I own a 2002 6sp SE. I know much about what to look for in this car but not so much a 4th gen.

There was a 4th gen for sale on the side of the road and I went to check it out. I'm not sure what year it is but it is certainly 4th gen. The odo had 133k. I felt around the wheel wells and the rear passenger side was rather rusty. The other rear side felt like it was starting to bubble. There was some light scratches all around the outside especially the gas cap cover. The leather interior had a pretty severe rip in the middle of the back seat. All around, the leather was rather worn.

The car is clearly not in amazing shape, but with a kid on the way I need another car. I know I can't say an exact year and I don't even know exactly how well it runs. I just want to gain a little knowledge about what to look for and what prices are reasonable (there was a price written on the car).

 

At 133k its still a baby. Check the bottom of the radiator support for rust. Test drive it listen for timing chain noise and tyranny noise if 5 speed.

Is mechanically sound offer 1k due to rust.

 

95/96 has a crease across the
Trunk and tails, later does not. Later models are general preferred for aesthetic reasons. Stay away from 99 due to coils and Immobilizer headaches.

 

Its an automatic. I agree it is still a baby. The rust isn't visible from the outside. I bet the owner barely realizes it. If $1000 is reasonable then this car is over priced. Thank you for the quick response.

 

I still have a week or so of free autochecks, PM me the VIN if you can and I'll email you the autocheck report if you want.

 

Thanks. I will do so after work tomorrow, assuming the car is still there.

Oh!! I forgot to mention, the rear passenger tire is COMPLETELY flat.

 

95-99 very well known problems-
Hood struts go bad, won't hold hood up.
Lower rad support rusts out, very very common.
Antenna mast will only go down half way.
Timing chain rattle, if driven hard
Very minimal rust on wheel wells , thats all I can think of right at the moment, but in all, they are very dependable, aggressive little cars!

 

Point out the rust, the worn leather, and test drive it. Let him know its no cherry and make an offer. I dont know the affects of rust on values in your area, nut hear rust free cars are easy to come by. No higher than $1,500 though.

 

Man wish you were in CA, I want to sell my 98 SE and it doesn't have any of those issues. I would honestly pass if I were you. Sounds like it was poorly taken care of

 

I'm guessing in CT they salt the roads. We're lucky that way here.

 

Lots of salt!! I went back to look at the car and get the VIN. So much rust under the car. No way I would feel safe with my kid in the back. Thanks for the help anyways everyone.