So I found a 99 max gle with 71k, white with black leather on it appears to have no rust issues that I really seen. Paint was pretty clean. Appears probably been garage kept. Obviously they are asking more then what a private party values it at even in excellent condition. What would you value something like this at? I would say maybe $3k? I didnt take any pics but wasnt any major scratches or dents other then maybe 1 or 2 door dings.

I have a white 97 se currently but rust is the issue on it so was looking for a donor. Obviously dont want to spend a ton. Mine is a 5 speed so I'd obviously be swapping the 5 speed into the 99. I'd probably switch door handles out since dont care for the chrome handles on the gle.

 

$3500-4000 would be good, I've seen some recently with 120k miles that looked brand new off the showroom floor for 3500. Since that has 70kish miles, I'd be glad to pay a bit more. It will sell quickly if it has no rust/paint/body damage issues.

 

A car with no rust and a near to perfect body interior and exterior is worth paying the asking price due to the extreme car that owner has invested in that very car.

 

Evidently, for a car to be that old and have that few miles, it wasn't really a daily driver. GREAT... And maybe not. Seems the stories of people getting high mileage are people that used the car constantly and parts lasted well through those miles. But non use and age are more of a detriment than so many want to acknowledge.

Start putting daily driver miles on it and watch how fast and often big things will show their old ugly heads.

And parts are herder to find. And not every state allows people to go into junk yards and pull their own parts. If they even have 4th gens around. (NY doesn't)

I have fixed a lot lately and the costs have been shocking to do it right. In a car that would get no more than $1K and totaled if it were hit in a quarter panel as it would cost more to repair it properly.

Top out at $2500.00 and keep your feel planted in reality.

 

I understand what you mean by low miles possibly implying the car has sat a while and may soon develop issues, however he said he's swapping his 5spd into it thus making his old ride his own personal pick and pull.

It is getting harder and harder to find good condition 4th gens, I wouldn't want to let one slip away. I bought my 98 out in NJ 4 years ago and physically looked at 21 cars in person to find that one. There are still plenty of 4th gens driving around NY and for sale, most around 1500-2500 and most have issues or are crap. I'm in Brooklyn and there are still 4th gen parts at the junkyards here. All in all, my point is that with a 20+ year old car the rarity of a mint one is something to consider when pricing.

 

It’s worth what someone is willing to pay for it. A clean, no rust, low mileage 4th gen is quickly becoming hard to find, a lot of people might already say it is. Don’t be afraid to dish out a little money for one, don’t listen to these people telling you to top out at 2500, it’s your money, your car.