I've been looking for a 4th gen black 5spd SE with a black leather interior, and I've finally found one...

It's a fully-loaded 97 SE with 38K miles on it for $12,888. I think it's a pretty decent deal and I can always negotiate. What do you think about the price/mileage?

I'm coming from an auto 95 altima GXE so this would be quite a nice change.

 

Sounds like a pretty good deal.
Considering only 38k miles.
My 97 SE has about 60k on it right now.

 

Blue book is about 14,200... barring any other problems (clean history, interior, body, engine) it should be a good deal. especially if it's from a dealer

 

good deal. I think my 98 gxe w/ 50k is worth 10k if i'm lucky

 

Sounds like an awesome deal, go get it now!

 

Looks like a good deal. I paid 13,800 for a fully loaded 97 se 5 spd with 28k miles .. you'll love the car

 

I paid about $15k for my 97SE auto loaded last year with 48k, but then again, I live in California. I was actually almost in a bidding war with someone else over the car. If it has been well maintained and taken care of, grab it. I can't stress the importance of getting a car where someone has all the maintenence records!

 

Take the usual precautions and get an independent mechanic check it out for like $100 or less. If it checks out, offer something really low like $10k, then start bartering from there.
Example I talked a dealer down from $18k to $14k on a 99SE then walked away.
If it's a dealer, go in during the week, when it's quiet, so they will be more willing to sell the car to meet their quotas.

 

just another point of view: $7000 for a 97 gxe,
82k miles, 5 speed. dealers seem to ask for a premium on low milage cars, but without being able to tell the authenticity of the odometer i'm always leery about that. i can easily replace the speedometer. 38k miles is amazingly low for a 6 year old car. then again, if the condition is good then it's a good deal.

 

Sounds good to me. But definitely run a carfax on it and taking it to a trusted mechanic can't hurt.

 

The car seemed to be in perfect shape inside and out, and yes it was at a small dealer's lot. I'll get all my finances together and hopefully make the move from altimas.net to to org soon.

 

Whether this is from a dealer or private party you should emphasize
that they need to justify a price increase over your offer rather
than allowing yourself to get wrapped in the nightmare of working
down from their asking price. Arm yourself with information from
the classifieds, KBB.com and edmunds.com to justify your position.
If you're principled in your purchase process you should get what
you want and the seller will get what's fair. Remember to love the
car but don't be in love with it or you'll lose sight of your goal
of getting the car at a price you're comfortable with. And never
forget your best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA),
which in this case is likely to be walking away.

A must-read for any negotiation is, "Getting To Yes" by Fisher, Ury
and Patton.

Cheers,

JK