camry's have a box of tissues on the parcel shelf.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/11/2023 - 10:16
          +2

          That makes scents. Cheers.

    • lovafo on 19/11/2023 - 10:29

      No accident at all, it's been really well kept for its age and with extensive service history so we like it the most out of all the cars we've looked at. Obviously don't want to overpay for it but Toyota tax is what it is

      • Gunnar on 19/11/2023 - 10:45

        Without looking at it, it seems like a decent buy. Just get it if you’re really happy with it. Used cars are a minefield so if you’ve doing one that ticks all the boxes then go for it

      • RockyRaccoon on 19/11/2023 - 13:05

        Toyota tax

        Not really. Its what the market will pay.

        A similar Camry @ $3K you wouldnt be here asking, if you hadn't already paid for it it would be sold.

        As you say

        it's been really well kept for its age

        3 months ago sold my 2016 Altise for 22K and had two buyers (KM 55k). I bought it for 18K 5 years ago. 900K new people into the market this year doesnt help either.

  • RockyRaccoon on 19/11/2023 - 09:28

    Hard to say, but a quick check of prices for cars in NSW on CarSales, there aren't any of that year asking at that price and lower KM's.

    NSW would tend to have lower prices than SA (I say tends - not absolutely)

    There are cheaper asking prices $5000+ but older and in some cases many more km.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/toyota/camry/new-south-wale…

    So probably a fairish price. Like all cars it could be good or a dud, (although being a Camry the odds are far better on the former) you'll know after 5 years or so 😀

  • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 09:56
    +2

    Check the age of the tyres first and foremost. ; )

    While your there ,swipe the innards of the tailpipe to give you a rough "carbon dating" history of the oil it may or may not have been burning .Get someone to follow you when you test drive it, boot it, and change it up and down on a freeway etc, so you get to see how much smoke it blows.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 19/11/2023 - 10:22

      Check to make sure it still has the original run flat tyres, with plenty of tread.

      • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 10:46

        Apparently it's 'thread'. And 'tire'.

  • Sinnerator on 19/11/2023 - 10:25
    +3

    17 years ago new $33K

    Realistically this car is worth $2K, but these are unrealistic times because too many buyers are paying unrealistic prices

    • lovafo on 19/11/2023 - 10:30

      I would agree with you there, but we live in a world where everything is inflated. Probably not $2000 but maybe $4000 in my view would be a fair price however there are cars that hold their value more than others. Same as iPhone vs other phones

    • Euphemistic on 19/11/2023 - 11:26
      +5

      The realistic price for a used car is what the market is paying.

      • lovafo on 19/11/2023 - 11:32

        I know, same as houses and anything used. I'm just after if people are paying around the same amount for that kind of car or not

    • AustriaBargain on 19/11/2023 - 11:36

      I can't believe what people are asking for cars that old with 200-300k on them. How on Earth did we end up with a car shortage in Australia…

      • Nugs on 19/11/2023 - 11:44
        +1

        Too many people?
        .

      • MS Paint on 19/11/2023 - 11:45
        +1

        Covid doesn't ring a bell?
        .

        • AustriaBargain on 19/11/2023 - 12:14
          +1

          That was last year. Can't they just make the car factories go brrr?

      • 7ekn00 on 19/11/2023 - 13:00
        +1

        Lots of immigrants that can now drive, but don't have cars ;)

      • lovafo on 19/11/2023 - 13:04

        Yeah it's crazy but life is getting more expensive and for quality and reliable cars they come with a premium unfortunately. I could go for a cheaper and newer car but for that budget I will only get cars with 150,000kms or above in the same class with higher chances of something important failing soon and repairs would be much more expensive than repairing a Toyota. So paying the premium now or later is the question

    • azero on 20/11/2023 - 10:03

      Here in Melbourne 200K+ 20 year old camry will be close to 5k.

      I once had one that was parked for 2 years, new battery and it ran like like nobody's business

  • lovafo on 20/11/2023 - 23:34
    +2

    Update: we bought the car tonight, negotiated further down to $5,700 after the mechanic checked it over with nothing serious. The seller was keen to make room for his new car.

    Overall the mechanic was happy with it as in the last 6 months it has had these things replaced:
    - Compressor and regas
    - Drive belt
    - Transmission service and fluid
    - Spark plugs
    - Battery
    - Regular minor service with oil and filter change

    Also it had the first transmission fluid change when it was under 100,000 kms, alternator 70,000 kms ago, engine mount 50,000 kms ago, front and rear pad within the last 3 years. The stack of service records was so thick that I had never seen before, the previous 2 owners sometimes serviced the car every 6 months, sometimes 18 months but it was never left longer than that. And judging by all the things that got replaced throughout this car's life the mechanic said it was a buy but only at the right price and he felt $5,700 was almost there, not a bargain but it's almost impossible to find the same car with the same service history and in that same condition.

    I'm just glad it's over now, buying a car is exciting at first until you've looked at 10 of them and none was good or at the right price.

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