So, just went and looked at this today, made an offer, which was accepted. No money has changed hands yet though as the seller has a bank lien on the vehicle, so we set up a time we could meet at his bank. So, there is still some time for you guys to stop me if you think this is stupid 
And I have a question about cleaning carpets... Any advice for shampooing them or cleaning them?
It's a 2003 and has between 117 and 118k (seller drives it to work currently). Seller appears to be second owner. Has owned it for about 7 years, it's been the family wagon, many trips to the beach etc. with the four kids. And that's the part that shows. Interior is absolutely filthy. It was cleaned out and a quick simple vacuum, but there is debris in all the nooks and crannies and the carpet is stained and the floor mats even have some melted crayon. But mechanically it seems very sound. I drove it at both low speed and highway speed (70mph). Ran beautifully, no shakes, rattles, shimmies, jimmies, squeaks or untoward noises at all. Other than that I think the rearview mirror needs tightening as it was vibrating even though I couldn't even feel anything. Stopped if you put your hand on it. All test driving was on pavement so didn't test engaging the CDL. No check engine lights. Crawled underneath it, there is some dirty grease on the front CVs, but it does not seem to be actively throwing any grease at all and they generally appear in great shape. As does everything else underneath. Zero, and I mean zero rust. factory paint underneath, no undercoating covering things up, etc. No drips. All shields seem to be present. Has had regular oil changes, and brakes front and rear were recently replaced. Tires are in excellent shape (factory wheels, highway style tires). But timing belt and water pump have NOT been replaced. I think maintenance has meant keeping up with the wear items and oils changes. So, I'll need baseline all the rest of the maintenance. Has some nicks and dings typical of the age of the vehicle. Worst of it is a rub on the passenger side front bumper and someone slightly bent the drivers side passenger door at the very bottom which cause a small paint crack and some light surface rust, which is the only rust I could find.
Seller was asking $16,500, but given the filthiness of the vehicle I offered $14k. He accepted. Decent deal for a fairly low mileage vehicle that seems mechanically sound, even it it is filthy inside?
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And I have a question about cleaning carpets... Any advice for shampooing them or cleaning them?
It's a 2003 and has between 117 and 118k (seller drives it to work currently). Seller appears to be second owner. Has owned it for about 7 years, it's been the family wagon, many trips to the beach etc. with the four kids. And that's the part that shows. Interior is absolutely filthy. It was cleaned out and a quick simple vacuum, but there is debris in all the nooks and crannies and the carpet is stained and the floor mats even have some melted crayon. But mechanically it seems very sound. I drove it at both low speed and highway speed (70mph). Ran beautifully, no shakes, rattles, shimmies, jimmies, squeaks or untoward noises at all. Other than that I think the rearview mirror needs tightening as it was vibrating even though I couldn't even feel anything. Stopped if you put your hand on it. All test driving was on pavement so didn't test engaging the CDL. No check engine lights. Crawled underneath it, there is some dirty grease on the front CVs, but it does not seem to be actively throwing any grease at all and they generally appear in great shape. As does everything else underneath. Zero, and I mean zero rust. factory paint underneath, no undercoating covering things up, etc. No drips. All shields seem to be present. Has had regular oil changes, and brakes front and rear were recently replaced. Tires are in excellent shape (factory wheels, highway style tires). But timing belt and water pump have NOT been replaced. I think maintenance has meant keeping up with the wear items and oils changes. So, I'll need baseline all the rest of the maintenance. Has some nicks and dings typical of the age of the vehicle. Worst of it is a rub on the passenger side front bumper and someone slightly bent the drivers side passenger door at the very bottom which cause a small paint crack and some light surface rust, which is the only rust I could find.
Seller was asking $16,500, but given the filthiness of the vehicle I offered $14k. He accepted. Decent deal for a fairly low mileage vehicle that seems mechanically sound, even it it is filthy inside?
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